Summer Hiking Adventures

The summer has been over for a while, but I wanted to look back at the fun summer we had. 

We were not able to go on any vacations with both Airin and myself working plus taking care of a very needy baby, but we did have the chance to do many fun things as a family near our house. Utah is an outdoor mecca.

Having lived in Utah all but two years of my life, I sadly did not know the difference between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. At the beginning of the year, I could not have told you which one was more southern or northern and what resorts were in each canyon. We got to know them quite well by the end of the year. 

At the beginning of the summer, I wanted to go on a hike once a week. That ended up being more like twice a month. Here are some of the hikes we went on:

Silver Lake Recreation Area

This was probably my favorite hike of them all. It really isn't much of a "hike", but more of a nature walk. Most of the trail is a boardwalk around/over a lake. It has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, wildlife and vegetation. We saw many fish, a few moose and lots of squirrels and chipmunks. This was super easy for Lily to walk around the lake. I had to carry her on most of the trails but this was the one where I did not.

The snow had not melted all the way the first time we went up.

This was the last time we went, in early October.

Rocky Mouth Falls

Lily loved this hike because of the waterfall. This hike was pretty short and begins in the middle of a neighborhood in Sandy. The first part of the actual trail is a little steep/rocky, but eventually evened out. We went here twice during the summer. If you plan on going, make sure to go earlier in the season rather than later because the waterfall stream will diminish over the course of the summer. 

Cecret Lake

This hike is a really popular one up Little Cottonwood Canyon. We went in the morning up to Alta ski resort where they had a shuttle that would drive you to the trailhead. The trail was very busy with lots of families going up and coming down. This one was my least favorite adventure. I had to carry Lily up the switchbacks near the end and it was exhausting. The lake wasn't that great, either. I really enjoy hiking to get away but there were just too many people on the trail.

Twin Lakes

Above the Silver Lake Recreation Area, there are a couple of trails. One leads to Twin Lakes. We only did this one once, but it was a good one. I had to carry Lily for most of the way because it was pretty steep for a good portion of the narrow and rocky trail. The views were amazing, the lake was beautiful, and we rested on some nice sand at the top. We will definitely go on this one again next year!

This was about halfway up the trail, overlooking Silver Lake.

Barrier Free Trail
This trail is just south of Snowbird Resort, up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The trail is paved for most of the way. It leads to an overlook deck and is easy for all ages. The first time we did it we saw a moose about 20 yards away. 

For anyone reading this, are there any hikes we should put on our list for the future? We hope to go on many more adventures next year!

Father's Day 2015

Happy Father's Day! It is fun seeing all my Facebook friends post about their Fathers. 

This is a bitter-sweet day. On one hand I love my daughters and being a Dad has been the most stressful, challenging, exhausting exercise I've ever done. But there are many transcendent moments that have come because of it and make it all worth it. Nothing gives me the satisfaction in life like being a dad. 

On the other hand, I miss my dad with each passing day. I've posted about him before, lamenting how much I miss him and would like him back. His life has touched mine immeasurably. Although he isn't here, I think parts of him still are. He left a legacy that I feel in my heart every passing day. 

If you still have a father on this earth, reach out. You never know when they will leave this mortal existence. 

Billy Joel's song 'Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)' has been playing in my head today. I'm at that time when I get to sing to Lily before she goes to bed, much like my Father did with me when I was a child. It is as if Dad penned these words for me in this moment:

"Goodnight, my angel

Now it's time to dream

And dream how wonderful your life will be

Someday your child may cry

And if you sing this lullabye

Then in your heart

There will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone

But lullabyes go on and on...

They never die

That's how you

And I

Will be"

I am grateful for forever families. I look forward to meeting him again with a tender embrace. I love you Dad. 

http://youtu.be/55iHz-n5SDs

Michigan Family Trip

My work recently sent me to Michigan for some training, or what is called a "school". It is something they do a few times a year for associates in all the branches. It was a really wonderful visit and I am excited to go back again. That probably won't happen for at least a year. 

I flew into Lansing after a short layover in St. Paul, Minnesota. The airport in Lansing is pretty small, but nice. I liked how few people were there. 

My initial reaction to driving to the hotel was how small Lansing is. After living and working in Detroit as a missionary, I assumed Michigan's Capitol would be much more populated than it is. It seems like a really nice place with plenty of open space. 

Airin and Lily were able to join me. They flew direct to Detroit, where Airin picked up a rental car and drove the hour and a half to Lansing. It was a grueling trip because she had worked the entire night before and had to deal with our sixteen-month octopus on the plane. So kudos to her for being able to do it! 

During the days I would walk from the hotel to the office. It is literally a five-minute walk away. I learned quite a bit from the school on one line of insurance we write. There were many other associates there from most of the branches we write in. I met some great people. 

While I was at the school, Airin and Lily went and did exciting things around Lansing. They visited a zoo, an adventure center, and a number of parks. I think they had fun. 

We got a crib for Lily at the hotel but she did NOT like it one bit. I think it was too small and not comfortable enough for her. On night two, we brought her into our king-sized bed to sleep. This was much better for her, but not very comfortable for us. I would wake up a number of times throughout the night with her kicking me in the back or kidney as she likes to move around when she sleeps. I longed for sleeping at home so she could have her own crib to sleep in again. 

I was excited to visit a few people with Airin and Lily. I had been to Michigan three times before: As a missionary from 2006-2008; with my parents in 2009; for a sealing of a girl we taught in 2011. It was about time to return. 

Unfortunately, we only had Friday afternoon and Saturday to visit people. Had we a few more days, I would have spent some time in Southfield. I was able to see the Sistas in Detroit. It was a nice reunion. You know when you get together with old friends after a few years and it feels like you don't miss a beat? That's what it felt like. 

It was fun to drive through the east side of Detroit. I wanted to show Airin I was not making up how terrible some of the streets and houses look. I think she was nervous, but we had no problems. Detroit has so many good people there. 

We were able to head up to Grand Blanc, where we stayed the night on Friday and Saturday before flying home. It is really hard to travel with babies. Between messing up nap time and meal time and being in a foreign place, it left us with limited opportunity to go places and see people. But we were able to reconnect with a few great people there. 

Flying home we got to sit next to each other on both flights. We had a layover in Minnesota and then came back to Salt Lake City. We were happy to be home and find all things well. We only had a few home-cooked meals while we were there, so it was really nice to start eating that way again. I also drank a bunch of soda while there to keep me awake in class. The thought of drinking soda now makes my stomach churn a little bit. I don't know how people consume that stuff regularly. We were also happy to be in our own bed again and let Lily sleep in her comfortable crib. 

It was a pretty fun trip. I am thankful that work paid my way out there for the school and Airin and Lily were able to join me. Michigan isn't so bad. At least it is really green.

                                 

For more pictures of our adventures, go here. 

I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go

I was recently asked to sing in my ward. "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" was the one I decided on. The message of the song hit me, as it reminds me of my Dad. I know, the last number of posts I've written have centered around my Father. I think about him every day. He taught me some great lessons; some that I have learned and understood more fully since his passing.

My Father was a very faithful man. I always knew he loved God and would do whatever was asked of him.

While practicing the song, I found myself getting emotional at the words from the 3rd verse:

"There’s surely somewhere a lowly place
In earth’s harvest fields so wide
Where I may labor through life’s short day
For Jesus, the Crucified.

So trusting my all to thy tender care,
And knowing thou lovest me,
I’ll do thy will with a heart sincere:
I’ll be what you want me to be."

I have struggled with this idea of serving The Lord on his terms. It is much easier to pick and choose when and where we serve and if it fits into our schedule and is convenient.

It is, however, more difficult to serve when he calls. This was never more true when I received my mission call. I really wanted to go outside the United States. I wanted to speak Spanish. I didn't want to go stateside at all. The Lord heard my cry and sent me to Michigan. I was disappointed. I wondered why I wasn't "worthy" to go out of the country. Obviously, my immature teenage thinking was foolish and incorrect. I am so grateful I served in Michigan. What an experience.

My Dad tried teaching me this principle to go when and where The Lord calls, and do it with a sincere heart, as the hymn suggests. I was drug to service projects and other things, but my mind was not on the service. I was constantly counting down to the time I could leave and do what I wanted to do. I would complain and whine. But after every opportunity to serve, I knew I was blessed. And probably would have been blessed more had I quit my negative comments and focused on the most important things: blessing the lives of others by acting as the Savior would if he were there.

I am grateful my father taught me this principle. He labored through his "short day". He lived the life of a disciple of Christ. He was not a perfect man, but tried.

This is a simple lesson to serve where The Lord calls and do it with a positive willing attitude. I hope I will be able to live that kind of a life in emulation of the Saviors.

Thank you, Dad for teaching me this priceless lesson.

Here is a recording of me singing the song. It is a Rob Gardner arrangement. Bonnie Felger is my accompanist.

Dad's Favorite Phrases

It's hard to believe my father passed away more than a month ago. It's been an interesting experience going through the grieving process. I miss my dad quite a bit. 

I have been thinking about different phrases and words he used to say and I just have to share a few. I asked my family what they remember him saying. Here are some of his favorite things we remembered him saying:

"Asinine"

If anything was ever really dumb, he'd use this word. Example: "The way oil prices keep going up and down is asinine!" I use it too, and Airin tells me every time I use that word that it is my favorite word. (Not really. I just use it when I am passionately frustrated about something.)

"Half-donkey job"

I had chores to do growing up, and sometimes I wasn't the most diligent at finishing the job or putting enough work in. My dad would always tell me, "...don't do a half-a** job!" It was funny hearing my dad swear sometimes. I would correct it and say, "Dad, it's half-donkey job!" That would sometimes diffuse the situation and was kind of a running joke between the two of us. 

"It will feel better when it stops hurting"

This one was kind of irritating. If we were ever sick or injured, my dad would tell us this. He was always concerned about how we were feeling. But sometimes he was captain obvious- of course we would feel better when it stops hurting! At least he helped us remember that the sickness or injury would go away eventually and we shouldn't be super dramatic about having a head cold. Complaining about it won't make it better. 

"You don't need to spend the money"

This was a hallmark of my Dad's life. He was extremely frugal and hated spending money. I appreciated what he taught me about saving money and spending it wisely. This rang in my head while shopping for Christmas presents right after he passed. I can still hear his voice. 

"Go to bed"

My Dad was a morning person. He loved waking up early and never slept in. He also liked going to bed early. He never ceased to tell us this anytime it was after like 11 pm. We would have friends over and he would tell us, "you need to get to bed. You don't need to stay up." That is some good advice, as few things are worth staying up late for. 

"A $1.248"

He would say this to us when we asked how much something was purchased for. "How much was your truck?" Or "How much did you pay for those shoes?" Was almost always answered with "a dollar-two-forty-eight." This was just one example of how he was private in many matters. 

"Sure Love Ya" 

Getting a letter from my Dad on my mission was always great. He would sign it "S.L.Y., Dad". I didn't fully know what it meant until recently. But I always knew my Dad loved me. He was sincere when he said it and I cherish the letters I still have from him. 

It is funny to think about the phrases and words he used all the time. Just another way to remember him by. I still use some of them and will probably pass some along to my own kids. 

Hi-ho, Hi-ho, it's off to work I go.

I'm sure that most of you who read this blog (if anyone does because I'm such a slacker about posting) know that I have gone back to work. Boo. It has become financially necessary for me to do so. Seems so silly after Mark posted at about me being a stay-at-home wife and mother not too long ago. But all of those things he said are true. And hopefully this will be short term comparatively.

However, things can change in a matter of weeks or months. And here we are. Truth is, I was so so so sad to return to work. I truly enjoyed the eight months that I had at home to spend with Mark and my sweet baby girl. I will cherish those moments forever. 

I am one of those people who does not really enjoy going out into the work place. I am a genuine home-body. I'd rather be home than most anywhere else. Housework and mommy-work may not be the most glamorous, and it is certainly difficult. But I so much more enjoy the work of a homemaker to that of anything else I could be doing in the work place. That being said, I think those women who love being mothers and wives and love to work are amazing. They have strength I wish I had at times like these. 

In all reality, I am grateful for the training I received to be a registered nurse. I have learned valuable skills that I will use for the rest of my life, whether at home or at work. I am grateful that nursing is a flexible career. That I can work as much or as little as I want. That I can choose the days/nights I am available. That I can still be a wife and mother primarily. And this job that I was blessed to find so quickly after beginning my search, is a good fit for me. Working at Primary Children's Hospital was a wonderful learning experience. There are truly angels that walk those halls and care for those children; miracles happen there all the time. However, it was very high stress and I didn't handle that as well as I had hoped I could. This new job is home health. I'm a private duty nurse which means I go to the patient's home and watch over the patient there for x number of hours. I like that I am only responsible for one patient at a time and that I can really get to know the patient. It is a much better fit for my personality. 

But it's nights. I didn't think it would be a big deal to go back to nights because I had done that at the hospital. Turns out it is hard. Working nights with a baby at home makes me plain old tired. It takes me longer to recover than before. I haven't been sleeping well before or after my shifts to help me recover. I miss my husband and my baby when I'm at work. My biggest worry is that I will miss one of Lily's milestones. (Which I know is ridiculous. I only miss maybe 12 hours of being with her when she's awake while I try to sleep.) 

That being said there are some good things coming from this situation (besides the boost in finances). Mark gets to spend more time with Lily. It is good for both of them. She needs her Daddy and he needs her. It is cute to see the relationship they are developing. She is turning into a Daddy's girl and it melts my heart. Lily also gets to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa on Fridays while Mark is at work and I take a nap after a shift (I work 11pm to 8am Thurs and Sat nights). The grandparents love it, and Lily loves it. I am so grateful my Mom is able to watch Lily on Fridays. It is a wonderful blessing. And this situation forces me to be stronger. 

A couple of my friends made not a list of New Years resolutions, but just picked a word to be their theme for 2014. I loved the idea and I wanted to do the same. Goals are great, but I wanted an extra emphasis behind all my goals, hopes, and dreams for 2014. The word I chose for this year is: STRONG. I hope to be strong in all aspects of my life this year. Especially in the situations that are hard. 

Visiting Michigan in 2009

I have been missing my Dad the past few days; just a simple sadness that cannot be taken away. I have decided to blog a few more memories of him. 

In May of 2009, I took my parents back to Michigan to visit the members, areas and places of my mission. I returned from serving a full-time mission in November 2008, so I had been home about six months. 

My Dad served some of his mission in Michigan. He served on the west side of the state and I served on the east side. I enjoyed having that similarity between the two of us. 

It turned out to be quite a visit. Some wonderful members let us stay at their homes and we had great visits with them. 

I enjoyed returning to the state I called home for two years. It was nice not being a missionary and having the flexibility to go where I wanted. 

We visited many people, but also many great places. We went to the Henry Ford, a museum that had some really cool artifacts and old cars. The chair President Lincoln was in when we was assassinated was there. 

My Dad loved classic cars and being in the state where the big 3 auto companies are was really special to see. His appreciation for the cars in that museum was fun to experience. 

We visited the Jiffy mixes plant as well. I remember getting a box or two muffins in my stocking at Christmas time when I was younger, so that was enjoyable to see how they are made. We even got one free box of muffin mix as a gift. 

Next, we visited Hell, Michigan. I wanted to to there on my mission, but never made it over in that area. I enjoyed the novelty of visiting "Hell" and buying some fun souvenirs. We can all say that "we've been to Hell and back". Ha.

My parents always seem to hit it off with people, and this trip was no different. They became great friends with one of my favorite people in Grand Blanc, one of my top areas. They loved meeting other people I would write home about and see the places I lived and worked. 

Frankenmuth was another great place we visited. It was outside my mission boundaries, but a great place to visit.  It is a quaint Bavarian-style town that had some fun treasures. I wish I would have bought an apron that was pretty epic. They have a Christmas-themed store that has everything you can imagine. 

The tail end of the trip we went into Detroit. I'm sure my parents were nervous going into the most dangerous city in America. I was able to visit "the Sistas" and show my parents where I lived. It brought back so many great memories of sweating, riding my bike and talking to so many people in that area. We made it out safely. 

I enjoyed going to the Detroit temple and church out there. Showing my parents off was a very rewarding experience for me. 

It brought back the love I have for the state of Michigan and the people who live there. I can't wait to visit there again soon.

I never really had the chance to spend a lot of one-on-one time with my parents. I am the fourth of my parent's six children, so my time with them was limited growing up. This trip allowed me to grow closer to them and experience something new. I am very grateful I had that opportunity. My parents are wonderful.

More pictures of our trip can be seen here and here.