TREKKING

If a picture paints a thousand words, well, then here's a short novel:

Trek 2010: A Pioneer Odyssey

In the beginning Michael and I were clean, pressed, and pioneer power-dressed to impress.
No make-up, no hair-spray, convening at the church at 4:45 a.m., I was truly leaving civilization behind.

After a six-hour drive we reached our destination: the Mormon Handcart Visitor Center at Martin's Cove, Wyoming.
Lovely views (especially when I'm home, looking at them on a computer screen).

It was fuh-reez-ing cold!
Okay. Maybe "freezing" is a slight exaggeration, but it was extremely chilly, with terrific winds that drove us all to search for warmer wear, including my winter hat (which, by the way, did nothing to improve my heretofore non-hair sprayed hair do).

And the walking began.
Sing with me now: Pioneer children sang as they walked,

and walked,


and walked,


and walked,


and walked.


They washed at streams

(crossing the Sweetwater River)

and worked
(wending our way to the actual Martin's Cove site)

and played.
(the plastic lizard I left as a surprise for one of my Trek daughters. I also came prepared with rubber spiders, mice, and snakes which I shared as special--yes, surprise--gifts throughout the camp).

At night they camped,
(singing around the campfire each night)

and danced
('though I am one exceedingly proficient square dancer, I ended up in the super-dunce group--of which Lane was a part, incidentally. No one could master the art of even walking in a straight line, let alone dance with a partner! At one point I looked around and saw one young man ripping his shirt off and swinging it around his head, another young man doing the disco next to the poor, sweet sister missionary who was trying to lead us, and Lane pretending to ride a horse with his friend Cody, galloping sounds and horse commands included!)

and prayed.
(not really praying, here, although we did a lot of that! We also started seeing Lane hang out with our Trek family a lot more, since he and one of our cute Trek daughters really hit it off well together. They ended up spending lots of time together after we got home, too, until--alas--she had to return home to Colorado.)

Can you figure out which one she is? Don't be fooled by the hot babe with the ringlets. That's just me, wearing one of the three wigs I brought and wore on Trek.

Wigs or no, three days of wind, sun, sweat, and dirt certainly transformed us into bathing (as in "needing one badly") beauties!


Despite the dirt and grime, and my sincere reluctance to ever spend that much time in the great outdoors, this was a great experience. Memories were made, lessons were learned, and friendships were strengthened. My testimony of obedience was strengthened. Lane, who never talks about such personal things, told me ways that his testimony was strengthened. And Michael was just plain thrilled to a) get to be outside, b) have a Trek experience with his son, and c) have me away from any form of shopping for three blessed days.

HOPEFUL

I hope they call me on a mission...

when I have grown a foot or two...

I hope by then I will be 19 years old ready...

To teach, and preach, and work...



like missionaries in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia mission do.

Yes, folks, he's all grown up now and leaving us on September 8th. He could not be more excited. This is what he's dreamed about and prepared for all his life. Evan truly wants nothing more than to serve the Lord.

I, the lucky one he calls Mom, want nothing more for Evan than the peace that comes from knowing that the Lord is intimately involved in his life, and loves him beyond comprehension. If Evan doesn't know that already, he's going to find out.

If you don't know that already, I hope you get to find it out, too. There's nothing better I could wish for you, either. You are loved.

AWAY

The fam is on vacay.

We drove south last Sunday night to enjoy a week in the heat. And it has, indeed, been hot.

Fun, too.

Monday we met up with our dear friends, the Loves (who, by the way, were the catalytic couple responsible for Michael and me meeting way back when...) for a morning of swimming, an afternoon of eating, and an evening of theater-ing. We took all the chill'ens to the Tuacahn (an outdoor theater) to see a production of Disney's "Tarzan." I found the company outstanding, the weather pleasant, and the show unremarkable, sloppy, and disappointing. The boys, on the other hand, all loved it and thought it was "totally awesome." So really, what do I know?

Here's what I know: riding the rides on top of the Stratosphere was totally awesome. Totally. Awesome. We spent two days in Vegas, and riding the rides on top of the Stratosphere was the most totally awesome highlight of the trip. I mean it, it was totally awesome.

Did I tell you it was totally awesome? So completely and totally awesome.

Now we're back in St. George and I am going to eat some pizza. And watch a movie. And leave for Salt Lake tomorrow. It's been a great week.

I love vacation.
And the Stratosphere rides.
And pizza.
And my family.


P.S. Did I mention that the Stratosphere rides were totally awesome? They were TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

HERE...

for now.

I make no promises, only an attempt to curb my blogging black out.
'Cause my mom said.

And so did a few others of you, to whom I give a great big THANK YOU for sticking with me and wanting me back.

I don't know what my problem is...other than, other than, other than....I don't know. I just didn't want to write any more.

BUT THEN, I was asked to give a talk in church this past Sunday. The assigned topic was "the spiritual nature of going on Trek" and/or "your pioneer heritage."

Ha! The spiritual nature of Trek? As awesome and spiritual as Trek is and was, my talk would have to be more along the lines of "the survival nature of Trek." And that wasn't a topic choice. So, "pioneer heritage" it was.

And what, dear reader, do you think I could have used for information in my talk if my pioneer ancestors had not written down their stories? What if they, too, had decided that they just plain didn't want to write any more? That would have made for a very short talk from me! Thank you, Ancestors, for writing your life histories.

And here, Posterity, comes all that you may ever want to know and use when you get to speak in Church, too. It's my gift to you, along with all the many fine genetic traits you stand to inherit (although, for the hips, I do apologize).

Speaking of Trek, though, I want you to know that it was a very great experience. Some day I may even tell you all about it. But I've got to start back slowly here...

Also speaking of Trek, my camera was crushed by a rogue mini van in the church parking lot upon our return home to Salt Lake, so no pictures for you (or me). Yet.

Cross your fingers for more to come.
Or, just tell my mom to call me.

HABITUAL

Every Monday morning I wake up and decide, "This is the day, the hour, the moment...that I will live right."

Living right =don't spend money
exercise every day
avoid all things sugar
read my scriptures
post on my blog
be nice

Then comes Tuesday. Oops.

The checklist:
10 boxes of DIY bookcases, 2 gallons of paint, and 1 missionary overcoat does not equal free.
1 Monday morning weight training class does not an athlete make.
Curse you, Denise, and that bag of chocolate covered Peeps you sent home!
Scriptures? Does falling asleep during family scripture reading count?
Posting on my blog...well, I am a jokey jokester.
Being nice: Like I said. Oops.

One nice thing about me: eternally hopeful, I did the math. 38 Mondays 'till any of us have to set real goals...

TICKLED

I am hardly hilarious.

Zany, perhaps, and sometimes a tad off-color.
But funny is not my forte.

Want proof? Ask me to tell a joke. Inevitably I will forget, mix up, or completely massacre the punch line.

Or, leave your laundry unfolded on the laundry table. I will be anything but funny then.

So, it is with great pleasure that I share with you my April Fool's Day endeavor:

Dinner (which usually is a joke at our house).

On the menu were grilled cheese (toasted pound cake with frosting tinted to look like Velveeta), and cupcakes (meatloaf topped with mashed potatoes) for dessert. And carrots (real ones...my creativity does have limits).

I could hardly keep a straight face through the prayer. I about died when Lane pulled the A1 from the fridge. I couldn't wait until Joshua dipped his sandwich in ketchup. I hooted (privately) when Michael went to warm his toasted cheese. I, folks, had achieved hilarious.

(appreciative) Audience of one.

Next year I'm going to attempt the telling of a joke.

WRITING A NEW POST

APRIL FOOLS!

(Made 'ya look!)