When time actually flies

Never, not once have I ever felt that motherhood (or these days with my kids) was rushing by. 

You know how old people always stop you and remind you to "enjoy this moment because it passes in no time."  Yeah...I never felt that.

And then, one day, I watched this girl graduate, and suddenly I found myself wondering where the heck the time had gone?!

Abby's graduation event was held on May 25th. Prior to the actual ceremony, some of her friends gathered at our house for some food and a mini photoshoot. 

Due to covid restrictions that were still in place, only John and I were allowed to attend the ceremony. Grandpa and the kids watched it from the comfort of John's classroom, which was nice because they were able to be there for family photos afterward. 

Apparently there was some confusion about who the real graduate was? ;)

Abby definitely had some special teachers during her time at CHS, and none of them was more dear to Abby than Mr. Roe. 

It was a beautiful night celebrating a group of youth who persevered despite a very challenging year. 

It was a special night for me, as I got to watch my girl reach this milestone. 

She's more than ready to be finished with High School, but I'm not ready to see her go.

Not even close.

 

Baseball Nights

Spring gave us some gorgeous evenings for baseball watching. 

After being shut in for weeks, it was nice to hear that the government was easing restrictions enough for us to be able to have outdoor sports. 

Jessica played softball for a month or two, and both of the boys played baseball. I sure LOVED sitting in the shade of a tree, catching up with people that I hadn't seen in a long time, and watching my kids play.

It was especially fun when the games became a family affair! (It's always a Hardy Party when Sam and Kale play against each other.)

There was one particular evening when Sam had a late-night practice, under the lights. 

I snuck up to the top of Redford Park to watch the tail end of things and I just sat there trying to soak it all in. The sunset, the lights, the crack of the ball echoing through the still night, the sound of banter that is so typical of teenage boys....

It was a real "Field of Dreams" kind of moment that I felt deeply grateful to get to experience.

 

Lundbreck Falls

It had been years since we had last visited Lundbreck Falls.

Thankfully we have been blessed with a lot of time together (thank you covid) to check places like this out.  Sam recently got a job at Dairy Queen, which meant that he couldn't join us.

He didn't seem too bummed about that, (weird) but we sure missed him!

 

Mother's Day Hike to Blackiston Falls

Mother's day was a beautiful day.

A little uncharacteristically snowy, but beautiful, just the same.

I managed to convince my whole family to join me on a walk to Blackiston Falls. 

I think the kids really just came along because they wanted to take Radar on a walk, but I'll just keep telling myself that it is because they like to make me happy. 

The covid quarantine has had us feeling a little cooped up lately. It felt good to get out and move.

And I can't think of a prettier place to go!

 

Bears Hump - Hike # 8

There are times when others agree to join me on a little hike, which always makes for a fun time.

Feeling at Home

I recently had to stay up until midnight (which I rarely do) to secure tickets for my family to go to the temple together. (Covid has certainly changed the way that some things are done.)

The last time I'd been in the temple was January 2020.

Between that time and now, I have struggled with a post surgical complication, endured an autoimmune flare, returned to university, quarantined four times, felt lost, wandered through a pandemic, and been called as the Young Women President.

I've really needed this place.

Being inside felt like coming home.

I felt that peace and  stillness that I can't find anywhere else.

And for the first time in my life - 

my whole family got to share it in with me!

Welcome to the family "Radar"!

We have a dog!!!!

Two weeks ago, I received word from our breeder that our dog had been vet checked and was ready to go.  The kids weren't expecting him for two more days, so I knew this would make for a fun surprise for them. 

Rachel S and I decided on a meeting place and I slipped out for a moment to "run an errand."

This dog is soo darn cute!

I picked him up and immediately brought him home.  He and I went straight to my room where we played and got to know each other without the kids trying to hog him from me;). I think he and I bonded. 

Eventually Jess came into my room, (I knew she would) and freaked out to find Radar already home. Do you see that tear? That's what 6 long years of hoping, scheming and wishing looks like.

Nate was just as delighted to meet this little guy. 

While introducing him to our backyard, we called him "Radar" for the first time and he immediately perked up and looked right at me, in response.  

It was a sign. 

We really can't get enough of this little cutie.  He has already gained a few pounds, looks more grown up, and is testing his boundaries (and his new teeth) on every one of us, but we love him to bits. 

Even John admits that he is pretty darn cute..."for a dog."

Welcome to the family Radar!

Piney Point - Hike #7

One night, towards the end of spring break, at around 11:00 pm, Sam came to me and asked if I could join him on a hike the next day.  He wanted Jess to come along, and insisted that we leave bright and early.  

I agreed to his plan, not really believing that he'd wake up in the morning still wanting to go, so imagine my surprise confusion when at 6:00 am I came out of my room to find him loading up his hiking backpack.  (Jess was on the couch, trying her darndest to wake up.). Part of me wanted to put a pin in this whole "early morning hike" idea, but something told me to just go along with it.  

I am glad that we did. 

While Sam drove west, I consulted my AllTrails app to get a sense of where we should go. We found a sweet little hike to Piney Point (near Pincher Creek) that looked promising. 

For the first 1/2 hour this hike was all incline as we tried to climb up an ice packed trail, but the rest of the hike was really very pleasant and "Piney Point" offered a lovely view of the foothills around us.  

I often marvel at the friendship these two share together. 

They are the closest in age, and definitely two peas in a pod. 

We decided to take a different trail back to our van, and as a result we got to walk right alongside Beauvis Lake. You may not be able to see it clearly, but both Jessica and Sam are hiding in this tree.  (Sam is right at the top!)

It was nice to get out of the house, to breathe mountain air, and to enjoy our own little "Carpe Diem" moment, together. 

 Man, I sure am glad that I went.

Spring Break- All that we did get to do

Spring break was definitely more quiet than spring breaks in the past. 

Due to covid restrictions we were unable to have any family over, nor were there any trips to Bryce Canyon, or Utah, BUT...

💙we did get to watch conference and celebrate Easter together. Thing egg decorating, ham dinner, and hours and hours cuddling on the couch.  Sigh...

💚We did get to visit "the Farm."

Chad's family filled our tummies with yummy BBQ, and we got to gather some giant rocks to take home for an outdoor project. 

💛We did do a lot of yard work. (Like...a lot!)

We put the rocks we gathered from the farm to good use and built ourselves a fire pit!

💜We did take turns laying out in the hammock. 

💙We did let the kids get together with friends a time or two.  (Shhh....it was essential)

💚And...drumroll please...we did meet our puppy, soon to be called "Radar."  

Rachel S gave us permission to go to her home and get to know our future pet, just a little bit early. 

We fell in love with him instantly. 

A week later Radar would be home with us and we'd hardly be able to remember life without him.  

Who woulda thunk it;)