Moab Memories

Mine and Ira's annual trip with my parents to Moab has changed into the "Guys Trip" to Moab. I haven't been able to go the last two year with being pregnant and having a new babe. However...next year is MY year boys - your welcome to come, but no more "just the guys"! This year, not many of the men in my family were able to go, just Dad, Shawn, and Ira. So Ira and Shawn brought along their oldest kids. I am so glad that Brayden got to spend some time with his ever-busy dad. They had a great time, and have had many stories to tell.
WARNING: There are SO many pictures on this post, and guess what??...I wasn't even present! I won't mention that I threatened Ira and Brayden with their lives that they better take LOTS of pictures, or else... (I don't know what the "or else" would have been, but they followed through with their end of the bargain!). So let the picture viewing begin! ...

Ira...you promised to get you all back home safe and sound...what's up with this??!

Our macho boys

No explanation necessary...except to say: Yes... that is Ira, and yes...he eventually got out!

Brayden

Ready to roll!

Brayden & Nathan with Grandpa

The whole group at Arches

Brayden & Ira
Shawn with his kids

The whole group

Brayden sliding down the sand dunes

Brayden

Shawn & Dad

Shawn, Tiana & Nathan overlooking Moab

Brayden & Ira overlooking Moab

Bestest Buddies

I witnessed the cutest thing ever today between two bestest buddies, Jarin and Kaylie Johnson. We had just finished Emi's soccer game, and Jarin had taken off his shoes and socks. To walk all the way to the car, he had to either put them back on, or carry them. Of course he chose to carry them. There was just one teency weency problem with this idea. His britches were too big! What does that have to do with shoes and socks you ask? Well, all day he was holding onto the back of his pants trying to keep them up. So when his hands were full of shoes, how was he going to not lose his britches? The solution came when his good friend saw a need. She didn't offer to carry the shoes for him, but she DID hold up his pants for him. Oh I wish I had my camera! They were walking across the parking lot with her holding up the back of his pants so that they wouldn't fall off. Now THAT is a true friend!! This picture was taken last year, but these 4 are bestest buddies.

I was going to end my post there, but the subject has prompted me to thinking. I know...I should quit before I get too deep, I tend to do that too much. But I can't help it, I really want to keep writing about Bestest Buddies.

In my lifetime, I have been so fortunant to have many of those Bestest Buddies. Some of them are part of my life for just a short time, while others have stuck with me for many years. Some have been part of my life since before I can even remember, they have just always been there. Some I am just starting to know, while others I haven't even met yet! I was talking with a lady who recently lost her son, and she commented how it is times like this (tragedies), when you realize just how many friends you have. I hope and pray I never have to go through a tragedy like what she has endured, but isn't it wonderful to know that she didn't have to endure it alone? I get so busy with my family and all my responsibilities, that I am not very good at building those friendships on a daily basis, yet I feel love and concern from those around me even when I don't "hang out" with them much...or ever.

Ira has been really busy this last month with helping with funerals and different things within our ward, and then he's been gone for the weekend, and needless to say...I have been alone alot lately. A sweet friend saw a need to boost my spirits, and she brought lunch to me. That just really made my day! Thanks you know who.

Anyways, that is only one example, and I couldn't possibly list all the kind things that my "bestest buddies" have done for me through my life. And I would dare say that most of them don't even know when they have done an act of kindness. Just simple things like a smile, a compliment, listening...holding up someone elses britches when they can't do it themselves!

Thank Heaven for "bestest buddies"!

(especially the one I married).

9 Months Young

Have you ever tried getting a 9 month old to sit still? Why, oh why didn't I take his 9 month old pictures one week earlier...BEFORE he learned to crawl?! And speaking of 9 months...where has the time gone? I know we all say that...that our kids grow up too fast...but seriously??? Where did the time go? I have to admit that some things with Kamden growing up are alright with me, like...I am enjoying him sleeping through the night, eating solids, entertaining himself some. But 9 months later I am still trying to get used to the idea that he is really here, and that he is really ours. He is such a jewel! A few years ago, I didn't even dare HOPE for TWO children, and here we are with FOUR! I thank Heavenly Father every day for each one of them.

Now back to the "subject" of this entry - my sweet baby boy.

Below is my attempt to take Kam's 9 month pictures.

I would sit him in just the right position, and before I could take a step away and push the button...well, just see for yourself what I was trying to work with!

This one was SO close!...yet so far away. I took probably 50 others just like these!

When I was just about to end our little photo session...THESE!

Whalaa!...Success!!

I love my little guy so much. Kam has such a sweet personality, and is so much fun to watch as he is becoming his own little self.




I love my little "Kam-da Bear"

Simple Joys

My mom and I were talking about an Oprah show that she had seen that was talking about Motherhood. She told me some of the comments made, and we laughed. I commented that Motherhood is one of the hardest things I have ever done, and if people realized JUST how hard it really is, I bet that many, many of them/us would chose another path (I personally would keep on the same path - but that doesn't mean it's the easiest thing I've ever done). Then the next thing I said is the stickler (is that a word?). Anyways...I said, "and there are no rewards in motherhood...at least until your kids are grown up." What a hair-brained thing to say or even think!! I remember when we were expecting our first child, I was visiting with a young stay-at-home mother, and I was telling her how excited I was to get to be a stay-at-home mom. She commented that it isn't all that great UNLESS YOU MAKE it that great. It takes a conscious effort every single day to make it a wonderful experience instead one of drudgery. At that time, I was really surprised, because I could only see through rose-colored glasses. However, it didn't take long until I realized what she meant, and I made it my goal, my challenge, to make motherhood a wonderful experience. I did great with that for awhile, then busier schedules kicked in, and more children arrived, and somewhere along the way routine kicked in instead of spontaneous playfulness and laughter.

Recently I heard this quote (I think it was from the Sunday morning Spoken Word program). "Simple joys are everywhere. All we have to do is notice them." Then the speaker went on to list things like a "clean counter, colors in the leaves, laughter..."

Now that I am noticing, my life is full of simple joys. For example, Jarin's cute way of saying, "I love you mom...SooooooSoooooo much!" Kamdens big bright eyes and the way he waves hi to me when I walk in the room. Emilie's energy and willingness to be so helpful. Braydens bright smile and excitement and willingness to want to talk to his "ancient" mom. Ira's willingness to be such a hard worker, and his desire to want to spend more time with his family. When my dishes are all done, when the laundry is totally caught up (even if it only lasts an hour), the smell of freshly cut grass, the warm sunshine, my kids giggles, my husbands "thank you's", my extended families support to be a healthy family. OK, I'm getting carried away. I could literally add to this list all day and not make a dent in all the simple joys I should be noticing on a daily basis, not just experiencing and then ignoring. There's a word for that, it's called "ingratitude".

My point of this post is to remind myself to notice the Simple Joys in life. They are all around me, and the rewards of motherhood aren't just 20 years down the road, they are everywhere, everyday - NOW.

Ira and Jarin enjoying the Simple Pleasures of the warm spring sun.

I WILL survive!

Me and my kiddos
Our kids love to snow ski, and Ira has taken them about once a year for quite a while now. I have always had a "good" excuse to weezle my way out of it. (You know, things like being pregnant, need to feed the new baby etc.). This year, I tried all the "weezling" I could, and Ira would just smile and tell me it was my turn to take them. I haven't been snow skiing in many years, and I was a bit terrified, especially since I would be having Emi with me whose only been twice. It's worse than the blind leading the blind!! So...I made sure my life insurance was paid up, and that Ira knew where to find the policy - and off I went. And guess what?...I DID survive!!

My sister Kelli, and her family were going, and she loves to ski. I knew we would be in good hands if we got stuck somewhere - she would find a way to help us down. Emi cried most of the way down when I was with her. After about an hour of that, Kelli showed up and showed her a few things, and off she went, with no more tears. Then Emi and her 4 year old cousin, Myah would cruz past me and have to stop and wait for me to catch up as I zig-zagged back and forth trying to get down the mountain in one piece. It was lots of fun, especially the part where we took OFF the skis for the day! It really was fun, but once a year (or less) would suit me just fine. However, I loved, loved, loved being outside, in the sun, fresh air, and beautiful mountains.

This was the first of many falls for me.

It was a lot harder to get back up than I remembered it being in my younger days!

Brayden, Zacary & Skyler. They went on their own most of the day, and had a great time together.My sis and IEmi & Myah. The above picture is them flying down the mountain past me.Brayden

Kelli & Myah
We married two of the greatest guys. While we played for the day, Ira & Derrick took care of babies at the lodge, and they grilled hamburgers so we hungry skiiers could have something yummy to eat. Later, they went to "City of the Rocks", and checked things out there.

You guys are the greatest!

Oh ya...we ran out of gas on the mountain on our way home. This is the only hill we had to push the van up, then Ira coasted all the way down the mountain, straight to the gas pump!

He coasted from up there......to here.


Yummy "hole in the wall" restaurant in Pocatello

I think that I forgot to mention that we FORGOT sun screen! You can't see our red faces in this picture very well, but believe you me...THEY ARE RED. We have had a sore couple of days!..LESSON LEARNED! OUCH!

Wet Oatmeal Kisses

This week has been one of great reflection for me. A dear family in our neighborhood lost their son tragically, and he left behind his wife and his four "babies" that are about my "babies" ages. It has caused me to have a little more patience, laugh a little more with my family and at myself, hold them a little closer for a little longer, and tell them with more sincerity that I love them. I haven't wanted Ira to leave my side - unfortunantly it has been "one of those weeks" that he hasn't been by my side much. But at the end of the day, even those long days, he has still been around long enough to wrap his arms around each of us. It really puts things into perspective of those petty little things that cause "stress", or are "inconvenient". As long as we have each other - we have everything that is important.

I have also been scanning some of my late-Grandmas family history, so all the families can have copies of it. I have had the opportunity to hold things in my hands that my Grandma, Great Grandparents, and Great-Great grandparents (etc.) held, wore, and touched with their hands. I have held my Grandmas baby booties, poems and letters written by long-ago relatives, pictures, and even original marriage certificates. It has been a long process, but I have been so grateful to have the priviledge to read their stories, and see many of their pictures, and get to know them. Someday, when I go to the other side (hopefully I'll go to the heaven side!), I will see them, and I will know them, and we can be together as family again.

My Grandma Wrights baby booties

My sisters and I on the bottom row (all high-school age)

My mom, her mom, her mom, her mom & her mom (My Great-great -great Grandmother)



Both of these experiences have really caused great reflection for me. I don't like the tragic way that I had to be reminded of how important my family is - but nevertheless, I am grateful that I could be reminded. I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple so that we have the possibility of not just seeing each other again someday, but being together as a family.


When I was going through my grandmas things, I found this writing - I don't know the author, but amidst all of these experiences, I have thought about this writing many times. It must have made an impact on my Grandma as well, or she wouldn't have kept it in her treasures. Her life on earth is now gone, but I am still here to take advantage of these "wet oatmeal kisses".

Wet Oatmeal Kisses
The baby is teething. The children are fighting. Your husband just called and said, "Eat dinner without me.
One of these days you'll explode and shout to the kids, "Why don't you grow up and act your age?"...And they will.
Or: "You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do. And don't slam the door!"...And they don't.
You'll straighten their bedrooms all neat and tidy, toys displayed on the shelf, hangers in the closet. You'll yell, "Now I want it to stay this way!"...And it will.
You will prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't had all the olives picked out and a cake with no finger traces in the icing and you'll say: "Now THIS is a meal for company."...And you will eat it alone.
You'll yell, "I want complete privacy on the phone. No screaming. Do you hear me?" ...And no one will answer.
No more dandelion bouquets. No more wet, knotted shoelaces, muddy boots or rubber bands for ponytails.
Imagine. A lipstick with a point. No babysitter for New Year's Eve. Washing clothes only once a week, no PTA meetings or silly school plays where your child is a tree. No carpools, blaring stereos, or forgotten lunch money.
No more Christmas presents made of library paste and toothpicks. No wet oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No more giggles in the dark, scraped knees to kiss or sticky fingers to clean. Only a voice asking: "Why don't you grow up?"
...And the silence echoes: "I did."


Kam and I sharing "Wet Oatmeal Kisses"

Road Trips...

What is it about road trips that keeps us coming back for more? When we went to Disneyland, we debated whether we should fly or drive. We opted to drive because after all, together time is part of the fun, right? Well, I'll just say that after that trip, we decided that we would fly next time. Never again will we subject ourselves to that torture! So then what do we do? One month later, we thought it would be "fun" to go on another road trip! (What got into us?) We justified it with the fact that this road trip was much shorter in comparison. No way can this 3 1/2 hour trip be as bad as the 12 hours to Disneyland, right? Wrong again!! True, it was shorter, but the "issues" were just intensified to fit 12 hours into 3 1/2! Now we have decided that our next road trip is just the two of us - no kids. You think that will happen? Probably not! We'll forget all about the arguing, crying, complaining etc., and sooner than later - we'll be back on that road trip (with the kids)! Gotta love them (the road trips I mean - AND the kids)!!! I have to admit that aside from the not-so-great moments, there are still a lot of wonderful memories that we built together. My extended family still give me a hard time about what a "brat" I was on a certain road trip when I was about 14 years old. The verdict is still out on that one. I think everyone else in the car were the ones with the problems! See?...memories...good times! When all is said and done, yes, we will go on more road trips...with the kids! And someday, we will even laugh at all the "issues".

Here are a few pictures of our most recent road trip:

This was a last minute trip for us. I was sharing my disappointment with my friend, Mindy Johnson, that we didn't have tickets to go to the Draper Temple open house. She said that she had some, and extra. So...the next thing I knew, Ira and I had a whole weekend planned. We went to the open house on Friday night...

...Then we stayed at a hotel in Provo. Ever since we got home from Disneyland, Jarin has been asking us if we could go back to our hotel. So he was very excited to get to stay at a hotel. We are short a bed for one person, and he is always excited to find somewhere cool to sleep. Under the table was where he picked, after I talked him out of sleeping in the closet!...

...Of course, the highlight of staying at a hotel is getting to swim. This was Kamden's first time to swim. He loved splashing....

...Saturday, we went to Little Sahara sand dunes (by Nephi, UT), and went 4-wheeling. We love to go 4-wheeling. Last summer I was pregnant, then had a newborn, so we were very limited on our riding. Yes, we start our kids riding young, but at least we didn't take him last year when he was a newborn! We put a helmet on him, attach him to the baby carrier that is hooked on me, and we ride on very mellow trails. He loved it, and so did I!

...Brayden and Emilie both got to practice their new bikes. Brayden had to get a bigger bike, Emilie got Brayden's smaller bike. It is too hard to have two kids riding with each of us. After much research, we found out that motorcycles are safer for kids to ride. They are much easier to handle for them. I have to admit, I was really nervous to put Emilie on a bike. I can't keep up to her when she's on her feet - yet alone a bike! Ira showed her the basics, and off she went. She is completely fearless!...

Of course, Jarin and Kam preferred to just play in the sand.

...Would I do it again? OF COURSE!!