Aeldste Kleisler's on His Way to Denmark!

The lone Danish elder points to his desired destination- Denmark!

Aeldste Kleisler with his first MTC companion,
Elder Helton (dutch speaking)

Today was a great day! It was also a little sad. Kevin left the MTC this morning to fly to Denmark. He was very happy to start on his adventure, but also very hesitant about what a new country might bring. It was so wonderful to get to talk to him on the phone and to hear his fabulous voice! Everyone except Grandpa Jim was able to talk to him either when he called from Salt Lake or during his layover in Atlanta. He spoke a lot of Danish for us- he's really good already! It was amazing how much more grown up he sounded in just 9 weeks. It was hard saying goodbye to him when he had to hang up and board his plane in Atlanta, bound for Copenhagen. I really miss that kid! He's going to do amazing things and grow so much. Watch out Denmark, here comes Aeldste Kleisler!!!

Aeldste Kleisler, ready to take on the world, or at least Denmark!

Shaq Attacked..........Me!

When I heard that Shaquille O'Neal was coming to the Phoenix Suns I never thought it would effect my little life at all. I figured maybe he could help the Suns win the NBA title, but I never really gave him being in the land of the sun much thought. Then came the day when we heard he was joining up with the Tempe Police Department as a volunteer/Reserve Police Officer. I figured I might run into him from time to time at the station. I literally almost did run into him one day when I was coming around the corner and he was coming the other way. Luckily I stopped in time, because that would have been truly embarrassing and a little painful since he is so big! He seemed quite nice and asked me how I was doing instead of giving me a stern look or lecture about looking where I was going. Then I found out that the department had gotten a grant for Shaq to do some undercover computer work. It's a large and renewable grant. That's when people came sniffing around my office, which shares a wall with the Computer Detectives' lab.

And then.....Shaq attacked! They're taking our office (that I've been in for 7 years) for Shaq. I have to move upstairs into a cubicle in the middle of the building. Being by the outside door was the only way I saw anyone from my bureau since the bike officers are in a trailer on the other side of the lake, the park rangers are in a trailer under the bridge, and the mounted officers are at Kiwanis Park. Now I'll be isolated upstairs in a noisy big room with all of the big muckity mucks nearby. All of my file cabinets will be lined up in the halls and my boss will be down the hall. And of course, I will have to box up all of the 8 large file cabinets, tons of supplies, and years worth of stuff all by myself since my boss and officemate will be out having his knee replaced! I think that's got to be some kind of personal foul, isn't it? Of course, Shaq himself has no idea all of the havoc he's wrecking in my life. I guess this proves that I'm just one of the little people!!

My "Kids"

I was going through some pictures on my computer tonight and I came across this one of my kids. Yes, I know they're all adults now, but they will always be "my kids" no matter how old they get (and I guess that will make me even older!) I love this picture because it really shows who they are: fabulous, amazing, unique individuals who each hold a special place in my heart.
I'm very proud of the wonderful people they've become.

So, yeah - I've been a little busy!!

I know, I know - no excuses.

Well, here's the deal. When I created my blog I really thought I would have lots of time to keep it up to date on my missionaries' progress and all of my empty nest happenings. Well, we all know what happens to the best laid plans, don't we? I had an empty nest for ONE WHOLE WEEK before Kristi came back home on medical release from the MTC. It's kinda funny since I had really been dreading having no kids at home, but it wasn't so bad. And now that I don't have it anymore, I sorta want it back! Not that I don't like having Kristi here for awhile, but we all know she'd rather be in Texas, so I'd rather she was there too.

Kevin leaves the MTC in two weeks to fly to Denmark. It's a little nerve wracking to have your kids in a foreign country, even a safe one, so I'm not looking forward to that part. But I am happy that he will finally be on his way! Life in the MTC as the only Danish speaking elder has been a little tough. So, here are a couple of pictures from our trip to take him to the MTC at the end of April. It's hard not having his smiling face around the house, but I know that he's really grown a lot already and he's happy serving the Lord on a mission.

Me, Kevin, and my Mom at Temple Square

Aeldste Kleisler ( Aeldste is elder in Danish)

Me and Kevin on the fateful day at the MTC - both a fabulous and heart wrenching experience all rolled into one.