Creating Moments That Matter
This was Drake’s reaction when he found out Jason was going to be his substitute teacher at church. He immediately grabbed Jason’s face and gave him Eskimo kisses by rubbing noses. It was darling and such an endearing expression of pure love. I quickly grabbed my camera phone and captured this special moment between the two of them.
Drake has had a crush on his Daddy since birth. I’ll tell Drake that I love him and he always responds, “I love Daddy.” Which is my queue to reply, “I do to!”
It’s because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that we’re all on a different path in life and unfortunately we have to find our own way.
Maybe it’s because I’m a parent. Maybe it’s because I’m completely cynical. Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten beat up so many times that I know that I’m the only one who I can change.
However, I’ll do anything for my sister. {{anything}}
So we jumped in the car and drove 8 hours to give my brother an intervention because he announced his breakdown on Facebook.
Let’s face it, we all feel the need to self destruct sometimes. In all honesty, I do it at least once a year. Yep, my secrets out. About once a year I have a complete identity crisis: Who am I? Why am I doing what I’m doing? Is it worth it? Is this the life I want? {{you know what I’m talking about}}
Yes, this is {some} of the advice I gave my brother. When you hit rock bottom – you suffer like an adult. Not like a spoiled rotten teen.
The key is to be able to live an even better life once you pick yourself back up. Not have to do damage control once you’re self-pity moment is finally over. {{duh!}}
On our long drive up Lisa and I wrote in a journal a bunch of advice and the personal experience when we learned that lesson the hard way. The parent in me wants him to learn from our mistakes and live a better life.
But let’s face it, I know better than that. Just like I had to live the hard way, so does my brother as well as my boys. That’s just life. It’s unfair, hard, and a heck of a lot of work.
I think the key is to create fun moments that you can reflect on when life beams you in the head with lemons.
Friday night was rough as Lisa and I tried to reason with a self-destructing 23 year old. Saturday was crazy fun as we ate way too much cajun food, saw a movie, shopped, and toured New Orleans. {{dude it’s smelly!}}
However, I came home with a new appreciation for my own little ones with their very simple and uncomplicated lives.
I know there will be a time very shortly when their innocence will completely change. I pray that at that point I’m able to handle it in a very Love and Logic way. Sadly, they have a mother who will not enable or rescue them. Right now life is sweet – but the time will come when they’ll be on their own to learn the hard way… just like everyone else.
In the meantime, I’ll indulge their sweet tooth and love them the only way I know how: to help gain a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ, help them to learn how to make their own choices, and pick themselves up when they’ve fallen.
{{I pray this is enough}}
While I was in Utah, I was invited to attend a Twilight Eclipse premier party at Thanksgiving Point. The best thing about it was that it was at 8pm instead of midnight. {{squeal in delight}} I got all the perks of seeing it first without the sleep deprivation hang over the next morning.
I was a bit under-dressed as there were people dressed up as werewolves and full costume. The party was crazy fun with mom-tini’s called “Edwards Kiss” and “Jacob on the Beach”.
I got the hook up thanks to these lovely ladies who are also fellow bloggers.
Allison, Rachael, and Marie. {{hola!}}
It was a crazy fun evening. Miss you Carina!
Allison and I just couldn’t pass up this photo op taken from someone’s car! How funny to drive around with Edward as a passenger.{{bwaahaa!}}
Yep, we left with some fun swag. VIP guest passes, “Paw-sta”, buttons, cup, and necklace.
Huge thanks to everyone for such a lovely time in Utah!
The boys had so much fun and loved being apart of the team.
Our last day in Utah was just as eventful as the rest of the trip. We met up with one of Jason’s friends that he grew up with and went to a Museum and Bridal Veil Falls.
The boys had such an amazing time learning all about the animals. They were reading everything and watching all of the videos they could. It was adorable how they were taking it all in.
Talk about some cool photo ops! Too bad Drake refuses to look at the camera and smile in any of them. {{wink}}
Next we went to hike Bridal Veil Falls.
It’s beautiful!
We ended the day eating with Jason’s friends at Costa Vida. The place everyone told us we had to go eat while we were in Utah. It was delish.
I believe in brainwashing. Yep, say what you may, but every chance I can get I’m brainwashing my children. {{evil laugh}}
Jason took the boys on a tour of BYU while I was in Park City, but we had to seal the deal with a photo in front of the cougar wearing their BYU shirts.
We talked about what college life would be like, how Grandpa Mills can cook them Sunday dinner, and how they can go hiking and camping together.
Such a trip has to be followed up with Hogi Yogi. {{duh}}
Yep – I will go to great lengths to brainwash my babies. {{snicker}}
I was so excited to be able to be with my Dad on his birthday. Now that he lives so far away this was quite a treat.
We met at Pirate Island Pizza in Provo so the kids can play and we could enjoy the evening together.
This place is impressive. The boys loved it!
It was nice to see my brother and his family and spend an evening with my Dad. It was too short but a wonderful time.
Another one of our adventures in Utah was hiking Timpanogos Cave. We figured that we’d take advantage of being in the mountains.
It was exhausting!!
But worth it. Inside the cave it was 50 degrees and beautiful.
The boys had so much fun climbing the rocks – but not until our way down the mountain. {{wink}}
It was a huge family bonding experience and we loved it!
While in Utah, we made our way over to Temple Square and took part in all of the typical Mormon family traditions. We took pictures in front of the Salt Lake Temple, checked out all of the visitors centers, toured the Conference Center, etc.
Sadly, I didn’t check this photo a kind stranger took of our family. That’s what I get for assuming that all Mormon’s know how to angle the camera right to capture the family in front of the SLC temple. {{good grief}} I guess I no longer need to worry about framing it and finding a place for it in my home.
It’s been years since we’ve been able to visit Temple Square and we were really impressed with all of the technology and impressive set up they have. We spent hours checking it all out.
We had a lot of fun in the bookstore, especially Drake. Can you tell? {{evil laugh}}
Jason and my Dad had the kids for 4 days while I was in Park City at EVO. They make a great team as they did all the activities we had laid out before I left! I was really proud of them. Sadly, I had the camera and we left our second camera at home so they couldn’t take pictures of their adventures.
When I got home on Sunday the boys were a little restless so we took them for a walk and to feed the ducks.
