Time out for me!


So after many years of wanting to attend Time out for Women, but always having a baby or babies to take care of, or being pregnant and possibly bed ridden and not being able to, I took the first chance I could to get a ticket. the next step, I figured, was to find someone to go with. I didnt want to go with just anyone. I wanted to go with someone who was fun but yet allowed the spirit to be there also. So I called Colleen. Colleen was one of my first friends when I moved here to Preston 13 years ago. We were in the same ward and had kids similar ages. Time went on and our husbands had decided to go back to school around the same time and carpooled to ISU for a couple years until the Carters headed to Dental school. We have all stayed close friends through all the many school years that we did. They made it back to Logan and now Preston. Im so glad they came back, she is a friend I will always cherish.
Time out for Women was exactly what I wanted it to be and more, what I needed it to be. Seems like everyone who spoke or sang, knew what I needed to hear. The theme this year "Choose to Become". How awesome is that, so broad and leaves it open for whatever! I have a list of 'Becomes'! I want to Become a great Mom, take time for the simple little things they do, compliment them daily, be patient with them, teach them the important things in life, that God loves them, and that they can do ANYTHING. I want to become an amazing wife, you know the one is in her high heels and apron when the hubby comes home, has a smile on her face and has perfect hair and makeup, the one who has a homemade 4 course meal on the table and the children sitting quietly smiling and waiting for Dad. I want to Become strong, both physically and spiritually. I want to Become inspired daily. I want to Become... the list goes on and on. I have chose one of these things to work on right now, and that is to Become balanced. Seems like in life right now that I have so many things that need to be done, so many things that I want to do, that Im stuggling with finding a balance in motherhood, being a wife, friend, neighbor, grandaughter, niece, sister, daughter, in my church calling, and then there are those things that I NEED in order to feel better about myself and in order to give of myself to others, and also things I want and make me happy. So here is to BALANCE.

labor day

We decided that since we had a holiday we would take full advantage of it and hit the mountains. It was a perfect day to do it, not too hot, not too cold. We are lucky to have an exchange student come and live with us. her name is Natalie and she is from Slovakia. We thought there was no better way to show her how its done here in Idaho than to take her four wheelin. It took a total of one Ranger, two four wheelers and 7 hours to get all 11 of us to the top of Baldy up cottonwood canyon. we had a blast.


Natalie will always have proof that she was in Idaho.

Levi Daisy and Tucker

The boys having some lunch.

Aspen

Brooklin and Natalie

Gemma

Up Cottonwood canyon on top of Baldy

Natalie

Wahoo! Made it to the top!

Party on top of the world!

everyone had dirt in places there shouldnt be dirt and everyone was tired!!

Dirty Girls!!


A bit of our summer....

The first week out of school our dog had given birth to two puppies and 10 minutes later got hit by a car. She died and left behind two little pups. We started nursing them right away. One died a week later and this is a pic of the one that lived. She is such a fun dog...and our favorite! We are glad we put the extra time and love into her.

Brooklin went on a trek experience and she told me she will never do that again. LOL. Besides it being hot and walking to far and blisters and sunburn...she had fun.









We went camping to bear lake area....its was so nice to get away from having to do everything for a couple days. I dont think we have ever collected as much dirt as we did on this trip. The boys were in heaven!!








Maui

Mark and I were able to take a trip together to Maui. We had such an amazing time together! We shoved everthing we could into the week we had there.

Played on the beach

Went surfing

Mark was awesome!!

Went out snorkeling to Molokini Crater

Went to a Luau

Went to Haleakala

Went on a helicopter ride to Moloka'i.

It was so much fun. we have decided we will be going back every other year ALONE together!