Palm trees

I love palm trees. I always have. I think it might be that they represent warm tropical areas, but I don't know. I was just graduated from high school when I realized that we had palm trees in Utah, and I headed straight to St. George. I love St. George. Almost as much as palm trees.

I loved the college down in St. George and I loved living there.... all except the drama that came from living in my apartment. It so bad, that I left a place I love. Last weekend was the first time I have been back since I lived there (except a couple times driving through).

I felt so homesick. It's the same feeling I feel when I go to Moab (or even Ephraim but thats another story). I was so excited when I saw the palm trees I had to get a picture of Chase with a little one, and that's just what I did.


I'm still not sure that our trip down south last weekend wasn't a dream but I seem to have a couple pictures as proof that we were really there.

The Sound of Music at the Tuacahn was so cute. I would recommend it just for the puppet show. The time went so fast that we didn't get much time with Jared and Teresa even though they were so nice to feed us and put us up for the night, but it was so good to see them andHallie and Alyssa.

Saturday was spent in Cedar City at a BBQ celebrating Jill, Kyle, Porter and Aidens birthdays- and then it was off back home. See what I mean it seemed like a dream?

We'll be back- maybe after it cools a little

Today I was feeding Chase and turned around to grab some food out of the fridge leaving the cup with cereal and the spoon right in front of him. I turned around to find:


Chase trying to feed himself. He dipped the spoon in the cup (tried anyhow) and would put the spoon in his mouth. He wasn't getting anything on the spoon, but all the same this kid is trying to grow up too fast!

(Mom keep scrolling down- there is a post just for you under this one.)

Thanks for the new cloths Grandma- I am having so much fun in them today (and looking so dang cute in them).

I was jinxed!

At the cabin two weeks ago Michelle asked me if Chase was pulling himself up on things and standing. I replied "thankfully not yet." Well Chase must have heard this conversation because as soon as we got home he started doing this.



He is now standing on EVERYTHING and falling down a lot. Next time I think I'll whisper so he doesn't get any ideas.


I am having a lot of fun in two photography classes right now, but I have two boys who don't like being my models. This is Chase while I was trying to get the background blown out. Daniel didn't handle it much better.

Reflections of Christ

I found this website: http://www.reflectionsofchrist.org/index.html It is the website for a photography exibit where the artists used real people and recreated scenes of Jesus's life to capture through photography. They are beautiful pictures. I highly recommend watching the slideshow.

I also posted an inspiring story that my mom shared with me below. It looks really long- but is worth it. I promise. It's funny how little things can make you really look at the relationship you have with the Savior and encourage you to increase your testimony. I hope that they will have a positive impact for you as well.

The parable of the push-ups

My mom shared this inspiring story with me and I thought I would pass it on.


The Parable of the Push-ups

There was a boy by the name of Steve who was attending Seminary in Utah. In Utah, Seminary classes are held as part of the curriculum. Brother Christianson taught Seminary at this particular school. He had an open-door policy and would take in any student that had been thrown out of another class as long as they would abide by his rules.

Steve had been kicked out of his sixth period and no other teacher wanted him, so he went into Brother Christianson's Seminary class. Steve was told that he couldn't be late, so he would come in just seconds before the bell rang and he would sit in the very back of the room. He would also be the first to leave after the class was over.

One day, Brother Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. After class, Brother Christianson pulled Steve aside and said, "You think you're pretty tough, don't you?".

Steve's answer was, "Yeah, I do."

Then Brother Christianson asked, "How many push-ups can you do?"

Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."

"200? That's pretty good, Steve." Brother Christianson said, "Do you think you could do 300?"

Steve replied, "I don't know... I've never done 300 at a time."

"Do you think you could?" again asked Brother Christianson.

"Well, I can try," said Steve.

"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I need you to do 300 in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it." Brother Christianson said.

Steve said, "Well... I think I can... yeah, I can do it."

Brother Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, Brother Christianson pulled out a big box of donuts. Now these weren't the normal kinds of donuts. They were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited - it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an extra early start on the weekend.

Brother Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want a donut?" Cynthia said, "Yes." Brother Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?" Steve said, "Sure," and jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Brother Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Brother Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?" Joe said, "Yes." Brother Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups; Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle. Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut. And down the second aisle, till Brother Christianson came to Scott.

Scott was captain of the football team and center of the basketball team. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When Brother Christianson asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"

Scott's reply was "Well, can I do my own pushups?"

Brother Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them. "

Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."

Brother Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"

Steve started to do ten push-ups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"

Brother Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it", and he put a donut on Scott's desk. Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down, and a little perspiration appeared around his brow.

Brother Christianson started down the third row. By now, the students were beginning to get a little angry. Brother Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?" Jenny said, "No". Then Brother Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten; Jenny got a donut.

By now, the students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve was also having to really put forth a lot of effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, and his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Brother Christianson asked Robert to watch Steve to make sure he did ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. Robert began to watch Steve closely.

Brother Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students had wandered in and sat along the heaters along the sides of the room. When Brother Christianson realized this; he did a quick count and saw that there were now 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Brother Christianson went on to the next person, the next, and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Brother Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"

Brother Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups. You can do them any way that you want." And Brother Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on.

Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."

Brother Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him."

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in.

" Brother Christianson said, "Okay, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"

"Yes."

"Steve, will you do ten pushups so that Jason can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down. Brother Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those seated on the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift him against the force of gravity. Sweat was dropping off his face and, by this time, there was not a dry eye in the room. The very last two girls in the room were cheerleaders and very popular. Brother Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a donut?"

Linda, too choked up to talk, just shook her head. Brother Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda. Then Brother Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, asked, "Brother Christianson, can I help him?"

Brother Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, he has to do it alone."

"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Brother Christianson then said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, pleaded to the Father, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit", and with the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, collapsed on the cross and died - even for those that didn't want His gift."

How many men does it take to carry a woman down a waterfall?

I lost count at 12. (and I was only counting the firemen.)

We went to doughnut falls last night to get some pictures for my photography class. When we got up there a guy came running down the hill asking for sweaters to keep a girl warm. Apparently she was climbing up the side of the waterfall and slipped, fell off a cliff onto the sharp rocks below. She couldn't feel her back and couldn't move. We sat and watched as a couple of firemen came to the rescue, then more, then more, some sheriffs, and more firemen. This picture shows some of the help that came (probably not even the half of it.)
And here where there arrow points at that white rock is where she fell down fromThey were debating about helicoptering her out, but decided on the backboard.

Chase got too cold sitting there watching so we didn't get the see the excitement of lowering her down but I'm sure she got back ok.
Here's the picture I got for my class, so it was worth it in the end.

The rest of our weekend.

Since those other posts about our weekend had way too many words and not enough pictures, here are pictures from the rest of the weekend.


Daniel must have been wearing a target on his head for all the times he got shot there. This is just one of the many times he had pink hair.

Chase played with Polly's new dog until it started nipping at him and we started worrying about the dog getting too playful with him.
We spent lots of time with cousins and grandma and grandpa.
I was taunted that I couldn't hula hoop so I had to prove them wrong- although it didn't really work out.



We played golf and put to shame our "family honor".And just flat out had a great time. No fire works for us- the dry mountains don't like to see fire in the middle of July, but seeing family always make up for it. I'm starting to think that Independence Day is my favorite holiday because we always get to go to the cabin with the family reunion.

Paintball

I, like Michelle, was introduced to a new game this past weekend. At last years family reunion all interested adults and older children got to play paint-ball. I wasn't the least bit interested in playing and had a 5 month little Chase in my belly to use as an excuse. When the paintball game came around this year I had tried using any excuse I could think of and even ventured down into the battle field (unarmed and unprotected) to take pictures of those who were brave enough to play. I finally ran out of excuses and curiosity got the best of me so I geared up and went out to play the capture the flag paintball game.
I couldn't believe how much fun it was hiding in the bushes and slowly creeping behind trees- watching for any sudden movement or odd colors in the trees and shooting as they unsuspectingly run by.
I started really getting into the second game and made my way across the open field dodging paintballs as I ran. I creeped through the bushes and trees on enemy territory and found the flag flying out the in open. I spent about 10 minutes looking for the person guarding the flag assuming that there was one. When I couldn't find anyone I finally crept out to the tree and grabbed the flag completely expecting to be shot. Much to my surprise, there was no one there. I was so hot and tired from walking in a crouched position (seriously you should try it for exercise) that I couldn't stand to hide any longer. I took off running up the hill to end the game. I was fired at coming up the hill but it didn't stop me and we won the game.

I had so much fun playing that I wanted to fit one last game in before we had to leave. Everyone else had left except Drew and my mom, so we left Chase with Grandma and Drew, Daniel and I went out to play a free for all.
Playing capture the flag is a lot funner than being hunted. I wasn't having much fun sitting there afraid to move and feeling like I was being hunted. I got paranoid and made a quick escape to a new hiding spot running as fast as I can. I spotted a fallen log in front of me so I leaped into the air and felt my foot catch the top of the log.
I fell fast to the ground and hit hard. I got the wind knocked out of me and hit my knee on a small tree stump making it so I could barely walk.
Needless to say I quite the game and decided that kind of paintball is NOT fun! I am too much of a paranoid person to sit there and be hunted. Capture the flag on the other hand- no more excuses for me next year.

5k freedom fun run

Remember how I was going to run a 5k? Well it was last weekend and I chickened out. They had the option of a 1 mile walk/run and at the very last minute standing at the starting line in hot HOT 4th of July weather chickened out.
I was standing at the starting line to both races (both starting at the same time) with my Ipod ready to go. Chase was strapped into our new- used- jogging stroller that seems to prefer going left, and Chase decided for me that going the whole way wasn't going to work. He started to get mad and tired and hungry all at the wrong time. (It's funny how even the simplest little things because very complicated when you bring a baby into the picture.)
So I chickened out. Chase and I ran the full mile, but not a step further. The most humiliating part of the race was that it happened right before the parade..... and since they already had that road closed down for the parade- guess where we ran. Yep- right down the parade route with hundreds of people lined up against the side of the road THE WHOLE WAY.
Well the race went fine. Chase finally calmed down when we got moving but I decided to stick to the plan of the mile race. When the race ended that left me exactly 1 mile from where the car was parked, and the only way I knew how to get back was just the way I came- the same way the parade would be coming from. So I started walking back in front of all the people I had just ran in front of.
Everything went fine until the parade started to come. For those of you who don't know, Chase doesn't like loud noises- in fact he is terrified of them. Namely our vacuum and my hair dryer. So you can imagine his fear when the fire truck came past with sirens on and honking, then the motorcycle crew revving their engines, then the big dump truck also honking, then more fire trucks- you get the picture.
To spare your the traumatic details we finally made it back to the car where we met Daniel- who by the way didn't chicken out and ran the whole 5k race.
We quickly headed home so we could head out for the rest of our 4th of July weekend.

(sorry no pictures- it's hard to take pictures of yourself running)

Short hair

Hopefully I strategically waited long enough that all of you I will see at the cabin won't be able to read this until after, but here's the hair cut.


Speaking of hair cut.... why didn't anyone tell me that fixing hair could only take 20 minutes and not go right into a ponytail? And that it feels so much better in the summer heat? And that it's less of a frizzball? And that it looks so much better than my long (very dead) hair?

Can you tell what is different about me?







No I'm not talking about how I finally lost all that stubborn clingy baby weight and can finally fit into some old pants.

No it's not that my dear sweet husband took me shopping for new shirts.

Keep guessing......






I let you think about it for a while.