Canyon Overlook

Samantha came down for spring break. My kids had to go to school today, but I took Sam & Henry on a hike in Zion. She is great company & a great hiker!

Did you miss me?

So, I was going to write a great post for my come-back into blogging, but Matthew just reminded me that we need to watch the season finale of Downton Abbey, so here's the pics I uploaded from today. We went to Snow Canyon. It was a gorgeous day! Now I'm off to check on the Grantham's. (Maybe this is why it's been so long since I've blogged - too easily distracted & too much awesome "British crap" to watch on TV.)

Sheep Bridge

What do you do when it's 100 degrees at seven o'clock at night and everyone's bored from playing inside all day because you don't have a pool in your backyard?

Climb in the SUV & head for some water!

Preferably cool water.
With a sandy beach for the young 'uns.
And some low cliffs to jump off of for the brave.

Head home at sunset.

Don't forget to stop for ice cream cones on the way home! Enjoy the feeling of being wet and cold and eating ice cream after the melting heat of the day.

We're doing this again soon!

Beach Vacay

I'm working on a photo-filled post about our week in Oceanside. Here is our annual pic in front of one of the cottages we stay in every year. We had a blast. The weather was perfect. More later...

Pearls

Our little Gwen is eight years old. Her dad baptized her on Saturday. It was a lovely day, peaceful, happy, and spent with family. She and a little girl in our ward share a birthday, so they shared their baptism day as well. It was a very sweet meeting. About ten little girls, neighbors and cousins of both girls, including Bethany, Gwen, and Catherine, sang "Baptism". Gwen looked like a little angel in her white dress holding hands with two of her friends who were also wearing their baptism dresses. It was one of those moments that just "fills your heart with love" like the old crab apple tree in Ferron in full bloom. My dad gave a beautiful and simple sermon on baptism and our Savior. The other girl's aunt talked about the Holy Ghost and all the blessings he can bring to our lives (Comforter, light, knowledge, protection, etc.) Matthew gave her a beautiful blessing; I wish she could remember every word throughout her life. She remembered the most important part today when she bore her testimony in Sacrament Meeting that she knew she could be married in the temple someday. She has started on her path to the temple, her own eternal family, and salvation.

I love her so much. I want every happiness for her. I know that the greatest happinesses in my life have come from keeping the commandments and following the prophets. I hope that Gwen grows up knowing where to find true happiness.

You are the trip I did not take;
You are the pearls I cannot buy;
You are my blue Italian lake;
You are my piece of foreign sky.

(Anne Campbell)

These are the greatest joys in my life, the reasons for me to try harder each day, to prioritize my time, to serve and love and do my best. These are the ones who I only need to think of to bring me back on course when worldly sirens call. These dear ones give me hope for the future when I am discouraged. They make me proud and they make me humble. I am grateful for them, for my Gwen girl, my Bethany, my Cate, my Henry. & I am grateful for my good husband, who I sometimes take for granted because he is such a part of me, so steady and constant.

These are the moments of life that give us glimpses into eternity and make it all worth it. Thanks to all those who shared this special day with us & even more, thanks to all of you who have taught & influenced for good & loved Matthew & me and our family. Thank you for sharing this journey with us and for helping us along.

New Shoes!

I got new shoes this week! Aren't they cute? We celebrated MLK day on Monday by taking them out on the rocks. We found a fun place to climb in St. George and after Matthew and I scrambled around a little, we let the girls have a turn. They loved every second of it. Well, except for being lowered down after climbing up. They are used to rappelling and being in control of their descent. It was a little disconserting to them to just be lowered. It was a kick to watch them. We were righteously proud. Enjoy the pictures!

You might notice that Gwen and Bethany are barefoot. This was because we weren't planning on them climbing; we thought they'd just be playing on the ground. So they both wore boots. And you can't climb in boots. Hence, the bare feet.

I love love love this picture:

A wide view with Matthew belaying from the bottom:

I'm sure the sun is just teasing us this week, and cold weather is looming in the near future, but this weekend was so lovely! It felt so good to be outside soaking up the warm sun on the rocks. I caught this cute picture of my hazel-eyed beauty:

and just a blurry one of my brown-eyed girl:

And...

I didn't want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice. Here comes the smolder: