Soooooo long Tay Tay!!

So yesterday I tried to write this blog yesterday. In fact, I did, and it was long and perfectly worded and you all would have loveeeed it...BUT, when I went to post it i got a lameee message that told me the link was broken. What are the odds!! So, let's try again...

My whole life-minus 15 months- I've spent with my little sister. Even when we didn't get along, I always knew that when it came down to it, she would always love and protect me from anything. I knew from the beginning that it was not going to be easy to say goodbye to her, but last Wednesday that is exactly what I set out to do.
PAUSE...REWIND....
Sunday was Taylor's farewell. The WHOLE family, along with pretty much everyone she has ever met, went to sacrament meeting at the YSA ward. The first speeker was Justin Wait, who was also going to enter the MTC that Wednesday. He gave a really good talk about the Book of Mormon, and welcomed the spirit into the chapel. After his talk, we -taylor,kara,delaney, me, rachel, and jane-got up to sing. We sang a medley of Teach me to Walk and Love one Another, it is truly one of my favorite songs that I have ever heard, the way they compliment eachother, is beautiful. There were a few tears, and I was so glad that we were able to sing one last time with Taylor(wanna hear it? click here). Following our song, she gave her talk.She spoke about being a disciple of Christ. Every word she said, she said with conviction, and the more she talked, the more convinced I became that she was on her way to do what she was meant to do, to be a missionary, to teach the people of Texas,and to bring them the gospel.She ended her talk with her testimony in song. She sang a song called  "With all of my heart," and I don't believe there was a dry eye in the chapel. It was asolutely amazing. The spirit in that room was SO strong, I could feel it in the very deepest part of my heart. My sweet little sister has the strongest testimony, and not only am I proud of her, but I am proud that Heavenly Father trusted me to come to this earth and be her big sister, she has taught me more than I could ever begin to describe, and I am grateful every single day for her presence in my life.
Following Sacrament meeting, the Wilson side of the family came over to my dad's house for a father's day/Taylor's day celebration. We barbequed and enjoyed eachother's company until President Wilkinsen and his wife came over to set Taylor apart. Before he did so, he talked to her about being a representative of our Savior while she is on her mission, and the things he wants her to remember as she leaves and when it is time to come home. He then asked a few people--grandma, grandpa, dad,kara,uncle larry, and bishop dunham-- to say whatever they had to say before she left. It was definitely an emotional time (right, auntie kyle?) and it was a time I don't think that the people in the room will forget it anytime soon. After that we all sang a couple songs with Stephy playing the piano, and then most people left. For the rest of the night, there were poeple coming and going and lots and lots of "see you laters." We were supposed to leave late Sunday night, buuuut people didn't leave until almost 1 a.m. so we all decided it would be best to sleep for a few hours before we started our drive.
We ended up leaving at 5:30 Monday morning. Dad drove most of the way.We stopped in Vegas and a couple other times to stretch, but overall the drive wasn't bad at all (I took lots of naps :)...



 We arrived in Orem at around 3:30, got ready and headed to Cafe Rio for dinner (my favvvvvvv) and then sweet dessert at Sub Zero (also my favvvvvv). We were all pretty tired [it's strange how sitting in a car can make you so exhausted], so we didn't do anything else that night, but Taylor, Tucker, and I were up early the Tuesday morning to head to the Salt Lake Temple, it was a wonderful experience, and I was so glad to share it with the two of them (in the short amount of time I was able to spend with Tucker, he became family pretty quick!). We did a session there, and then hurried back to pick up Dad and Delaney. They didn't have any food in the house so they were starving and we headed to Smash Burger-okayyy so we did a lot of eating out, don't judge!-and then to the University mall so that Tay could get a few things. From there we headed back up to Temple Square, we we met up with Danielle :) walked around the visitor's center, and took a tour of the Conference Center. I was amazed by it's size, by the art in that adorned the walls, and the massive meadow, yes, meadow on the roof!

picture of the temple taken from the roof of the conference center

When we left Temple Square we went to dinner with Krissy, Hayley, and Robbie at Cafe Normandy. Dinner was d-e-licious, and the time we were able to spend just hanging out with Krissy and her family afterward was exactly what Taylor needed. I think it was good for her to be able to just be around people that she cares about instead of trying to see everyone she's ever known in Utah the night before she leaves. We got back to Grandma Sherry's house pretty late, and a couple of her good friends came over to say goodbye.

     By the time I woke up Wednesday morning, Taylor and my Dad had already left to Target to get her last few little things that she needed to take with her that day. They got back just in time for everyone to get ready and head to Cafe Rio again, to meet up with Garrett and Regan so that they could see her off.... and then we headed to the MTC.

First thing first...The iPhone handoff...

Then as we pulled up to the curb, a couple of missionaries came out and grabbed her luggage, and we all got out to say a very quick goodbye...

...Daddy, "brother"Tucker, little Laney, and Me...

And then we left her there...

The drive back was a little more difficult than the way there. At one point we heard a sniffle, and Tucker looked back and me and then at Delaney, and asked if she was crying (she swears she never cries). Sure enough, under Tucker's light blue raybans, her little eyes were full of tears. I laid my head on her lap, held her hand, and triend to fall asleep. This is going to be the next 18 months of my life. Hanging out with sweet Delaney and Tucker (and BABE!!!) and though it will be hard at times,I know that she is on the lord's errand and that she will be blessed. I am looking forward to hearing her stories, and to feeling her love of the Savior through her service and her letters.
 We listened to Disney pandora for a long time from a little outside of Vegas all the way to about Barstow, and we all sang along. We didn't sleep as much as the first drive either. From St. George all the way to almost Riverside, everyone was awake. I drove from St. George to Barstow, and we made it home a little before midnight. Dad helped me get my bags, Tucker promised we'd hang out soon, and I hurried inside to see Babe! {it was a great trip but I truly had missed him TERRIBLY!}
I am so proud of both of my sisters, and I am greatly looking forward to the day when we do the whole thing over again with Ashy!



GRAND AMERICA 2011!! hahah