St. George

After Audrey's baptism I headed to my sisters house.  It's been a year since I've driven down to St. George and it was nice to be back.  I enjoyed crafting with my sisters, morning chats, swimming, ice cream eating, hiking, watching Vista's amazing children's choir and wishing, horse riding with Grace, and the rodeo.  I might have brought a little drama into Michelle's house which I feel bad about but I'm so grateful we all got to spend time with each other.  It made me want to make a move to Southern Utah where I could be close to a sister and a brother.  When I was headed home from this trip I found myself mourning the fact that  I don't live close to anyone.  Living far away has it's perks but it's also hard sometimes.  Thank you to Katrina for coming over at random times to spend time with us.  I love you and your littles and I'm so glad we got to spend a little bit of time with you.  Also a huge  thanks to Michelle for feeding us, entertaining us, and just being you.  I love you too.  I'm so glad I made the extra trip to visit with you and your family.  I think Leo might actually know my name now...maybe.  Thank you Kimberly and Tamara for enduring my crazy and for driving with me there and back and spending all that time with me.  Love you both tons!  And a thanks to Grace for making my horse dreams come true.  I've always wanted to take riding lessons.  She took the time to give me a lesson and she was so patient when I struggled.  I hope to do it again.  

   

 

Audrey's Baptism Day

 I've been thinking about this day all year.  I've tried to prepare her mind and her spirit for years.  This year she came to me and said, "Mom, I'm not sure if the scriptures are true or just stories.  I'm not sure if Jesus is real or if he's just a story."  Part of me was heart broken.  I wondered if I'd done enough, if I was enough to be this sweet girl's Mom.  As I listened to conference a few weeks after she mentioned this to me I had the strongest impression that I just need to be an example.  I also felt strongly that we needed to read the Book of Mormon together every morning and highlight verses about Jesus Christ.  As the days went on I would point out when she felt the spirit.  I pointed out the parts of scripture that were important to me.  We drew pictures in the margins of our scriptures so she could remember the stories and what they meant to her.  I'm grateful she asked the questions she did.  I'm grateful she has questions.  I feel like the only way we grow is to seek answers to our questions.  I hope that I'm teaching her the ways to find truth.  I admire her.  My 8 year old self just followed her older siblings.  I didn't have real questions and start seeking truth until much later in my life.  

I know that God is preparing her for whatever her mission is here on this earth.  I'm so proud that she came to this choice on her own. 

The day of her baptism was a beautiful day.  I cried probably more than I should have.  As she entered the water I teared up knowing the work she had put in to get to this point and how lucky I am to have been apart of her journey in getting to know Jesus Christ.  My joy is so full!  Grant and Jenn gave beautiful talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost.  Audrey and I sang together.  I was so proud of how well she did.  I was breaking up and could hardly sing but I was so grateful for that moment and for the spirit it brought with it. 

 When the time came for her to receive the Holy Ghost I was overcome with love as I watched all the men in our families get up to lay their hands on her head.  There are so many that love her and I'm so grateful for all of the beautiful examples she has in her life.  I hope someday she realizes what a blessing that is. If she remembers anything from this day, I hope she remembers the spirit that accompanied her today and the love of her Father in Heaven and his Son Jesus Christ.  

They are proud of her and I am too!  

 

 

 

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Boating Trip

It's been a long time.  It used to be my favorite thing and I couldn't wait for the summer to get out on the lake.  I was just a little nervous this time around for the cold water.  It was September and it was a cold September.  I was determined to not set a toe in the water.  It didn't want to be cold.  I don't like getting cold!  I came up the stairs of my parents house dressed in pants.  Paul told me to go back down and change.  He had such a big smile on his face.  I knew this was important to him so I changed into a swimming suit and put some layers on.  The day turned out to be warmer than I thought.  Audrey had so much fun tubing.  I'm glad Paul was willing to go with her.  She probably would have gone over and over again.  I prefer wake boarding over tubing because of some pretty crazy falls I've had on tubes.  I didn't want to go with Audrey.  I was worried about her falling off in some crazy way and hating it forever afterward. Luckily Paul's Dad is pretty skilled in kids tubing and she will only have good memories.  

Paul wanted me to go with him on the tube.  I was scared.  I got over my fear and went with him.  I was more afraid of the cold water than I was of falling.  I may have screamed a lot and got sprayed a few times with the cold water but I'm happy to report that I didn't fall in.  Audrey's braver than I am.  I've become a wuss in my old age.  After tubing she wanted to swim around a bit, so she jumped into the water a loved every minute of it.  My verdict, I still like boating, I just struggle with cold but I suppose I can get over that.  

I'm so happy Paul's Dad was willing to take us.  I haven't seen Paul smile like that in a while.  He loves slalom skiing, wake boarding, and tubing.  I love whatever makes him happy.