Summer Fun!

Lake Sawyer

Summer Fun!

Crater Lake, Oregon

Potholes Reservoir- Playground at O'Sullivan's in Washington

When I was a kid, I was able to be part of this program called "Summer Fun" at the grade school across the street from my house.  We played games, made crafts, had a sack lunch, all within the confines of a one block radius of my home environment.  What an adventure it was, but nothing like the adventure I am now living.   The only appropriate word is adventure.  When we shared our trip with friends, or even people we meet on the road, we receive many comments like: "FUN," or "WOW", or "You'll never forget that", or my recent favorite "When did you retire?"  That one met a few stifled giggles, as the man I was talking too had retired and couldn't imagine traveling while learning and earning on the road.

Medford, Or LDS Temple

Hope they always want to come here.

Abby and I singing a Frozen song at Karaoke night near Cheny, WA

We've had our period of adjustment, we've met the challenges of five females in a close space with only one male to balance us out, making sure we have internet, and of course the moments we realize that our friends lives go on with out us and we miss some really cool stuff along the way.  This can really not replace the opportunity to share the country with our children.  They have met people, lots of people, and some have become dear to us.  We have communed with the spirit in church meetings in many small wards, and watched as it taught our children the importance of having beliefs and being part of this world-wide church.  When out take social connections out of something religious, you are left with a deeply personal experience, and maybe find a reason why you believe what you do.  It's not because so and so will be at church, or the next upcoming social will be a blast.  You look at why it's so important for you personally to worship and show your love.  Sundays are now my favorite day and I have felt the spirit of my earthy brothers and sisters in a new way.  I'm grateful for that.

Glow in the dark balloon night - SO fun!

Picking Pears at the Church Farm in Oregon

Abby's 15th Birthday - CHEESECAKE!

My oldest daughter Abigail has been attending a seminary class very early each morning to learn more about scriptures, stories and examples of faith.  She was invited by the teacher to come and participate.  That may not be a big deal right?  What if you understood that back home part high school in Utah is release time to attend seminary right by the school during the regular school day and now she attends a class on line whenever she wants and STILL chooses to get up at 5:30am three days a week and 5am on the Fridays to participate with others who believe as she does?  I'm more than impressed, although very tired.  ;)  She is loving online school and can't wait to meet all the kids she's meeting there.  It's been a new and exciting way to learn and has opened up the world to our family.

Phoebe....nothing more to say.

My next oldest, Phoebe is connecting with other kids as well.  I found her online for an hour teaching another girl how to understand the math assignment.  She has a gift like her dad.  She can calmly reason and teach.  It's more work for her and I give her credit for starting off a whole new experience of Junior High in a totally new environment online.   She's also enjoyed meeting new girls at church in so many places and serving with them in the Young Women's program.  Phoebe and Abby had the opportunity to go pick pears at our church pear farm in Oregon.  They loved it!  She's also makes many craft and creative opportunities for the girls while I rest from a long day of school.

Sydney Science Experiment with a real lily pad

I get to spend so much of my day with Sydney.  I'm learning more about her all the time.  She is feeling much better these days since she is home and I can feed her and give her water and she can can do all the things that make her feel good.  It's a balancing act with some of the health things she experiences, but she is waking up less frequently in pain and feeling better most days.  Her giggle in contagious and makes me smile.  She is great at math and reading and English and completed online testing this last week, as well as her big sisters.

Lucy loved collecting shells....she freaked when she couldn't keep them all!

Lucy's favorite thing is Nursery at church.  The second and third hour of our Sunday meetings are time she gets to hang out with such patient and kind people, so dedicated they have accepting a calling to SERVE in the nursery.  It is a tough job (I spent the first month out volunteering there when they were short) and she loves EVERY minute of it.  She can't wait.  She's learning how to sit and watch the process of our Worship meeting (must be from all that patience waiting for sisters and mom to finish school.)  She decided to potty train the first month out and it only took a few days.  She's just awesome.  She has a mind of her own, but LOVES to give kisses.  I can't get out of their room at night without a few dozen.  Everyone should have that kind of love.

Spencer just returned from a conference in Dallas, TX.   He was presenting their with his new company PIVOTAL.  He had a good time, and I got to experience life on the road for a whole week without him.  He also took home a load of our bikes, clothes and other things we just didn't need on the road.  (You really don't need much.)  Spencer rented a van and drove it all way to Utah and back to an airport in under 24 hours. It was crazy.  He also commented on how much farther you drive when you don't have to stop often for potty breaks with kids.  Yep, that's the way it is with toddlers and doesn't he know it. ;)  While in Utah for the night, he was able to see his dad and siblings for a dinner and then flew to Dallas.  We sure missed him!

The wind in my hair...as we fill the truck.

I'm doing ok.  I stay so busy.  I had this impression that without yard work and hours of cleaning my big beautiful home, I'd get to blog and relax every once in a while, maybe read those stack of books I've been waiting to read, but alas, my many HATS have been fundamental at keeping things going.  (So timely and interesting huh ladies....they know what I mean.)  I'm a cook in small kitchen creating healthy and efficient meals, I'm a school teacher and guidance counselor (what our online school UCA calls a learning coach and I say much more),  I'm a wife and caregiver and comforter and sometimes that doesn't leave a hat for me to wear just for me, but I do wear one.  Early in the mornings while my girl is in seminary, I put on my brown cap and head to the harbor and walk and walk.  It's a part of my day I really enjoy.  I'm working hard on creating a healthy body and mind and when I say I've been put in a fire to be refined, it truly is.  It's also a wonderful adventure as well, a time to be treasured and appreciated and one that will pass by quickly enough.  

The Dabel's in Eagle Point, OR - Hope to meet them again someday

We've made some great friends and visited some old ones.  It's amazing how welcoming peole are and how much we can connect with strangers.  Don't be afraid to get to know each other....talk, chat, say hi, or just let someone know when the feeling comes to you.

These are a few I'll remember always.

Awesome family we can't share name.....Hope we meet them again too! Our girls had a blast.

We've been staying in Gig Harbor, WA and it's just a sweet spot in Washington.  You can see Mount Rainier.  You can watch boats in the Harbor.  The trees are everywhere.  The people kind and the parks are so fun.  The place we're parked is nice and clean and you have to sign a paper saying your kids will be well behaved.  Good thing I'm so lucky.... but, so may people who travel like this have animals...some really noisy.  I wonder if they have to sign a paper too?  (Makes me giggle especially after my sweet girl stepped in some doggy do in her new church shoes.  Mom on clean up duty. Eww!)

So there we are.   Until October first, we are in Washington and will head to Oregon for a week to see family one more time.  It's nice to be in one spot for a while.  I like to connect to a place.

There are more pictures we haven't even downloaded, but I'll add those later.  LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL!

Columbia River, WA LDS Temple

School orientation...yep we're all connected ;) haha