Well I have some good news and some bad news. . . . .

It's true, we have had some really great news lately. As with our earlier post, we couldn't be happier about having little baby Scarlet come and join our ever growing family. She is cute as a bug (but, so are all of our grandchildren - BOTH of them) and that is the good news.
For the bad . . . . . . Well really not bad, but maybe just a little sad. Today was the day we took (Drake) Elder Loud to the MTC to start the next 2 years of his life in Japan. We were all dreading today a little bit with emotions running close to the surface.

We've decided that only cute grandchildren can help fill the void.
It all began on Sunday with Drake giving his farewell talk at church. He did a wonderful job speaking - where did he get those kind of skills? Following that a few (yea right - more like small army) descended on our home for soup, sandwiches and some lasting farewells to the departing young man. All his siblings and most of his friends showed up during the course of the weekend.

Then it was a small family birthday party on Monday for his 19th. What do you get someone who already has everything he needs for the next couple of years? How about some stationary to write you? Yea, we thought that was a great idea too!We drove the almost 2 hours down to Provo and got everyone together for lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. Grandma & Grandpa Jackson, as well as all the siblings were there except Josh, Shelby & Aubrey who had to get home to California were in attendance. Drake thought that the likelihood of actually getting anything even remotely resembling Mexican food meant that he better get his fill while he still could. Our guess is that he won't be craving rice and fish over the next few years, but trying to get a good glass of Horchata might be a challenge.

After lunch it was off to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) for a few last minute pic's and hugs. Things were light hearted at first, but after the first few tears started (thanks Des!) the rest of us were struggling a bit.We tried not to think about "Ok, this is the last time we will see this funny, quirky little smile (or fill in the _____) for the next 2 whole years" but sometimes that's not so easy.
Then it was time to get him on his journey. We drove over to drop him off at the "curb and cry" spot to hand him over officially with Des, Zack, Kirsten (actually riding in back on the luggage) Mom and Dad all squeezed into the car. Again, a little somber mood until we rolled up to the curb to see Drakes good friend and hockey playing buddy waiting for him there - Elder Ryan Shepherd. Elder Shepherd has been learning German for the last 6 weeks and will soon be off to meet the people of Berlin, but before leaving he was able to come greet young Elder Loud and usher him off to become the newest missionary for our church. It was great to see him there - 2 good friends reunited, nice.

We will miss that little (ok, so he isn't that little) goober, but he left us a few things to remember him by. Dirty dishes in the sink, cereal left out, a "mostly" clean room, a car completely out of gas, half eaten birthday cake . . . . . and the list goes on. We will see you in 2 years Elder! And then it will be our pleasure to go pick you up in Tokyo and listen to your flawless Japanese as you show us how much you've grown over the past 2 years of your life!