The Grand Canyon is grand!

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to take the kids to the Grand Canyon, it was also my first time to see the magnificence of the Grand Canyon. We took the Grand Canyon Railway up to the canyon and spent a few hours there. Somehow, I managed to biff it real good after de-boarding the train but managed to not let it stop my family from our little hike to explore, despite the pain and soreness (it is quite scratched, bruised, and swollen still this morning). We only visited the South Rim before heading back to catch the train. I am not sure the kids enjoy our national park adventures but it is something that I did not experience as a child but I did enjoy the beauty of nature locally.  I want our kids to see the grandeur of our beautiful country, well actually world but that is not economically feasible.  I am so thankful for our summers together and explorations. 

Summer Trip Part 1

Our first summer venture is underway.  Jake had to have a root canal and it was more economic to buy a plane ticket for him to go to James to get it done, than to just have it done at home, so that is what we did.  His trip to Boise was short but enjoyable (he flew out Monday 6/10 and we picked him up Wednesday 6/12). The plan was for my to pick him in in Albuquerque, NM on Wednesday at 5:42 p.m. at the airport, so the kids and I left about 2:45 a.m. Wednesday June 12th.  I was very worried about Ginny and she was uncertain she was going to try to go until the 11th.  However, on the 11th, it was as if she work up better. Now I am not saying 100% better but she did not sleep all day nor ask for medicines all day and she walked around some.  She still does not have a voice and says it hurts to eat, yawn, or try to talk but she has made strides.  I wanted her as comfortable as possible on the trip, so about 2:20 a.m, I gave her liquid Tylenol PM and the boys melatonin. We were able to drive the furthest without stopping until we needed gas (almost 5 hours) and all my babies slept. Surprisingly, I was able to stay alert and we arrived to get Jake safe and sound.  The kids were GREAT.  After we got Jake, we ate dinner in Gallup NM, and then Jake drove the remaining three hours to meet Chris somewhere in Arizona. The kids and I were in the car over twenty hours but were champs.  The following day we visited and went to Bearizona.

Happy 9th Birthday Christopher

Christopher- You are the sweetest little boy that we know. With that said you have developed a sneaky mean streak towards your brother.  We are told on a regular basis how loved you are by others and how they think you are the sweetest little guy.  You help without bring asked and look out for others. You are giving to others and of yourself.  When someone is sad, you have a way of cheering them up....we are so glad you are in our family- this is where you belong! Undoubtedly, your future is limitless! 

According to you, Christopher:

You currently want to be when you grow up:  an artist

Your favorite color is: all but not black

Your favorite show is: the Flash

Your favorite game is: Ticket to Ride

Your favorite toy or activity is: playing with my friends

Your favorite girl is: Riley Jerden

You are really good at: being a pain in the butt to my brother

Your best friend is: Jonah Donald

You want to vacation to: Paris, France

Your favorite ice cream is: ALL

Your wish is to be: the Flash

Your hero is: my mom

Your favorite thing to do with your friends is: play games with them, like Pokemon

Your favorite holiday is: Christmas and Easter

Your favorite person in the whole world is: my mom

Your favorite song is: Chicken Nugget Dreamland

Your favorite restaurant is: Freddy's

Your favorite foods are: Ravioli, Lunchables, Spaghetti, Mama Noodles

If you had $1000 you would buy: "I would give it to St. Jude"

Baseball and more Baseball

We love watching our boys play ball and each year they improve.  Both boys played first base this year and did very well. 

Tonsils out and Anastasia

Girls camp was this last week (Wednesday thru Friday). Jake was able to attend with the girls and I.  We loved having him here. As a leader my heart was touched and filled with joy watching new friendships form and service happen. I believe hearts were touched lives changed. 

Arriving home, however, that evening I began to feel that there was little purpose for my life. I found myself a little overwhelmed with laundry, finances, and the role in my family as a wife and mother. Later that evening, I ride over to visit with Charity and Becky a minute. Laughing with them brightened my mood but yet driving back home, feelings unwanted of being unappreciated and minimal love entered my mind. It is no secret I wonder how I scored Jake. He his my anchor and calming device. My children are incredible. Watching our girls this week , seeing their interactions, and hearing their testimonies inspires me. Aubree bears a strong witness of the gospel and both exemplify it. Those unwanted feelings diminished as I spoke with Jake. He keeps me going! 

Sitting in sacrament meeting I felt a tender mercy or tiny miracle from above when I opened to read and this was on my screen: “In Times of Discouragement, Remember the Widow of Nain- Especially when we feel forgotten or overlooked, we must remember: Jesus came to the widow's aid precisely in her time of need, and He will come to us as well.”

What a beautiful reminder that I am loved. The Lord knew I needed that and knows me. 

It seems as if our summer has begun but we have not experienced any down time yet and our days are still a whirlwind.  Wednesday, June 5th, Ginny had her tonsils and adenoids removed. She is still very sore but managed to drag herself to see the musical Anastasia.  Naturally, I was concerned about her comfort level but was not a battle I chose to have with the child and despite her pain, we had an enjoyable evening with the girls.  Jake and I are busy writing curriculum for the district but it will provide summer travel money.  We have made a more cautious effort to have family prayer twice a day this summer and we hope to establish this more routinely.  It is so hard during the school year with schedules and Ginny working because there are days she is gone before we get home and the boys in bed when she gets home, so often it is not our entire family together so we are striving to improve that.

Girl's Camp 2019 (5/29-6/1)

Girls camp was this last week (Wednesday thru Friday). Jake was able to attend with the girls and I.  We loved having him here. As a leader my heart was touched and filled with joy watching new friendships form and service happen. I believe hearts were touched lives changed. 

Arriving home, however, that evening I began to feel that there was little purpose for my life. I found myself a little overwhelmed with laundry, finances, and the role in my family as a wife and mother. Later that evening, I ride over to visit with Charity and Becky a minute. Laughing with them brightened my mood but yet driving back home, feelings unwanted of being unappreciated and minimal love entered my mind. It is no secret I wonder how I scored Jake. He his my anchor and calming device. My children are incredible. Watching our girls this week , seeing their interactions, and hearing their testimonies inspires me. Aubree bears a strong witness of the gospel and both exemplify it. Those unwanted feelings diminished as I spoke with Jake. He keeps me going! 

Sitting in sacrament meeting I felt a tender mercy or tiny miracle from above when I opened to read and this was on my screen: “In Times of Discouragement, Remember the Widow of Nain- Especially when we feel forgotten or overlooked, we must remember: Jesus came to the widow's aid precisely in her time of need, and He will come to us as well.” What a beautiful reminder that I am loved. The Lord knew I needed that and knows me.

One of our traditions we established three years ago is D.E.A.R. (Drop everything and read), which gives the opportunity to for the girls to stop wherever they may be and read the scriptures. We tried to make a connection this year with DEAR and Bambi. The story of Bambi is about building friendships. His mother died so he had to surround himself with good friends. Our circles of friendships change as our lives change.  There is a story that was shared a couple of months ago at a training I attended about Elder Tom Perry.  Tom Perry moved his family to New York but to give the family the life desired, he lived outside the city and had a. little commute each day to work on the subway. He notices a man being territorial in a certain spot and decided to beat him there one morning to get his spot and see what would happen. Over the next few days it became a friendly competition.  Chatter started to see who was going to get the spot. People who never talked began to talk. Friendships were made in that unfriendly subway in New York, people began to bring in cupcakes for birthdays and ask about soccer games. One simple act created friendships. 

Be strong and courageous. Courageous must include a yes. Begin somewhere.