Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons

10.07.2015

^^There are just four kids in Jed and Levi's little swimming class.  Bless their teacher!  She's so cute and patient with them.  The kids show their attention by touching their noses.^^

^^Practicing 'monkey, airplane, soldier' swim moves^^

The boys started swimming lessons at the Y this week!  Needless to say, they are both overly enthusiastic about it.  Jed and Levi love any excuse to play in the water!  They're little fishies, already comfortable with submerging their faces in the water and holding their breath.  My goal is to get them swimming on their own though before summer comes around again.  I think swimming is such an important life skill.  What a relief it will be when I won't need to constantly worry about their safety around water.  That's why the boys will probably continue with lessons throughout the winter--that is if we survive Levi's locker room shenanigans.

You guys, Levi is a three year old terror. I don't know whether to get mad or just laugh! In the locker room today Levi turned on all ten shower heads. As soon as I had those shut off, he had every single sink faucet running full blast... all while he ran around butt naked squealing and laughing.

It's a game. I probably won't win.

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Fall Time Adventures in the City of Rocks

Fall Time Adventures in the City of Rocks

10.06.2015

^^Our Saturday evening view of Castle Rocks State Park just adjacent to the City of Rocks^^

The City of Rocks has become our playground!  We have spent every Saturday over the last month rock climbing the giant granite slabs there out in the desert.   Rock climbing is an addicting sport!  I know we'll never amount to anything competitive, but the challenge and adrenaline rush are what keep us going back.  That, and the chance to completely unplug from the world.  There is absolutely no cell service in the desert.  Instead, the kids run around, climb, explore, and play imaginative games while we adults get a chance to talk and laugh and challenge ourselves on the rocks.  It's kind of dreamy when I write it all out.  

Bron and I feel so lucky to have some of the best of friends whom are willing to teach us the ropes--literally.  Thanks Horsleys!  Without them, we wouldn't be out there.  I am so happy for the opportunity I have to develop new talents and interests in my adulthood because honestly, it never occurred to me until recently that it is totally possible/plausible.  Plus, I love that these weekend adventures and sports are becoming commonplace for my children.  Jed and Levi look forward to them with great enthusiasm!  I can totally see the four of us loading up the truck one day with bikes and climbing gear and who knows what else to disappear for a few days.  Yup, that's my idea of a perfect weekend: wholesome recreational activities for the whole family and a lifetime of good memories.  Glad we're already getting a head start.

So without further ado, a gob of photos from the past month...

This giant granite mountain boulder is known as Bread Loaf.  We climbed it two weekends in a row and conquered three different routes.  The challenge was a bit humbling.  And I can't believe how incredibly HIGH we got up there!  Whoa.  But I suppose that is what is so liberating about using ropes and harnesses; I get to do something I normally wouldn't do with minimal risk to myself.  See that tiny smear of blue?  That's our friend Aaron.

^^Bron and I taking on the 5.9 route^^

^^Mini man chalking up his hands in preparation to climb!  Levi insisted.  It was so cute.^^

^^Our friend Shelly.  Also, Levi learning what it feels like to leeeaan back to repel.  "It's like flying!"  Haha.^^

Jed has a love/hate relationship with rock climbing.  It's a funny cycle.  Jed begins by getting super excited to climb.  At about eight feet high he freaks out.  We lower him to the ground safely, he calms down, but then he's ready to climb again!  Silly kid.

^^Levi and Easton showing off their 'hulk smash' muscles.^^

^^What do YOU look like after you eat an entire bag of M&M's?  This kid is sooo messy, but he makes me laugh.^^

^^Bron's first lead climb.  I'm so proud of him.  Don't let that rock fool you.  It looks like 'child's play' but we were smearing with our hands and feet all the way up!^^

^^Bron conquered!  Also, how incredible is that backdrop for play?^^

^^Bright orange and lime green moss?  I was blown away by how uniquely pretty the desert was!^^

^^ Insert theme from Mission Impossible!  Hahaha.^^

^^Aaron and Amy.  Amy is one tenacious gal.  It's so fun to watch her climb!^^

We went camping over the weekend.  Camping sure is a lot of work for a crappy night's sleep (it was freeeezing cold!) but the countless stars, roasted marshmallows, and fresh air adventures will no doubt keep me coming back.  Plus, the little boys enjoyed it a hundred times more than I did.  The looks on their happy little faces made it all worth it.

^^Bacon for breakfast.  Mmmm!  Pull my arm, I'll go camping again.^^

^^The kids ate a lesser meal of sugary cereal for breakfast.  They thought they were luckiest ducks!^^

^^Addy.  She's like my favorite little girl.  She lets me cuddle and spoil her.^^

I took the kids exploring around the campsite.  We spied a young buck and avoided stepping on some cacti.  Then Levi collected an armful of these sticky golden pine cones.  He insisted that we make them into bird feeders--you know, just as all the birds are flying south for the winter.  But who am I to disappoint a curly haired three year old?

Hope to see you again soon, City of Rocks!

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The Day We Found Fall

The Day We Found Fall

9.23.2015

^^Playing with their monster trucks in a super gorgeous Autumn-like spot^^

^^His facial expressions kill me!  So, so animated.  Wish you could just watch him talk.^^

^^Tyke is such a smart and sweet dog.  He always brings up the rear wherever we go--be it bike rides or hikes.  He looks out for his family.^^

^^Ross Falls!^^

^^Hanging out in a real cave covered in wet green moss!  "Mom, it doesn't hurt me, see??"^^

Brotherly love.  It doesn't always look like this, but when it does, my mommy heart swoons.  Different as night and day, I love watching Jed do something thoughtful for his brother and hearing Levi sweetly reply, "Thank you, Jed!  It's enough of an indication that I know these two are forming a special lifelong bond.

^^Beware the crazy-haired bridge troll!  Haha.^^

September has been a rough month for me and the last few days have been especially tough.  Feelings of inadequacy have been eating me alive!  I've really been struggling to find my groove since school started.  I try my hardest (oh do I try!) to be the best wife, mother, and friend I can possibly be.  I try to keep a clean home, teach my children the Gospel of Jesus Christ, keep a budding photography business afloat, cook healthy meals, exercise, and a host of other really good things.  But I feel as if I come up short every single day.  I am painfully aware--and sometimes blissfully unaware--of my personal quirks and faults.  And my daily plans to accomplish always seem to be thwarted completely in the other direction because someone or something demands my attention.

Tuesday I was in tears.  I felt so completely overwhelmed it was paralyzing.  That's when I decided to leave all my cares behind with a trip to the South Hills, just my little boys and me.  Fall is in full swing up there!  The hills are aflame in gorgeous yellow leaves.  We had a blast.  The boys and I spent four hours in the afternoon hiking and 'sploring' and playing among the trails and trees.  Even Jed noticed how quiet it was.  "It's so peaceful up here, Mommy!"  I know.  It's perfect.  Turns out, some fresh air was just the pick-me-up I needed.

I'm feeling better today and much more like myself.  Yesterday's time-out helped me push that proverbial reset button and to realize a few things:

1. I expect way too much of myself.  I've gone this circle before and need to keep reminding myself that my self-worth is NOT in any way equated to how many things I can cross off my to-do list.  I am not lazy; I do accomplish a lot.  It's just that many of my daily accomplishments come in the form of listening to a friend or babysitting a neighbor's child or reading ten chapters of a book with Jed tucked under one arm.

2.  I feel as if my Heavenly Father is showing me that He is in fact the one in charge.  My own grand plans for the day--or even my life!--mean zilch.  A certain talk given by Hugh B. Brown called The Currant Bush keeps coming to mind and brings me some comfort.  "Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down."  Read it, you'll understand, and I promise you won't be disappointed.    

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