In a nutshell

If I say "JUMP!" Oshyn says, "How high?" while Cruz lays on the floor. I love these guys, even when they make me crazy.

I wonder what will #3 be like?!?

Lovely Lake

If you can look past the mass amounts of duck/geese poo, Lodi Lake beach is a grand place to spend the afternoon.

The First Day of the next 17 years...

To say he was a tad excited is an understatement. Oshyn has been counting down the days since preschool ended in May. He could NOT believe that he actually got to go today. I don't know what thrilled him more--getting to eat lunch there, a new playground, or that he GETS to do homework. Watch out Kindergarten...here comes O!

The Trek *uncovered*

We just returned from a fireside at the Stake Center where a slide show was put together of the recent Trek we went on. I realized how long ago it already seemed--I had better write something before more slips away...here is a taste of what it was like, but no one will ever know truly unless they were there.

Day 1: We arrive at Tragedy Spring, California late afternoon and are given a tour by the ranger of the monument. We then travel a short drive to our campsite for the night. Families are assigned and it is very apparent after about 2 minutes that two of our "sons" might need to be tied up with ropes very soon or maybe even put on short leashes. Wow. Ward talent show under the stars. Flashlights only for the Ma's and Pa's. Dark. Dark. Dark. Sweet dreams...until who knows what time and I am awaken to the snoring of someone camping near by. But oh, the stars are awesome.

Day 2: Rise and Shine with the sun. We pack up and head out on our first day of the trail. The first 2-miles were from the original Mormon Immigrant Trail. Rough, rocky, and hills. Two hard to motivate boys. 6 miles seemed long enough in the dirt, dust, and sun, not to mention the handcart and a baby in my belly (at least my arms didn't get tired :) This is going to be an adventure.

So happy to see the port-a-potties...not because I had to go, but that means we made it! Family reflection time, some dutch oven pizza, and wonderful pioneer stories. Everyone is beat after a long day. I guess I won't be hearing the girls chat it up all night. Stars still fabulous.

Day 3: A death in the family (mock, not real) starts the day off differently to say the least. Must carry on. 4-miles up and down a much more traveled trail. Surprise! All of the men are taken for the Mormon Battalion. Ladies left to fend for themselves. Jovial, singing, strong women pulling the cart. Stop at a water hole. All is well until an uphill climb. Relief sets in when the men are seen lining the path. Why are they just standing there? Part of the "plan"...our Men take over the wagon when we reach them (even the two little whipper snapper boys help). Good thing--big hill ahead....I mean HUGE HILLS ahead. Slipping in the dirt and rocks,

multiple ropes needed, all carts need about twice the man power to make it up. Relief to see camp once again. Men and women go back countless times to help ALL of the families up the HILL (18+ carts). Very very cool. Once again tired teens--and Ma's and Pa's. And to think thereal pioneers averaged 16 or 17 miles a DAY. That used to not seem quite as far until we

embarked upon this journey feeling an inkling of their struggles and burdens. How did they do it? Brought games for down time--never played them, everyone too tired. Wet wipe bathing. Pony Express delivered mail from parents. Alone time for all. Testimony meeting. Carry on. Monster cookies. Tired Ma and Pa. Amped up teens (last night, you know). Did I mention I LOVED sleeping under the stars?--4 shooting stars tonight, the most so far.

Day 4: Morning came early for everyone today--actually woke from the bugle horn. Last day. 2 short miles, but worn out bodies all around. Silly made up Army songs along the way. We pulled up the tail end today. Port-a-potties seen. We made it. All is well. Only 3 bug bites. Can't believe its over already.

What an experience to learn of all of the sacrifice, faith, physical-mental-spiritual trials, and so much more that the pioneers gave up or went through to follow the Prophet and the Lord's plan. Beyond admirable. Something I hope never to forget.

A Date with my BIGGEST little

I told Oshyn that before school started he and I were going to go on a "date". Just him and I to go pick out a new outfit and shoes for school. He was PUMPED. Last Wednesday was the golden day and we took off alone. We had so much fun, from picking out radio stations, starting the evening with a milkshake from Up-and-Down, finding the best shoes-and laughing at other little kids trying to take them, trying on clothes (and me realizing the clothes he always liked best were the clothes he had on), and finishing off the night with some gluten-filled pizza from CPK--we were livin' it up! The best was when the next morning he asked, "Can we could go on a date again sometime? That was really fun." You bet ya.

I wanna hold HIM

It is always so so neat to see what's been going on inside for all of these weeks. Amazing and exciting. I can't wait to meet HIM!

A Blast from the Past

July 15th-18th, 12 miles, 8000 feet, 300 12-18 year olds, 27 Ma's & Pa's, lots of dirt and dust, & much more explaining to do...

Thursday morning

I love the nature trail at Lodi Lake and these two little guys that just happened to be there at the same time as I was...

To be strong or not to be strong

June. Swim team. So fun for me to watch Oshyn learn all of the different strokes, work so hard & get stronger. He moved from the 6 and under lane (lane 1) up to lane 2 and next to swim with the 7 & 8 year olds within the first two weeks. Pretty cool, especially since he just turned 5. Oshyn loved swim team so much that he kept wanting to put his swim suit on earlier and earlier in the day to get ready. At one point he even put his googles on when we were still at home. He couldn't wait to go.

And then the repetition of it all started to sink in. All they were doing was swimming laps, Monday-Thursday from 5:15-5:45p. I think at 5, I would have gotten bored too. Oshyn said he wanted to do swim team but just for 3 days on and 4 days off. Beau convinced him that he would be able to swim across Lodi Lake with Daddy because he was getting so strong from swimming so much. That is when the humility started to sink in :) and everyday I would hear something different about his strength...

(As he was flexing...)

"My arm is really hard."

"My muscles are getting bigger. Look it goes down right here and then up right here."

"I used to think it was boring."

"After swim team is over I'm going to be huge strong."

and later when everything went down with MJ, "Isn't Michael Jackson the best swimmer?" (...hmmm, I think you mean Michael Phelps.)

This all lasted another week or two & then it got "boring" again. Occasionally he asks about starting up swim team again. Next year we will try again and purposely pick the team that has the most meets (this one had one a month--and the first one was only for the older kids--so he didn't even get to race!). I know that will change his perspective. As for now, we are ENJOYING swimming again just hanging out by our pool.