Me Sad. Brett Mission.

dan's youngest brother brett left 2 1/2 weeks ago for the MTC in Brazil. he and madison are really close. this picture was taken the night of his 'farewell' and it was too cute because they were both pretending to be asleep. you can tell who the better actor was!

i was nervous for brett to leave because i wasn't sure what madison's reaction would be. we kept telling her brett was going on a mission like uncle chris, he'd be gone for a long time, but he'd come back. then every time we mentioned brett's mission she'd say, "brett. back!" {tug on the heart strings} if only she knew how long 2 years was! my mother and father in-law dropped brett off at the airport, to fly straight to Brazil but we went to to say our good byes before they left that morning.

grace will be older than madison is right now, when he gets home. crazy!

as we left the skinners house, just after they left for the airport, madison started saying, "brett stay with me," over and over. oh how i wished she could understand! sometimes we'll say "who are we going to see at grandma's house?" and she'll say "BRETT!" and then we have to remind her he's in brazil on a mission. and every so often she says, "me sad. brett mission." i makes me sad to think that she misses him but don't we all. she's done pretty well though.

we are so proud of brett and his choice to serve a mission. he was prepared and so ready to go; his excitement was visible. we've already heard from him twice and he sounds great, already fulfilling the roles he was called to. i am grateful for him and especially the role he has played in madison's and grace's lives. they are lucky to have him as their uncle!