Hershey Track Meet

Today Dallin participated in a track meet with all the other 6th graders in Nebo School District. The meet was held at Payson High School. Each child got to pick 3-4 events to compete in. Dallin chose to compete in the 100 and 200 yard dashes and in the 400 yard relay. He won 2nd place in both the 100 and 200 yard dashes and 1st place in the relay. The same kid beat him in the 100 and 200 yard dashes, but that kid was at least a foot taller than Dallin and had a longer stride. It would be interesting to see how they would fair if they were both the same height. Still that kid literally has wings on his feet! He excels in most every sport or athletic event he participates in. We are so proud of his dedication and passion for physical activity. Now if we could just keep up with his never-ending appetite!

Jeff's new calling & Girls' choirside

On Thursday (April 18th), Jeff and I had a meeting with the stake presidency. Jeff was called to be the first counselor in our bishopric. The calling was a bit of a surprise, but knowing the amazing man I married, I should have known it was only a matter of time before a calling of this type was extended. As we walked out of the meeting that evening, Jeff felt relieved that he wasn't called to be the bishop, but I was feeling all the stresses he wasn't. We have only been married three months, which means I have only been "mom" for three months and now the Lord feels I'm ready to tackle that position on my own on Sundays...and Wednesday nights...and who knows when else?! After 33 years, I finally got a husband to sit by in church and now I just get to look at him? I already have to share my new husband with four kids...and now I was expected to share him with the Lord too? I realize that all these thoughts, feelings and questions sound really selfish, but that was how I was feeling in that moment. I even shed a few tears. As much as I have never regretted my decision to marry Jeff, it hasn't been the fairytale I'd dreamed of as a young woman. I have had to make mental accommodations to change how I viewed what it is to be a newly wed. I felt that, while I have received so much, I have sacrificed much too...and now I felt I was being asked to sacrifice even more. I felt overwhelmed, but as I prayed over the next few days I knew everything would be ok. Sunday he left my side to join Bishop York and Brother Buss (the second counselor) on the stand at church. I held back tears as I let his hand go, but I felt peace as he winked at me from the stand. The Lord will never ask more of us than what He will give to us. I feel blessed to married to a worthy priesthood holder who loves the Lord. I feel blessed to know that when I feel under-qualified for the events in my life, God can give me the qualities, peace, and strength to measure up to the task. I am so proud of Jeff. I am proud of the man he has become. I realize that may sound funny since we've known each other less than a year, but even in that time, I have seen a change. I am excited to support him and sustain him in this new position.

 

 

That evening, after another delicious dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Southwick, we all attended a choirside the girls sang in. The musical evening was a perfect way to end the day. I enjoyed listening to the blending of angelic voices as they sang praises to our Father in Heaven. I feel very lucky to have two incredibly talented daughters. Great job Laurin and Amber!

Things I enjoy...

For the longest time, Jeff, the kids and I have been trying to plant our garden. However, the weather never seems to cooperate on the days that we have the time to do it. Today was one of those days. It was a cloudy, rainy day...which meant I had the perfect excuse to indulge in some of the things I enjoy doing since I didn't have anything I absolutely had to do. Today was another "lunch bunch" get together. Each month a few ladies in the ward get together to have lunch. Last month I hosted the lunch at our house. This month it was at another location. The theme was "M". That's right...the letter "M". We were instructed to bring a side dish or dessert that started with the letter "M". I decided to make some mint brownies. They were delicious if I do say so myself. I should've taken a picture, but they were gone before I even thought to do so. After lunch, I came home and finished a couple craft projects. Recently, I've done several holiday wood crafts for our mantel. Well there aren't too many holidays coming up so I did one that I can keep on the mantel for when there are no holidays. Plus I finished a magnet board that I made from an old window frame I found at an antique store. The house finally feels more finished, even though there are still several empty walls and projects I am thinking of to fill them. Maybe one day it will be all done...then again, I will probably want to change things up by then.

Three Months...and Tulips

Today marks our 3 month anniversary! In some ways, it seems like just yesterday I was in the temple, looking into the eyes of the man with whom I will spend eternity as he pledged to be my husband and companion forever. Other times, it seems like I've known Jeff (and the kids) for much, much longer. One thing is for sure, things just keep getting better. That's not to say that I still don't have moments where I wonder if I'm bonding well with the kids or if I can handle living the "country" life (especially when I'm feeling ill in the middle of the night and have to drive at least 10 minutes to get to the nearest store), but that's all a part of the adventure. On my wedding day, I couldn't imagine feeling any more love for Jeff and yet, 3 months later, that love only continues to grow. It grows because it is nurtured by respect, admiration, humility, forgiveness, communication, commitment, and so much more. I have truly found my best friend. I love that we both want to be with each other...in good moments and not-so-good moments. I love that when he's in the office I'm right there with him and when I'm in the kitchen he's there too. We are tackling life together. I can't even begin to describe the strength I glean from simply being near him. I used to naively think that I could do it all on my own; I now realize that we were never meant to be alone. I'm not just talking about tackling the household chores or shuffling the kids to their never-ending events. Jeff inspires me to be a better person. I know I am far from perfect. I also know that I am not very fond of any magnification of my imperfections, but when someone loves you unconditionally, those imperfections pale in comparison to the greatness that person inspires in you. I want to be a better person, a better wife, a better mother, and especially a better daughter of God. I love my husband beyond comprehension. I love the beautiful children I get to call "mine". It's been 3 months and I get to still look forward to an eternity with all of them.

For our three month anniversary, we decided to go to Thanksgiving Gardens and see the Tulip Festival. Tulips are one of my favorite flowers so I was looking forward to seeing the gardens. This was our first trip to the gardens and we're already planning a return trip during the summer months when the rest of the gardens are green. It was gorgeous! We truly enjoyed wandering through the various themed gardens and discovering the beauty within each. My favorite was the Secret Garden. The garden was surrounded by a dilapidated wall. It appeared to be forgotten as we ventured through a trellis of branches (the vines had yet to bloom), but hidden within the walls was a beautiful little garden with a fountain and flowers. I would have loved to grab a book and curl up on one of the stone benches to spend a hour reading. It was a place in which I could spend hours pondering and enjoying the solace it brought. As we moved on through other gardens, we also found one more which prompted even more pondering moments - The Light of the World Garden. This is still a work in progress, but a local sculptor has created 15 bronze statues of Christ at various moments in His life that will be placed in this garden. Most of the statues are still in model form, but they will all be made into life-sized replicas. I don't know if I could name my favorite. I loved the emotion that the artist was able to capture in each moment. I can't wait to go back when the garden is finished. All in all it was the perfect way to celebrate our 3 month anniversary. I was surrounded by God's creation and walking hand in hand with one of God's greatest gifts to me, Jeff. I love you sweetheart!

The Secret Garden

Hope of America

This evening Dallin participated in the Hope of America program, a part of the Freedom Festival in Utah County. Each year Utah County (Provo, more particularly) puts on several patriotic events leading up to the 4th of July. Hope of America is a program where 5th-6th graders in Utah County get to participate in a patriotic musical program. Obviously, as the title of the program denotes, these children represent the "hope of America". I have associated with many youth over the course of my career and church responsibilities. Many of these youth have endured trauma that none of us could ever imagine enduring; yet, through it all, they maintain that childlike hope of better days to come. Reality has yet to dampen the silver linings found in the clouds of their innocence. There really is hope in the future. Despite the atrocities that liter the news programs, there are amazing stories of charity and generosity that inspire hope and faith in the people around us. That's what tonight represented for me. No matter what religious or political affiliation one aligns with, there is a light or hope that links all of us together. I look at my own children and can see that light. They all strive for excellence and, because of that, I do have hope in our future.

Choir Tour

Since Wednesday (April 10th), Amber has been in Seattle, WA on choir tour. Each year, Salem Hills High School Choirs go on a tour to a different state and perform in various locations. This year they headed to the rainy northwest. Amber had a blast! While there she attended an improv comedy show, visited Pike's Market, performed with a gospel choir, etc. I have been extremely proud of both girls for their dedication to the choirs they are in and the talents they continue to develop. It has been fun watching them perform and hearing them sing around the house. Their beautiful voices match their beautiful personalities and appearances. The following are a few pictures Amber took while she was on tour.

Amber was gone for 5 days. We definitely missed her while she was gone. The house seemed way to quiet! Tonight, for a Family Home Evening activity, we made a poster to welcome her home. Welcome home Amber!

From basketball to baseball

Just when you thought we would get a break from a sport, think again! Dallin played his last two basketball games this week. His final game ended on Saturday at 12:17 p.m. and his first baseball practice started at 12:00 p.m. Needless, to say he was a little late and had a looong afternoon. We are so proud of Dallin and his basketball team. They showed so much improvement over the course of their season. Dallin has a natural talent for sports but even he made incremental changes in his ball handling skills and shooting that greatly improved his overall ability to score points. It will be interesting to see how he morphs into the new sport. He had drafts on Tuesday and did really well. It has been funny to see him put down the basketball (which he has been attached to for the past 4 months) and pick up his glove and baseball. Daniel will be playing baseball (coach pitch) this year too, but he won't start until May. Here are just a few shots from Dallin's last games and first baseball practice. (As a side note, Dallin received his baseball jersey at the end of the practice...he is #1 just like in basketball.)

 

Dallin's team: Tanner, Dallin B., Brandon, Tyler, Dallin, Andrew, and Coach Dehart