Slow down

“There seems to be little evidence that the Creator of the universe was ever in a hurry. Everywhere, on this bounteous and beautiful earth … there is evidence of patient purpose and planning and working and waiting.”

This past week has been a week in which a lot of things have come to… an end. September and June seem to be my two busiest and most hectic months of the year. September is when so many things begin, and June is when everything wraps up.

Some of the “ENDS” we celebrated this week were:

End of Swimming Lessons:
Both Sam and Abby completed a session of swim lessons. They have been going every night for the past couple of weeks, with only a couple of breaks in the form of cancelled classes due to rain. Abby did remarkably well. She’s comfortable in the water, can now swim the entire length of the pool, and loves practicing her dives. Sam, on the other hand, is new to this whole swim lesson thing, and he was not quite pleased about the fact that lessons were not held in the kiddie pool. For the most part, (every time I was there to watch him), he spent the entire half hour stuck to the wall clinging on for dear life. Every once in awhile his teacher would PRY him away from the wall and try to get him to put his head under water, with little to no success. That said, I was impressed yesterday when Sam walked in the door after his final lesson, and I noticed that on a little part of his head, his hair was a little teensy weensy bit wet. Progress was obviously made.

End of Soccer!
This has by far been our favorite soccer season yet. Both Abby and Sam really improved in skill, and we were impressed and relieved that Sam really took to this sport and enjoys it as much as he does. That might have been because his two favorite friends, Everett AND Katie were on his team. Or maybe it was because his “Coach” was somebody familiar to him that he likes. Whatever the reason - he had fun. Another highlight were the two British Coaches who have travelled here to assist with the program. Coach “Chicken” and Coach “Spike” were SOOO much fun for the kids as well as us parents on the sidelines. They taught the kids drills and entertained at the same time. And we all know that when kids are involved, you have to be willing to entertain!

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End of School!
That’s right –we’re done, and the last day of school could not have come soon enough! I was quickly hitting burn out mode. Sam has beat all odds and passed preschool, Abby sailed through grade 1, and John is yet one year closer to retirement. I swear it – there is not a happier day in our home than the last day of schooll! Abigail has warned me that she plans to spend the summer sleeping in every day until noon. However, I have other plans, and they involve "not wasting a single minute of this beautiful next two months!" John is starting his summer break off right by going on a Scout trip in BC. He will be biking a long a discontinued railway trail that cuts through the BC mountains, camping along the way. It has been kinda funny to watch him tinker around on his bike and go riding more then he ever has before. In fact, until now that bike has pretty much gone UNused. But look at him now. One Scout Camp and the guy thinks he's Lance Armstrong or something! Perhaps I'm just jealous though. (I've been secretly planning a few fishing excursions with the kids while he's away-just to make him feel as though he missed out.)

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End of Dental Work!
Hallelujah!!! Don’t get me wrong, we like our Dentist. But this year has by far been the worst when it comes to number of cavities. I’m not kidding- if I had a dollar for every time I took one of the kids to the dentist in the last 7 weeks I’d probably have…well, about 12 dollars. I know that doesn't sound like much and that is exactly my point! It's hardly worth it for all that hassle!!! Sam had his 5th and last appointment this week, and the family is officially done! We won't have the same experience next year, I can tell you that!

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End of Relaxation!
Well our little Nate has grown by leaps and bounds recently. He has been crawling for about two weeks now, which we have all gotten used to just fine. Imagine my dismay however to realize that he has somehow (completely on his own), figured out how to climb the stairs... THE STAIRS!!! Now what do we do? This officially ends the relaxing phase in which Nate was our favorite child who sat happily in our arms. He is now MOBILE! Look out.

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End of Jordan and Luce!
Perhaps that sounds just a tad dramatic, as it isn't really the end of Jordan and Luci, but rather the end of life with them as we've known it. As noted in our previous entry, Jordan and Luce have been planning to move for quite awhile now, and I thought I was pretty well prepared to say goodbye. I mean they are still family right? It's not like we'd never see them again. Still, I really wasn't prepared for some of the moments this week in which I realized that I was doing something with them for the "last time." On Thursday night, we were cleaning up in their kitchen and I went to put little Liberty to bed. As I laid beside her for a minute we had a little chat about where she’d be moving, and when she’d come to visit all of us. All of the sudden I could hardly contain myself as I realized I had completely missed out on so many chances to spend time with this little girl! I was getting all choked up and she was, by this time, rambling about her future birthday party plans. Every once in awhile I'd try to get a word in to tell her that I was going to miss her. She seemed completely unphased by the conversation as she asked me if I would "bake her a chocolate cake, and that could I put the white stuff (icing) on top of it if I wanted to?”

Sure kid.

Thankfully, they all stayed at our house the night before they left, and I was glad to be able to squeeze in any amount of last minute time with them. As if I could make up for lost time with that final gesture. That whole day, I was filled with memories of things we've enjoyed doing together, and that is when I realized I was going to miss those things! Wiener Roasts in Waterton. Long drives looking for bears. Countless accidents and even injuries with Jordan and John's airplanes. Libby's enthusiasm about every.single.thing in life! Jaxson’s constantly dirty hands and cute head that seems to attract goose eggs like nothing else! Fabulous Mexican Meals, late night phone calls that last way longer then they should have considering we lived within blocks of each other...

We all said good bye on our front lawn Saturday morning, and then I followed them to their "old house" (gosh that sounds weird) for a final photo in front of it.

And then they left.

I raced ahead and parked up on the south hill because I wanted to get a picture of them leaving town. It was at this moment, when I saw their little U-Haul pass by Chief Mountain, that I was over come with regret. I felt like yelling to them to stop. Stop it all. Just come back and stay. I’d be a better friend. We’d do lots more together. I’d complain less about Jordan’s crazy obsession with things that potentially blow up. And when Jordan gets going about why "the world needs more businessmen" I would not roll my eyes any more. (much) Our kids would play together EVERY day, not just a couple of times a week like they used to.

If they’d just come back –

They kept going.

And that was the most difficult END of the week.

It got me thinking though about how when one thing “ENDs” it usually means something else is beginning. As I drove back home I felt a renewed determination to be a little bit better with this. To “get it right” a little more often.

The secret, I think, to having no regrets is this: No matter what you are going through, whether it is a never ending series of dental appointments, the drudgery of a school day routine, a little baby in your arms, or enjoying those you are close to - the key is to NEVER take a single moment of it for granted.

That is all.
The end.

Deported!

It was two years ago, that John's brother (Jordan) moved his family of four up here from Provo Utah to begin a new job. Even though we were excited at the thought of having them closer to us, we were all very nervous about his wife (Luci) and how she would handle life in Canada. She's an American. (This is where I would usually pause to make fun of Luci and how patriotic she really is, but I have recently heard her Dad speak about the American Constitution, and ever since then, it has been impossible for me to tease her, darnit!) Suffice it to say, she loves her homeland almost as much as she loves warm weather. Maybe more. However, I dare say Luci has adjusted quite well to the cold winters, short summers, and superior chocolate that Canada has to offer. In fact, I'm pretty sure that she now loves this place as well as the laid back pace of a small town.

So for the life of me I cannot understand why they have decided to leave? "WHY ARE YOU LEAVING????"

Whatever the reason, it is official. They have sold their home and as I speak, are packing up their belongings and preparing to head back to Utah. Naturally we had to throw them a Canadian style send off. And of course, the party had to be a Surprise!

I put a lot of thought into just how to throw a surprise party (I'd never really done one before), but I knew that two things were essential in order for it to work. 1. I had to involve the right people. People who would be fun AND able to take care of all the details. 2. I had to spend the week prior to the party, completely ignoring Luci. For some reason I think that is a mandatory step. You know, make it so that they sit back and wonder "why nobody even cares that they are leaving." It helps to makes the surprise part that much sweeter when they realize that they actually are loved. Anyhoo...while I worked on ignoring the honorary couple - Rachel, Kat, Jewel, Betsy and Jacki set to work taking care of everything else.

We all met in Waterton (where else?) for a wonderful potluck meal and visiting.
John's sister Rachel immediately dubbed it -the "DEPORTATION PARTY." I liked how that sounded, almost as much as I liked her decorations.

Jewel, Betsy, and Jacki put together a HUGE basket full of both home made and purchased Canadian Goodies. Kat supplied very decadent Crave cupcakes from the big city for all of us to enjoy, and most importantly Jord and Luce were surprised, so success all around!

The older kids ate fast, which is no surprise, and then spent the rest of the evening trying to catch one of the many gophers loitering on the field next to our camp kitchen. It was funny to watch a dozen kids run from one whole to the next trying to get one of these little things. It reminded us a lot of a live version of .

Actually, a small part of me worried that we might get in trouble by park officials for disturbing the wildlife. (but do gophers really count as wildlife?)

That is when Jordan pulled out a bunch of Rockets that he just happened to have on hand (shocker), and shot those off high above us, making everyone within a mile radius turn and stare.
Again, I worried that park officials might get mad at Jordan, for disturbing the peace. But then what could they do about it - Deport him?

The rest of the evening was spent relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather. The Guys ended up down by the lake and spent a good chunk of time shooting rocks into the water using home made slingshots that John had made.

The cute Mothers held their cute babies.

The children with ADD played in the water, (clothes and all) when their Mother wasn't looking.

(I'm just kidding about the ADD part, he's just a very undisciplined child)

Jordan Jr. aka Jaxson, was pretty much content playing with these Rockets. I think he wanted to set them off just one more time. This kid is just like his Dad, it's so fun to see!

It was a perfect evening in Waterton. Not a single bit of wind, and beautiful Sun. I like to think it was God's way of telling Jordan and Luci that they should perhaps stay in Canada.

I mean, a person would be foolish to leave all of this right?

At any rate- we LOVE ya and wish you the best of luck back in the USofA ....EH!

Happy Father`s Day

I met John just over nine years ago. At the time, I was serving as the Young Single Adult President in Edmonton. He had just earned his initial degree and had moved to the Great White North to pursue medicine. I thought I was doing a good job as a YSA pres, but ol' John here had a different opinion. I remember the day my YSA committee received a letter (typed. DOUBLE SPACED. 4 pages long) that mentioned a few concerns he had about some of the YSA activities. The gist of this letter was that the way the dances were currently run did not really help to facilitate the dating needs of the young single adults at that time. He quoted the strength of youth pamphlet, the prophet, and the scriptures. More importantly, his lengthy discourse contained a list of "suggestions" that we, (as a committee) might want to consider. You know, things that would enable the guys and gals to mingle better, and communicate more effectively. His suggestions included things like, selecting better music, turning down the music, oh and my favorite...offering some social dance classes!

Social Dance Classes? Really?

I remember how, at the next monthly planning meeting, I'd shared that letter with the committee and we all had a good laugh at the thought of 300 people breaking into some sort of square dance or doh-si -doh sorta thing together. None of us quite knew who this John Guy was but we were all pretty sure that he must have come from BYU. He had.

I remember the day I actually met that John Guy. It was, coincidentally, the same moment that I decided that what the YSA program really needed was a social dance class. But of course! (Looking back, I admit, his good looks might have had something to do with that decision.) Naturally, I needed his help in implementing some of his ideas, and it all ended up working to my advantage in a wonderful way.

Because nine years and one dance class later, that John Guy is the most wonderful, delightful, Dad to our four kids. The kids adore him because he will drop anything to play with them, reads to them any time they ask, teaches them fun origami, and yawns like Chewbacca. I adore him because he is steady, supportive and makes my life so, so sweet.

And if it wasn't for him, I would never have learned the Cha Cha!

HAPPY FATHER`S DAY to the most "AWESOMEST" DAD we know!

Disclaimer: I know it looks as though we took the kids on a hike in their pajamas, but there is a perfectly logical explanation for this picture. It is ...um...well... ok, we actually did take them on a little hike in their pajamas. What can I say, John is spontaneous like that. It's what we love most about him!

A Whole LOT of Rain

It's been a wet spring. I think somebody around here just might be praying for rain - and I wish they'd knock it off!!!

I love a good rainstorm, but we literally had a downpour for TWO days straight, without any break. How WET! The more I talk to people in town, the luckier I feel. Our basement stayed dry, when unfortunately, other's did not.

The following pictures were taken Thursday afternoon after a day and a half of rain. It was crazy! (and makes me nervous when I think of all the mosquitoes that will soon be here) Sure looking forward to THAT!

Really though, this is what I love about living in Southern Alberta. Never a dull moment. Well, at least when it comes to the weather.

Shining Moments

This week has absolutely flown by. I feel as though I am in one of those phases in life, when I'm just trying to stay on top of things.      So much to do in so precious little time!    Perhaps that is just how JUNE is and I should accept the fact that "busy" is my new "normal."        Between school parties, school meetings, spring cleaning, and other end of the year events, I'm really just trying to keep up.     Here is a quick recap of some of the brightest (and not so bright) happenings from the past few days.

Lets start with the best and brightest news of all.   The High School has officially finished classes and all that is left are a couple of weeks of finals.    Technically John is not finished work until the end of June, but this time without students is really nice.    He will administer a few end of the year exams, clean his classroom, prep for next year, and easily be home by 3:30 every day!      Things are winding down and it is pretty great!!!

For the kids- the focus this week has been on their teeth! On Wednesday, Jessica and I travelled into Lethbridge so that she could be sedated as they repaired her SIX cavities.      Can you believe that?    What 3 year old do you know that has ever had so many?      I actually know of one kid who had EIGHT cavities at that age.   Abby!         It is at this point that I want to clarify that we do brush our kids teeth.    Not to mention Flossing!    I realize that my argument might sound a bit pathetic considering their dental history, but it's true.     They Brush - and that's all I am going to say in my defense.

Sam and Abby are old enough, thankfully to sit in that dentist's chair and endure any discomfort dished out to them. Jessica was just a tad to young, and we decided it'd be best if we had the work done in Lethbridge. Besides, I love taking an entire day to drive to the city and spend a LOT of money! I have vowed that this is going to be our last bad year for checkups.   The very LAST YEAR!    If I have to rule out sugar entirely, I swear I will.     I'd tell you the total number of cavities our entire family had combined this year, but it is ridiculously embarrassing.         Nope, this was definitely NOT a "shining moment" for me as a Mother, and I've battled the guilt of it all week.            But don't worry.    I'm sure that the feeling will pass - and "probably more quickly then it should."     AND since I'd prefer to look on the "bright side," of things - at least I married a Teacher.        True, we'll never be rich, but the Dental Coverage is Great!


I think I neglected to mention a couple of weeks ago  that we planted our garden.    Any other year, and I would have bored all my family and friends with endless details (and bragging) about every last bit of our gardening adventure.     I don't know what my problem is.    Either I really am busy, or I'm just marginally excited about our simply average sized garden that we now have compared to the one we had at our old house.      Suffice it to say - we planted, and things are growing!


I spent the week enjoying a little photography project. After an evening phone conversation with my sister-in-law Sarah, I was inspired to spend several nights documenting the rising and setting of the sun.

I also used this project as an opportunity to figure out my camera a little bit by shooting in manual.   I have come to the conclusion that nobody should operate a camera, in manual at 5:30 in the morning.   (Or, for that matter, drive, while operating a camera at 5:30 in the morning.)     Ok really, nothing should be done at 5:30 in the morning.        It was a crazy notion, and I'll never attempt to do that again.

At least I got some nice shining photos of the experience.

As far as capturing the setting Sun?  Well, that I am willing to do more then once.

(Other Sunny shots from the past couple of weeks can be found HERE.)

Nate's First Hike

Well the Sun has finally decided to SHINE and not a moment too soon, I might add! I actually don't mind a rainy day- in fact I love it- but it has been nice to enjoy some warmth again.

This past Saturday just happened to be one of those delightful but rare days in which there was absolutely nothing going on. No yard work planned, nothing to build, no trees for John to hack down....nothing. Combine that fact with the beautiful sunny weather, and we had the makings for a perfect Saturday afternoon.

Of course we could not get started with our "perfect Saturday" until we had enjoyed the customary Saturday morning breakfast. (We make the kids cook breakfast around here.)




Not wanting to miss a moment of our perfectly unscheduled Saturday, we quickly loaded the van with everything we would possibly need, and headed to Waterton for our first official Hike of the year. Coincidentally, this just so happened to be Nate's first Hike EVER. I'll admit, I had high hopes of our most happy and most delightful child of all (sorry kids) LOVING every minute of it. However, we'd barely parked the van at the foot of the trail when Nate started dishing out all this "attitude."

I think he was all mad about being confined in an unfamiliar contraption called a hiking back pack. Or perhaps he didn't like that huge over sized toque that I'd made him wear. Or perhaps it was the fact that little drops of rain were beginning to fall. Whatever it was, our pleasant happy Nate had been replaced with "Mr. Whines a-lot." There were some ominous looking clouds right behind the mountain, and John and I debated a few times whether we really should even start out. However, when I saw how much Nate was NOT enjoying this - I just knew we had to press on.

I mean, if we had buckled and not gone hiking, what would we have taught him? That it's alright to give up when things get tough? (...or uh...rainy?) Would he have learned how to cope with discomfort? Nope- we made that mistake with our first two children, and they started out as pure wimps! I remember how it all came to a head one winter day a few years ago, when we were cross country skiing on the Cameron Road with the in-laws!! Sam and Abby cried and complained the ENTIRE time, and THEY were the ones cuddled up, being pulled along on a SLED. Nobody else's kids were hating life the way mine were, and it was then and there that I vowed that from that moment on, our kids were not going to be flaky little wimps anymore.

Unfortunately, little Nate had to bare the brunt of that decision. So...we started up the mountain.

Actually,the weather held up quite nicely for the first few minutes and the kids kept up and enjoyed the trail just as much as John and I. I think Nate enjoyed the beautiful scenery as well, though he never hesitated to tell us what he thought of being strapped on to Dad's back. Nate's resistance to the hiking backpack only served to strengthen my resolve.

Twenty minutes later- it began to rain. A couple of times Sam would curl up into a little ball to shield himself from the rain. He reminded me of one of his little Bakugon toys, the way he folded up.

Still, we were not going to stop. We'd planned to fish at Crandell lake, and darn it, that is what we were going to do!

Twenty minutes after that and we were all hunkered down under a tree, trying to stay dry. Resolve gone. Ready to turn around and head back down the trail.

It was a little bit deflating to not even reach the lake, and I felt bad that this had become Nate's First Hiking Trip. Hardly the "perfect day" I'd envisioned.


However things quickly turned around when we got back down to the town site. It is there that we celebrated our pathetic stroll by eating at a new restaurant titled, "Wieners of Waterton." Some childhood friends of John's family recently opened up a cute little hot dog shop there, and he'd been wanting to try it out. For me, the "perfect day" literally came in the form of a quarter pound hot dog and a regular size order of sweet potato fries. One bite and life was good again. Who knew that is all that it would take?

After we'd eaten, we headed to the nearby playground with some friends of ours whom we'd met up with. We always enjoy visiting with the Salmons!

We were delighted to see the new splash pad that has been built. Seeing this helped to strengthen my resolve again. Only this time, I resolved simply to spend as many summer days out here as possible.

And how did Nate enjoy the rest of the day? Well, due to an unfortunate event with a sippy cup, and a lack of dry clothes - he spent the rest of the day strapped into his car seat in nothing but a diaper. Only this time, he didn't seem to mind. It's got me worried that he has something against heights.

It's alright though. We'll make a mountain man out of him yet!

End of the Year Wrap Up

It was a fun week for our little 7 year old! On Monday, Abby got to participate in her very first piano recital! She was so over-the-top excited about this, it wasn't even funny. She hand picked her outfit, practiced her song Arab Dance 10 times throughout the day, and practiced her curtsy about that same number of times as well! Well, actually she had a difficult time deciding if she would bow or curtsy...or both. It was a bit of a mystery as to what she would actually end up doing.

Seriously. If I could bottle up her confidence and sell it - I would. Only I wouldn't sell it, I'd keep it all for me! Abby played very well, and John and I both have been so grateful to her teacher Betsy for making this first year so positive for Abby.

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A year ago, my friend Joanna made the cutest little Graduation cupcakes to celebrate her husband's completion of post secondary school. I instantly loved them, and decided, at that very moment, that I was going to make them as soon as I had a reason to.

For a whole year I waited. Finally this past week I got the chance to make them for all of John's Physics 30 students who were all graduating this weekend. I'm not really sure if John even wanted to take cupcakes to his students, but he didn't really have a choice. After all, I'd been sitting on the idea for a whole year! Like he was going to argue with that.

Besides, what kid doesn't want a bit of a party during class time?

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Another year end event that we enjoyed this week was Abby's track and field day at school. If you were to ask her, Abby would tell you that there are three things that have made grade 1 awesome!

1. You get your own desk. 2. You get to buy hot lunches. 3.You get to do Track and Field.

So there she was on Friday, at the much anticapated Track and Field Day. Running the 100m dash.

Well. Sort of running it.

I have to admit, she didn't seem too focused on the race.

It's not that she wasn't enjoying it all.

I think that perhap she was enjoying it a little too much.
She really seemed to take her time. It was almost as if she was trying to make all the excitement last longer. Maybe she is the type of person who finds "joy in the journey" rather then the destination.

Then again, maybe she just likes attention!

I'm not kidding, I half expected her to take a "bow" after crossing the finish line!

June is always such a busy month, with class parties, field trips, swimming lessons and other such things. I've pretty much given up on all sense of routine and discipline. Bed time is a joke. We're all sleeping in longer and longer every morning. And homework is a thing of the past!

The countdown to John's last day has officially begun, and I am currently working on a very detailed Summer "To Do" List.

That list consists of hiking, fishing, and hiking!!!

It's gonna be rough. But I'll try to enjoy it.