Extraordinary Determination

Father and son conquered Mt. Timpanogos

I got to experience it all vicariously. The day before the hike Master I kept saying, "I can't believe I get to do this hike!" Our son woke us both up at 4 am saying he was ready to go. I was on pins and needles all day hoping that they would make it to the top. I was scared that one of them would slip or get hurt, so I called them all day long. I called every five minutes when they were trying to make it to the top. Master I was discouraged and didn't want to go any further. He told his dad that 99% of him wanted to quit, but only 1% of him wanted to finish. He was only 1/4 of a mile away. I told him that I would pay him 20 dollars if he would finish. That motivated him to keep going. I was elated when he made it to the top. I was even happier when he came home and I got to see his exhaustion and his glowing happiness. They left befor 5 am and got home after 10 pm. He fell asleep on the couch on the way upstairs. I had to wake him up to get him in bed. But, once I woke him up you couldn't wipe the smile off of his face. He didn't want to go to bed because he wanted to talk about it. He said, "I can't believe I did it! It was harder than 10 Mt. Olympus hikes." The seventeen mile seven year old.

All of this just makes me want to hike every trail in Northern America. Master I feels the same way. I asked him what one he wanted to do next. "Maybe Half Dome," he said.

"It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive"

I remember when I grew out of Halloween. I was a teenager. I still wanted it to be magical and fun, but parents began to look at me with suspicion when I went trick-or-treating and dressing-up was an afterthought-throw on your cheerleading uniform. I never thought that Halloween could return to being truly fun and that it could actually be even more magical than when I was young.

That perspective changed 7 years ago at my son's first Halloween. He was 10 months old and thought that getting dressed up was hillarious. We went to a little parade outside our student housing where a band was doing a show for the kids. He as so excited. His face was beaming and he was clapping his hands. I couldn't help it...I started to cry. I was so happy to see his happiness. I was so grateful that people would make his day special. The happiness of my first Halloweenas a mother far exceeded any happines that I felt as a child. I marveled at it and then remembered a scripture, "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

I felt the same joy this month when my sister-in-law's family took us fishing. My boy was beside himself that he got to go on a boat and fish! Seeing his excitement, thrill, and gratitude was too much for me to bear and I started to cry. I brushed the tears away hoping no one would see because how could I explain? I don't even understand why I cry in those moments. I just felt gratitude for those that gave my son something that I couldn't give him that he really wanted. And I felt joy in helping to give my son something that he loved.

That fishing trip was more joyful than any such trip that I had when I was growing up. That amazes me because my parents knew how to have a party! We had a lot of fun growing up. There were always vacations to amusement parks, Hawaii, National Parks, camping, Giants game at Candlestick Park, day trips to Bridgeport, Pajaro Dunes, and you name it. We either were partying together or working together.

My thirty seven year old sister told me that this summer has been the funnest summer of her life. A sane person might ask how driving back and forth from Tennesse to Utah, living out of a suitcase for two months, going off of no sleep, mothering 5 kids without husband and home to make it easier could possibly feel that way. The answer was because it was so joyful to see her children so happy and having fun.

"Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." And so, life just keeps getting better.

Grandpa and Grandma's Spa and Resort

We played with cousins

We went through Grandma's old clothes and cut them up to sew a new outfit for Rachel

We got spoiled by love from Grandma and even got to go garage saling with her





We swam everyday except Sunday

Miss R loved the pool!

A tea party with Grandma

Daddy's girl just became Grandpa's girl. She always went up to him, hopped on his lap, and assumed she would be fully enjoyed by him.

4th of July

Playing in the dream back yard.

A celebration with holiday cookies and Sparkling Apple Cider.



Watching the fireworks

Turned 35 and the Birthdays Just Get Better!

Grandma's special pancakes for my 35th birthday.

I believe every birthday should have:
1. a wrapped present


2. a birthday cake with candles and the singing of the birthday song


3. hopefully some special activity done together


4. decorations


I think that this must have been my happiest birthday yet. It was even more fun that the elaborate celebrations my parents gave me growing up. My family knew how to party. I think what made this particular birthday so special was to give this fun day to my kids. I wasn't waiting for anyone to throw a party for me because I was visiting grandparents while my husband was working long hours.

What made my day specail was to feel love for and from my kids. I think the love that I felt for my children was because most of what I did to celebrate was to give them an opportunity to give their love to me. Like taking them to the dollar store so they could buy me a present. The day was constant fun for them and they kept wanting to make it special for me. They loved baking the cake with me and decorating it. I bought decorations at the dollar store so that my son could decorate the house with Grandma. When little Miss R woke up and saw the decorations she gasped with delight and said, "Mommy! It's your birthday!" Unlike birthdays growing up, there was no material present that I longed for. But there was something that I did want. It was more of a feeling . And I got it. To love and to be loved, what could be better than this?