Trek 2009

Paul and I had the amazing experience to go on Trek with the youth to Tabiona, UT (I did not know there was a city Tabiona in Utah, and I have lived here my whole life). It is over the mountain from Heber. Our kids were all over the state and into another, the girls went to Idaho with Paul's brother and sister-in-law, the boys went to Riverton with my brother and sister-in-law, and Sterling was in Provo with my sister. We were Ma's and Pa's over a group of 3 boys and 3 girls (most "families" had more, ours was the smallest) reinacting and experiencing the pioneer stories of crossing the plains to get to Salt Lake. I have ties from my side of the family from the Loader family who came in the Martin's Cove company so I felt a genuine connection for the pioneers. I won't bore you with the details of each day but I want to write down my feelings and emotions I had on Trek. The most memorable experiences were the Women's Pull (Faith Hill) and the last day.

Faith Hill (aka Women's Pull)

The men left to go fight in the "Mormon Battalion". This was an actual event. The men left and the women had to continue pulling the handcarts by themselves. The hill they chose for us was soft dirt and it just kept going up and up and up. It was so hard, probably the most physically demanding. We had a devotional before we started. We sang Sister in Zion and Sister Twiggs (the young women president) spoke to us and motivated us by saying Satan will try to make us believe we can't do it, it's too hard, to give up but WE CAN DO THIS! What this taught me about myself-I have more strength and endurance than I thought I did. I thought I was in good shape but I was breathing so hard plus it didn't help to be hot and at a higher elevation. But, at the end I did and the sense of accomplishment was overwhelming.

I can't do it alone, I need others to help me push and pull. We all have our own "handcarts" we are pushing. We need to each other. We are very powerful TOGETHER against the evils of Satan.

We all walked by the boys and they couldn't help but just look at us and encourage us. It was hard for those boys to do that but it taught them valuable lessons as well-respect for the women, the capabilities of women, and that women can do hard things. At the end of the hill, the boys could step in and take over. What a relief! And it seemed to be at the perfect time when I didn't think I could take another step. Sister Twiggs spoke again that night and told us that is like the Savior. He had to let us do it on our own watching us, encouraging us but it isn't until we can't do it anymore that He steps in. Powerful!

Angels among us (the last day)

Unlike previous days that were physically draining, this day was emotionally draining. The previous day our rice baby died. But, this day one of our siblings died which happened very often in the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies. Each family on trek had a sibling die. Ours was sweet, little Kimmie. As we were packing up she had to leave and go with the Stake. Our family walked down the trail without her. At a certain point on the trail they told us it was sacred ground and we needed to be quiet and reverent. As we turned the corner we saw the most magestic, beautiful, awe-inspiring sight I have ever seen. Against the red rock were the youth who had been chosen to die holding the rice babies we buried the day before. The spirit was so strong. I saw our sweet girl and she gave a little, discreet wave and then I saw her holding the baby. I lost it. I thought of my own family and I missed them. My emotions were at the surface because I was physically drained and then the spirit touched me so much I became emotionally drained. My love for those saints grew, my love for the youth grew, and my testimony of the plan of salvation grew. Death is not the end and I know heaven will be glorious as I felt a glimpse of it in Tabiona, UT. We all have angels among us-helping us, cheering us on, and praying for us.

There is no other place stronger than when the youth are gathered together. I feel blessed and privileged to be with the youth in my calling as a counselor in the young women's. I also feel extremely humbled to have been a part of that wonderful experience on trek. It was a moment in there life they will say they KNEW the gospel was true. This experience once again testified to me that the church is true, that Christ is our Savior, and Joseph Smith restored the gospel here on earth. It also reaffirmed by faith in the plan of salvation. I am grateful to have this knowledge and to have the gift of the Holy Ghost testify to me.

July

Summer has been busy (as always) and it has been going so fast. I have so enjoyed doing specific activities with the kids each day. July is a hectic month. We spent the 4th of July with family. We did wake up early to go look at the balloons but missed them. I guess they start at 6:00 not 6:30! But the nice thing was we went to breakfast at Macey's in Provo (of course it was free) and a balloon landed right in front of us. It made it all worth it. It did have to take off again because there was no room for it. We did go to the parade, who can miss the Freedom Festival parade? It has to be the best one. Especially if you arrive at 9 and get bleacher seats in the shade.

We opted out of Stadium of Fire because my parents aren't here and it's not the same without them. I regret not going but look forward to it next year. There is nothing like the Stadium of Fire and it brings about so many emotions of love for my county and being with my family. I have so many fond memories of past Stadium of Fire. We did sent Brad to Stadium with cousins (he so deserved it!) so he represented our family. He took some good pictures and video of the night.

Paul and I went on Trek with the youth July 8-11. Unbelievable experience and deserves it's own post. Life changing! Brad is at scout camp this week and I have girl's camp at the end of the month. I feel summer is slipping by but we have enjoyed the pool and all the fun with summer.

Summer is here

School's out and it's summertime. YEAH! I actually do enjoy summer. I love the heat. I love being outside. I love going to the pool every day. I love picking up after my kids after they change their clothes from swimsuit to regular clothes and again to swimsuit (okay, THAT I don't like). Every year I think I need to have more constructive activities for the kids so they don't get bored. So, this year Brad (my 12 year old son) and I decided that we are going to a specific activity every day. Some will be fun, others not so fun. I am posting them because the probability of us doing it after writing them down goes up and telling them to friends, it even goes up higher (accountability).

Mondays-Cooking day (usually a dessert for FHE)

Tuesdays-Movie day (summer movies at the Cinemark in AF for only $5 a kid for 10 movies)

Wednesdays-Outdoor chores (weeding, mowing, harvesting the gardens)




Thursdays-Learn something new (new museums, academics, library)

Fridays-Fun day outside, sports, misc

Saturdays-Indoor chores

Sundays-Games and company

I am hoping that these activities will be in the morning before lunch and then we will time for swimming after lunch. Of course, with the summer comes flexibility. That is what is so great about summer! What are you doing this summer?

Life as you know it will never be the same...

That is what I have been telling my 11 year old (almost 12) all day today. Brad graduated from elementary school today. CONGRATS, BRAD! WAY TO GO! It only seemed fitting that they each had a balloon and sent it off into the sky. Goodbye childhood, goodbye play, goodbye recess, goodbye innocence, goodbye fun. Now it's all work and no play. Now it is responsibility and no relying on mom and dad. Now it's survival mode and no mr. nice guy. I would be lying if I didn't say that I am scared to death to have him go to junior high. I hate junior high. Everything changes in junior high. Brad is a good boy. He is smart and excels in school. He makes friends easily and is a good friend. He is very creative and likes to have fun. I think he will do just fine in junior high. LOVE YOU, BRAD

Brad with his teacher, Mr D. He is an amazing teacher!!!!! Thanks for the great year!

Memorial Day

This year we stayed in Utah for Memorial Day. It was so nice to relax and enjoy a barbeque with Paul's sister and family. We went to Patience Loader's (one of the pioneers in the Martin Handcart Company) cementary in Pleasant Grove. She is my great great grandfather's aunt. It is because of her family that we now live in Utah. I am so grateful for my pioneer heritage. The stories and experiences really uplift me. I know they made many sacrifices for me. I am in awe of their strength, perservance, and committment to the gospel.

My favorite deals to date

As I have said in earlier blogs, I love to shop with coupons!!! I have to show my new food storage room. Remember in March when we built these shelves? Now look at them. We are well on our way to a year supply of food. And I did it with coupons and sales. I even stayed on our monthly budget of $400 (includes grocery and household items and eating out) for a family of 7. It is true that if you follow the prophets, you will be blessed.
Here are some of my favorite deals so far.

All the cereal-$1.00 or less

B-B-Q sauce-free

Capri sun-free

Pace picante sauce-free

Soda pop-$1 each/12 pack case

Deodorant/Body wash/Toothpaste/soap-free

Diapers-$2

One of my favorite shopping trips (so far) was at Albertsons. I bought $81.92 worth of groceries but with coupons it took it down to $26.65 (savings of 55.27) but I sent in a rebate for $20 so the whole thing cost me $6.65! I did not take a picture of all of the food (too much) but I did take a picture of the receipt (picture below). The receipt is over 2 feet long.

The picture below was an AWESOME day. I bought all the items for only (drum roll, please) $13.00. If you can't make out the picture, I bought 4 easy macs, 4 capri suns, 20 mac & cheese, 3 chocolate bliss candy, 3 chex mix, 2 trial size sunscreen, 3 boxes of cereal, and 2 toothbrushes. Not pictures are 6 apples that I bought for free (at SuperTarget with coupon).

Everything in this picture was free except for the fruit snacks (50 cents each) and the juice was buy 1 get one free.

It is a different way of shopping than I ever have done before. I only buy what is on sale and usually with a coupon. It takes me a lot longer to shop now because I have to figure out what to buy and go to multiple shopping stores but I love the satisfaction of getting a good deal. It brings a smile to my face.

Lessons from the chickens

I have some sad news. Friday night our dog ate one of our chickens. I freaked out! It was getting dark and I was putting the kids to bed when I glanced outside and saw Lola, our dog, eating something (I will not go into details, you do not need to have the same images I have in my mind...too disturbing). I panicked. Paul was on a scout campout with Brad. I ran over to my next door neighbor and told him that something bad happened and I needed his help. I knew I couldn't go in the backyard and see it for myself or clean it up. I started to get really emotional. My nice neighbor cleaned it up for me and told me that he only counted 7 (we have 9). We believed Lola only ate one which means one of the chickens was out wandering alone, scared and without any hope for survival. I started to cry again. Now we have a lost chicken?! I know it's not the same as a lost lamb but I felt so horrible. I called Paul and told him the news. Of course, my emotions got the best of me and I couldn't control them. After I got off the phone, I just laid on the floor and cried. I had feelings of guilt, sorrow, disappointment, disguist and failure. As a caretaker, we were suppose to care for and protect these chickens. They relied on us for survival and safety. I let them down. I finally had the courage to go out to the chicken coop to tell them I was sorry and cried some more. I tried to find the lost chicken in our backyard but it was too dark. After I composed myself and prayed that I would have these feelings subside, Paul showed up (I did not tell him to come home but he was close enough and felt he should come home which I am very grateful, it would have been a long night). He went out with a flashlight and FOUND the lost chicken. It had fallen in our window well. Hooray!! That really lifted my spirits.
Lessons I learned from the experience:
1. Just like these chickens, our children rely on us for safety, protection, and even survival. They are safe within the walls of our home but the world is dangerous, scary, and can be deadly.
2. I realized we were being a little too comfortable and too lackadaisical with these chickens, letting them roam more and not locking up the coop. The kids had friends over on Friday and wanted to show them so they opened up the coop door to let them out. I did not know and Lola was not put away. We, too, can be alittle lackadaisical in our church activity. We don't think that reading the scriptures, or going to church, or saying our prayers is that important or making that much of a difference. But, in reality, if we stop, it could be detrimental. As soon as you stop doing what is right, Satan's "fiery darts" can spiritual kill us. You can not be casual in life because you never know when danger will strike.
3. Just like the lost lamb, it was such a relief to find the lost chicken and bring it back to safety. We have the responsiblity to bring others back to safety (to the gospel). In the D&C 18 verse 15 we read about "crying repentance unto the people, and bring, save it be one soul unto him, how great shall be you joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"
4. I am NOT a farmer's wife. Too attached, too emotional.

After I got the chickens, I heard about the pecking order. Chickens tend to peck at one chicken, taking their food and excluding them. They get their feather plucked out from others. I think it is cruel and very disturbing. But, we do this as humans as well. There is always someone who is picked on (bullied) and they lose their self-worth. They don't feel apart of any group and tend to be recluse and alone. Even innocent bystanders contribute to the pecking (or those being picked on), by not standing up. So many things I need to teach my children.

Things we have done to prevent this in the future:
Paul has now put up a fence around the chicken coop.
We now have a screw in the door latch and it can not be removed unless it is removed by Mom or Dad.
A FHE lesson on Monday.
Never let Mom be left alone to be responsible for the chickens.