My Marathon called LIFE!

Life can really take us for a ride sometimes. Some days I feel like I'm on a ferris wheel, just going through mild up's and down's - coasting along, enjoying the world around me (those days are few and far between). Other days (or weeks or years), I feel like I am hanging on for dear life on the biggest, fastest, rollercoaster known to mankind. This past week I have been on quite the rollercoaster ride. It has been a way fun ride, full of surprises and adventure. At times I put my arms in the air and thrilled with the experience, other times I closed my eyes because I wasn't ready for what came next. However, now that my weeks ride is coming to an end - I can say that it was a great ride, and if given the opportunity - I'd definently go again! (Just give me a couple weeks to recoop some energy - cuz I can't seem to find anymore of it ((energy)). I'm just getting too OLD for this kind of craziness. Just give me a porch and a rocking chair!)

My week began with cleaning the heck out of my house for like three days. My house was quite the transformation that lasted...oh, about 2 hours! (Aaarrrggghhhhhh...why can't a clean house just STAY clean?!)

Adventure #1

(Wednesday)

My week started out with a night hike with some friends on the Jardine Trail. What exactly was I thinking? I am SO NOT a night person. Ten P.M. is late for me - so climbing into bed at 1:00 A.M. was just not like me. But I might just have to get used to this late stuff, cuz that was REALLY fun!

Ann, Melanie, Stephanie, Me, Jaelynne, Loni & Shanna

Ira was so worried about us all going at night, that he told Shanna that we needed to have a knife and mace. Shanna did bring a knife, and look what happened?! Imagine what damage we could do if we brought mace? Maybe not such a great idea! ;)

The mother of all bugs joined us for our smorgesboard (we had fruit, cheese, cookies, and even a salad - no granola bars and trail mixes for us!). This thing crawling up on us was all we needed to break up "camp" and head home. But we had to catch it first for Braydens insect collection at school (he got 100%). So I carried this thing in a container on my back all the way back. I was afraid it would eat through the container and then eat me! It really is that big (like 1 1/2 - 2 inches long) and that ugly!

Adventure #2

(Wednesday - Friday)

Ira's Grandma and Aunt came for a visit for a couple of days.

Adventure #3

(Friday)

Attended Tysons Homecoming Football game - way to go coach! (no pics :( )

Adventure #4

(Saturday)

I'm pretty proud of this adventure. I have already mentioned in previous posts about my families "Biggest Loser" competition, and how after the competition ended, we set our own personal goals. One of my goals was to have my own mini biathalon. I wanted to ride my bike up the Smithfield canyon, then run back home (about 5.2 miles each direction). My brother was here from California, and said he would do it with me. Terrible weekend to exhert any extra energy, but I couldn't turn down the opportunity to have the support and company. I was eating his dust all the way, and if he wasn't there to make me do it - I know I still wouldn't have accomplished it. BUT, I did achieve my goal, and it was really fun. My other brother met us at the top and ran down with us. Between the 3 of us, we have lost about 145 pounds. That's not counting the other 6 participants in our competition!Adventure #5

(Saturday)

BBQ at Mack Park (I'm thinking that maybe after this meal, we put back on half of the weight we had lost! - check out all that cheese!!!!

We had a BBQ with my parents and all my siblings who were here for my parents farewell the following day. Kamden

Jarin & Parker


Adventure #6

(Friday - Sunday)

Emilie's birthday! Happy 9 years sweet girl!

The poor girl (or lucky, depending on how you look at it), didn't really get a day that was just her special day this year. There was just a lot going on. So Friday I took her to the movies, Saturday, Ira took her 4-wheeling, and we gave her a cake. Then sunday (her actual birthday), we gave her some gifts. She did get to celebrate the whole weekend with her cousins around - and I think she loved every minute of it.

Adventure #7

(Sunday)

My parents had their farewell before they leave on their 18 month mission to the Marshall Islands. They talked in church, and did great! At this point, the anxiety and anticipation of them leaving is killing me. I don't want them to leave, (but I really do KNOW it is the right thing), but since it is something that is going to happen, I kinda just want it to happen already (I think you know what I mean, right?).

Anyways, that was me rambling - so I'll get back to the point. After church, we had a farewell luncheon for them and family. I have like a million pictures of extended family and friends - so I'll spare you this one time. But it was a great day, with lots of love and support extended to two fabulously wonderful people.

Part of this days adventure was that we kids prepared the food for this little gathering of about 150 people. (There are advantages to having 8 kids!) That food preparation was fit somewhere between all the other adventures during the weekend.

We're working the kitchen.

Dad, Mom and all 8 kids.

Todd, Tyson, Kim, Kelli, Jordan, Shawn, Nicky, Dad, Mom & Robin

We weren't sure we would be able to pull off having all of us together before they left - that is no small task! But moments like these are priceless.

Unfortunantly we were not able to have all the spouses there. Two of my sisters-in-law were greatly missed. I will try my hardest to photoshop them into the following photo - but we'll see!

Adventure #8

(Monday)

I thought I had had my last 4-wheeling ride with my parents before they left - but this impromptu ride was the highlight of my week. I went to Oxford Peak with my parents, two brothers from California, and my two kidlets. The colors are just starting to change, and it was so much fun for me to get to be with them in the mountains again.

Mom, Jordan, Dad, Shawn, Jarin & Todd

Me with my chick-a-dees (it was freezing!)

all of us breaking for lunch

Jarin

My daddy comin' round the mountain.

Todd

Adventure #9

(Wednesday)

Can't say I love this adventure, but I do love having full shelves of food. I spent Wednesday bottling grape juice and apple sauce. Yumm-O

Adventure #10

(Wednesday night)

Back where I started the week from - night hiking with my friends...again. This is seriously addicting. I hike till my legs burn, then laugh till my stomach hurts, then turn around and do it again the next week! This time we went to the Windcaves. I have been on this hike before, but I had never been in the dark. I have walked across this stone bridge before...no problem. But at night when everything around is total blackness, and the only light is from my flashlight, well...I got on my hands and knees and flippin' CRAWLED across it! What a wimp!!!! Maybe you had to be there, but it did have a bit of a "freak out" factor. Maybe I was already a bit on edge cuz of the rock wall we had to climb up, and my knees aren't what they used to be baby. Or maybe it was the pitch blackness all around, and knowing how high up we were. I dunno, but you can call me a total wimp now, I can take it! ;0)

Food and laughter - great fun!

Adventure #11 - Infinity

Somewhere between all of these great adventures, I'm sure I fed my family at least once, and I think we even slept a couple times - but I can't really remember. Maybe, just maybe, I even made sure everyone had at least one shower and brushed their teeth. I'm not really sure, but I do know that tonight I tucked in 4 children, so I know they are all still alive. So somewhere in all of that madness, I had the adventure of Motherhood.

So there you have it...my marathon called Life.

And tomorrow...I'm making jam!

Ode to Bear Lake

Bear Lake...
I will miss you my dear friend.
You have been good to us.
You have provided countless hours of laughter, and family togetherness.
You have been the cause of me yelling at my kids "Your-out-too-far. Come-back!!!!"
You have shared your frigid waters to cool our hot selves.
You have blown your fierce wind storms, full of sand, on us.
We have had near hypothermia after getting wet in your waters, then trying to dry off on your windy, sand-filled beaches.
You have shared your beaches full of sand for building castles.
You have let us take your sand home with us, in our food, our shoes, our cars and our shorts!
Thank you Bear Lake for our wonderful love/hate relationship.
I will return again next year, do it all over again...and call it FUN!

Our last trip to Bear Lake for the season was for our annual family LaborDay get-together. Another one of those impromptu traditions. We gather ourselves at Bear Lake, and eat and swim. When there's no food left...we go home!

It was freezing with a never-moving cloud that blocked the sun, and the wind was blowing. We had a canopy that we hung blankets up to block the wind. We crammed in there like sardines to keep warm. Then...we ATE (and ate and ate). And we called it FUN!
These two (my parents) won't be with us next year (sob, sob). It's getting hard to have our "last time" events with our parents for 18 months (I know, it's not forever, but 18 months is a L-O-N-G time, it seems). I had my last 4-wheeling ride with them a couple weeks ago too. That one will be a hard one for me, to go to the mountains that they love, and go 4-wheeling that they love, and not have them there too. I'll definently think of them everytime I go!

And since I am always the one behind the camera, and there is seldom proof that I was actually part of the event, I took this self-portrait of me with my mom.

I loved how Jarin & Kam were playing together in the sand. So sweet!

Family get-togethers = Football!

Jarin and Parker - two peas in a pod (almost scary how much they are alike). Poor Mandi (Parkers mom), I do feel your pain raising that child - but aren't they a hoot?!! ;0)

Nathan, Skyler, Taylor, Tiana

Our very own Mermaids - Rylee, Myah & Emilie

I'm a lucky, lucky (a.k.a. blessed) girl to have married my best friend 16 years ago today.

(16 YEARS! ...wowsers, time flies fast when your havin' fun!)

Then and Now...haven't changed a bit!

(Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha - that is really quite funny.

Those people in the top pictures are almost strangers to who we are today.)

Huuu????

My baby boy (Jarin) went to preschool today...WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?? I know it's not school, school where he's gone ALL day - but it's the beginning of the end. He will never be my toddler who stays home with me all day again - that time of life is past. Seriously... I'm not ready for this. In a couple of years, my youngest baby will be going - then what? Will I have to grow up and decide what I want to be when I'm all grown up??? OK Father Time, let's make a deal of some kind, so that the clock just stops right here, right now.

Jackson Hole

I know it seems like we have vacationed a lot this summer, but we really haven't. We have played a lot with our one dayers, but we haven't really gotten away...until now. (I know, your crying tears of pity for me, right? Not that I'm complaining, I'll take the one dayers - they are fun too). BUT, it was SO great to have THREE days of no phones, computers, work, school, house cleaning, yard work, meetings etc. etc.

We went to Jackson Hole where we "camped", if you call camping in a trailer camping. It is more like camping in style. For several years we have been looking for an affordable, used trailer - but just hadn't found our "home away from home". After our last camping experience where I had a throwing up, fevered girl, screaming baby, we were freezing and wet, and Ira wasn't with me - well...let's just say that a trailer was no longer an extra, but an absolute necessity! :) So, to quote The Grinch "One mans garbage is another mans POTPOURRI!"

It started to rain, and we just went inside and had icecream that stayed frozen in our little freezer (no coolers)- why didn't anyone tell me before, that "camping" could be so enjoyable???

Funny story (at least to us). We were at a campground in Jackson Hole, and we didn't want to deal with the whole sewer thing in the trailer, so we were all taking the walk to the bathrooms. In the morning, Emi must have decided that the walk was just too far, cuz she just couldn't hold it. So she steps out the door, and goes right there. Ira and I looked out the window and were a little surprised that she didn't at least try to hide. Just then, he sees a lady walking by, laughing at our daughter, and Ira ducks, saying, "I know that lady." OF COURSE he does!!! Everywhere we go, Ira knows somebody.

We camped at "Signal Mountain", or as Jarin prounounces it, "SICK-O Mountain".

We can't go to Jackson without visiting Bar J Wranglers. Then all the way home, we have to listen to their CD, and then watch their DVD when we get home. I really like Bar J, but I'm a little Bar J'd out right now! I met a great man at Bar J. I don't know his name, and will never see him again. But he left an impression on me that I hope to never forget. He was an older gentleman who took the time to talk to me and my kids for just a second. He said, "Are all these kids yours?" (I'm thinking, "Is four kids really that many?) He said, "That's great". I responded, (thinking I was being a little funny), "It's great, or maybe we're just crazy." He smiled, and said, "No, your not crazy. It is the most honorable, and the most generous thing you could ever do." That one statement left a big impact on me. Most of the time I just think I'm going crazy with being a mom, or already have reached the said destination. Being a mother is usually a thankless job. (don't get me wrong, I love my job, but you have to admit - there's not much in the way of recognition that goes with the title). However, on this day, this man in his own quiet way, gave me a great big thank you, and it felt so nice!

We rented a boat at Jackson Lake for an hour, and we fished and swam from the boat. It was way fun, and so beautiful to get to see the Grand Tetons from the lake.

There ARE advantages to being the picture taker all the time. I have excuses when I don't want to do something, like jumping into lakes!

We hiked a little, ate a lot, and had a great time together. As usual, we try to fit as much into each day as we can, and we came home exhausted. One of these days, we will go on a vacation, and actually RELAX!!