Young Women Camp 2010

This picture makes me happy

Even though Trudi isn't in it :(

The Un-thanked

It felt like a ran into a bunch of Civil War soldiers this morning at Smiths grocery store. We were out of milk so I went early this morning before everyone woke up to get some. I noticed A LOT of forest workers all around the store. They all looked the same - like literally - I felt like I was in a weird movie were everyone was a clone except me! Except for one woman, that I saw, they were all men. Obviously firefighters - like the legit kind - probably working on the wild fire at Mount Charleston. They ALL, I mean ALL of them had beards (ahem not the girl), pretty scruffy ones at that. (check out the 2nd guy from the top left). If any of you know my Dad, you gotta know that I KNOW BEARDS! I've never seen him without one. Not my favorite feature on a man (sorry dad) but nonetheless, these guys had 'em. They looked tired. I guess they were buying food, snacks, drinks and were probably going back up to fight the fires.

UGH I hate when I miss an opportunity. I thought it would be retarded if I said "Thanks for your hard work" so I didn't. I thought they'd look at me like I had two heads, but now I wish I had said it. Poor things. They looked so weary and obviously had been fighting fires for a while. Their clothes as well as their skin was all black with ash and soot.

Ok, so sometimes Im a little dramatic - only sometimes....haha....but I couldn't stop thinking about them when I left the store. The looked like soldiers from the civil war, the kind you see in the movies - like NORTH & SOUTH type! I guess their uniforms and the beards helped that visual.

The two trucks in the parking lot said CEDAR CITY HOT SHOTS! I think they probably dont get thanked enough for their hard work. I love when my kids get the chance to thank military officers when they see them. Ryan & I signed a "Happy 4th of July" poster at the store this past weekend, and Im thankful to Lucas, Lewis and other police officers that we know that serve our community. It just felt like these guys should have the same gratitude!

THANK YOU CEDAR CITY HOT SHOTS!

Activity Days Girls Camp

Isn't this the cutest picture of Baili and two of her friends, Lauren & Amber Ales?
They had an activity days girls camp friday and saturday. Baili said she enjoyed the rotations of classes, centered around the "DARE TO BE ME" theme. She came home with a cute little workbook about taking care of your body, knowing who you are and how important you are, as well as being modest and choosing the right. I'm so glad she had fun. Baili really is a good girl and an example to me. She stands strong for what is right and is a true blessing in my life!

I am glad for many things.....

I don't know where to start with this post? I've had ideas floating around my head in relation to it and now that I'm finally sitting typing it........well......lets start at the beginning!

The thought came to me as I drained 10, 000 gallons of water out of our pool at the end of May, that I needed to quit complaining about taking care of the pool. We had our pool built when we bought our house and it's one HUGE investment that I would seriously never regret! We LOVE having water in the summer heat and we've had many parties and friends to share it with.

Sometimes it can be a lot of work - which causes me to complain - and because it was busy season when it was built, I was the one who learned (or should have learned) how to take care of the pool. Over the last three summers, Ive learned a lot about pools and pool vacuums as well as NOT to play with buttons you don't understand. It's been a source of a little stress as it turned green in the winter and Ive thrown a bottle of GREEN TO CLEAN into it and hoped for the best! I've learned how to clean the filters super fast and put the equipment back together with just two hands instead of four and I've learned that Leslies Pool Supply store is my best friend when it comes to pool maintenance!

Bored yet???

Ok here's the good stuff......

As Ive layed out there and the kids play and enjoy themselves, I have felt a strong sense of gratitude. Almost every time I am brought back in my mind to a memory, familiar and heartwarming as if it were yesterday. We lived on Sweet Cedar and had just put in our little back yard, which consisted of 300 sq ft of fake grass and some trees. The children were younger and Ryan was the baby. We bought a small inflatable pool and the kids would play for hours in the backyard. I remember sitting on a chair, enjoying that time and feeling grateful for the moment. We had put rose bushes around the perimeter and it reminded me of my own childhood with my sisters & Scott. I vividly remember calling Sam one afternoon while the kids were splashing and thanking him for all he had done to provide what we had and what I was able to enjoy!

That very same feeling comes over me as we enjoy the pool we have today. The kids are older now (as am I) and we have an extra one, KAMI, but I enjoy so much to hear them splash and play with each other. I know these days wont last. I'm reminded that in a few years time, they will feel too old to play around in the pool, their lives will be busy with new things and these precious childhood years will be gone! That's so sad......

Perspective is everything! It really is...... I hope that I can take advantage of these happy times with the kids & Sam. All things change and we really should live in each moment, looking forward to the future but not wishing the present away.

I'm glad I've gotten to learn what Ive learned about taking care of a pool. All the scrubbing and dumping of chemicals, all the testing and cleaning of filters and all the hours of fun have added up to priceless memories that will last forever.

Pictures from Malcolm

It's time for a blog don't ya think? Been busy but obviously having nostalgic thoughts. Here's some pictures that I love....ok ok I took the first one but Malcolm took all the others and I love them!

And do you remember when I wasn't crazy?

NEVER HAPPENED!

......Kami tried on glasses