Very Grand, Indeed

Very grand things happened this week.

I crocheted this little tulip, very grand, indeed.

Austin's FHE activity included disclosing dye, very grand, indeed.  Eddie, Ryan and Molly have been using it morning and night since.  Mostly they walk around with neon lips and tongues.

Cleaning my sterling silver jewels with aluminium foil and baking soda, very grand, indeed.  

Maddie brought home her art projects, very grand, indeed.  The comet was on display in the library.

Last day of junoir and freshman year for these two.  They are very grand, indeed.

They face the world everyday together.  I hope their closeness only increases as their age increases.

Oh, just a picture of breakfast oatmeal and it's accoutrements, very grand, indeed..

THEN!  Austin, Maisie, Nick and I hiked the Grand Canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim -- very grand, indeed.  The entire experience was sensational.

Friday afternoon we took a massive shuttle bus to the North Rim.  There was no air conditioning on this bus (though we paid top dollar), not even a breeze from an open window -- they're weren't any.  IT WAS WAY WORSE THAN THAN HIKE!  I sat on the side of the bus with the sun pouring in, so I had to wear my hat indoors.  I was mad, which meant that I didn't talk nor did I pretend to be friendly.  Poor, Austin.  It was best that he napped.

Luckily, six hours later (not the four that were promised.  We had to stop twice for a break, I'm sure we were close to heat stroke, but also so the high-piched beeping -- the alarm that sounded when the bus was overheated -- would stop.  Boo.  Boo.  Boo.  Not so very grand, indeed.

But!  Austin had a dinner reservation awaiting us.  Very grand, indeed.  We were in bed with lights out b 9:15pm with the alarm set for 4:38am.

We began at 5am.  We hiked the first 6 miles of 6k descent in 2 hours.  Then we jogged the next 10 miles in 1.5 hours.  Then we hiked 8 miles up and finished at 2pm.  So great, very grand, indeed.

Highlights (maybe lowlights): Nick broke down and barfed during the running portion.  "Keep up with your boomer mother," I told him.  He would sprint to me, then rest, then catch up again.  He complained that his knees hurt.  I told him to suck it up.  "You don't know how it feels.  You never grew."  Facts. 

Maisie paced a rim to rim to rim ultra marathoner.  She was sensational.  Then, Maisie literally lost her mind and was so mad the last three miles.  She practically screamed at the people we passed to move over.  "I can't do this anymore!"  Well, I told her she could.  She did. "I'm so mad right now.  I haven't been this mad at a hike since the Goblin Valley incident of 2014." 

Austin steadied up the rear with just slow and reasonable steps.  His walking poles kept his knee at bay.  He was the last to finish the run, but he knew not to use all his energy on those first 12 miles.  Smart.  He hikes smart.  Whenever he drank,  I did.  Whatever snack he ate, I ate.  He's just wise.

I loved every second.  My shirt had white mineral lines where my sweat evaporated and left salt.  Austin told me that I was tough.  That morning jog in along the gently undulating trail was just delicious.  I felt like Mr. John Denver, I wanted to sing all about my Rocky Mountain High.  I was fit and free and fast and fun and functional.  YES!  Austin didn't talk, Nick only whined, Maisie cried, so my thoughts were mine.  The pain of the hike was a choice, so it didn't phase me.  I don't think I've ever done anything so hard physically, but emotionally, I've lived through so much more.  Heavenly Father's presence was so real, and I found myself praising His name every time a baby cloud rolled through.  I felt so connected to heaven.  Very grand, indeed.

Celebratory Chipotle.

Austin's watch proved our feat, very grand, indeed.

Andy got a 100% on one of his midterms.  A TIKTOK video of him as the Gigg intern brought in 1.1 million views in two days.  He's very grand, indeed.  Andy -- The TIKTOK intern

Melijah's @theendlessparty podcast is lovely this week.  "Give your best in the areas people can't see."  They also post the sweetest bits of their lives, here: https://thatsaraisinjack.blogspot.com/

 

More

Two more weeks of school.  Eddie was reading to me all about the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.

Maddie and Nick were awarded top honors is a super lame assembly.

At least they are super and not lame.

Austin grew these ginormous cabbages!  He harvested them and then planted the peppers we spouted inside last month.  He's quite the gardener.  Molly and I decided that we should grow peanuts.

Molly's primary activity was healthy snacking, so she wanted to bring a small charcuterie.  We made a lime fruit dip, and she helped me fill the contianers.

Ryan read 36 novels this school year.  Well done, Ry.  Well done, teacher.

Nick told me he finished reading the Book of Mormon and his novel. He's a reader, that one.

My little friend.

We hiked a 10 mile loop in preparation for our YW overnighter.  

Ryan played his last two football games.  They won the first one, but lost the second one at the last second.  He pulled so many flags, ran for a touchdown and worked really hard.

Pool season 2024 is officially open.  No one knew that Austin heated the pool, but they were pretty excited to try it out again. Swimmers

It's the beginning of a very long summer wherein I wrestle wanted to be so tan, but knowing the damage isn't worth it.  "She white."

Austin made us strawberry gelato.  After Sunday salmon, I found them lounging together.  It's the best treat -- the children loving each other, not the gelato.  Although, the gelato comes in a close second.  

Maisie and I went running four days this week.  We were very sore and very slow.  But, it was delightful to be up early and run in silence, because we were both sucking wind.

Andy asked us to pray for his new crush and their first date -- he just knows she's the one for him. HAHAHAH!  We did pray, though.

This the my favorite twinny introduction.  Please rewind it to the beginning, I don't know why its starts late.: Six Months

 

Mother Comes to Town

Mother Dearest is still in town for a restful day of fasting and testifying.  I know Jesus Christ because my mother taught me to love Him, trust Him and strive to become like Him.  I told everyone that today.

And, it happens to be Cinco de Mayo, so naturally I pulled out my Peruvian fare and we celebrated with........ smoked ribs. AHAHHAHA!  I table was lovely, though.

Usually when Mother comes to town, there are a thousand places to be.  Not this time, once State Track was over, so were we.  I found us reading aloud and eating sugared nuts.  We only had to attend to Molly's dance and one ministering visit.  I was tickled to show off my mother.

FHE = coloring pictures of President Nelson's April 2024 talk,  whilst listening to him.  

Tuesday looked much the same as Monday.  More reading, chips and little projects.

Like, painting JEEP posters for the Girls Camp Kick-off.  She's been training her whole life for this; she's a WONDER!

Tuesday night looked much like all the other nights -- the little boys wander in and visit Nick, then he gives them a little something by which to remember him.

Wednesday Mother flew home.  Molly even pined as soon as I walked in the house without her.  I finished up camp prep and did that the rest of the day -- missing Mother every second.

Because Maisis is back in town, we often exercise.  Here we are at HIGH with a few office ladies that she finally convinced to come.

Look at him!  Ryan finished he Grade 4 Arithmetic.  He just completed one lesson a day, but it took him places.  He's very big and very nice.

Before Mother left she helped me lay out a dress pattern and fabric.  So, I sewed.  Maisie documented her entire dress-sewing journey, so I'll have to get that from her.

Nick's track banquet was delightful.  He won the "Most Spirited" award, which suits him perfectly.  The pizza was atrocious and the length absurd, but I did bring a large garden salad to share.  

Ryan caught a long pass and ran for a touchdown.  His tan won, although they are a least a head shorter than the blue guys.

Austin and I spent the afternoon in Flag returning skiis and hiking Mount Elden.  It was 3 miles right up and 3 miles right down.  We were snowed on and delighted about it.  The summit was windy, cold and miserable.  We simply flipped a u and got right back on the trail.  It's been a while since we went on a proper date, and we both liked being together very much.

This is my finished sewing project -- it has pockets, which are a first for me.

Mother's Day!  I was greeted with sun worshippers and lots of streamers and gifts.  Austin made the meals and worked the kitchen.  

All the children contributed to a pedicure and a few of my favorite treats -- which I promptly ate right after church.

The Armstrongs even sent a card with tiny little hand and footprints.

Mother also helped me sew this bow for my dress -- $.99 later.  Worth it.  I really think it's fine.

I won the Catan game -- fitting for Mother's Day.  Grandma Goodell said she planted 164 onions yesterday in three batches of time.  She also reported about her 100 endowment names she performs each year.  I never get to talk to Mother, though we texted often and sent plenty of hearts.

We sang all the pink songs in the Children's Songbook.  I heard all their voices sing out every word.  Yes.  I love family choir so much.

Not sweeter than watching my children make and keep covenants and leading happy lives as a result, but close to it are two very sweet mothering moments:

1. As I watch my children love and care for each other -- when they sing like banshees at church, tie-up feet with ropes, suggest punishments, and lie through their teeth.

2.  As I watch my children (I'm including E.) love and care for their children.  

Truly, these are gifts that will last through eternity.

Andy called to tell me that he loves me.  He listened to our crazy day and then reported on his flash trip to St. George, but he didn't leave until he his homework was done.  He was headed to Campbells to be loved by them.  Bless him.  Bless them.

Meg called to share her best bits.  The babies are starting to roll, and they keep to a tight schedule which makes everyone happy.

(I can't upload pictures.  I DON'T KNOW WHY!)