Battered Husband

Dan and I went on a snow shoe adventure up Cottonwood Canyon in Logan Canyon.  See all the snow on the trees?

Dan was very good at hitting the branches just as I went under them to give me a  nice snow shower.

One time I saw my chance to get back at him.  He went under a pine tree covered with snow.  I put up my ski pole to give the tree a nice whack.  I swung as hard as I could.  I MISSED THE TREE!  My ski pole hit the back of Dan's head straight on with all the power my arms could muster:-(  

I am such a loser.  

I love my husband.

He fell to his knees.  I'd given him a nice bleeding bump on his head.

He was kind.  He forgave me.  We still had a good time the rest of the trip.

On the way back he was well enough to...

slide down the...

frozen river.

I did not try to batter my husband.  I'm glad he's okay.

Love that man.

Last Homecoming Dance

I've had 6 children go through high school and high school dances.  It's hard to believe, but last night was my last child's last homecoming dance.  For me, it's bitter-sweet.  Be what it may,  I'm going to try to enjoy all these lasts this year.

This picture cracks me up.  Boys together, girls together.  

Hartmans set a beautiful table in their beautiful backyard.

John and his lovely date, Shay.

I'm always grateful when his date chooses a modest dress.
I'm also thankful when her hair is longer than his( hehehe)

The whole group.  

 I'm go excited for my son, John, to enjoy these times.  He'll never have another homecoming dance but he's got many many exciting and wonderful times to look forward to.  This momma is going to try to enjoy them right along with him.

Making Memories

Every family has something or a few things that define them.  They may be close relationships, consistent scripture study and family prayer, regular family home evenings, laughter, hard working, service oriented, scholars, musical, social with lots of friends, athletic, world travelers, hunters, campers, bookworms and on and on.  I think one of the things that defines my family is fun outdoor activities.  (Another is that we are all stinkin' hot but that is another post haha) The one regular, consistent outdoor activity we do is Lake Powell.

Meet the Angelene, our house boat.  We've been a part of this house boat (owning it with 16 other families) since 1995.  Since then we've spent at least one week and sometimes two weeks a year on it.  It's our home away from home.  This is where we've created countless family memories.  We've had tons of fun and a good share of problems while on this boat but the times we've shared and the bonds we've strengthened are priceless.

Below are a few of the memories from this past week on the Angelene.

Sunsets

Water sports

Cliff jumping

Hiking and exploring

There are a lot of other things that I wish defined my family.  There are a lot of things I could have done better as a mom but I am grateful for Lake Powell and the memories it's created with my family.

32 Years

 

Thirty three years ago today I met Dan.  Thirty two years ago today I married Dan.  Best decision I ever made!

I'll never forget the day I met Dan.  I was living with my grandmother in Salt Lake and attending a ward at the U of U.  My grandmother told me I should visit her ward that day because there was a nice "Schmidt boy" who would be reporting his mission.  I was always open to meeting cute boys so I attended my ward but when it was over hurried over to my grandmother's ward.  As I pulled into the parking lot I thought,  "This is silly.  I've already been to church.  The only reason I'm going to this ward is to meet a boy."  I decided not to attend that ward.  I drove home.  As I pulled up and parked the car the thought came to me,  "The Lord helps those who help themselves."  I understood from that thought that if I was ever going to find my one and only I needed to do everything in my power to put myself in situations where I could meet him.  I drove back to the church, walked in late and sat on the back row with my grandmother.

I was impressed with Dan's talk.  He also sang a solo which melted my heart.  I went up after the meeting and met him.  He asked me for a date for that night.  There is a lot more to the story but the important thing is that I met him ( and I feel I was guided to return to that meeting) and we fell in love.  

I've always been grateful to my grandmother for inviting me to attend her meeting to meet that nice "Schmidt boy."  We were actually married on her and grandpa's golden anniversary.

And now, after 32 years, look at our blessings!

Our life hasn't been perfect.  We've had trials and our ups and downs but I've always loved Dan.  He's always loved me.

We've been blessed by our eternal marriage.

Happy Anniversary Danny Boy.

Mother of all hikes

Ribbon Falls

I'd wanted to hike the Grand Canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim for some time.  This spring we had 7 hikers committed to go but one by one they bailed ( for good reasons) until it was down to Dan and me.  That turned out to be a good thing.  I love spending time alone with my one and only.

Crossing the Colorado River after over 14 miles of hiking.  It was 98 degrees.

We loved soaking our feet and cooling off in the mighty Colorado.

Going up was switchback after switchback surrounded by breathtaking beauty.

This view, from many elevations as we climbed, was what we took in for hours.

There were many signs that warned hikers to not do this hike in one day and for good reason.  It was over 24 miles of hot, strenuous hiking.  As my title says, I'd call it the mother of all hikes.  We were prepared, though, and did it in one day.  We had  lots of company.  We saw hundreds doing the same hike on the busy Memorial Day weekend.  I can't wait to get back to take the rest of my family.

Hope

This week there is a little secret that is alive and well in Logan Canyon.  I feel so blessed to be in on the secret.

The Maguire Primrose is a darling little flower that blooms for a short time in the spring and is found no where in the world but Logan Canyon.  It's easy to miss because it grows high on the rock walls and in only a few select places in the canyon.

I've visited it 4 times already in the past week and hope to go again.  It brightens my day.  Here is a dainty, beautiful flower, hanging precariously from the cliff walls.  It blooms after the harsh winter but before the warm temperatures, bringing color to the gray canyon and a hope for the coming warm weather. 

It's symbolic to me of our trials in life.  Life can be harsh like the cold winter.  Sometimes through our trials it feels as though we are just barely hanging (maybe for dear life) to the cliff wall but as we hang on with hope and faith we see the color and the hope of the future.  Sometimes we receive a tender mercy or divine signature but whatever it is we can move forward with faith and hope for all that is in store for us in the future.  There is always, always hope.

Ward Party from H. E. double toothpicks

Friday we had a Cinco de Mayo party with our ward full with pulled pork burritos topped with cilantro sauce.  Entertainment-pinata!  Great turn out.  Lots of fun.

Saturday night I went to bed after vomiting and feeling very sick.  Dan slept in another bed so he wouldn't get sick but he woke up in the middle of the night with the same symptoms.  John also woke in the middle of the night.  Same thing.

Sunday morning we got a call from the Relief Society president. She and her husband had the same problems.  We got another call from one of the Sacrament meeting speakers.  Same thing.  Primary president and her family?  Same.  We were suspicious.  As we called around, a lot of the ward was sick.

Dan decided to cancel the auxiliaries that day so people wouldn't feel pressured to come to church with responsibilities if they were not feeling well.

Sacrament meeting attendance which is usually 180 was 100.

Scary business.  What was it?  The pork? The cilantro sauce?  The rice (yes, the extension office in Logan thinks it's the rice) The beans?  The tomatoes?  The lettuce?  Who knows? 

Symptoms seem to last less than 24 hours but for some, longer.  I hope everyone recovers okay.

I'm 52 and have been to a lot of ward parties in my day.  This is the first problem.  Should I think twice when eating at a ward party from now on?  I don't know.