Vacation Adventure!

We just had one of my best family vacation experiences ever!  Funny thing is...I was dreading it before we left.  What if one of us got lost, injured, or ran away?  I was a bit worried something could happen to one of the kids as well:-)  Thankfully, LaMonte and I survived, and stuck together.  The kids also did very well!  No one plugged up "Old Faithful" at Yellowstone, colored on the Christus statue in Salt Lake, vandalized my brother's home in Idaho...and no Emergency Response teams were alerted while we were there (to the best of my knowledge).  The trip was surprisingly calm, enjoyable, and wonderful! 

 One of our first stops was a dinosaur center in Wyoming.  This was entirely for Jacob who is somewhat obsessed with dinosaurs.  He prays for them every night.  When the other kids in church sing, "I am a child of God," Jacob loudly sings, "I am a di-no-saur."  Now he got to meet his best friend face-to-face.

 Our first night we stayed in some cabins nestled against a beautiful river, just a few miles outside of Yellowstone National Park.

 My parents joined us at the cabins that evening.

 Our first stop in Yellowstone was a huge snow bank up against a mountain.  For Texas kids who don't get to see snow very much, a snowball fight in July was a wonderful thing!

 My dad met Henry, Lucy, and Sam for the first time on this trip.  They immediately fell in love with him.

 Traffic was backed up as we headed to our next stop.  Why?  An entire herd of buffalo decided it was easier to make their way along the road then on the steep, rocky terrain.

Next we hiked a steep trail down to a huge waterfall.

 It was truly breathtaking!!  If the view didn't take your breath away, the hike back sure did.  Especially for LaMonte who pushed about 75 pounds worth of kids up the whole way in a cheap double stroller.

 "Old Faithful" was truly a marvel.  Grandpa treated everyone to ice cream while we waited for the show!

 We spent the next few days in Idaho with my brother, Jon and his family.  What a great experience we had with them!   On the Fourth of July, he took us kayaking on a river followed by a picnic.  The boys had a great time setting off fireworks that night.  The next day we went fishing, kayaking, and hiking at Meadow Lake.  It was so beautiful!  The water was emerald colored and crystal clear.  Almost all of the kids caught several fish.  My camera battery gave out, so I don't have many pictures. 

 We went tubing at Lava Hot Springs on Monday.  

 Going down the "toilet bowl!"

 Even Sarah was brave enough to try...and loved it!!!

The older kids went on individual tubes for higher adventure.

 After leaving Jon's, we went to Park City.  We stayed in a 3-bedroom suite at The Canyons resort.  It was a beautiful place.  On Tuesday, we went to Temple Square.  I was nervous and prepped to run if anything got out of hand.

 Awww!  Look how innocent!  Why did I worry???  I am one blessed Mama!

 After we left temple square, LaMonte took us out for lunch at Litza's Pizza...his family's favorite pizza place when he was a kid.

 That evening we got together at a park in Bountiful with his Aunt Merle, Uncle Dave, and the families of two of his cousins.  We had a great time getting to know each other better.  They were awesome with our crew of kids!  We really love them!

The next day we went to Provo.  After a hike in Rock Canyon, we went to the creamery, the Bean Museum, the bookstore, and showed the kids where LaMonte and I kissed for the first time:-)  I wonder if LaMonte would have run away if I could have showed him where that kiss would lead!  Just kidding--it was a beautiful start to a beautiful life together!

We next went to visit the Adams.   Bishop Adams was our bishop while we were at BYU.  It was so fun to see them.  They let the kids pick bags full of apricots and cherries from their trees.  Yum!  That evening we met up with my grandma, aunts, and other family for a picnic in Hobble Creek Canyon.  There is nothing quite like family!  How wonderful to be surrounded by people who love you!  I think this is what it will feel like when we get back to heaven to be reunited with loved ones and ancestors who have gone before us.  It was raining so, I unfortunately didn't get any pictures.

We spent Thursday in Park City.  My parents came to Park City to ride the Gondola up the mountain with us at our resort.  Then we went to visit the Lindsays, some close family friends I grew up with.

 Afterwards, the older kids and LaMonte rode the Alpine Slide.  It has a track nearly a mile long running down the side of the mountain.  In the afternoon, LaMonte took the kids back on the Gondola to go hiking on the mountain.  We all went swimming that evening.  Then it was time to do laundry, pack up, and get ready to go home.  What a wonderful, memorable summer vacation!

Surprises, Setbacks, and Miracles

Years ago I ran cross-country in high school.  I vividly remember the feeling of pushing myself beyond my physical limits and then finding myself at the bottom of a nearly insurmountable hill.  The question, "Is this going to kill me, or is it worth giving it a shot?" comes flashing through my mind.  What do we runners do?  We take the hill, right?!  Well, my mind and body are not nearly as fit as they once were, but I have had to draw on that ingrained kamikaze runners' mentality over the past few months. 

After the flood, we stayed for three weeks at a hotel. It was a very colorful experience.  Trying to keep 11 kids quiet in a hotel room with paper thin walls is a bit like trying to teach a herd of buffalo to perform in the ballet Swan Lake.  In the middle of our adventure we found out some exciting news.

I am expecting again.  Not kidding.

LaMonte and I nervously laughed as we felt the weight and appearance of our predicament resting upon our shoulders.  Then, we squared our shoulders, prayed,  and started up our hill.  Within a month, as we were still adjusting to a the many needs of our new little ones, we lost our home, our routines, and my health.  We found out that both Henry AND Lucy have Fragile X syndrome.  Our contractor took advantage of our situation--adding an extra element of shock and discouragement.  The hormones of pregnancy and the difficulty of our situation left me with a mental and physical exhaustion like I have never experienced. We booked a beach house for the kids and I down at Surfside to get out of the hotel situation.

 LaMonte drove to Surfside with us to get us set up.  For the next few weeks, he would come down on the weekends to be with us.  He is amazing, and has been a rock through everything!

Jacob loved building sandcastles!

 I swear, heaven's angels followed and carried us through this time.  Little miracles constantly reminded me that we were still in God's hands.  I could hardly believe the growth and maturity I saw in our older kids as they stepped up to help out.  At one point several of us had the flu and could hardly get up.  Jason cooked the meals, cared for the kids, and managed the whole situation with kindness and ability beyond his years.  Keith willingly took on changing diapers and dressing kids.  Rebecca was like a second mother.  David's patience and ability to help Kevin and  Jacob was incredible to me.    Even as I felt the loss of so much around me, I could not help but feel overcome with gratitude for life lessons my children were learning.  Even now, we have noticed a significant reduction in the amount of quarreling and arguing.  They are all much more willing to help out without being asked.  Could I have ever taught these lessons in an environment where I was in complete control and could do it on my own?

 

 David and Jacob crabbing on the pier by our house.

 Rebecca and Sam enjoying a touch tank with crabs and other sea creatures at the nature center/aquarium near Surfside.

 Ben helping Jacob on the Easter Egg hunt.

 Keith and Lucy collecting Easter eggs.

 "Jelly beans are the best!"

 Following the jelly bean trails to their baskets.

Jason and Henry opening his basket.

 Happy birthday, David!  Be careful with that knife!

We love you, David!

The situation we came home to several weeks later was very difficult.  The wood floor was done, but the kitchen was gone.  Weeks of construction would follow.  I felt a constant sense of anxiety as we tried to meet the many needs of each of our children and our home.  The heavens still seemed to open over us, though.  The challenges remained, but blessings were given to help us bear the weight and make it through.   We felt the love of Jesus encircling us and lifting us.  We were led to people and opportunities that would meet the needs of our family and our home.  In having my weaknesses and vulnerability brought so painfully to the surface, I came more fully to feel and understand the power and grace of God.  There is no other way we could have made it through.  How grateful I am for a Savior who gave his life for me, so that he could give life to me during this time.