Kade's Collarbone and Basketball 2011-2012

Kade broke his collarbone December 3, 2011, my birthday, in the State Championship Football Game. With this disappointment was the harsh reality that Kade's basketball season was in jeopardy. Kade had an amazing season of football. But football is a hobby for Kade. Basketball is his true love. To say that he was devasted was an understatement. We got him into a Dr. on December 6th and December 7th at 8:15 he was in surgery. It was really a miracle how the whole thing played out. The Dr. that "happened" to be in the hallway at the Dr. appt that just returned from San Francisco where he specializes in this fairly new procedure, was willing to take Kade's case. The healing time has been a miracle as well. Kade missed the first five weeks of basketball but has been playing for a nearly a month now. Although it hasn't been his dream season, he has been able to do what he loves to do best, play basketball. Connell Football is hard on Connell Basketball players. The football season goes so long and then immediatly dumps into basketball season, where the athletes have to completely switch gears to basketball mode and many come with injuries and adjustments.

After surgery and rod in place.

We're just grateful that things went as well as it did. Our family seems to have it's share of injuries. But with each one comes great life lessons learned. Kade has faced this trial with a great attitude and faith. It was ironic, he was interviewed by KNDU news just the month before and referred to his life threatening accident that happened when he was 7 and said that one lesson he learned from that accident was how fragile life is and he always tries to give 100% in everything that he does because you never know what life has in store for you and may never have a second chance. He definitley gave 100% in that Championship game. I don't think he has any regrets. Kade recently found out that he was selected to the All State Football Team as 1st team receiver and will get to play football one more time. The game is June 23rd in Yakima. Matt Hadley and Tyson Brook were also selected to the team and Chandler Salisbury as an alternate.

Kade and Head Football Coach, Wayne Riner at Football banquet

Below are some pictures of Kade in basketball this last month. Go Eagles!

First Letter from the MTC

We finally got a letter from Kraymer! You can read it at www.elderkraymertoddeppich.blogspot.com
Pasco Airport 1/11/12 - 5:30 amThe night before he flew to MTC at Kade and Karigan's gameShayne, Kortneigh, Kraymer, Kaitlan, David Walker

Orem IHOP hour before MTCWalking him to the MTC

I still can't believe that Kraymer is on his Mission. It is a wonderful thing and I am so glad that the "send off" is over and now we can relax and enjoy his mission with him :) I had been preparing myself for Kraymer to leave but what no one told me was the pain it would cause to see him say goodbye to his siblings - t.o.r.t.u.r.e.- Is all I have to say. I knew Karigan would be a mess. (she has broken out in hives twice at school and cried endlessly at school for two days) I knew Kaitlan and Kortneigh would be a mess, they had literally been his mother for a semester at BYU. But I never expected it to be the heart breaker it was between brothers. It was the unspoken words of "I won't see you again for three plus years" hug and tears that literally ripped my heart out. But we all survived and things are great! We last minute changed plans and flew him to SLC and I am so glad we did!

Kraymer's MTC address

Kraymer enters the MTC in Provo, UT on Wednesday, January 11th at 12:40 p.m. He flies from PSC to SLC early that morning. His friend Tyler (that is leaving on his mission next month and isn't in school right now) is picking him up at the airport then taking him to Provo to meet his hopefully not crying sisters, family and friends. The plan was that Kaitlan and Kortneigh had already said their goodbyes last week and wouldn't put themselves through the torture again. They caved and wanted to see him again. He is all packed and ready to go with lots of time to tease his mother, watch football and leave big messes for me to clean up. He tells me it will make it easier on me to see him go. I doubt it will work. He is happy and excited to enter the world as a missionary. :) It will be sad for sure to see him go but we are happy for his decision to serve the Lord.

There are two ways to write Kraymer while he is in the MTC. He will be there 9 weeks learning spanish.

**The first is online through www.dearelder.com This is a FREE and super fast way. The letters are printed off, sealed in an envelope and delivered the same day that you write him if you do it before noon MST every week day.

Once you are at www.dearelder.com click on the tab "Write a Letter" at the top of the page. Scroll down to the middle section where it says "Letter Selection" select Provo MTC from the drop-down menu --not the mission he will be serving in after the MTC, then click "Write a Missionary" Kraymer's MTC mailbox is 315, his mission code is ARG-BAW and his Estimated MTC departure date is 0313. Call or text me at 509-318-0796 if you have any questions.

**Second way to write him through USPS:

Elder Kraymer Eppich

MTC Mailbox 315

ARG-BAW 0313

2005 North 900 East

Provo, UT 84604-1793

Elder Kraymer Todd Eppich

I have started a mission blog for Kraymer. On there, I will be putting up the letters and pictures that Kraymer sends home while on his mission. Here is the link http://elderkraymertoddeppich.blogspot.com/ We are excited for Kraymer and know he will be a great missionary! We love you Kraymer!
~Karigan