Family Conference

FAMILY CONFERENCE

Family Conference is my favorite! I love the Miller Family, and I love getting together with them! Kathleen and Jonathan planned a fabulous conference this year, and we are so blessed to have been a part of it!

RAIN STORM

Bryan and I were put in charge of a family game. We chose to play Capture the Flag. In the middle of our game, there was a summer rain shower, and everyone raced to the cabin.

Hot Springs

We also spent hours down at the river in the hot springs. I love that my kids love spending time with their cousins. Friendships like these are priceless!

Family Pictures

Each family took a "selfie", and Dan took a picture of us all taking "selfies".

BOAT RACES

I love this tradition! I don't know where it originated, or by whom, but this will always be a treasured memory. It's so funny that something so simple can provide cohesive family relationships among loved ones.

Perspective

ROARING SPRINGS
Two favorite quotes of the day:
Jacob said: "Mom, I am glad you are wearing a ponytail. You look beautifuller."
Amber said while cruising in the lazy river and playing with Jacob: "We are the best sisters ever, aren't we!"

I had a moment of panic today, while in the lazy river. The management at Roaring Springs chose Friday as a day to test their lifeguards. While we were in the Lazy River, one of those "testings" occurred. All of a sudden, a panicked lifeguard was pointing, running, and blowing on her whistle. As I turned to see what she was pointing at, I could see a lifeless toddler on the bottom of the pool. My brain went on autopilot, and I gripped tighter to Jacob as I began running towards the child's body. I'm not sure why I didn't let go of Jacob, so that I could better help the child. Jacob was on a tube, and completely fine, but my mind didn't register that I needed both of my hands to better assist the drowning child. Instead, I tried frantically to lift the body with my one remaining hand. I felt alone as onlookers watched my struggle. One man seemed to come somewhat to his senses, and began moving to help as I slowly worked to pull the lifeless body to the surface. When the lifeguard finally arrived, she quickly pulled the child the rest of the way out of the water. It was then that I realized the child was only a mannequin, a decoy in an effort to train the lifeguard. I walked away from the lifeguard and the limp mannequin, and I cried silently. I was grateful to have been wearing my sunglasses. I was hoping that they were shielding my children from my grief. I kept chiding myself for being upset--all the while, grateful that it WAS a mannequin and not a real child. I think this experience was simply too close to home for me. I have a fear of my own children drowning. I don't really believe that it will ever come to pass, and I don't live in fear of it happening; however, I do all that I can to prevent it from happening. Ever since my children were small, they have had countless hours of swim instruction. When my brother died eighteen years ago, my father told me that I couldn't stop living. He counseled me to love the water, and persevere through my uncertainties. (After Eric died, I had moments of not wanting to play in the water, or to even participate in activities where water was concerned.) Through my father's counsel, I found peace. It was then that I decided to make water a part of my life. I refused to allow fear to keep me from living my life to the fullest. This experience at Roaring Springs took me back eighteen years to the time when my brother was pulled out of a river, and all those fears came rushing back. We have been taught that fear is not from God. We have been commanded to "be strong and of good courage, be not afraid neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee" (Joshua 1:9). To me, fear is faithless. I may not understand everything in my life, there may be uncertainties, and most definitely there will be bad things that happen--I cannot prevent that. Fearing the bad will not stop the bad from coming. My little guy has been faced with many fears in his life, and what it has taught me is that when we face our fears with faith, God is near. He promises us that he will be with us. We must be believing. In D&C it states, "Search diligently, pray always, and be believing and all things will work together for your good." That is what faith is all about--it is believing that no matter what happens it is for our good. Alma further states that, "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore, if ye have faith ye hope for things that are not seen which are true." I may not understand why bad things happen, and I may not be able to prevent all the bad that will come my way, but I can face life with faith, and believe that no matter what happens--God is with me.

Happy Father's Day

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, BRYAN!

We celebrated Father's Day a day earlier than the actual holiday, so we could support my nephew, Evan, who was speaking in Rupert before leaving on a mission. I didn't want to "not" celebrate, so we surprised Bryan right before we left to Rupert!

I wish I would've noticed his eyes were closed. This is the only shot I have of Bryan.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Hailey! 

We had a fun-filled birthday this year. We started our adventures with a picnic lunch with daddy at Katherine Albertson's Park, we then rode our bikes around the greenbelt, and finally we spent the afternoon swimming at the Natatorium.

I am so grateful for Hailey in our life. She is a treasure. She inspires me to be better! I hope she will never forget the impact for good she makes on others.

 

The kids loved the wildlife at Katherine Albertson's Park. The turtle on the rock was a favorite!

There is a deer in the background.

Can you seek the deer under the trees?

She was excited to get a backpack, because now she will not have to buy her own when school starts... (She also received a camera.)

 

Happy Birthday, Hailey

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY, HAILEY!

When I think about my kids, I get a lump in my throat. Being a mom is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it is also one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. One of my favorite quotes states, "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." (Elizabeth Stone) I love this quote, because it is exactly how I feel. I watch my children struggle with school, friends, and all of the trials this world has to offer, and my mom heart cries with them. I watch my children laugh, run, and enjoy all that this world has to offer, and my mom heart leaps with joy. I watch my children grow a little older... and my mom heart wishes I could freeze time. My baby girl turns 13 today. As I type that phrase, I cry a bit. I'm trying so hard to enjoy the moments, and capture a picture within my mind to remember forever. I keep telling my "positive side" that 13 really isn't that old--I still have a long time with this little angel of mine. However, my "practical side" tells me that 13 is only 5 years away from graduating from High School, and only 6 years away from possibly going on a mission... Time is precious. I am in awe at how short 13 years now feels as I am looking back on my time with my little girl.

A few months ago we were having the conversation of "how old was I when...". The question was asked, "How old were you when you had Hailey?"  I remember pausing, and being hit with a realization that Hailey was growing up too quickly...not just Hailey, but all of my kids. It almost took my breath away as I realized how little of time I have with my children.  At that moment, I wished once again for more time. One of my favorite songs is by Hilary Weeks. It is called, "Stand Still". As my kid's go off to school, I like to listen to this song. Perhaps so I can wallow in my sadness, or maybe so I can appreciate them, and love them more when they are with me. 

  STAND STILL

I've been taking pictures for a long, long time
Some are on paper but most are in my mind
Snapshots and memories of the days when you were young
I plan to keep them
Long after you've grown and gone
I remember watching as you took your first step
Seems the clocks been running faster ever since
Every day a little taller, it says so on the wall
The days are passing
And they're not going to stop
And if I could
I would
Ask time to stand still
So I could hold you a little longer
I'd make the minutes stop
So we would always have today
I wont let the sun go down
Until you know how I feel
I love you so much
I wish time could stand still
Fingerprints all over the sliding glass door
And I can barely see underneath the toys on the floor
I have wished away the sleepless nights, the noise and the messes made
But my heart reminds me
I'm gonna miss these days
So if I could
I would

I really do wish I could ask time to stand still. Thirteen years have come and gone, and with those years, we have been richly blessed with a beautiful teenage daughter! Here are 13 reasons we love Hailey:

1. I love that you talk to me. You tell me about your day and we share a special moment each time you do! ~Mom

2. I love that you always are thinking of others feelings. ~Amber

3. I love that you are not afraid to share your testimony. ~Dad

4. I love that she is nice. ~Jacob

5. I love that you pray and seek answers for yourself. ~Mom

6. I love that you are caring. ~Amber

7. I love that you take care of your brother and sister. ~Dad

8. I love that Hailey helps me. ~Jake

9. I love that you have the courage to choose the right. ~Mom

10. I love that you are a peacemaker. ~Amber

11. I love that you do not give up or accept failure. ~Dad

12. I love that you are happy. ~Jacob

13. I love that you are a classy, spiritual young lady. ~Mom

Being a Mom

Mom Moment

Oh, my heart melts. "I love you mom! I reelee love you!" 

I love those heels. I love everything about his picture. It is a treasure to my heart. I hope Jacob always loves me just like this picture depicts. Being a mom, is the hardest things I have ever done. I want so badly to be the "best" mom in the whole wide world. I am constantly falling short of what I envision for myself; however, moments like these remind me that I am enough. Or perhaps...moments like these remind me that Christ makes up the difference for all that I lack.

Zoo with the Critchfields

Cousins in Town

Zoo

ZOO

We love the Butterfly House at the Zoo, so we try to visit often. It's a regular summer activity. 

Last Day of School

Last Day of SCHOOL!

Hailey went to a Pool Party, and Amber went to gymnastics, so Jacob and I went to the fountain. It was odd not being ALL together on the last day of school--we've never been a part on this day. I guess this is what happens as kids grow up...

Jake and I had fun though!