16 years ago....

16 years ago today, this man and myself decided that we would try this crazy thing called life and we decided that we would try it together.  I have to say I am happy with the choice.  It isn't always easy but it definitely has been worth it.  

500 MILES!!!

We did it, we did it! Between my cute husband, my energetic kids and my own little legs that  seem to be aging faster than I would like, we made it.  We accomplished our goal of 500 miles.  I have been so impressed with the dedication of my kids this summer.  There were many days J.T. and Cambelle would take a bike ride together to clock some miles, one day he even stopped at a little place nearby and bought that cute sister of his some ice cream.  I count that as success no matter how you look at it.

I had visions of a weekend get away to celebrate this huge accomplishment, but like so many other of my visions it didn't quite work out that way.  Sara is in a community play that has sucked away most evenings and every Saturday.  I can't wait to watch her, but we had to make some adjustments to our celebration.  We went out to a local steak house and had a great meal, and I brought a gift wrapped in a bow that held the "surprise" that the kids were waiting for.  They   opened the gift and found three notes for each of them.  The notes shared my own memories and the things that stood out to me.  I loved seeing Sara and Cambelle hold hands as we walked to the temple, their bond grew as the rode the bike path and played games like "I spy" and "What's your favorite..."  I was so impressed during the 5k that we ran when Cambelle had tears in her eyes but still didn't give up.  J.T. ran that entire race without stopping, it was the first time he had done that, I thought it was so cool.  This year Troy worked with us to reach the goal and that made it even better. There eyes lit up as they read the notes, I hope they know that they made my summer memorable, and I loved being with them.

Under the notes there was a bottle that contained money that we have been saving for a trip we are taking.  They have been saving the money to pay for entry tickets for many of the things we want to see.  The surprise was this, that Troy and I would take care of the tickets and they could use the money for souvenirs.  They were excited and so am I, they have worked hard.

When I think of all that was accomplished this summer it was so much more than tracking miles, it was about spending time together on our bikes, running, and taking walks.  It was about planning ways to be work toward a common goal and enjoying a little fun with each other.  I know that my kids are growing up faster than I like, and I want to have as many cherished memories as possible. The memories that we make are like little packets of sunshine that we carry with us forever.  It was a good summer.

This is when Sara realized what the surprise was.

This is when J.T. realized.

The burger was bigger than this cutie.

Relaxed

R-E-L-A-X-I-N-G

We spent so much time on the beach or at the pool and I loved it.  We read books, we talked, we slept a little and over all just let the attitude of the island overwhelm us.

We went to Waimaea Falls and walked the gardens.

I know it doesn't look like it but it was sunset at sunset beach.  Awwww, how romantic.

On our way back from the beach we stopped at a little place called the grass skirt grill, yummy.  Ahi tuna and coconut shrimp.

This was our view from our room, not bad huh?

This is our last look out to the ocean as we were driving to the airport.  Maybe we will be lucky enough to go again.  But if not I have fabulous memories with my favorite person.

Diamond Head

The Saturday that we were in Hawaii we decided to hike Diamond head, unfortunately so did half of Tokyo.  I think there were 6 tour buses in the parking lot when we got there.   But we didn't let that stop us.  We headed up in the begining we were behind a younger couple that  had some great passing skills, so I stayed close and followed them.  Eventually we started to visit with them a little,  they were on their honeymoon.  They were from Ohio, and they made the hike a lot more fun.  We kept a decent pace until we got to the stairs and then it was like being in church between meetings....slow and crowded.  The view from the top was beautiful, I wish it had been a little more clear but even a cloudy day in Hawaii is a great day.  

The Beet Box

THIS IS MY FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT.....EVER.  It is this tiny little cafe in the back of a health food store.  The kitchen is about the size of a kitchen table, big enough to cook two meals at a time.  There are about 20 places to sit and sometimes the wait is a little long but it is worth it.  But here is the kicker, it is a vegetarian restaurant.  They make this beautiful dish called the Rio bowl, made with acai berries, bananas, honey and the BEST granola ever.  They have juices and smoothies and some of the best breakfasts I have ever tasted, made with eggs black beans and toasted corn tortillas.  Seriously, I am thinking about it right now and it seems like a 6 hour flight isn't much to ask.

Two very happy people.

Kayaking in Kawela Bay

While we were in Hawaii Troy and I decided we wanted to try a little kayaking.  This beautiful little spot just happened to be where we were able to enjoy the day.  This bay is famous for the turtles that make it their home.

I loved being on the water, it was warm, relaxing and so much fun to be with Troy and try something new.

I actually stood and did a little stand up paddling.  I don't know that Troy thought it was that cool, it looks like he is holding on for dear life.

Ultimately this guy was what we were looking for and he did not disappoint.

A stolen moment

Sundays at our house are probably pretty similar to so many other houses.  There is always the lost shoe waiting to be found, showers that come directly after the fit insisting that "they just took one the other day", and the mad rush to get out the door to make it to meetings on time.  But every once in awhile there is a moment that steals my heart and nestles in my mind.  One of those mornings happened this summer.  J.T. has begged Troy to teach him how to play chess and one Sunday morning there was a lull in the regular activities after Troy's morning meetings and before we all had to leave for church.  They sat at the table with the sun streaming in, talking and playing.  How blessed are my kids to have him as a dad.

Moments like this create the memories of yesterday and the hopes for tomorrow.  I love that.

15 years

Fifteen years ago this young man picked me up and took me to the temple where we were married.  I love him, he truly is my best friend, and I couldn't ask for anything more than that.

This is part of the journal entry I made for that day, "Brother Adamson, who performed the ceremony, spoke of three "C"'s consideration, communication, and cultivation.  The last, cultivation, was very interesting, he said, "that which we want to become, we can develop."

I can't think of a more appropriate phrase to describe our marriage.  Our journey has been one of discovering who we want to become, individually and together.  Fifteen years at times sounds like a long time and at the same time I realize how little we have experienced. 

Fifteen years later.  I am glad we chose each other.

I LOVE YOU!!

Table Rock

There is a mountain near the Grand Teton that for me as a child was legendary.  It was the mountain that my older brothers climbed for scouts.  When I heard people had hiked to the top I would think two things, first, "they are CRAZY, why would anyone want to do that?" and second, "I wish I could do something like that, but there is no way."  Three years ago Troy and I and some of his family decided to go ahead and hike that mountain, Table Rock.  We did it again this summer, we took J.T. along and it was a fantastic day.  One I will remember for a very long time.

We went up "the face", a little steeper but you save miles for sure, we started up and were met with this sign...

This was one of J.T.'s summer goals, I loved that he knew it would be hard but still wanted to push himself.  I want him to know that he can do hard things, and succeed.

Crystal and Norm went with us.

To be fair I am sure I am doing this as well, I just did not make it into the frame of the picture.  It is a really steep climb, I think the elevation at the top is about 11,200 feet.

There is a giant rock field right before you get to the final climb.

Nothing tastes as good as lunch does at the top.  It took us about five hours to get to the top.

The wind was blowing and it was pretty cold at the top.  J.T. was AMAZING!!!  He did not complain once, he kept moving and did so well.  We had such a great time together.

Do you like the death grip I have on J.T.?  Seriously, I don't love heights but the views are usually worth it.

Speaking of the views, there were so many fires that smoke filled the sky and you couldn't see much of anything, which was disappointing.  The Tetons are only about a mile away from the top and this was all you could see.

Table Rock from a distance, it's kind of fun to think at one point we were on the top of that.

Vince and Kaylee hiked with us the entire time.  We probably held them back a little, but I am sure glad they stuck with us 'cause they were fun to talk to.

THE END,  stiff, sore and a little tired.  I'm guessing some toenails were lost but it was well worth it.