Dawson's Homecoming Talk and Brunch

 

When missionaries come home from their mission, they usually speak in our Sacrament Meeting at church and tell a little bit about their mission experiences and an assigned gospel topic.   Dawson gave his talk on Sunday, reported on his 2 year mission to Australia, and we had a big welcome home brunch afterward.  About 150 people came to the brunch to welcome him home. We are so grateful for wonderful friends and family.  Here are a few photos from the brunch.  It's so great to have him home!

Welcome Home, Dawson and MORE!

All the crew who were there to welcome Dawson home.

This week has been cray cray (in a good way) at the Pedersen home.  I hope you'll indulge me as I share a  little bit of that with you.

1.  Our son, Dawson, came home after finishing his 2 year LDS mission to Sydney, Australia on Tuesday.  For those of you who don't know much about how this works, I'll give you a little explanation.  Most LDS boys, at the age of 18, go out somewhere in the world to give full-time service and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. They do this 24/7 (okay, they do sleep...lol) for 2 full years. While gone, they get to email their families once a week, and get to call or skype with their families on Mother's Day and Christmas.  It is a huge sacrifice for the boys and their families, but it is also one of the most awesome blessings our family has ever received. Dawson is our third boy to serve. Our first son, Easton, served in Houston, TX (Spanish speaking). Our second son, Tannon, served in Malaga, Spain (obviously Spanish speaking).  Dawson was called to Sydney, Australia. He was also assigned to serve in the Spanish language but got very little chance to use it.  He did, however, serve much of his mission among the Tongan people in Australia and came home fluent in Tongan.  As we have watched our boys serve, we have realized that although it is hard to say goodbye and turn your son over to the Lord for 2 years, the blessings far outweigh the sacrifice.  The people they become in this 2 years of service is absolutely amazing.  Let me clarify: they were already awesome people, but they came home changed in a way that would be hard to do in any other way.  Anyway, I'm rambling. I guess I'm just saying how happy I am our boys served, and how HAPPY I am that I am done sending missionaries!  *wink*

That first hug.  Heaven!

The first hug at the airport is the BEST!  I can't even begin to tell you how it feels to see your son for the first time in 2 years and have him wrap his big arms around you and sqeeze!

2.  My hubby, Dan the Man, celebrated his birthday yesterday (Wednesday).  Although celebrating by having Dawson home was the best birthday gift ever, he has experienced a REALLY hard last 5 weeks. He injured his back and has been flat down for 5 weeks.  It has been horrific.  He has been through MRI's, several series of injections in different areas of his spinal joints and back, 3 different doctors, and so much more. He has been in constant pain and hasn't been able to walk more than 20-200 feet (depending on the day) for that whole time.  There is one very specific position he can sit in and one he can lay in with minimal pain. Walking, standing, or any other sitting or laying positions are impossible.  We honestly didn't even know if he would be able to go to the airport on Tuesday to welcome Dawson home. We had a family fast and have been praying for him and we had our own little Pedersen miracle.  He was able to go to the airport on Tuesday and welcome Dawson home.  He couldn't have imagined a better birthday gift!  He still has a very long way to go to be fully functional again, but we are getting there. Thank heavens!

Dan (and Tannon) waiting at the airport for Dawson's return. We had to bring a funny, portable chair for Dan but we somehow made it work!

3.  Our daughter, Kori is expecting her 4th baby any day.  We are so grateful he didn't decide to make his debut on Tuesday when we had Dawson coming home.  Any day is fine now.  I'll be sure to announce it when he arrives!

Missionary Moms Layout

As many of you who have been following me for a while know, my boys have each served 2 year missions for our church. Easton served in Houston, TX (Spanish speaking), Tannon served in Malaga, Spain (obviously Spanish speaking) and our youngest, Dawson, is serving in Syndey, Australia. He was called Spanish as well.  Each month I get together with the mothers of several of Dawson's friends who are also serving missions around the world and we have lunch and chat and sometimes cry a few tears as we talk about our missionaries.  I cherish these times each month!  This layout, made with the January Stamp of the Month, commemorates this monthly tradition.

Here are a few close ups.  I have also included a products used list, complete with photos and links at the end of this email for your convenience.  For every $50 you spend (before shipping and tax), you can get the January Stamp of the Month (in January only) for $5 ($12.95 savings).  Spend $100, get 2, and so on.  When ordering on my website, you'll be prompted to add your set(s) before you check out.

A little bit about Dawson and his mission.  He was called to speak Spanish, and has for about 6 months of his mission so far, but has also spent even more time speaking Tongan and teaching the Tongan people of Australia the gospel.  While serving in the Tongan areas, he has worn a Tupenu.  I love this photo of him and his companion.  I can't believe he will be home in 4 1/2 short months.  I have such mixed emotions. I can't wait to hug this kid and have him home, but at the same time I know how happy he is doing what he is doing. I know when he comes home, he will leave part of his heart in Australia.

This Moment � January 2015 Stamp of the Month	Black Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad	Cranberry Exclusive Inks� Stamp Pad	Cotton Candy Exclusive Inks� Stamp Pad
12" X 12" White Daisy Cardstock	12" X 12" Glacier Cardstock	12" X 12" Cotton Candy Cardstock	12" X 12" Whisper Cardstock
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InLinkz.com

October Stamp of the Month Layout, German Pancakes Recipe, and Our Week

October Stamp of the Month (Scandinavian Wishes) Layout

 One whole week since my last post? Where did it go?  I know....

• 2 scrapbooking classes to teach
• trip to Cedar City to watch Easton play football
• marketing meetings
• webinars
• church meetings
• General Conference 
• decorating for Autumn
• and just every day life

I'm sure you're all busy in your lives too, so thanks for stopping by and taking the time to follow my blog!  I'll share a few photos from this week at the end of the post but first, let's take care of a little business and special reminders:

1.  The layout you see above was made with the beautiful October Stamp of the Month (Scandinavian Wishes).  As you may remember I am working on putting together a scrapbook of my favorite family recipes.  I try to make at least one page per month for this book.  This one is my Aunt Sheila's German Pancakes.  We have them every Christmas morning (recipe below).  The October Stamp of the Month is only available in October (hence the name!) and is only $5 ($17.985 value) with a $50 order.  You can order through me, or directly through my website.  Here's a detail shot:

Detail shot

October Stamp of the Month: carrier sheet actual size is 6" x 6"

Aunt Sheila's German Pancakes
Makes one 9" x 13" pan

Prehead oven to 400*

Put 6 T. butter in a 9" x 13" baking pan (I like pyrex ones for this) and put in oven to melt.

Mix well in blender (use a blender because it makes the mixture more airy so it will puff up better than if you use a mixer):
6 eggs
1 C. flour
1 C. milk
1/2 t. salt

Pour in hot pan of melted butter. Bake 15-18 minutes.

You can top them with butter and syrup, powdered sugar, fruit and whipped cream, yogurt, or just about anything.  Have fun!

CTMH products used on layout: October Stamp of the Month, Classy Doily Stamp Set, Smoothie Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Frosted Paper Pack, Slate Stamp Pad, Smoothie Stamp Pad, Lagoon Stamp Pad, Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape, Pink Glitter Gel, Silver Metallic Marker, Blending Pen, 3D Foam Tape.

2.  Don't forget that the Holiday Gift Guide goes live on October 15 and you can order from it through December 31.

This little book is full of holiday goodness. There is a GREAT special that goes with it too. For every $100 order you place from this little book (or the Autumn/Winter Catalog) between October 15 and December 31, you get a FREE item. You can choose from any of the items in the Holiday Gift Guide that have a star next to them as your FREEBIE! WOO HOO!  Be sure to check back here on my blog as October 15 nears for artwork I've created from products int he guide as well as a link to view the guide page by delicious page.  I'm also happy to mail you one. Just email me (pedermom@aol.com) and let me know you want one, and be sure to include your mailing address and I'll drop one in the mail pronto!

3. A few quick photos from this week. We also got some pictures from Dawson, who is serving a 2-year mission for our church in Australia that I'll include. 

Our little Sage turned 2 months.

Some of my girls and I at the football game (Daysha {Easton's wife}, me, and Brookley {Tannon's girlfriend} on top.  Sage on the bottom.  She was giving raspberries to let you all know what she thought of the game. We lost. RRRRRRGGGGGHHHH! We were missing our other girls, who must be our good luck charms. Kori, Daci and Livvi, we missed you! 

Fall Decorations. Kori, Daci, Livvi and Street came to help. Kori and Daci were a big help. Livvi and Street mostly decorated my house with graham crackers instead. :)

Dawson's first baptism

P-day (they get one day off a week. It's called P-day {stands for Preparation Day}. They usually do their laundry, grocery shop, prepare for the next week, and do something fun on p-day. They went to the jungle this time.

Just another day in Australia...

 Have a great day, everyone! Thanks for stopping by!