This summer ended up being a little different for us then all of the rest. At this point in my life I should have learned that every time I complain that I can’t keep up or just can’t get everything done- I will be tested more. As you can guess I have not learned that yet. I just finished complaining to Nelson that I was overwhelmed. A few hours later I received a call from my nineteen year old niece asking if she could stay with us for the summer. As you can imagine my first thoughts were no way, I just can’t add one more thing. I had to give it a few hours and then think about it again. I knew it was one of those things that I really needed to pray about and have help from my Father in Heaven. We agreed and frantically started putting up sheet rock in the basement to make a rough bedroom.
I have to admit it had its ups and downs. It took a bit of time getting use to each other and accepting each other for who they are. The biggest frustration was not knowing if our efforts really helped out.
Shortly after this all happened Nelson's nephew Skyler (10 yrs old) got the opportunity to come stay in Utah for a few weeks without his parents. He chose to stay with us. At this point we had two extra people living in our house. There were times that I felt like our house had a revolving door. With the extra people and with Nelson being the bishop I felt that someone was always at the door. It was good though- I needed to learn to not be so uptight on my schedule and learn to just go with the flow of things. Max also loved having his cousin here with him since we don't get to see him much.
At this point I am still not really sure why all this happened this summer but do know there were reasons for it. I know there were lessons I needed to learn in patience and needed to learn to be more understanding. Looking back I know there are things I could have done differently but am thankful for the lessons that I learned from it.
I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to go through this. I know we have been very blessed financial and with a nice home. Nelson and I are both willing and know we need to share all that we have been blessed with. We love our family and are grateful for all opportunities to strengthen family relations.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Bear Lake
Every year my family and Nelson's family both plan family trips to Bear Lake. We love it up there. My parents are both from the Bear Lake area so I have enjoyed going up there since I was a little kid. The two family vacations usually end up being a week or two weeks apart from each other, but are so different.
The Weston Trip- With the Weston family we usually stuff all 34-40 (depending on who is in town) of us in a Condo and have a blast. We spend lots of time playing out on the grass, at the park, in the pool and at the beach. This year also included a mean game of hockey on the basketball courts and many hours of bike riding. It is just such a relaxing time hanging out with the family. So thankful for all the fun memories we are able to create with our families. Here are some fun highlights from the trip:
Max & Asher spend most their time doing crazy tricks on the diving board
Asher playing around & Nelson training for his triathlon
My sisters and I Asher and his funny faces
Max, Logan & Skyler playing on the boat
Bowen Trip- with the Bowen family we go with all the Shurtleff family. As expected we always have a great time on our Bear Lake trips. Who does not enjoy being in the sun and playing all day.
This year with the Bowens there was a bit of excitement. A bunch of the kids were out on the sail boat with Uncle Kirt when it tipped over. All the men jumped in the Kayaks and headed out to rescue the kids. Most of the kids kept their cool while others were in the water crying their eyes out. Max and Asher on the other hand thought it was the coolest thing in the world.
We had a great time with kayak races, skiing along the beach, digging swimming pools for all the frogs that were caught and just laughing around the fire. Here are a few pictures:
The kids playing on the sailboat
This was the first time in a long time the whole Bowen family was able to come. We took family pictures while we were up there. The sun was not to kind on my eyes and the wind did not do miracles for my hair.
The Weston Trip- With the Weston family we usually stuff all 34-40 (depending on who is in town) of us in a Condo and have a blast. We spend lots of time playing out on the grass, at the park, in the pool and at the beach. This year also included a mean game of hockey on the basketball courts and many hours of bike riding. It is just such a relaxing time hanging out with the family. So thankful for all the fun memories we are able to create with our families. Here are some fun highlights from the trip:
Max & Asher spend most their time doing crazy tricks on the diving board
Asher playing around & Nelson training for his triathlon
My sisters and I Asher and his funny faces
Max, Logan & Skyler playing on the boat
Bowen Trip- with the Bowen family we go with all the Shurtleff family. As expected we always have a great time on our Bear Lake trips. Who does not enjoy being in the sun and playing all day.
This year with the Bowens there was a bit of excitement. A bunch of the kids were out on the sail boat with Uncle Kirt when it tipped over. All the men jumped in the Kayaks and headed out to rescue the kids. Most of the kids kept their cool while others were in the water crying their eyes out. Max and Asher on the other hand thought it was the coolest thing in the world.
We had a great time with kayak races, skiing along the beach, digging swimming pools for all the frogs that were caught and just laughing around the fire. Here are a few pictures:
The kids playing on the sailboat
This was the first time in a long time the whole Bowen family was able to come. We took family pictures while we were up there. The sun was not to kind on my eyes and the wind did not do miracles for my hair.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Oregon
My family consists of 2 parents and 7 kids. Getting together with the whole family is fun, chaotic and does not happen as much as we would like it to. I have two brothers who live out of state, it makes it harder for us to get together as much as we would like. Our family does a thing that every 2 years we go on a family trip together. This year was my brother Greg's turn and he planned Oregon (that is where he lives). We all drove out to the coast to spend a few days with them. I am so glad we could I have never been to the Coast and it was amazing.
This is us on the drive there. I am not much of a car traveler. If I have something to organize I do ok. I also do ok if I can talk, but Nelson loves looking at the scenery. Good thing the kids travel better than I do. The kids played picture scavenger hunts with the camera. It was fun. I was a little worried we were going to cause a wreck with Max trying to take pictures of the drivers next to us. They kept looking over trying to figure out what he was doing. On the way there we stopped at an awesome waterfall.
We stayed in beach houses on the coast. While we were there we were able to go to some tide pools. It was awesome to see the different Sea life that was hanging out on the rocks. The kids favorite part was the crabs that they found and got to hold on to. In fact a few of the girls were convinced they were taking theirs home for their pets. Let's just say that did not happen like they thought it would. While at the tide pools we went through some lighthouses. Below is a picture of all the kids bothering the poor worker. They kept telling him he was Joe Jonas and asking for his autograph. I am sure the kid was so glad when we left.
We went down to some shops and were able to see a bunch of sea lions just hanging out. This is Max and his normal crazy facial poses. This is a picture of my whole family minus 1 nephew (we missed you Josh). I love being with my family.
We spent many hours on the beach building castles, looking for crabs, skim boarding (which by the way I am really bad at),walking, picking up seashell and having bon fires. The guys were able to bring their bikes and go on a few rides. I am so glad we were able to spend this time with my family. Max even let the girls paint his nails, now he is not so proud of that but it is ok it was just for fun.
This is Asher after getting his foot on some of the coral. He did not care for that much. My dad and Nelson tried making a bandage out of seaweed. Then he spent a good part of the day being buried in the sand by his cousins-
This is us on the drive there. I am not much of a car traveler. If I have something to organize I do ok. I also do ok if I can talk, but Nelson loves looking at the scenery. Good thing the kids travel better than I do. The kids played picture scavenger hunts with the camera. It was fun. I was a little worried we were going to cause a wreck with Max trying to take pictures of the drivers next to us. They kept looking over trying to figure out what he was doing. On the way there we stopped at an awesome waterfall.
We stayed in beach houses on the coast. While we were there we were able to go to some tide pools. It was awesome to see the different Sea life that was hanging out on the rocks. The kids favorite part was the crabs that they found and got to hold on to. In fact a few of the girls were convinced they were taking theirs home for their pets. Let's just say that did not happen like they thought it would. While at the tide pools we went through some lighthouses. Below is a picture of all the kids bothering the poor worker. They kept telling him he was Joe Jonas and asking for his autograph. I am sure the kid was so glad when we left.
We went down to some shops and were able to see a bunch of sea lions just hanging out. This is Max and his normal crazy facial poses. This is a picture of my whole family minus 1 nephew (we missed you Josh). I love being with my family.
We spent many hours on the beach building castles, looking for crabs, skim boarding (which by the way I am really bad at),walking, picking up seashell and having bon fires. The guys were able to bring their bikes and go on a few rides. I am so glad we were able to spend this time with my family. Max even let the girls paint his nails, now he is not so proud of that but it is ok it was just for fun.
This is Asher after getting his foot on some of the coral. He did not care for that much. My dad and Nelson tried making a bandage out of seaweed. Then he spent a good part of the day being buried in the sand by his cousins-
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Summer Photo Shoot
Since our family pictures are over two years old I decided to get new ones taken. If Nelson had it his way we would do pictures every 5 to 10 years. It is not his favorite thing. A friend of ours in the neighborhood takes way cute pictures. She had us meet her at the junk yard next to Smith and Edwards in Farr West. The boys had a blast picking up all the junk and having it in all of the pictures. In these pictures Maxwell is 8 and Asher is 5.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Baseball and Raptors game
The last few years Max has been playing baseball and this was Asher's first year of T-Ball. This is one sport that they both really enjoy and do really well at it. After each season their coach sets up for their team to go to the Ogden Raptors baseball game. The kids are able to line up and get to run out with one of the players.
It is amazing to see how their faces bright up when they hear they get to do this. They are so excited to have their names announced and to get to run out with one of the players.
Max & his team waiting to run out & Max with the Raptor player:
The kids would not leave the poor mascot alone. Each time they saw him they had to talk to him or get an autograph. We will have to remember paper if they do this again. Asher ended up having his face, arm, shirt and leg autographed because he thought it was so awesome.
Asher & Makensy and the rest of Max's team. They had a great time at the game.
It is amazing to see how their faces bright up when they hear they get to do this. They are so excited to have their names announced and to get to run out with one of the players.
Max & his team waiting to run out & Max with the Raptor player:
The kids would not leave the poor mascot alone. Each time they saw him they had to talk to him or get an autograph. We will have to remember paper if they do this again. Asher ended up having his face, arm, shirt and leg autographed because he thought it was so awesome.
Asher & Makensy and the rest of Max's team. They had a great time at the game.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Travis Poll
On June 18th, one day before his 36th birthday and two days before Fathers Day, Travis Poll's battle with esophagal cancer ended. Travis was one of Nelson's really good friends from JR High and High School. As parents, we always want our kids to find some "good friends". Nelson had that. He had some great friends growing up and still does today.
Travis and his family battled cancer for 2 1/2 years. We have learned many lessons from their family and our love for them has grown even more. Nelson has some very fond memories of Travis and is so grateful for the friendship they share.
The Saturday before he passed we were able to go say our goodbyes. I learned many lessons that night. Nelson and Travis hugged and talked a bit. They kept talking about what it was like to get to go see Jesus. Nelson even mentioned that he was a little envious. I understand that is the reason why we come to earth so we can return back. I just could not get past the part that he was leaving an awesome wife and 4 beautiful kids behind. While we were there the home health nurse made the situation a little crazy by her constant complaining. I was a little disgusted by what she was saying. Mandy, who had been struggling with this great trial looked at the lady and said it is ok, just do what you need to, we are not mad at you. The pure love she had amazed me. I am sure I would have probably started yelling. She definately reflected the pure love of Christ at the moement and it taught me a valuable lesson. No matter how crazy things are we truely need to love those around us.
I had a hard time watching my husband tell one of his best friends good-bye. I had an equally hard time the next day at church when we sang I believe in Christ in Sacrament. Nelson could not hold it together and just cried and cried on the stand.
Nelson has many memories of Travis and has learned many lessons. Some of the lessons he learned are:
1. Cancer never over powered Travis friendship. No matter what was going on with him, his frienships he had built over the years still meant a ton to him. He was still determined to keep those relationships strong.
2. Nelson felt that with Travis friendships were special rather than just a common thing.
3. No matter how bad Travis was struggling he never let it get in the way of his family. He would always be there for his kids as well as recognize every little thing they were doing.
We will always be grateful for Heavnely Father blessing us with such great friends. We feel so blessed to have the Poll family in our lives and to have been strengthened by them.
At Travis's graveside some of the people put their Livestrong bands on his casket.
Here is Nelson and his friends(including travis in High School and College)
Travis and his family battled cancer for 2 1/2 years. We have learned many lessons from their family and our love for them has grown even more. Nelson has some very fond memories of Travis and is so grateful for the friendship they share.
The Saturday before he passed we were able to go say our goodbyes. I learned many lessons that night. Nelson and Travis hugged and talked a bit. They kept talking about what it was like to get to go see Jesus. Nelson even mentioned that he was a little envious. I understand that is the reason why we come to earth so we can return back. I just could not get past the part that he was leaving an awesome wife and 4 beautiful kids behind. While we were there the home health nurse made the situation a little crazy by her constant complaining. I was a little disgusted by what she was saying. Mandy, who had been struggling with this great trial looked at the lady and said it is ok, just do what you need to, we are not mad at you. The pure love she had amazed me. I am sure I would have probably started yelling. She definately reflected the pure love of Christ at the moement and it taught me a valuable lesson. No matter how crazy things are we truely need to love those around us.
I had a hard time watching my husband tell one of his best friends good-bye. I had an equally hard time the next day at church when we sang I believe in Christ in Sacrament. Nelson could not hold it together and just cried and cried on the stand.
Nelson has many memories of Travis and has learned many lessons. Some of the lessons he learned are:
1. Cancer never over powered Travis friendship. No matter what was going on with him, his frienships he had built over the years still meant a ton to him. He was still determined to keep those relationships strong.
2. Nelson felt that with Travis friendships were special rather than just a common thing.
3. No matter how bad Travis was struggling he never let it get in the way of his family. He would always be there for his kids as well as recognize every little thing they were doing.
We will always be grateful for Heavnely Father blessing us with such great friends. We feel so blessed to have the Poll family in our lives and to have been strengthened by them.
At Travis's graveside some of the people put their Livestrong bands on his casket.
Here is Nelson and his friends(including travis in High School and College)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Jumping
I really think I was meant to be a mom to boys. The rough and tumble aspects of boys does not get to me at all. I am not sure I would be able to handle a child that was whinny. My boys have been fun.
One day we were playing around and decided to get out my moms mini tramp and our ottoman. They put the two by each other and run and jump on the tramp and do tricks over the ottoman. The kids can spend hours and hours doing this. When they think they need a lot of momentum they will even open the door and start outside to run so they can go faster (I don't think it helps, but they sure do).
We have done different things such as jumping over many pillows (they can do as many as 5 now), jump over the mop at different heights, and the most adventurious is jumping over people. It is crazy how much entertainment a mini tramp and ottoman has provided in our home. Here are some fun pictures of Max
Here is Asher doing his tricks
One day we were playing around and decided to get out my moms mini tramp and our ottoman. They put the two by each other and run and jump on the tramp and do tricks over the ottoman. The kids can spend hours and hours doing this. When they think they need a lot of momentum they will even open the door and start outside to run so they can go faster (I don't think it helps, but they sure do).
We have done different things such as jumping over many pillows (they can do as many as 5 now), jump over the mop at different heights, and the most adventurious is jumping over people. It is crazy how much entertainment a mini tramp and ottoman has provided in our home. Here are some fun pictures of Max
Here is Asher doing his tricks
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