What They Say Wednesday

Mommy this tastes GOOD.

It's good for MY tongue.

Off They Go Again!

Freshmen started 2 days before the rest, which is why Bryon isn't in this photo.
Don't Jeremy and Michael look spiffy in their matching clothes?
(Their idea! I actually tried to dissuade them) Turned out adorable!

Wow, is summer REALLY over?! Time sure flies when you are in a spiraling whirlwind and don't have a chance to get beyond the dizziness until it lets up 3 months later! I sure do not feel like we even had a summer and I miss the children already. Apparently they don't feel the same way, however, because they were crying for school to start for 2 weeks before the big day. Was it really that bad?! lol  Now that the baby is happier for longer spurts and I am getting some rest and feeling like I can actually enjoy the children, they are off to school and I am left wondering where the time went and how I can make the best of it next summer so it doesn't feel like such a short moment gust. So here we are. And instead of feeling cheated and disheartened, we are enjoying back to school activities and after school events as well as my enjoying the little ones and outings they love to do. So...off they go again and life is so bittersweet! I am finding that: I LOVE IT!!

Under the school sign

Bulldog Motto

LiCeNsE to DRIVE

He Did it! He ought to be pleased...WooHoo!

So! It's official...Bryon got his license last week and OH I cannot tell you the relief that has been mine! After oh so many hours in the car shuffling him from here to there and back again and juggling schedules while loading and unloading babies and toddlers, the pay off is here! The day of  registration was amazing as he was able to drive Tyler (who is no longer a middle schooler, WOO HOO), and Himself to and from school and to Target to get supplies. Total of two hours,  meanwhile, I was enjoying my children at the park and visiting with a friend (something I don't get to do very often or even so relaxed) and was even home before they were. This felt AMAZING!

First official High School day

The night of Young Mens, the rest of the family was able to attend Jeremy's Cub Scout pack meeting at the park because Bryon was able to take himself and Tyler to and from the church. When you have as big a family as ours and are used to juggling things to get children from one event to another, school, scouts, youth activities and appointments, there is nothing so aleviating as one of them being able to do much of this themselves. Ah, the freedom! Congratulations Bryon, we are so pleased with your driving skills and responsible nature. We love you!!

Now we're just working on getting a macho family car
& swapping out the "Mommy van"...wish us luck!

Free scrapbooking design personalized with Smilebox

What would we do without him?

Utah Mountains July 2010

Bryon and Tyler Repelling

Lately I've been reflecting a lot on the gratitude I have been feeling for our Son Tyler. A recent experience is the cause for the reflection as it has made me realize the fragility and blessings of life itself. Tyler has been extremely busy this summer between all sorts of camps, hired yard jobs, friends and EFY. He's been happy busy. Anyone that knows Tyler knows how much he likes to be busy with things of value, whether strengthening relationships or doing jobs or service of worth. The experience I referred to recently was on the High Adventure camp the Young Men from our ward went on. They were planning and so looking forward to this event for weeks before it happened. The plan included hiking none other than Mt. St. Helens, river rafting, camping out and fishing. It sounded so fun even I wished I could go! They set off early Wednesday morning not to return until late Saturday as they were planning to finish the trip by going to the temple for baptisms for the dead in Portland, Pizza at a member's Pizzaria as they often do after a temple trip, and ending with a Tri-Stake dance. Upon returning the boys seemed quite tired and related that the event was less than what they expected, to say the least, as one of the leaders had experienced car trouble that required a mechanics help and waiting for that part to be delivered to the autoshop where the car was being serviced. Obviously this was not anticipated by anyone and was a real dissappointment. However, they kept busy with what activities they could. Following is the story as related to Steve and I late Saturday night upon the boys return home. The account that follows is exactly as recorded in Tyler's journalc. He gave me permission to share it. Unfortunately the computer isn't working with the scanner properly so we had to type it out instead of just scanning the account straight from his journal. Here is the account:

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

      I  feel the need to write about a life changing experience I recently had.

     Our church had a youth high adventure camp where we planned to go to hike Mt. St. Helens, explore the Ape caves and go witewater rafting. We had car trouble and took the car in to a shop nearby to get it fixed. Well, it was Wednesday and it wasn't supposed to be fixed until noon on Friday. We stopped at a camp where we would stay till then and our spot was next to the Louis river (Southern WA). There was a great swimming spot there to do a little rafting and on the other side, there was a cliff that you could jump from into deep 20ft. or so water. 

Tyler's drawing of the cliff

The others went rafting a short distance away while me and another boy decided to stay by the beach and just swim. 

     We started to swim and got very close to the cliff when he started to panic. I thought we could make it but then I noticed signs of unconsiousness. I told him to grab my hand and he did, but then quickly lost strength and went under. I thought he was gonna pull me under too. It was the scariest moment of my life. The closest people to us were on the beach about 60 yards away. 

     I reached down and grabbed him from below the water and put my arm around his chest and knee below his spine (as was taught in lifesaving Merit badge). [The week before at scout camp!] I had about 40 yards to swim till shore while fighting to keep not only him but me as well, over water, knowing later I was very tired, weak, lightheaded, and dehydrated, I thought we were both not going to make it.
     I gave loud shouts of help but felt like no one was listening. Just when I thought I was going to drown, I felt added strength. It felt as though I had a life Jacket under me keeping me afloat and I know the boy recieved added strength as I was able to push him a ways then grab him then push then grab him, as soon as we could touch, he went to the beach and lay there for several hours. This experience has greatly impacted my life because I know that Heavenly Father is always there to protect and watch over me. As well as my testimony being strengthened in knowing that the Lord's hand is in all things. I realize I participated in saving a life.

After learning of this account I recognized the Lord's hand in all the previous events of the Summer that led up to preparing Tyler to be physically and spiritually ready and the reason I continually felt I needed to have a prayer in my heart for the boys safety anytime they went anywhere. The freshness of having earned the lifesaving merit badge the week before, the strength given to Tyler in the most frightening and life threatening time in his life, and the knowledge that he yet has an important work to do on this earth is sobering and very felt by Steve and I. Oh how blessed we are to be alive! What a testimony I have of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how grateful I am to have it in my life. Every day is precious and I pray we don't take any of it for granted but feel it all and live it well! We are so thankful for Tyler's safety and determination and love for others. What would we do without him? I have an idea, but I'm grateful the Lord sees fit that I don't fully know. Thanks to God for Him!

August 2010

Tyler swimming with Alyssa at Amazon Pool. (They just went down the slide)

Amazon pool, August 2010

Tyler helping little brother Justin learn to go under water

She lights up our life

How is it that even on the worst of mornings through the chaos and challenges a beautiful smile can make everything okay? The Lord knows us better than we know ourselves. This I know because of the children He sent to our family. It became even more apperent when I was having a particularly rough morning after the baby awoke and before feeding her, began changing her diaper. The smile that she gave me lit up the room and suddenly everything was all okay and worthwhile. She constantly continues to light up our lives!

our precious...

Amy

What's it worth to you?

So, I went school supply shopping... I have to wonder why no matter what I do to make school supply shopping pleasant whether it's having the children babysat, taking the easier children w/ me and the others (that want EVERYTHING in sight) home w/ the older sibs., shopping earlier (like in July) or using half the supplies needed from last years stash making only minimal purchases necessary, to changing locations of where they will be purchased, doesn't seem to help ease the trama of the experience each time. What seems like it could be fun and enjoyable, is anticipated with a feeling of dread and anxiety knowing that it will only result in headache, frustration and sometimes tears. How can something so simple, be so hard? Whatever the circumstance is! Couldn't they at least overstock the most essential, practical supplies such as erasers, paper, pencils and cheap colored horizontal folders? People buy these items all year long, right?

looks like it should be simple, huh?

Yesterday as we were parusing ShopKo (my least favorite store because of their return policy, however it makes sense) for basic supplies, such as the above mentioned, that were unable to be found at favorite Target location, having my two easiest children of all to shop with and by this point beside myself with frustrated muddle brain as my said "easiest child" happily kept stating he wanted such and what for Christmas or his next birthday, I found myself really grateful for the orginization and checked list that had been my 2-day companion. While jumping from great find to other coveted gifts, forgotten upon entering new store isle, a sweet and enthusiastic Justin jumped onto the side of the cart that poor baby sister, Amy, was quietly resting in attached car seat on, and all toppled over on top of him. Cart, baby, supplies and all. As I yelled his name, unfastened and picked up the car seat from the cart to make the cart possible to lift, Justin crying underneath, I decided the new taxes we are paying, effective starting next year, for more funding for the schools, could help pay for the supplies the teachers have us purchase every year. I'm in! And as I sit here relating this experience to you I'm thinking. What's it worth to you?! All the children need the same supplies in that grade level, right? So since our valuable dollars saved and collected through school fundraisers could afford an unneeded and all too expensive mascot for our elementary school, why can't they afford these extra school supplies. Seriously, it wouldn't bother me so much if every year didn't turn out like the last excruciatingly painful school supply shopping trip! So here I sit the day after, just barely recovering from the traumatic experience, while I await a happy BBQ feast of pork ribs, the children's heartwinning Mom's mimic outback steakhouse garlic mashed potatoes and sweet corn, and I wonder...was it worth it? What's it worth to you?