7.30.2016

Celebrating 21 years- GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK

This is no joke

Mather outlook- Wheeler Peak
 We stole the day and headed to Great Basin National Park.  I have been wanting to go here for close to 5 years, but we just haven't seemed to make it work.  Thankfully, Rigby drew the Nevada Dream tag for the upcoming hunting season and I was chasing a story for Etched Magazine so we made it happen!

The adventure squad

 It was a super relaxed day with only adventure and exploring as our goals.  I loved having the whole day with Rigby without any interruptions.  We loved having Emma and Maleck along for our Anniversary adventure.  As the babies of the family, they make us feel so much younger!
#missingolderbrothers!
Celebrating 21 years- July 29, 1995- July 29, 2016

Love him!

Love the cabooses in our family!



 #findyourpark.  There are over 58 National Parks in the United States and Great Basin National Park is a hidden gem separated by solitude.  It is well worth the drive through the desert sea!

wild turkeys in the park

We loved this hike!


Emma found her chair





Exploring Alpine Lake


skipping rocks


Alpine Lake discovery



father and son

Lehman's Cave


At the cafe

World famous ice cream cookies






We'll be back!
 Happy Anniversary Rigby.  Thanks for the 21 years of continuous adventures.  I am thankful everyday for you.  You are simply my HAPPY!





And of course I found a cemetery-- mom are we related?

7.27.2016

Wednesday Write- This one is for you Chelle!

It's funny how life changes. One moment you are smiling, your struggles are typical and then boom with one doctor's phone call, one visit to the hospital, one test result- it changes.  Then your life is different.  You are different.

You learn to fight for, appreciate, and recognize the life you were blessed with- the people who surround you.  The women who are your strength.

You feel God's power in a way that is hard to describe, you feel the power of prayer in very much a "real way," you feel enveloped in love.

It is that love that sustains you. It is the closeness to God that comforts you.

I turn 42 next week.  Today, I had my first mammogram. At the request of my dear friend, Chelle. It was super easy, super quick, and not uncomfortable at all.  I'm glad I did it.  But this is not the first time Chelle has saved me.


Before we had Maleck, we lost two babies.  Those were dark hours for me.  There were few people I felt safe with and protected.  One was Chelle. I felt I could sit by her and the very essence of her presence comforted me.  I didn't have to say a thing.  And then Chelle saved me again... After Rigby's stroke nearly 7 years ago, Chelle helped me find my "voice."  She asked me to start writing for a project she was working on- it became my world of solitude and relief.  This project turned into other projects and more opportunities to write.  I can't thank her enough for that gift she gave me...

Chelle has a warmth and strength about her that is entirely her own.  It is this strength, this warmth that draws others to her.  Thanks Chelle for sharing your strength with me... now we all share ours with you!  

#getamammogram

7.25.2016

Monday- Mission Mama, How to raise a missionary


How to raise a missionary?  
Years ago, I ironed his little white shirt and sent him off to nursery and then to primary.  He was a Sunbeam when the primary chorister asked him his name.  He replied, "Batman."
He grew and learned to share his testimony.  He stood at the pulpit with two hands on the podium like an apostle.  He had an "old soul."
He played in the mud and with rocks, built forts, attended cub scouts, played baseball, basketball, and football. Led the boys at recess in school yard football.  He always worked hard.

 I ironed his white shirt and sent him off to priesthood.  He passed    the sacrament and gathered fast offerings in a white shirt, suit, and tie.
He had  grown-  he made new friends. His "old soul" set him a part.  Sometimes, he was lonely. He worked hard. He bore his testimony at the pulpit with two hands on the podium.  He stirred the old souls.

I ironed his white shirt and tie and sent him off to prepare the sacrament.  He was a teacher.  He sat up the chairs, cleaned up the chapel, took out the trash and became a home teacher.  He wore his white shirt, suit and tie.  He worked hard. He understood what it meant to stand alone in his old soul. He never wavered.  He stood at the pulpit and testified with his two hands on the podium- he stirred our souls.

I ironed his white shirt and sent him off to bless the sacrament.  He wore his white shirt, suit, and tie.  As an Eagle Scout, he chased his dreams, worked hard on and off the field.  He embraced his "old soul" and stood alone.  He did his home teaching, performed acts of service, learned humility, came to understand suffering.  He stood at the pulpit and testified with his two hands on the podium.  He stirred lonely souls

I ironed his white shirt and tie and sent him off to the MTC.  He wore his white shirt, suit and tie.  As a missionary, he will grow, feel the tender mercies of the Lord,  come to know his savior, be blessed by the gift of tongues.... two years he will testify, grow, stand with God with his two hands on the podium- he will stir searching souls.

To say I miss Seleck would be an understatement.  But 
I feel so blessed to have our son serving a mission.  His letters remind me so much of Rigby's letter when he served in Denmark 23 years ago.  Here is a little note I received  from Elder Rigby in the mail today:

"  Dear mom,
How are you holding up?  I miss you but I'm doing really well.  Some days things are kind of tough when we have to do a ton of stuff and my companion is a little noisy- but when he is quiet studying things go great!  

It seems like you are having a fun time while I'm an gone.  I'm so glad that for the most part everyone is getting along.  How is Dad's toe doing (we think he broke his foot now- not just his toe)?  

I'm so sad to hear about Sister Hughes'.  I'll make it a matter of prayer about how I can help Issac during this tough time.

I love you mom.  You've taught me so many great things.  EVERYTHING you have sent has bee so nice.  Thank you all so much!  All the letters I receive, I hang on the door of my closet.  I have a picture of you and me in Nevada with the Buck you shot and I smile every time I see it.  Mom, I'll love you forever!

Love, 

Elder Rigby"

7.08.2016

Friday Fun-Our 4th of July weekend

 Our last holiday with Seleck was simply sweet.  We took time to enjoy the little things and to keep everything as simple as possible... so many emotions going on for everyone! After attending the temple on Saturday with Seleck while Stockton and Madsen did baptismal work, we enjoyed an amazing steak dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Rigby's home.  Sunday we attended church with them, ate steak sandwiches, and then rested.  I enjoyed a snooze on the couch. That evening we headed home.  Seleck had his "exit" interview with President Potter and Rigby had a church meeting.  
 But when the sun started dipping into the western sky, we took one last wander together.  My heart was begging for Seleck to be little just one more day...
 We ran into an "old timer" and local ranch owner.  He showed us the "other trail" to Ashdown Gorge through "Last Chance" Canyon.  The name was rather fitting for the occasion.  
 One of the things we love to do most as a family is to simply wander while exploring the nearby area in which we live.  Oftentimes, there is no trail, no destination.  We simply love the red dirt, the whispering Aspens, and the towering pines.  The memory is our adventure and our destination.
 This particular wander was somewhat somber for us all- 3 days until Seleck's drop off.
 Preparing for Seleck to leave has been a sprint  (He received his call 7 weeks prior to his departure).  In the interim there was a bustle of activities for his high school graduation, youth conference, family obligations, oral surgery, missionary shopping, missionary pictures, farewell, family gatherings, road trips, etc, but throughout this process my love for motherhood was deepened as not only was my bond with Seleck strengthened but the bond with each of my children  as well.  I love these kiddos to the moon, back, and beyond.  Being their mother and Rigby's wife is my ultimate joy!

 Walking through "Last Chance Canyon,"  I prayed that they all might be little for just a little longer.
 But "time is a thief" and the sun rises and sets and little boys become men and the giggles of little girls become poetry and before I know they are gone and I will wander and listen for echoes.



                              I love their bright eyes and happy smiles

 Wow... check out the view from our wander- breath taking.
 My Emma picked me a flower and I tucked it away for a memory...


 We celebrated the 4th of July beginning with breakfast at the Parowan Cafe where Travis and I ate lunch following the purchase of our marriage license (that was 21 years ago).
 We then headed for the parade and enjoyed that "small town feeling."
 The older and bigger our three boys get the more and more grateful I am for these two...
 We spent the rest of the day watching Madsen play basketball in the Motherhood Madness 3 on 3 Tourney, enjoying the activities on the park, eating ice cream, an evening BBQ, fireworks with neighbors and friends, Batman vs. Superman on the outdoor backyard screen, and one more last family cam pout in the backyard.  It was a beautiful Day!