Bells Canyon Lower Falls

In high school I don't have too many friends I still kept in contact with.  But I noticed an acquaintance on Instagram that lived close by that did some hiking.  I reached out to her and we tried this hike up the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Neither of us had done it, and it was kind of difficult with all the climbing over rocks and boulders, but we were up to the challenge.  It was beautiful and plenty of time to catch up on things.

We made it to the lower falls, and hoped to one day have more time to reach the upper falls.

Becoming A Man

Wow, my boy is growing up!!  Jarom has started shaving.  It's only once a month or so, but nonetheless a pivotal manly event.  Luckily it's only blonde hairs in certain areas, but manhood has definitely been reached.  

Women's Conference

Such a wonderful opportunity to be so close to leaders of the church.  My brother Jeff was able to get us some tickets.  That is a blessing too.  Sadly, I found out later, he won't be in that job position to give us this easy access any more.  Glad we could do this many times.

Altogether in the Conference Center before it starts.  Me and my girls 

Not the best picture, but to be in the same room as the prophet and apostles is amazing!

Saratoga Springs City Egg Hunt

Thought we would try the egg hunt this year...  But it was just as crowded as I thought it would be.  A Bajillion kids and chaos.  We saw our neighbor and friend Natalie Prazak and Ammon stuck with her for the hunt.

Ammon had fun, but sadly, he tried obeying the rule of only grabbing 5 eggs.  Once the horn was blown, he grabbed them and stood there waiting for all the other kids to obey the rule.  But they all scooped them up and filled their baskets.  It was over in 30 seconds (or so it seemed).  He was so sad that he didn't get more.  He's such a good boy trying to do what's right.

Tarin in Raegan ready to do their part in ravaging.

My New Hobby

Last year, Trent had gotten me a road bike.  This is a hobby I really wanted to pick up.  I did a Triathlon a few years ago in Peachtree City, and loved the work out biking did for me.  It wasn't until this year I finally put myself out there.  I found a triathlon I wanted to try in Sand Hollow, in southern Utah, end of May, to get myself back into shape and moving toward a goal.  My life was in need of direction and accomplishments.  I was needing to find myself again.  The road can be lonely at times, but with these views, I'm at home with God in my heart.  This day, I rode 10 miles south down Redwood Rd, and turned back to complete the 20 miles.  I was so proud of myself!

Jarom has a friend, Karter White, who was on his basketball team that Trent coached.  Karters mom, Tia White, and I became friends and I found she was a huge cyclist.  I mentioned how I was trying to get into the world of cycling and we worked out a few rides.  She taught me priorities in equipment to build up, it gets so expensive, and taught me the rules of the road.  I know I slowed her down at first, but I think I really pulled myself up and pushed through the pain.  She has become a blessing in my life that I will never be able to fully explain.  God knew I needed her support and no-nonsense personality.  I needed her strength to help me see my own.  She will always be a piece of my life growing puzzle.

Substitute Teaching

 I was asked to substitute teach for Raegan's class, Mrs LaFevre for an entire week.  That first morning this is what we saw, a beautiful sunrise come up through the AF Canyon.  

The teacher was very organized, and I appreciated it so much.  I had a great week and really got to know these wonderful kids.  Best of all, I got to be with my girl, Rae, every day. :o)

*Update- Aug2015 Not to toot my own horn, but sometimes subbing or teaching, you wonder if you make a difference.  The other day a mom of one of the students came up to me at church.  She thanked me for standing up for her son one day while I was subbing.  I instantly remember the incident.  The students were practicing for the upcoming Hope of America in the classroom and this boy was singing very loudly and a bit (or a lot) off tune.  He was proud to sing and I thought it noble.  Soon other kids were giving him a hard time and complaining that he was too loud.  I simply said he was doing a great job and that I needed more students to also sing just as loud.  I thought nothing of it, until here months later, I'm told it meant a lot to this boy and his mom who was in tears relating her thanks and joy to me for doing that for him.  My heart melted, but can only thank God, because I remember, distinctively, that my heart softened quickly after I heard him sing and feeling joy for him trying and it lead me to act the way I did.  I'm thankful for tender mercies, and that I am able to see them now and then.  I can only thank my Father in Heaven for such beautiful learning moments.

Happy 7th Birthday

This big boy was so excited to turn 7!  He had a count down three months ago!  The day finally came.

Wouldn't be the same without the morning daddy pancakes and a candle.

He had a great day.  He's my little buddy, a bit emotional at times, but still my big hearted, loveable guy!  He loves to help others and keep everyone on their toes.  His sense of adventure and creativity is so refreshing and fun.  I love my sweet boy.

He opened one gift in the morning before school...pokemon of course!

Took him out to lunch... he loves that!  He asks to be checked out of school almost every day...

And, the cookie cake. 

The following Saturday he had his birthday party.  He invited lots of kids to his party from school.  He had a blast.  Took the kids bowling, had pizza, and back to the house with cake, ice cream and presents.  He chose to do the Oreo cake...

 Loves to make crazy faces in pictures...

opening presents

Afterwards, the kids played on our neighbors trampoline.  They had a great time.

Later, Gma and Gpa Wardwell came over and got him the gift we thought he would love best, and we were right.  He loves a bike he fits.

Braces Go On

Time for the second experience in braces to begin!  Jarom has pretty good teeth to start with, just a few minor things to fix.  He was worried getting them on, but is doing really well.

BEFORE

AFTER

He was a little sore after that, but not as sore as he was after his first tightening... ;o}

Friday Treat Day

Most Fridays, we did a 'Friday Treat Day'.  Kids loved it, and I like trying new things.  I found this easy recipe for chocolate cookies with Andies Mints on top.

Just starting to melt...YUM!

Complete success!  We all had a great time together!

Its Beginning To Warm Up!

It was starting to warm up and I got excited to get outside and do some hiking.  It was my friend, Lisa Carlocks birthday, and I told her I'd send a Utah picture...  nothing spectacular in a photo, but I hiked the G in Pleasant Grove to capture it, and it's so vast to see the full valley.

Started training for my triathlon, so I was feeling pretty good.

BasketBall Season

Jarom had a great season of basketball.  Trent was his coach and really taught these boys skills, but most of all sportsmanship.  One parent commented that this group of boys really worked as a team and you can tell, even though they didn't win every game, that they are being taught to work together and respect the game with strategy and hard work.  Trent really does love coaching and it showed.  

Boys on the team (in no order):  Grayson, Karter, Jarom, Wes, James, McKay, and Seth

Grayson's dad, Rustin Beck, was an assistant coach.

Not everyone showed up for team pictures, but this is 5 of the 9 that did.

Emergency Room Visit

March 4th was suppose to be an ordinary night...dinner, kids bathed, and just relax... but that didn't quite happen.  While Ammon was in the shower, he likes to play around with bubbles and clog up the drain with his bum or whatever a 6 yr old could dream up to do.   Next thing I know, he's yelling for me to come.  I take my time thinking he's just messing around.  Turns out he decided to stick his little finger into the drain holes.

He tells me he has done this before and it always came back out.  He started to panic...I was inwardly laughing, because only he would be the one that would make this into something so big.  I was calm and used soap, then crisco and tried to slip his finger out.  But he would squeal like he was in pain.  It did appear to slice into his skin, so I unscrewed the attachments and decided to seek an urgent care.  

Luckily there was one open, but about to close, so I ran him over...but they said they can't do anything, because it looked like it was cutting into the skin and they were worried it would be deeper damage.  I ran over to the American Fork Hospital ER and started the check in process.  You realize, he couldn't get a shirt on of any kind, so he wore a superhero cape and pj pants.  It also started snowing, so he took the bear blanket to keep him calm and warm.  He was kind of awkward.  Such a cutie pie.

A conversation we had on the drive over to the ER...
Am:  Why did I ever do that?!
Me:  I guess you will never do that again...
Am:  I will never ever do that again!

The feeling he had when he said that was so serious and sincere that it warmed my heart.  I explained that we can say a prayer that everything will be ok.  That Heavenly Father will help him, but we need to ask.  He agreed, and we said a prayer.

After check in, there were nurses that tried different tricks to thread off the metal, or slick it off...but ultimately decided to cut it off.  They had a little blade that seemed to take forever, because they were trying to be careful with the finger.  At last, he was free...

He was so relieved!  And...our prayer was answered, his finger was completely fine, and not as bad as it appeared.  So good, it barely cut the top layer of the skin and had no bleeding, only swelling, which is why it appeared so bad.  Total of 40 mins in the ER, antiseptic, a band aid and we were headed home with only memories to talk about.  Lets just say he slept well that night.  He was exhausted from worry for the worst case scenario.  I love my boy and glad he was ok.  I'm fully aware, that more adventures await in our paths as he gets more curious and adventurous.

Beauty Is All Around

Rian and I were coming back from something, and we saw this... it was worthy of stopping the van to take some pictures.  As you know, picture are inadequate to what the eye can see or experience.  It was celestial with the sunset colors and the moon rising over the snow covered mountains.

Our neighborhood

National Pancake Day

Yes, we just had to do it.  It was National Pancake Day and IHOP was promoting a free pancake meal.  Rian had two boys, Gavin and Brandon, that were up to the challenge.   And me and Jarom weren't going to pass that up! :o)