Neighborhood Camp Out 2012

Every year we get together with several of the neighbors in our area and go camping to Perception Park.  It is so much fun.  This year we had about 15 families.  We cook, laugh and the most fun is go down the river on tubes.  It has become quite a tradition.  I was so happy that Stetson came with us, even though he was the only one there his age.  We ate yummy food, made scones, dutch oven dessert, etc.,  It was a blast.  Already looking forward to next year.  All are welcome, if you want to put it on your calendar and come with us, it's August 1-3 2013. Lots of pictues, but how do I choose... Hope to see you there next year...

They Did not Doubt

The Bountiful Handcart Days is big in this town.  Most everyone goes.  This year was a "Once in a Lifetime" event.  President Cory Hanks, a stake president in Centerville had a vision that he wanted to have a representation of the 2000+ Stripling Warriors from the Book of Mormon, lead by Helaman march in the parade.

This was a great undertaking and one that I think some thought couldn't happen.  Oh how wrong they were.  As I anxiously awaited for them to march down the street, you could hear them coming, like soft thunder that got louder as they marched 2000+ strong.  It took over 10 minutes to pass you.  I couldn't help but think my boys, all three of them would have been off to battle.  It was so touching.  

Thank you so much President Hanks for your vision and giving these boys an experience they will always remember.  I found myself opening the Book of Mormon and rereading the account of the army.  I love the line, that reads that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.  And they had been taught by their mothers.  I'm sure as they marched away, their mothers were as proud as I felt tonight as I watched my boy go down the street.  Truly A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

I often feel as if I have already sent one warrior off to battle in Honduras.  Armed with with faith and testimony and having being taught by his mother.  Oh how I hope I taught him correctly.  Sometimes that is a scripture that helps strenghten my faith, that if he will doubt not, God will deliver him.

Alma 47:  Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. 

A Wonderful Email Full of Pictures

I was so excited to receive his email today and was even more excited to see that pictures accompanied the letter.  He looks so happy and the pictures show it.  Love him so much and have been missing him even more the last few days, so this truly was a tender mercy again to show me that a loving Father in Heaven is in charge and he is in His hands.  It is worth going to his blog and reading the email, too.  But, I'm including the pictures for my our journaling history.  elderclaytoninhonduras.blogspot.com

This was a valuable lesson I learned this year at girl's camp.  I can do hard things.  This may or may not look hard, but for me it was.  I'm quite scared of heights, and to climb up that cargo net, to cross the bridge and slid down the zip line was hard, and very scary.  There was a man that could hold the line and if I wanted to at any time, he would bring me down, but he kept telling me, "I've got you" and "trust me"  It was such a lesson on sometimes you have to try your hardest and then put your trust in Him and keep on trying and climbing.  It was such an accomplishment to say, "I did it!"  That is not me on the ladder.  I took this picture off someone's facebook, but you can see the picture and hopefully understand.  I learned a great lesson that day about me and doing Hard Things.  I'm going to keep continuing on my journey and I will reach the final destination.  I'm just sure of it.

Braces No Longer!

Today was a great day.  Caleb no longer has braces!  Thank you Dr. Feller.  He looks so great and it's hard to believe that we can cross this off our list.  All three have awesome smiles.  It is amazing how much different he looks and how much older even.  I truly have such a great job and am able to see how much a great smile does for a person.  This time it was my own son.

 Caleb and Brianne waiting to see if today is the day...

 Dr. Feller looking to see if everything is perfect.

 Just walked the red carpet and out through the curtain, new smile!!!

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Now next to get theirs off is me...however, I really haven't minded having them.  These braces are so awesome, they have come a long way since the day I had them before.  But, they look great and it's close.  Just as long as they are gone before Bridger returns.  I'm not in a big hurry.

Happy Birthday Caleb

Hardly seems possible that my baby boy turns 14 today.  And what a joy he has been everyday since he arrived.  Caleb came into the world just two months after my sister passed away and showed us that there is still good to be found in the world.  He smiled the day he arrived and has not stopped since.  He was always so mischievous and yet those big brown eyes could win you over and you just couldn't be mad at him.  I love this boy.  He is such a tender hearted and kind young man.  He tells me more than once he loves me every day.  He is so polite and we are so blessed to have him in our family.  He definitely completed our family.

 Waiting for him to come home from Bear Lake

He has become quite the fisherman and spent the last week with his grandparents up at Bear Lake.  The best gift of all was Bridger sent a package from Honduras for his b-day.  It arrived a few days ago and we have all waited patiently to open it.  Bridger wrote such a nice letter to him and I was quite impressed with how thoughtful it was.  Sometimes you wonder if what you do goes unnoticed and with each passing year I have watched my boys become such kind, caring and wonderful young men.  Thank heavens they only got the good things we were trying to teach them.

Happy Birthday Pal.  We love you and are so glad you are part of our forever family!

Class of 2012...Graduation

It is with a lump in my throat that I am posting the adventures of this last week.  When did I say they could grow up and not need us anymore.  Stetson graduated with High Honors from Woods Cross High on June 1, 2012.  He is such a great young man and I am reminded almost daily of just how awesome he is.  Many times people stop me to tell me just how kind, personable and great he is. We have been so blessed to have such great boys and for this we are truly grateful.  It is also true that it takes a village/ward to raise a child.  Thank heavens we do not have to do it all alone.  Thank you so much for helping to get him to this point in his life.  He is looking forward to working at Salt City Burger and saving, saving, saving.  Salt Lake Community College is where he has chosen to go until he sends his papers in for his mission.  He really wants to wait until Bridger returns and so thinking May/June 2013 he will be available.  Which is fine with me.  I can hardly stand that we will only have one in school come September.  Don't wish it away and that the grow up to quickly...because it does, and it's faster than you think. I promise.

 Decorated and waiting for him to come home to celebrate all his hard work.

 Stetson and Abby

Congratulations Stetson.  The sky is the limit...go get it pal!