August-Pfeifferhorn, temple training, Bear Lake

The first half of August was spent doing more things around home before school started up again. 

I think I may have mentioned before that Jane didn't try out for cheer because of her concussion, but she's one of the cheer team managers which means she helps the coach more with various things, but she can also cheer on the sidelines...just no stunting for her. She is happy to still be a part of her team. 

Of the 25 books I've read so far this year, these 5 have been my favorites. I tend to like historical fiction, and I also love regency romance novels and I love learning, so that pretty much covers all of these books. It was fun to read The Exiles before we traveled to Australia, since it's set in Australia. We were able to learn some things about their history which made the trip even more interesting. 

Charles loves the children in Africa, and they love him. You just gotta keep your backpack with your money etc on you or it may end up missing and never get returned :). 

Leia was able to come over again with a friend from the other side academy. We ate dinner and hung out; played a little pickleball but it was too hot to play for long. It's nice to just visit.

Elisa L invited me to hike Pfeifferhorn with her, Annika, Noah and their cousin Austin. I was unsure because they'd be starting at 530am since it's a long one, which was a bit early for me, but I was soon on board (I don't like to miss out on a hike with friends). It was 10.5 miles and took us 6 hours and 15 minutes. We ran some of the down. 

As you're nearing the summit, maybe a half or a quarter mile out, you get to this point where there's this line of boulders, with drop off's on either side, that you need to scramble across and then you take a really steep, but short climb to the top(maybe .2 of a mile). Looking at it from where we stood, it looked sketchy.  In fact, in kinda looked impossible. But then you see someone on the summit and you know it's not impossible. You just can't see the way. All you can really see is the next step, and the next handhold, foot hold. And it's not until you move forward and take that next step and grab that next hand hold, that you see where the next is, and then the next, and the next and so on and so forth until, all of a sudden, you've made it across these boulders and it wasn't so bad after all. We were careful and went slow, so it took us a good amount of time, but we did it. And then you've got this steep climb in front of you. But as you get closer you can see a couple of possible ways to get up. One of those ways had less gravel and more dirt mixed with bigger rocks, so I took that route....it seemed more secure. The teens took the other route, which looked a little more direct but it was much more slippery with all the loose rock, so it was harder and didn't take them any faster. 

Lessons/spiritual applications: Having faith isn't seeing the whole path laid out for you before moving ahead, but it's taking a step into the light, with what you can see, and then trusting that more light will follow, and continuing to act on that light. 

Don't take shortcuts that seem shady. Easier doesn't mean better. Most important is to have that sure foundation. Do it right. 

I love that our ward continues to plan monthly youth temple trips. The girls can't always make it with their schedules, but sometimes they can; on this particular trip, they needed another driver, so I went with them to the Syracuse temple. This temple is cool because it has two baptistries. I had taken the girls here last year just after it'd opened but it was fun to go again. 

Scott and I recently sent in applications to work at the Salt Lake City temple open house for 1-2 of their 3 3 waves when they open up. Apparently they had a lot of applicants so we may not get to do it, but I think it'd be a cool experience. We'll see. This is the picture I submitted with my application. You also had to send in a 1 minute video of yourself answering an interview question. 

Also, I became a temple worker at the Jordan River Temple in August. With three children graduated, and 2 teenagers who are usually busy with work and soccer on Tuesday nights (Scott's busy with soccer then too because he's the coach), I decided this was the perfect time to become a temple worker which requires you to be there for about 5 hours and you're without your phone during that time, so the only way the family can contact me is to call the temple and have them find me, so it's only for emergencies. I've been working there for 6 weeks now (I'm actually writing this post on September 23) and I am loving it. I love the learning, I love the people, I love the peace, I love it all. 

We have some quotes written on our mirrors in our gym that I really like:

No growth in a comfort zone. 

Attitude is everything. 

If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you. 

Action is the antidote to anxiety; turn struggle into strength. 

Last year in August we went to Bear Lake with Tayson's family. We decided to do it again this year. Although this year we didn't stay the night (last year we camped close by; this year the weather wasn't looking great for that weekend, and we tried to find a spot too late), but we went up Saturday morning, played at the beach all day, and drove back that evening after dinner. There was about a 20 minute downpour part way through our beach day. The guys mostly stayed in the water and the girls hung out under our 2 shades we had set up. 

And then we got dinner and shakes from Zipz of course. 

 

July summer soccer tournament, car totaled, 23 year anniversary

July we had a soccer tournament in West Jordan. Our team played great and took 2nd place! 

The Grand Opening for the new Smith's in Saratoga Springs happened which means my sister was able to transfer locations so she can work closer to home! Annabelle, Jane and I stopped by the grand opening to say hi, before heading to Scott and Nora's final soccer game for the tournament. 

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but every week Scott and I do a temple & dinner date night. We used to do our temple trips together monthly, but almost 3 years ago we decided we wanted to go more often as we love the way we feel before (preparing), during and after so we go weekly now, rotating which ordinances we do: initiatory, endowment and sealing. And lately we've been trying to arrange to do baptisms with the girls during that rotation too. Pretty soon though Annie will head off to USU, and it'll just be the 4 of us for a bit until Charles returns from his mission in Ghana. 

This pic was from Cubby's. They have some yummy salads and sweet potato fries. 

One early evening Jane was out driving with friends and sent a message saying she had accidentally backed into a light pole. There was obvious damage to the tail light, and bumper. Once I took it into the shop and they took it apart, they found there was damage to the rear frame and the metal bar underneath. The total cost of repairs was nearly $10k. We went through our insurance and after they had their insurance adjuster take a look they decided it was a total loss as the cost of repairs exceeded the value of the car(my car had a rebuilt title so it wasn't worth much). 

So we ended up car shopping that weekend and got a hyundai palisade. I don't recommend finding a car last second when you haven't given any thought to what would work well for your lifestyle. I really needed much more time. I'm fine with my decision as it's basically the same size as my last car, but sometimes I wish I would've got something different. Either bigger so we fit better for vacations, or smaller for better gas mileage. Maybe in a few years we'll do something different again. 

Scott and I celebrated 23 years old marriage on July 25th! We take turns planning our anniversary (and Valentine's Day), and it was my year for anniversary. I booked us a night at The Grand America Hotel for Friday the 24th, and the Saturday the 25th we did horseback riding at This is the Place, and then we did sealings at the temple that evening, which has been a tradition for about our entire marriage, and one we both love. It's nice to remember those covenants we made with each other and God on this particular day.  

We'd never stayed at this hotel before because it's more expensive than some, although I've been wanting to, and our anniversary seemed like the perfect occasion. We booked a King suite and it was so big for two people. It had a front room with a desk and couch, tv and fridge, and then the bedroom had another tv and dressers, the bathroom had two vanity/sink areas, and a large shower and a large separate tub and everything in there was made with this beautiful marble. It definitely made us want to just hang out at the hotel. 

We went down to the pool for about an hour. You can order food down there and they'll bring it out to you, and every two chairs had an umbrella and employees would walk around and open and close them for people. It felt like we were staying at a resort, but in Utah. We didn't order any food there because we planned to eat dinner at Sol Agave, a Mexican restaurant that was a short walk from our hotel. 

We loved our dinner and we got a butter cake for dessert that was delicious. We'll definitely have to go again. 

Saturday morning we went to the gym and I stayed a little longer to attend half of a yoga class before it was time for us to pack up and head out for our trail ride. James is the owner and has family members and some friends that help with the rides. I found out that James also has a trail ride company in Huntsville that can do a little more than just your slow ride, if you have riding experience, so I'm making note of that and hopefully we can go up there sometime. It was a hot and sweaty ride at 11am, but it was worth it! I was glad I brought a hat and sunglasses. 

Later that day/early evening, Scott and I went to the Oquirrh Mountain temple and did sealings. It was a lovely weekend together. I'm already looking forward to our next overnighter! (We do quarterly overnights: anniversary, around our birthdays & then either a Fall overnighter or sometimes a valentine's depending on the year). 

The girls and I went and saw the new Spiderman movie, which was so good. Afterward we stopped by Devil and Angel Dessert for a treat. They tried the strawberries and Dubai and I had a Boba fruit smoothie. Our summer is winding down and we're getting ready for school to start in just a couple of short weeks (around August 17/18). 

 

HXP, Pocatello, NC

I've been able to go on a couple of hikes this summer...not as much as I'd like, but I'll take what I can get. Kim and I drove up Guardsmans Pass and did the Blood Lake and Lackawaxen Lake hike, which was about 5 miles roundtrip. It was beautiful! And the weather was nice. I love that it's cooler up in the mountains. We saw several moose along the way. 

Monday night, June 29th, Scott and I took Annabelle to the airport and helped her get her bag checked and then she took off for her HXP trip. All the kids who go on this trip have the same backpack and the same shirt, so it was easy for her to spot fellow HXP goers in the airport and she had several from her group going to Ghana that were on her same flight which was nice. 

Once she got to JFK airport, they wait for their next flight which goes to Kenya. JFK is where everyone from her group meets before they take off. And it's where they turn in their phones for the next couple of weeks. Annabelle said she's never slept so well on a plane as she did this time when she didn't have her phone distracting and entertaining her. 

From Kenya they flew to Accra. Unfortunately, Annabelle's checked bag, as well as several others from her HXP groups' bags, didn't make it to Accra that day. And since they were taking another plane early in the morning to go on a fun expedition in Mole national park, they didn't get their checked bags until about 4 days later, once they flew back to Accra. That flight was also delayed due to the rain. But her group was fantastic and they just rolled with the punches and were happy to be together and it didn't matter the circumstances! Needless to say, she had a great trip! 

Once back in Accra, they did some humanitarian work. They were building the walls of a school, they made and planted a garden, and they dug and cemented a large hole in the ground where trash will go and be burned. 

They had early mornings and went to bed around 1030ish. They always met for daily devotional. 

While she was on the trip, we got a phone call from HXP saying we didn't fill out the Kenya visa and needed to do that. I had no idea what they were talking about. Apparently a few months ago they decided to go see giraffes during their long layover in Kenya on their way home, but they each needed a Kenya visa for that. That freaked me out a little at first because I knew how long and hard it was to get the Ghana visa. Luckily, Kenya's visa is nothing like that. We filled out all the information online in a matter of minutes, and we received it in a matter of minutes which we could then email to HXP. I'm grateful that ll worked out. 

This is where I've spent many hours of my summer. I'm working on a book and I spend some time on it most days. It's been fun for me and I hope to continue to consistently do creative writing. 

Fourth of July weekend, Scott, Nora and I decided to drive out to Pocatello and hang with Elisabeth and Tayson and their family. We got to stay the night at their basement apartment for the first time. We got to go boating with them Friday and Saturday which was fun, and I actually got up on my own this time!!! Both days! I was very, very excited. We drove back home Saturday night. 

Nora's team has been trying to do track workouts on Monday mornings. I ran one of them when Stef was gone. The girls did well and we had popsicles after. 

Wednesday July 8th, Scott, Nora, Jane and I flew to North Carolina. We stayed at Krissy's house Wednesday night, then we stayed two nights at Topsail beach in a condo (Scott just stayed one night with us and went back with his family early); that Saturday Andre and his family met me and the girls at the beach, and then we stayed Saturday through Monday night with Krissy again and headed back home Tuesday morning. 

We enjoy stopping in the beach stores and looking at the t-shirts and jewelry etc, and of course, we always grab an ornament as a souvenir. 

Baby Emma still won't come to me, or let me get close without yelling, 'no!'. I'm going to have to up my game. Maybe next time I see her I'll bring candy and try to bribe her to come to me. Ava on the other hand loved when I'd take her out to boogie board. She could spend her whole day in the water. 

I, unfortunately, didn't have the common sense to bring any sunscreen for day 2 at the beach(we used Kellys the day before) and neither did Andre so I got very burned all over. Thankfully, Krissy had aloe at home, and I used it a lot over the next few days. Nora, too, as she got burned on her back as well. 

We got to spend a lot of time with Kelly and Krissy and their families which was fun, and we were able to visit with Scott's mom a couple of times, and his dad for a little bit too. 

We stayed in baby Bailey's bedroom, and she stayed in her crib in the closet of that room. She's currently potty training and won't go poop in the toilet, so she waits to go poop until they put a diaper on her at night (we know those tricks! our kids did it too) and then she goes! So a couple of nights after we'd waited for Bailey to fall asleep, when we walked into the bedroom it was so stinky! Wade would change her and she'd go back to bed, and then we'd need to keep the door open for a bit to air it out, but then the cats would try to run in, and with me being allergic, we couldn't have that, so I sat guard at the door and stretched on the floor while reading as we aired the room out before crawling into bed at night :). 

We went swimming, made and ate meals together, watched some World Cup and had dinner at Kellys one night. 

We got to see Grandma's new place which is so stylish and cute, and then we enjoyed a beautiful walk with her and grabbed some lunch after. 

Before we left, we stopped by one of Grandpa's jobs to say goodbye.  Until next time!