He's Off

Before we get to the send-off, I wanted to include some other important pictures.

Douglas and three of his Cottonwood High School baseball friends went to the temple together for the first time.  I'm so glad we found a day for all of our schedules to align.  Having the support of teammates and friends is priceless.  These boys spent 4 years together and it was awesome to see them all go and serve the Lord.  

Douglas, Jeff, Dylan, Jake

Baseball Buddies

June 7th, Jordan River Temple

Douglas had such a hard time leaving baseball behind.  It had been such a HUGE part of him for so long.  He used any extra weight he had in his suitcase to bring some balls along.

It's hard to give up the game

Farewell Sunday

Big brother's example to Mason

Big brother's example to Stockton

Douglas had an early flight so, on July 9, we dropped him off at the airport around 4:00 am.  It was SO HARD to watch him go through security and up the escalator.  We shed a lot of tears.  I had prepared myself, and him, for this moment from the time he was small but words can't really describe the hole in your heart when you know you won't see your child for 2 years.  Russell and I both described it as a bit of a mourning process.  Our hearts were heavy with letting him go but there is nowhere else we would rather him be!  This is what he is supposed to do!

On his own

We watched until we couldn't see him anymore 😢