Monday, May 25, 2009

Roughing It!

I wanted to do something as a family for the long weekend; something inexpensive that would keep us out of the heat. I knew the kids would love it if we went camping. I'm not a camper, but for them I could make the sacrifice for one or two nights! But I was envisioning a campground with picnic tables, maybe some BBQ stands, latrines and running water.

Since it was Memorial Day weekend all the campsites were full so we had the kids say a prayer that we could find a campsite. We drove to the top of Mogollon Rim and found a spot that was an unmanaged site. (Click here for a map of our location.) There are no tables, latrines or running water and it was cold and raining! It's a good thing I bought a port-a-potty at the last minute!

If there's one thing that I hate it's to be wet and cold! Wet and cold we were! I was really bummed at this point — I thought the weekend would be ruined. As we camped in the cold and rain for two days I heard the kids saying stuff like, "This is the best weekend!", "This is so much fun!" I did not hear one complaint from anyone (except for the complaining that was going on in my head!). Their positive attitude started to rub off on me and the weekend was a lot of fun. Seth was having a great time and I was so amazed by Jeremy. He was chopping wood, putting up tents (in the rain) and working hard next to his dad. I was really impressed. The girls had a blast running around in the rain and hiking.



This is the first day and should give you an idea of how cold and wet it was.


Notice how wet Jeremy is? He forgot his jacket so I let him use the extra sweatshirt that I had brought for myself. The kids were hungry so we roasted marshmallow's to hold them over till dinner was done at about nine that night. They said the canned beef stew they had was the best stew they ever tasted! Hunger will do that to you!! Later in the night we watched a scary movie, "The Village" on the laptop.



The next morning. The kids had a snack before breakfast — yes, that's ice cream they are eating! I had to break down and buy a jacket. If I was going to be a happy camper then I needed to be warm!



Did I mention that I learned on the way up to the campsite that we were going to cook on an open fire not a camp stove? I was a little put off by this, especially when I realized that we had brought ONE pot to cook in and no pans! We picked up a cast iron pan on the way through Payson. Thank goodness we had four tree stumps to use as tables to prepare food! I guess this is what they mean by roughing it!




The Second night as we were getting ready for bed we discovered that 3 pillows and 1 sleeping bag were drenched with water. The two girls and I slept on a queen size air mattress with two sleeping bags opened up as blankets, Seth slept in a damp sleeping bag and pillow on the floor and Jeremy slept in a sleeping bag on an air mattress without a pillow. This must have been the coldest night. My mattress deflated and I slept on what felt like a big branch. In the morning I found out it was a flash light! I was so grateful when we woke up Sunday morning and the sun was shining. I gave thanks for the warmth of the sun before I got up.

We had fun! Sunday morning as the sun came out I was able to appreciate the beautiful surroundings we were in. It was absolutely beautiful! We hiked around a lake and played some silly games this weekend. Seth had a contest with the kids to see who had the dirtiest face using wet wipes. I played a game with the kids at night we walked into the woods and turned off our flash lights to see if we would get scared. And yes we did! The girls started screaming!

Seth made a comment this weekend, "When plans go awry that's when memories are created!" I could not agree more. There's nothing quite like taking a sponge bath with wet wipes and squatting behind a tree! I'll never forget it!

On our way home...



As we ate breakfast around our table this morning in our cozy home we realized we are grateful for the little things like soft warm beds, running water, and each other! I was truly blessed to come home to a clean house and all our laundry done … Thanks mom! Do you want to come over and do the camping laundry?

Sunday, May 17, 2009

365 Days

One year ago today we became a family!


5.17.2008

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? I'm getting kinda tired of looking at these wedding pictures. It's time to update our family photo!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Saturday Monring's in the 70's

In the 1970’s TV shows for kids were so super innocent compared to what our kids watch today in 2009. The shows I watched as a little girl were about kids going on adventures and super heroes. Some of my favorite Saturday morning shows to watch were…


Dr. Shrinker


Electra Woman & Dyna Girl


Wonder Bug


The Land of the Lost


The only controversies over these shows were that boys had long hair and wore really tight jeans. The 70’s standard of long hair was the hair touched over the top of the ears and the back of the shirt collar. Scandalous! The jeans might have been extra tight but at least that kept their boxers from hanging out! A little over a year ago I ordered The Land of the Lost series from Netflix, I wanted Alex to experience a part of my childhood. I was so excited for her to watch this show and I knew she would just love it because she loves to watch movies about dinosaurs. I remember her reaction when I told her that I use to watch The Land of the Lost when I was a little girl:

Alex: “So, then this is going to look real fake, right?”

She laughed all the way through the first episode she could not get over how fake the effects and costumes looked. I was a little crushed--we laughed together. Then she wanted to watch the next episode and then the next and when Rachel came over she wanted Rachel to watch too. Before you knew it they were both hooked on The Land of The Lost. We watched the entire series together all three of us. Seth pretty much refused to watch!

I’m so excited because The Land of Lost was just made into a movie, starring Will Ferrell and will be released in the theaters in June! I have waited over 30 years to find out if Rick Marshall, Will and Holly make it back home! Hmmm, I wonder if J.J. Abrams ever watched the Land of the Lost as a kid?

Monday, May 11, 2009

Happy Birthday, Rachel!



Today Rachel is eleven. She is tall, beautiful, mature, and very, very helpful. She loves animals and likes to swim or hang out with her sisters. She plays the clarinet and she is a prolific artist — she'll use up a sketchpad in a couple hours. Rachel has started her own blog (click here to visit).



Rachel began her birthday celebrations early Saturday. She went to the Mesa Temple in the morning for a Primary service project. Then she had a cut, style and consultation at Shaggy Chic Salon, where she learned how to use her new flat iron. Next the Hyers all joined us at home for birthday cake. Rachel helped out at a regional singles activity hosted by our stake in the evening and then stayed up very late watching a scary movie with her brother and her dad. Long, fun day!



We love you, Rachel, and hope you have a wonderful year!

Temple Service

Rachel, Alex and Grandma went to the Mesa temple and helped clean the grounds on Saturday morning. They woke up at 6:00 am to be at the temple by 7:00 am. I know this was a sacrifice for two girls who LOVE to sleep in on Saturday mornings. They had a lot of fun serving and a BIG thanks to Grandma for taking them!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Reflection!

I had the opportunity to attend Women’s Conference at BYU last week. For the past three years I have attended with my friends, Marici from California and Tina from Virginia. We stayed on campus in the dorm rooms and had a great time talking, eating, sharing and learning. This year they couldn't make it for various reasons, so I decided to attend by myself. The conference theme for this year was “Finding Strength in the Lord.” I came away from this conference uplifted and feeling like I’m doing an ok job. But there is always room for improvement!

In two of the classes I attended I heard the same theme: “Women should reflect the mood of the home and set the proper tone so the spirit can dwell there.” As I contemplated this the saying came to mind, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” I realized if I want happiness, peace, and love in my home the way to accomplish this starts with my attitude, mood and the example I set. If I’m having a PMS kinda day I need to find “Strength in the Lord” to help me change my attitude. Instead of blaming my mood on hormones and expecting everyone to “just deal with it,” I need to humble myself and go to my Heavenly Father and ask Him for help even for the little things like hormones!

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Ether 12:27

It’s good to be home!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

The last days … yikes!

Well it’s almost here. Thirty days from today I’ll be the big 40! These are the last days of my 30’s. As I look back on the past ten years I can’t help but wonder if I made a difference in the world, in somebody’s life, accomplished anything outstanding? Sadly, I don’t know! I do know that I have had some wonderful learning experiences, trials that have become blessings, I have made some wonderful life-long friends, and was given the most precious gift the year I turned 30, my daughter, Alex. I have grown emotionally and spiritually. I did accomplish studying and reading the Book of Mormon from cover to cover. Looking back I sure did a lot of receiving. I pray that I gave as much as I received!

I still have so much to improve on and learn. As the sun sets on my 30’s I’ll walk away with some awesome memories and experiences. I look forward to waking up on June 3rd with the sun shining brightly on a new day and embracing 40! If you haven’t heard… 40 is the new 30!

I need to make the best out of my last 30 days! Any suggestions?