The joys of a new school have already worn off on Maeser. When we put him to bed every night he asks, "Am I going to bed because I have school tomorrow? I don't want to go, I want to stay up." Maybe this kids will be a child psychologist. He's learning all the tricks.

The bouldering and biking field behind our house.

Elder Christofferson visited our stake this week and we had a fireside on Tuesday. I saved seats for Derrick and Julie (something you aren't supposed to do) and then because of traffic and the baby they didn't make it in before they closed the chapel doors. And then I felt so guilty. Here I sat with two empty seats beside me, that the ushers had let me keep because of a nursing mother, when there were so many people who had come to listen to an Apostle! I felt better after both seats were taken by people who snuck in through the back during the opening song... but I felt so bad that I was depriving someone from an experience that might be a once in a lift time thing. I'm sure the life of an Apostle is exhausting. Singapore was the last stop on a two week trip, with traveling and multiple trainings everyday. Before our meeting started he had a training meeting with all the missionaries, he was supposed to get an hour break for dinner but it took him more than 30 minutes to exit the chapel. 

Elder Christofferson was left with more than 50 minutes to speak by the time the program reached his name. It was amazing how casually and comfortably he could discuss and teach principles and seamlessly add to his original comments. That is more than just talent, that is the fruit of a lifetime of study. 

3 Ne 17:3 Ponder + Pray = Understanding. 

Dan took Abe "mountain" biking on Saturday. I LOVE that the children are getting big enough to do things. So do they.

Mary's class poster had portraits of us all.

Abe on free dress day.

Monkey Bike Shenanigans.

Phone dump.

Because the first week of school takes more out of mom than the kids. I am so exhausted and it isn't even 9pm yet.

Dan and I planned to workout, grab dinner and stay overnight down town for our anniversary, until Julie called informing us Maeser had had an accident. By the time we got home from the A&E Maeser was beyond tired and I wasn't sure he'd make it to school for the first day in the morning. Glue and a short night.

Scout. Can't spend an entire night in her bed. In the morning we play the game of "Where's Scout?" to find where she ended up sleeping for half the night.

Cars and trucks. Always.

Hanging with handsome Ransom. Scout's favorite toy.

3 days in.

Scout didn't care a bit about school until Maeser started attending. Now she won't leave the house without a backpack and our frequent conversations about school go something like this:

"Mom, I'm big now." "Not, big enough. We can go home and play." "No, I'm 6!"

On Saturday Dan took Mary, Abe and Moses on a bike ride, they almost made it to the zoo!

First day of schule.

Sunday morning.

  

Does everyone else remember being this excited for their first day of school?

Cool dad.

Race dump

PR for Dan. 12:03, he recovered well.

Santa Rosa Ironman

Dan raced in this a week ago. He raced well and his recovery has been fast. So good that he seriously considered racing again in a week, but we've just returned to Singapore and school starts in 3 days... he'll also be traveling to Vietnam, Philippines and Dubai in the next two weeks, it seemed a little too busy for another race in the middle of everything.

Our home is beautiful, unorganised, and wonderfully close to the school. Hopefully I'll rectify that chaotic part soon. My body is craving sleep. Ode to jet lag. I have such a love/hate relationship with it.

I started that three days ago. School has begun, Maeser starts tomorrow.
Nothing really important- the tasks of organising and putting everything away looms large. We did have a sister missionary come back to visit, she is traveling with her parents and they came for dinner on Sunday.

I am trying hard, like Hannah to always see the good in others, to be mindful of the smallness of my children and less impatient. And to be less busy. There will always be something to do, to get done or someone to visit... but those aren't the most important tasks.

All things...

We painted our cabin this week, just interior and only 4 rooms, but it looks amazing. Basically we asked the painter to paint anything that had been painted brown. There were at least 4 shades of brown painted on various walls or door frames. I love it. Sometimes we all need a good coat of white paint. 

The rest of the week is a blur. Dan is back, and the last of his hard training was this week. He has a race in California this weekend. Roadtrip! He has been training with Derrick occasionally and they swim in Deercreek reservoir a couple times a week. This pan of steak isn't steak. Dan has been eating the liver Bonita left in the freezer. How much is too much? I can't figure out how to prepare it.

Mary had one day of volleyball camp at BYU. She makes friends so quickly. She walked out with a new best friend and plans to hang out... too bad we live so far away. She quickly exchanged emails and said see you next summer! 

The last of the reunions ended on Saturday. I agree with Robert, "This is fun, but it will be even better with everyone here next year." I think he was referring to Dallin and Hannah.

Dan and Abe out for a run after/during the reunion's 5k that Sam organised. Abe was well prepared with a pair of jeans and his crocs. 

Fenton (and Robert) did a great job hosting and organising everything. He was everywhere. By the time we left 3/5 children were crying because they didn't want to leave. Fenton and Uncle Raymond make a great team. And Abby and Mark should be on cleanup duty every year. She is meticulous.

Cousins make the best friends. 

Saturday night we got a babysitter and took a "hike" down to Sundance and back. I think you are going to love this place. I forget how much I love the mountains when I am away from them. It is easy to see God in all the beauty around you. It is harder to see Him in the business of our life at home. I want to recognise Him in the people we see and the work we are doing. Alma 30:44.

Oh! And Maeser learned how to pump himself on the swing. Victory!

Camping

I can't say I'm a fan of camping. Very few showers, lots of junk food, sleeping in the same room with my own children. Some mothers are amazing and can handle round-the-clock companionship with their littles. I would rather get more thank 2-3 hours of sleep a night.

And I don't know that sleeping in a cabin in Manti qualifies as real camping, but lets leave it at that. My mother's family reunion was this last weekend. I left early after two rattle snakes in just as many days and an accident on an ATV- I didn't know the driver took Moses and they were thrown from the ATV while going up a hill.

We left, miraculously in good condition. When I got back and spoke to Dan we realised that between all the chaos, Dan (working in Bangkok) had begun his fast and I am certain that some of the blessings we experienced last weekend were because of him.

There is a great talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Recognizing God's Hand in our Daily Blessings, read it. I should keep a more consistent record, but I do believe so many of the little things come about as blessings and I don't always acknowledge them as such or thank the Lord, which I should do immediately. And that God is a part of all the intimate details in our life.

A couple photos. Sharing my bed with Maeser and his glow sticks. And playing at the lake.

Favorite scripture this week: Helaman 3:35. The blessing of continually keeping your covenants and plugging away is that you grow "firmer and firmer in the faith". And sanctification cometh because we yield our hearts unto God. 

Keep doing good. Keep repenting and trying hard, and trying harder tomorrow.

Colonial fest... Armour and stocks.

Moses is a snot factory at the moment, avoid kissing at all cost.

Moses has got the BBQs figured out.

Hiking in Sundance.

When dinner is at 8pm and Dan is out of town... it's cereal. Don't judge too harshly.

Maeser isn't such a morning person.