10/22/23

WHAT A WEEK!! After Monday school break where we enjoyed fall in the mountains with a little photo shoot before a quick pres mtg & Anne's tennis clinic, I worked on getting babysitters for Seth so I could got with Dad to his work conference in Midway Thurs-Fri. (I was also brought face to face with what a coward I am about asking for help--that was rough, but at least I can keep growing!). I had a DELIGHTFUL birthday lunch with Stepanie & Amy Tues, then visited with Amber, and helped set up at the ward chili cook off/trunk or treat at our Holmgren historic barn in the neighborhood that night. It was PERFECT weather, Dad's chili WON!, and we had a fabulous turnout of friends and neighbors. I took Jane to have 2 baby teeth pulled on Wed, and otherwise, the kids have been living it up making tons of batches of homemade fries in the air fryer (because I bought a 50 lb bag of potatoes?), playing with perler beads for hours, and climbing trees (mostly Jane, but she climbs enough for all of us). Also, did I tell you about when I was STUNG BY A BEE THROUGH MY BIKE HELMET?!!!! This was actually weeks ago, but holy trauma, I may have pulled over with Seth in the trailer behind me and sobbed a minute since I was still a mile from home. I had felt something fly by, but when I went to swat it away (while biking, mind you), it somehow PUSHED it into those tiny slits in my helmet where it STUNG my poor forehead!!! The NERVE!! But it still feels SO good to be riding bikes, and now, raking leaves, and soaking up all the outdoor time we can (my subconscious is always reminding me we had snow until April this year!). So, after typing up a schedule and texting all of the helpers for Seth, Dad & I left Wednesday night, getting to the little Swiss-themed Zermatt around 9:30. I had started a bit of one of my hormone headaches, so was hoping it wouldn't take over, but when I started hiking Thursday morning in nearby Wasatch State Park (Phosphate Hill was the longest one I could find close by), there was NO pain, and ONLY JOY!!! I wasn't even sure how much fun I would have with most of the leaves fallen, and pretty typical mountains around--did I need a podcast to keep me entertained, or would I get lonely? NO! I was THRILLED, & then I was thrilled at how happy I was! I would break into a jog for little spurts here and there, saw a live quail? or some big-eyed bird right on the trail, BASKED in the bright sun as it came out, sighed over the postcard looking Heber Valley below, and LOVED EVERY MINUTE!! I got to chat with Mom at the end (where I also got lost, but my All Trails Free trial saved the day, and I was happy to have added miles anyway), and THEN I got to go back to the heated pool to work out all my sore muscles in that glorious water--it felt SO good, while ending with a good book by the pool in the sun--probably the most (warm) pool time I've had all summer! I was freezing in my hoodie when I started that morning, but sweating at the pool by afternoon, so perfect ending. Dad & I did the free mini golf course when he was done with his classes, and then found a fun Indian place in Heber for dinner before crashing. I zipped over to the Provo temple early Friday morning, then came back to use the workout room (including steam room and sauna!) before checking out, bought a birthday cannoli to enjoy in the courtyard while Dad was in classes, and ate it with my DELIGHTFUL book while a carousel was going in the background. We re-did the mini golf before we left (Dad bested his score by 20!), drove through STUNNING Alpine Loop the long way home, walked around Tanger Outlets, and then got birthday dinner at the Mandarin in Bountiful--DELICIOUS!! Came home, not too late, to a birthday cake Breely made (for both of us!), a birthday sign, and happy kids. It was SO rejuvenating and filling--I was SOOO HAPPY. Dad & I had a RS training breakfast Sat morning, I took the girls to orchestra, visited with Maddie, helped Emily's FAFSA form (since she got into her study abroad/internship program!!!), then took Anne to urgent care to make sure she didn't have appendicitis after having to get out of school Friday with sharp stomach pains above her navel that ibuprofen wouldn't touch (?!). She wasn't in as much pain Saturday, but still uncomfortable, so we checked, but she was fine (and now I'm getting to be friends with the Urgent care team after Seth's false alarm with broken leg last week!). We grabbed pizza to bring home, then the girls and I watched a cute movie while the boys finished up football. Dad & Brent also finished attaching our secondary water line, so success all around. I've been so scared of Fall coming, (because of imminent winter!!), but the last few weeks have been SO abundant and happy that I can't help but be grateful for such a harvest of good things. And TRYING to remember the goodness of seasons, that shifting and changing, including the cold dark times, are what bring growth. Our RS lesson today was Elder Cook's talk: Just keep going.. with faith. Plenty of days, that's about all I have in me, to just keep going. But THEN, there are times, like this season, that are so packed with FULLNESS and goodness and life, that make everything worth it that I want to remember when it's harder to push on. Also with seasons and change, it's crazy that you and Maddie both moved this week AND Emily found out she'll be moving for next semester, so another reminder that change can be exciting and good and moving us forward. Love you so so much, and hope you get those days that fill up your heart too. Love, Mom