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A Weekend with My Cousins in Tetonia

5.17.2022

I got to sneak away with just Ezra in tow for an unexpected visit with my cousins and their families in Tetonia for the weekend. When my Uncle Jeff's mother passed away, his family had a graveside service for her burial under the Tetons where she grew up. I'm not exactly a part of that side of the family, but when my cousin Rachel invited me out to see them, of course I dropped everything to see her!

These girls feel like a second set of sisters to me! I love them so much. I hadn't seen their kids in years. I got to meet Emily's little Declan for the first time; he's just six months younger than Ezra. The pair were a funny little duo together, stealing each other's sippy cups and jabbering nonsense. And Rachel's oldest, Luke, is now 15 and is a totally awesome kid! I wish he lived closer so his coolness could rub off on Jed. I arrived Saturday afternoon, just in time to hug Grandma Smith and my Aunt Mari before they headed back to Utah. The whole group of us stayed in an oversized cabin, ate too many sweets, and did not get enough sleep. It was exactly everything a family reunion is supposed to consist of!

On Saturday evening, Rachel whisked Necia and myself out of the cabin during golden hour for an impromptu moose hunt. We spotted 11 moose! Admittedly, I had more fun taking pictures of my cousins taking pictures of the moose than I did actually seeing the moose. 😆

It took all morning to get the family moving on Sunday, but we eventually made it to Teton National Park. Ezra woke up from his nap in the back seat and excitedly pointed out the window at the Tetons. He intuitively knew those peaks are something special! We hiked around Jenny Lake to the waterfall. There was still so much snow on the trail! Ezra held onto a tiny truck and happily jabbered in my ear most of the way. He loves to go, go, go! It was just beautiful. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day for hiking.

2.07.2020

^^Breakfast at Snooze^^

Bron went above and beyond to celebrate my 35th birthday with one of the most elaborate surprises he's pulled off yet. The man keeps outdoing himself. He claims that one day he will fall flat on his face with a particular gift and that I will just have to forgive him. I'm not sure he's capable of that kind of failure. Bron is one of the most thoughtful and giving people I know -- on his own terms, of course. It's one of my favorite qualities about him.

Anyway, my 35th birthday landed on a Friday. Bron took me out to breakfast at Guppy's Hot Rod in town (with our silly little third wheel, Conrad) for some seriously delicious high calorie food. He kept hinting at some big surprise. As Bron headed off to work for the day, he told me to be all showered with makeup on and hair done by 5pm. Of course I assumed we were going on a date!

Bron walked into our bedroom at quarter til with two very excited giggly boys; Bron had told them the surprise.

"Want a big hint?" Levi asked. "We're getting a boys' weekend until Monday!" He fell onto the bed laughing.

I looked at Bron a bit confused. "What? Where are we going?"

Bron chimed in. "You're going to Arizona to visit your sister... tonight! Your plane leaves from Boise at 9:23PM."

I was so surprised I burst into happy tears. "What? For reals?!" My sister means the world to me. To spend the weekend with her in warm sunny weather would truly be a vacation dream come true.

Bron launched into all the details (like how we'd be staying in a hotel in Gilbert paid for with points) and before I knew it, I was kissing him goodbye and hopping into the car with a small suitcase.

It felt so surreal. It was all such a big surprise that I could hardly wrap my head around it all! Excited would be an understatement.

Lauren picked me up from the airport in Mesa, AZ. She had known about this surprise trip for a couple of weeks and had an entire weekend planned of places to eat around the valley.

And so began what will undoubtedly go down as one of my life's most memorable weekends!!!

12.05.2019

We just spent yet another Thanksgiving weekend doing what I think we all prefer best: hanging out on the Nelson Family Dairy Farm! Merri Sue does not get enough credit (nor gives herself enough credit) for all that she does to make this holiday so special. Those Nelson boys all come flocking home for a reason -- or maybe twenty reasons. And they're all so good. I feel so lucky to have married into such a loving and solid family.

This year, I decided to practice my budding videography skills to make a moving video of a typical Nelson Thanksgiving. This video really is made just for sentimental value and the learning experience. There was low light, mixed light, color casts... all sorts of difficult and unpretty photography situations. Plus, my weaknesses in videography are becoming pretty apparent to me, which honestly just makes more anxious to hurry and learn some more!

BUT this is what a typical Nelson Thanksgiving looks like. It's pretty special, actually. The house is busting at the seams with people and noise. We chat and play games and eat until our stomachs can't stand the thought of another bite. Then the next day, we go bowling. It's a tradition worth repeating every year.

P.S. I love how the cabin/farm is a character all of its own!

9.06.2019

Remember when I wrote a blog post about performing my violin in Carnegie Hall? And remember all those silly pictures I shared of my siblings and me having a fun time and making awful faces? Well, this is the post where I share the rest of the story and pictures. Are you ready?!

This trip to New York City in July had been planned months ahead. It all began when my mom joined the Millennial Choirs and Orchestra in Boise and encouraged me to join as well because they were going on tour to play in Carnegie Hall -- pretty much every musician's dream venue. Of course, the plan snowballed to include my sister. And so a girls' trip to New York City was born! We spent a few days exploring the city, performed in Carnegie Hall, and then hopped on a plane to Indianapolis to visit my brother Joe and his wife Karmen for two days. It was sooo much fun! (Even more amazing, you'd never know my sister battled breast cancer just over a year ago would ya?)

Thanks Mom for putting this all together. It will for sure be a special memory that I will cherish for a lifetime.

8.16.2019

Tuesday was a bit more low key as we set out to explore a few of Coeur d'Alene's downtown highlights at the kids' pace.

First on the list was to hike Tubbs' Hill! We didn't finish the hike. Instead, we pulled off at a beachy spot and the boys enjoyed playing in the water! I didn't think to wear swimsuits or bring our towels. (Actually, I wasn't thinking at all. I was just surviving with my sore throat!) But we all had a blast anyway. I didn't talk much, but I sure did enjoy myself. Hanging out at the water's edge in the sunshine and watching my boys happily play is a day in heaven in my book!

8.11.2019

We just arrived home from an epic family vacation to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho -- and a last minute extension to Glacier National Park! Something about vacations makes me want to simplify my life so that my real life can feel more like this: time together. We saw so many incredibly beautiful places and went on some adventures that I know the boys (and me too!) will be talking about for a long time. These family vacations feel so special to me. And this one went so smoothly with the kids.

We arrived in Coeur d'Alene the evening of Saturday August 3rd. It just happened to be Levi's actual birthday! (We celebrated with chocolate cupcakes from the store.) We checked in to our cute three bedroom Airbnb located in an older neighborhood among some tall trees. That little home made our stay so much more comfortable! I mean, I was doing a load of laundry after our first day. The boys are always getting their clothes so filthy. I love that we had a separate bedroom from the kids and that there was a full kitchen. Plus, the boys' room had toys and the front room was loaded with family friendly movies. It was great!

But it gets better. The rental was just a short bike ride from Ross' Point, a little park on the river! That was our first stop Sunday morning as we ventured out to explore for the day.

7.18.2019

Someone pinch me. I got to check off a once in a lifetime bucket list item by performing in Carnegie Hall Friday night!!! And with my mom nonetheless. It still feels surreal.

I also got to fan girl over the violinist Jenny Oaks Baker in person too. She was there just four feet from me during both rehearsal and during the concert. The rehearsal in the cultural hall below the LDS Temple in Manhattan was probably one of my favorite parts of the whole trip, honestly. All the orchestra members from all five MCO locales gathered in one place. It was huge. It was loud. It was fun. After the concert at Carnegie, we celebrated by going out for gelato at Grom. And guess who was there in line with her girlfriends in front of us? Jenny Oaks Baker! So I can pretty much claim we got dessert together, right? Haha.

I was also awed by the sopranist, Erin Morley. After performing the Doll Aria, she stayed in character, hanging her head and arms as if she was a tired mechanical doll on stage. The conductor didn't know what to do! It was hilarious. Erin is definitely a performer.

Take me back to do it all over again. I love making music.

But that's not the end of the story...

Unfortunately, while I got to perform in Carnegie Hall on Friday night with the Idaho and Texas groups, the concert on Saturday night for the Utah and California groups was cancelled. Break my heart! The concert was cancelled due to a blackout in Manhattan that lasted hours. All that sacrifice of time and money for a dream crushed. What are the chances of that happening? New York City hasn't seen a blackout like that in fifteen years! It was also the first time in the history of Carnegie Hall that a concert was cancelled due to a blackout.

However, I'd like to believe it wasn't a coincidence at all. I'd like to believe God had his divine hand in it. After delivering the sad news of the cancelled concert, Brandon Stewart stood up and said, "We're going to leave this city with 'I Believe in Christ'... and we're going to let it rip." The videos show just how powerful that moment was! Thousands of people getting off dark subway routes, walking through the city, or peeking their heads through the windows of adjacent buildings stopped to watch and hear the message of hope and faith in Jesus Christ. The message has been shared a million times over now. Wow.

This is exactly why I feel the Millennial Choirs and Orchestra are worth my time and effort. I get to be a part of something bigger than myself.

7.08.2019

^^My boys on the 4th of July! They were so stoked about their dollar sunglasses and bandanas and dressing in red, white, and blue. So of course, I gathered the three together for a quick picture in my favorite spot of the house. I've taken about a half dozen pictures of these brothers in this same corner since Easter. It's totally becoming a series that I know I'm going to cherish.^^

Independence Day landed on a Thursday this year, the most genius thing ever. The 4th of July should always land on a Thursday! It was a long weekend of celebrating and getting absolutely nothing done. We deviated from "tradition" this year and chose to spend the holiday with the entire Nelson crew on the dairy farm. (But first, we attended the annual Kimberly 5th Ward breakfast where I led the children in singing two fun holiday songs!) The Nelson get together included loads of food (duh!), lots of chit chat, a tour of Talon's new home under construction, noise and chaos, cuddling babies, and finally, our very own fireworks show. The kids claim we had nearly 100 fireworks. I believe them! It was quite the amateur production.

The next day, Nichole kindly babysat Conrad so that Bron and I could take Jed and Levi mountain biking with Grandma and Grandpa. The boys biked five miles round trip on a singletrack trail! I am so impressed with them... except for the part where Levi crumpled to the ground in despair on our way UP a steep hill on our way back to the truck. I think the kid needed some lunch. But he's only six, so considering it was his first big ride, he did really well over all! We biked out to an old dam made in the late 19th century. It's decaying now, creating two waterfalls on either side. It was a beautiful destination and the trail was in pristine shape. What a fun little adventure!

6.23.2019

Summer solstice. I kind of wish we actually celebrated the day like it's a holiday because I love summer that much! I love how it's still light outside til nearly 10PM. I often lose track of what time it is and realize we should have eaten dinner two hours ago. The boys are going to bed late and sleeping in. We're not keeping to an exact schedule anymore; meaning I need 20 extra minutes to get anywhere on time. Haha. Our pace has finally slowed a bit. The boys are enjoying less expectations and stress with the absence of school and I am enjoying all this extra free time with them just soaking them in, even if it does include more chaos from time to time because summer also means cuddles in bed, trips to the pool, and time to talk and to listen. Ultimately, summer is time together as a family and more outdoor adventures, two things that make my heart and soul happy. I love summer!

On June 21st, the longest day of the year, the boys and I made a quick day trip to Boise to visit my mom and brother. Conrad was so excited to visit, "Gramma Kelley house!" We enjoyed a really fun afternoon exploring Zoo Boise where Conrad took his time oogling over every animal and exhibit. Two year olds are the best to take to the zoo! I was glad to see that Jed and Levi haven't outgrown the excitement of it either; they actually started reading the signs and educating themselves a bit!

Afterwards, a child must have left the car door open or something because I had to find help from someone to jump my car! But it all worked out. We ate pizza for dinner and the kids had a blast riding down my mom's sloped driveway. Good times and good memories. Thanks for letting us come visit, Mom!

5.26.2019

I just made that title up, but I think it's about time this little shindig of ours got an official name. Yes, this is the third year in a row that the Nelson crew has gotten together in the month of May to camp near Castle Rocks and go climbing the next day.

This year, Kaleb found this awesome teeny cabin with a kitchen, bathroom, and one room sleeping area in the drop dead beautiful valley of Elba, Idaho. (In fact, if we could just pick up and move there, I might just do it!) The cabin he rented sits on a few acres and is meant for camping and group get-togethers just like ours. Access to some electricity, running potable water, and a bathroom made camping that much nicer. Way to go, Kaleb in heading that up!

Unfortunately, this Spring has been the season of the never ending rains. Rain storms have rolled through every day for nearly two weeks now and it looks as if it's going to keep on raining for another week. Nooo! I've been wearing a jacket everywhere because the temps are hanging out in the 40's and 50's. Brrrr. Idaho please reclaim your happy, sunny, dry desert self! We miss you!

5.14.2019

Remember when I auditioned and joined the Millennial Choirs and Orchestra back in February? Well, everything turned out better than I could have ever anticipated.

First, I have to say that the MCO repetoire has exceeded all of my expectations. I love making music and being a part of something so much bigger than myself. The music is legit; some of it is challenging to play -- which makes it all the more fun for me! The repetoire's energy and emotion coupled with the solidifying testimony of the spirit is overwhelming. It gives the production a purpose. And since that purpose is so near and dear to my own heart, it feels worthwhile.

The website says, "MCO was founded for the purpose of teaching and encouraging excellence in quality sacred and classical music. Its primary purpose is to fulfill the need for more refined music performance education in our communities, with a focus on God and country. Similar to the music of the masters—Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms—we are bringing God back into the concert hall with the sacred/classical music that is such a rich part of the history of the world. We feel this is vital in today’s society, particularly for the youth of America."

5.07.2019

Yes, it's as crazy as you might suspect. I spent three days at home recovering from jet lag (Poor Jessie. She went to Hawaii. Haha.) and then turned around to drive to Utah for a special girls' weekend with some of the ladies in my life whom I hold most close and dear to my heart. It was completely worth it. In fact, I kept thanking Bron over the phone for putting up with the boys tired and solo to let me do this. I felt spiritually uplifted, deeply connected to these women, and ready to start fresh with some new goals in mind.

We all gathered at Grandma's house to attend BYU Women's Conference. It was two full days of food (Rachel's first priority! I love that she loves food so much.), fun, shopping, laughter, learning, and late nights. I gleaned a number of great insights from Women's Conference, but my favorite part of the weekend was when Grandma gathered us (+ my cousin Devin) around the kitchen table Saturday morning to discuss with us some things she'd recently learned. The gathering turned in to a testimony meeting of sorts. Personal stories and heartaches were shared alongside some really tender spiritual experiences.

I learned three important things on Saturday morning:

1. Learning never ends. If my 80 something year old grandma whom I look up to so much is still learning and growing, then I definitely will be doing the same if/when I am her age.

2. I need to periodically gather my family to openly talk about Christ and things I have learned. It not only invites the Spirit in to teach my children, but I also become an open book sharing my mistakes and knowledge. I don't want to be a mystery to my children. I want them to know of the things their family has been through and ultimately conquered. I want them to feel loved unconditionally.

3. Heavenly Father is acutely aware of each and every one of us. He loves us and has a plan for each of our lives. Through Christ's atonement, he makes our mistakes and weaknesses okay. He makes up for what we cannot do in very real ways. Sometimes we can count those blessings and other times we can only feel His love and the love of our guardian angels. Everything will work out one way or another; in this life or the next. We simply need to move forward with faith, trust, and Christlike love. Christlike love somehow solves all problems. Oh, if only I could learn to be as wise as Jesus Christ was while he was on earth!

1.03.2019

As per tradition, we headed East on the Saturday after Christmas to celebrate a second Christmas with the Nelson family. Everyone was there this year! We ate so much food, exchanged presents, enjoyed a little program, and played a ton of games. The world was also drenched in snow. It was chaotic and noisy with so many people under one roof, but it was pretty picturesque too. I am so glad we live close enough to family that my boys get to develop lifelong friendships with their cousins. These kinds of get togethers are important and are ultimately sweet memories.

11.27.2018

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you had as fantastic weekend full of food and family as we did. As per tradition, we spent the holiday on the Nelson dairy farm which we all love. However, this year, my three boys were the only grandchildren (of 19 going on 21) there! We gathered with Bron's parents and brother Kaleb and his wife Chantee and Call. That was it. It was the most quiet and relaxing Thanksgiving I've had in memory and it was exactly the kind of weekend I needed to unwind.

You see, I've been missing my boys. Life has been so busy. Even though I limit the boys' extracurricular activities to help simplify our lives, it seems as if there is always ten more things to do and I am twenty items behind. One big reason is that my photography business exploded this Fall. It's a wonderful thing; it really is. I feel so lucky that I get to make some money doing something I am passionate about. There was so much demand for photo sessions this year that I actually put a deadline on when I was done shooting for the season and then stuck to it. We don't rely on my small income to pay the bills, so it is completely up to me to set parameters. I enjoy the challenge of shooting clients and honestly love the social interaction, but the time and coordination it requires with my family's schedule can be stressful and draining. I am happy to announce that I am finally done editing everyone's pictures - but my own, of course. I thought I would feel relief, but I don't. Instead, all I can think about are all the projects and deep cleaning I've put off for the last three months!

I figure I am constantly switching between wearing four different hats in this current stage of life:

1. Myself: my personal needs like exercise and the hobbies that give me life through photography and music.
2. Mother: my greatest joys are my children and nothing makes me happier than tenderly teaching them and spending quality time with them.
3. Housekeeper: dinner needs to be on the table every evening, kids need to be taken to activities, laundry needs to be folded, dishes washed, the closets reorganized, the bills paid, and the list is never ending.
4. Community: I believe being active in the community is an important aspect of life. I just received a new calling to be the primary chorister at church (awesome job!) and I've agreed to take on the title of Lacrosse Coach again this Spring. Also, taking time to be a friend definitely ranks high.

Anyway, there are only so many hours in a day and the four parts of my job, or myself, seem to be constantly competing. I guess that's just what happens when you're an extroverted multi-talented person? Haha. I think I have my hands in too many honey pots? In other words, I'm just treading water in the deep end of the pool trying to keep myself from drowning. It's hard not to feel stressed sometimes! Such a delicate balancing act, life is.

7.03.2018

This week my two nephews Garrison (age 9.5) and Brogan (age 8) tagged along with us while their parents went on a special vacation to Hawaii.

Five boys is LOUD and BUSY! They eat a lot too. Everyone was on their best behavior for the first three days and then morale started deteriorating. Why do boys love to antagonize and torture each other so much? It was a constant battle for pecking order around here. I openly admit that I wound up "checking out" more than I probably should have, reading my magazines and trawling the internet, just so I wouldn't have to deal with it. Oh well. I was still here physically in case anyone got a bloody nose, which thankfully never happened.

The normal fighting aside, I honestly don't think the week could've gone any smoother. Coming from a family of twelve, Garrison and Brogan know what it means to pitch in and help out. It was a fun change for me to have someone else unbuckle Conrad and grab the diaper bag every time we got out of the car! The four big boys picked up toys, took out the trash, and emptied the dishwasher daily. Their help around the house allowed us to do a lot of playing! I tried to do something fun with them every day. (And I definitely spoiled them all rotten with ice cream cones and processed treats.)

Our activities included seeing the kids' dollar movie in the theater, visiting the park, playing at Bass Lake, going for a horse and buggy ride (compliments of Brother Higley), jumping on an elevator after Conrad's well appointment at the hospital, hiking to Ross Falls, exploring old Stricker Station, and berry picking at Tubbs Berry Farm. Those kids are little work horses. We came home with nearly fourteen pounds of delicious red and black raspberries which we turned into homemade ice cream, freezer jam, and crepes for breakfast!

It's been good getting to know these little guys better. I hope they had a memorable week and that the fun times with their cousins ultimately outweigh everything else.

And now for pictures from our mid-morning berry picking adventure....

6.12.2018

We kicked off the first official week of summer break in the best way possible at the Nelson Family Reunion! It's a biennial get-together chuck full of fun and love and sugar. This year, it was held at the West Piney LDS Camp located in a stunningly beautiful and private valley in East Idaho.

Our three days and two nights camping would be more accurately described as glamping. The lodge was huge! There was an industrial sized kitchen adjacent to a large room perfect for gathering and eating. It allowed for an over-abundance of food and treats as everyone contributed to the meals. As tradition insists, a snack table was also set up alongside one wall. I think the aunts (without little children at home anymore) have the most fun with that as they stocked it with Costco sized boxes of sugary treats and just sat back to watch and laugh as the kids gathered around it like ravenous wolves. At one point, someone found a group of kids hiding in the hallway, each sitting on their own giant stash of candies and cookies! It was hilarious. If there is ever a time to get sick on candy, the Nelson reunion is it.

The lodge boasted multiple bunk rooms upstairs and several smaller private rooms, each with a double or queen sized bed. And ALL the beds had mattresses. We just plopped our sleeping bags and pillows on top. I mean, I actually slept! And Conrad did amazing. He took long naps and snoozed the night away in his pack 'n play tucked in a quiet corner of a private room. Not to mention the part I think I was most appreciative about in the lodge: the plethora of toilets and showers. Yay!

The majority of our time, however, was spent outside enjoying the beautiful outdoor space. By far, the crowning highlight of that yard was the slide. The slide at West Piney is as tall and fast as a Disneyland ride. All the kids (including myself!) lined up for endless rides down on narrow pieces of carpet. Each time someone went down, the slide became a little bit more polished and a became a little bit speedier. It was such a blast! Even Conrad enjoyed it, squealing on my lap as we careened towards the earth. Unfortunately, Conrad thought he could take the slide on by himself. I barely caught him at the top, twice! So that was a bit stressful on my part. You know, keeping my kid from breaking multiple bones or worse. But all is well that ends well.

Please enjoy the smathering of photos I took, having a lot of fun one evening trying to capture everyone's faces as they played on this legendary slide.

tallest and fastest slide at West Piney LDS Camp

^^Cousin Leah's toes at the precipice of the slide^^

^^Jed flying down the steep slide. No hands was a 'must'^^

5.23.2018

Last weekend, the entire Nelson family gathered at the City of Rocks for our second annual camping and climbing trip. With nineteen children and twelve adults, we're becoming quite the group! The trip couldn't have gone any smoother. We lucked out with a storm that briefly rolled through Friday evening. It left us with gorgeous skies and no camping neighbors! We practically had the park to ourselves. It was quiet (except for us) and beautiful. I did not sleep a wink (Conrad slept with me. He needed to have a hand on me at all times; he's a pro fish hooker, even when he's half asleep! Ouch.) but we ate good food and climbed some of the best routes in the City. Plus, all those cousins got to play and make some new memories together. Overall, a win!

^^The full rainbow after the storm!^^

1.03.2018

Ahhh. Christmas vacation. The two weeks right at the start of winter when we all get a needed break from the daily grind to just be and enjoy one another. There were plenty of days spent in our pajamas, but I'd say the majority was spent on the go! Our boys are busy and need to get out of the house or else they start fighting and tearing the place down board by board. Anyhow, Bron and I aren't ones to sit around either. We only have ourselves to blame for our lack of true relaxation around here because we like to have fun and adventure too!

On Saturday morning, two days before Christmas, we braved the snowy roads and traveled 2.5 hours up and over the pass into northern Utah to play at Crystal Hot Springs. The natural hot spring has the highest mineral content in the world. It tasted like salt water! But it made my hair oh so silky.

The rumors we'd heard about the place didn't disappoint. Nestled at the base of the mountains, there were three hot pools. The newest pool was the most popular. It was only 18 inches deep, perfect for lounging in. Underneath a small waterfall was a man-made cave where the water was only about 8 inches deep. It was Conrad's preferred hang out spot because he could move around as he pleased.

However, what set Crystal Hot Springs a part from other hot springs were the tube slides! There were two huge tube slides set on a hill with a funny old-school shack at the top. I think the dated features definitely added to the place's charm. The walkway up to the slides were enclosed and warm water sprayed from hoses. There was hardly ever much of a line and even Conrad got to ride down on my lap! Conrad enjoyed it but at the same time felt kind of wary about the whole thing. Jed and Levi, however, went down the slides so many times that they lost count! It was a blast of an afternoon and all three boys passed out in the truck on the ride home. Yes! Mission accomplished.

11.26.2017

^^Jed and Levi coloring in their jammies. Long live slow, cold mornings!^^

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone and I didn't take nearly enough pictures of the people we enjoy it with. I surprise myself with how much I look forward to our silly traditions! We do them every year: we gather at the Nelson Dairy, we eat a fantastic dinner, pies line the kitchen countertops for dessert, we play board games in the evening, the ladies shop til we drop on Friday morning, and we all meet for bowling that afternoon. It's a riot! This year, however, Mama Nelson changed it up for us girls. Instead of playing games, we made a Christmas craft after the kids went to bed. I enjoyed it so much!

I accidentally made Bron really worried on Thanksgiving day. I left the house with Conrad and my camera in hand (but not my phone) intending to spend just a few minutes outside. We wandered down the trail towards the river and suddenly 15 minutes turned into 90! Ooops! But with views like this, can you blame me? Thanksgiving day was sunny and sixty degrees and BEAUTIFUL. Lesson learned: I'll remember to take my phone with me next time I decide to go for a walk.

11.03.2017

During the last weekend of October, Conrad and I flew down to Arizona to visit my sister Lauren! I'd been looking forward to the trip all month long. We talk on the phone often, but my heart has been aching to give her a hug, to be there physically.

(For those that don't know Lauren's story, check out THIS POST and the TAIL END OF THIS POST).

Lauren is doing well. I am continually impressed with her grit and attitude. Lauren puts on a brave face and smile; she's good at finding the silver linings and things for which to be grateful. If you need someone to laugh with, Lauren is your girl! But it's hard. Cancer sucks. She is tired. Lauren just survived 8 rounds of chemotherapy and all of its noxious side-effects, including but not limited to: the loss of her hair (including her eyelashes and eyebrows), sores in her throat and mouth, painful knife-like stabbing neuropathy in her hands and feet, and feeling so tired and heavy that even watching tv was too much. It makes my eyes tear up just writing about it. But she did it! Now Lauren is anxious about the next phase in her treatment which is surgery to remove both breasts next week. We're all praying that surgery goes smoothly and complication free.

Cancer will forever change my sister, in every way imaginable. From her physical looks, to her energy levels, to her outlook on life, she (and her family) will be changed because of this experience. But for all the negative, I'd like to think that the little tender mercies of becoming a better and more intentional person will ultimately win out for Lauren. I also think her family will be tighter because of it too.

SLIDER