Ryan made plans with his friend Chance last summer to come out to Utah for EFY this summer. Once we found out we were moving, we weren't sure if it would work, but fortunately, the timing turned out to be perfect.
He left the week before we moved, and we had him stay an extra week to make sure we arrived in New York before he got there. He flew from Houston to SLC, then from SLC to Buffalo. It was also his very first time flying solo, and I'm not sure who was more nervous, him or me!! Since Rick was gone, I hired a babysitter to stay with the other kids so I could take him alone, and help him navigate the airport. Since he wears an insulin pump, and carries syringes and medication with him, going through security is always a little different for him, and I needed to make sure that it was okay. Since he's a minor, I was able to get a gate pass and go with him all the way to his gate, which made us both feel a lot better. He ended up being on the same plane as a boy his age from seminary, which helped his nervousness, and mine too.
My parents picked him up from the airport, and he stayed with them the first night. They dropped him off the next morning at Chance's house, and he was with them until EFY started a few days later. Talk about party central! They are a super fun family with mostly older kids, so he was able to escape the little kid situation for a little while! They love to play games, and he just fits into their family really well. Monday morning he headed to EFY, and I will never forget the first text I got from him that first day...
"Mom. I need to come home. I can't take it. Too much singing and happiness".
LOL.
He ended up having a great time, and by the end of the week was really glad he went. He also told me he wasn't going to dance at any of the dances, but at both of them, he was asked to dance every single dance. Ha! It was like 18 girls, or something like that! Funny boy. Julie was wonderful, and sent me updates every single night on what they said in the car, and how he did. It made me feel as if I was there! On the last day, he sent me this super cute picture of him and a girl he met. He banned me from showing even one more person, but I finally convinced him to let me post it here. :)
After EFY, he headed back to my parents' house for a few days before coming home. They pretty much spoiled him rotten. :) That's what grandparents do, right? They ate yummy food, went to see cool places, attended the Ogden Temple open house, and took Chance & Alex to do some Family History.
It was quite the trip for him, and I'm so glad he was able to go! A huge thanks to my parents and to the Jensen family, for making it so wonderful!
