Memorial Days

Memorial Day is a special time for our little family.  It was this weekend, three years ago, that we moved to Virginia.  What a huge impact that had on our life.  That first year, we went into the national parade and out to see Arlington Cemetery.  We celebrated veterans and the sacrifices they made to made to keep our land free.

For most of my life, I thought Memorial Day was about your ancestors.  We spent the day visiting the graves of our beloved family members.  In my family, we tell stories.  If any of you knew Grandpa Dave, you would know this, because he was the best storyteller of all.  We would sit around the dinner table and eat a beautiful Sunday meal (because Great Grandpa Hiss said that there would always be plenty of good food on his table after serving in the trenches in WWI) and we would tell stories.  Most of them the people we loved, or the town they'd lived in for generations.  Life just isn't like this anymore.  We all live apart and our lives are not so intertwined. 

Grandma Barbara, Mom L. and me.

This year, we spent Memorial Day in Grantsville, in the traditional family way.  We enjoyed a beautiful meal, we told stories, we visited the graves to honor our dead.  We thought of those who were lost and their time with us.  And in a small way, we honored Grantsville too.  They were having a historic home tour and we got to see some beautiful Victorian style homes (who knew Grantsville had those?).

Visiting a historic home with Grandma Barbara and Aunt Mel

Our lunch, with a rack of ribs outside.

We spent time with our family here and past and I loved it.  My little wild man did too, he ran and played with the cousins so much that he fell right asleep at 6:45.  When has that ever happened?

SDL

We took a trip up to Heber's work tonight.  He'd left his phone and we thought we'd make an activity out of it.  We spent the time walking around the grounds and talking about SDL. 

Heb has been working for SDL for over seven years.  He started as a student engineer and moved up to be a full time employee.  It was his first "real" job and has seen us through some really good times.

Heber's first office as a student

Way back in the day as a student employee, 2009

I feel rather nostalgic when we go up there because I spent a summer working there too.  Right before grad school, I put together their 50th Anniversary celebration which was a full day of sky divers, food, bounce houses, kids activities, informational booths and demonstrations as well as tours of the facility.  It is one of those things that I have done that I feel so proud of.  I was so happy with how it all turned out and there aren't all that many experiences in your life where you just feel pleased.  Read all about it here.

We were at a BBQ a few nights ago at my best friend's and we were joking about SDL because Heb works there, I spent a summer there, my best friend had worked there for a couple of years as a receptionist and one of our other friends at the BBQ had worked there as a tech writer.  SDL has played a role in all of our lives. 

In Heb's sun filled office.

Life Lately in May

It's been crazy the past few weeks.  I am running around like crazy and still don't get everything done.  Hopefully no one will remember that there always seemed to be a sink full of dirty dishes and laundry yet to be folded. 

We have been doing some really fun things lately.  I signed Leo up for a music class and he and Amy have really enjoyed it.  Amy will quietly watch the whole hour.  Leo thinks we are going to music class every time we leave the house.  He likes it and calls it "moo-sic class."  Last week, I was driving over to my dance class to meet Heber and trade the kids.  Leo thought we were going to music class and was distraught when he couldn't go in.  They came in to watch my dance class for a few minutes to calm him down.  He kept pointing and saying, "that's my mom!"  I will hear him singing the songs all week.  

It was my dance recital a month ago.  It went well, with my class performing the best they had ever done.  Heber, who had spent the whole week in DC, wasn't able to make it so Amy got to hang out with me that evening.  My best friend Tami (and her family!!) made it out.  I was so surprised to have her walk up afterward.  She is a good friend.

We officially have a little red haired baby and it makes me happy.  She is so fun right now.  She is batting at toys and exploring.  She likes to chew on everything.  She's been sleeping through the night. 

 Our activity of choice lately has been going on walks.  We've especially liked going out to the River Trail.  Logan doesn't really have a lot of trees but this trail does.  It reminds me of one of our Virginia trails with tall trees and water.   

Heb has been hard at work in the shop, building out molding on our windows. Anything we can do to fancy the place up a bit.  I haven't been out in the glass studio much but I did make these new drawer pulls and am so happy with them. 

The Weekend.....

I am still recovering from this last weekend and it's Tuesday of the next week.  I shall title it, "the wild weekend that didn't end until Wednesday."  This is going to be a "what I did this weekend" post.  Usually I am not a proponent of these but this was one wild weekend. 

It was Mother's Day.  I love this holiday.  (Let's be honest, what holiday don't I love?  Ok, Halloween, St. Patrick's Day...but still).  We tried to celebrate our mothers by spending some time with them.

We took a trip to Hogle Zoo with Heb's parents.  It has been at least 15 years since I've been to that zoo.  It is so different and way better than I expected (it better be at over $15 a ticket).  I love seeing the world through the eyes of Leo.  He is just so joyful and excited about everything.

The highlight was that Heb and I went on a date.  We have been going to Trolley Square together since even before we were married.  We love the Tabula Rasa store (so awesome! But so not kid friendly).  We wandered around the beautiful stationary and Heb dreamed about fountain pens.  It's so nice to have a minute together alone.

Heb flew out early Sunday morning after a very eventful night (Leo was up screaming and I didn't blame him on this one.  I would have screamed for an hour too.).  Heb flew to a destination that shall not be named (you can't get all the details on the blog.  You do have to talk to me too).  I celebrated Mother's Day with Amy screaming bloody murder in church and other times during the day too.  I did get to visit with my extended family.  I am always in awe of my family, especially my Aunt Mel.  She surprises me every time I talk to her.

My first mother's day gift from Leo. 

Monday I gathered the kids and we went to Park City to shop.  Logan is notoriously hard to shop and find things.  We just don't have as many stores as I'd like.  Ah, Park City.  I love you.  Amy blew right out of her outfit and I had to actually bundle her up, take her to a store and buy a whole new outfit. We ended up shopping all day.

Heber was supposed to be home on Monday but his flight was delayed, and delayed and then he ended up in Dallas.  Note to self, avoid the Dallas Airport like the plague.  It is apparently notorious for delays.  He did snag his own cot and spent yet another night with no sleep.

I finally got Heber picked up at the airport at noon the next day.  Poor guy looked like he hadn't slept  in days and smelled even worse.  He slept all the way home and into the evening.

So, there you have it.  Crazy.  Weekend.   

Thoughts on Moving and Hope

We have spent the last year almost completely consumed with moving.  We were either trying to decide what to do, planning and preparing for a move, actually moving with the packing/moving of boxes, unpacking and putting things away and then talking about what the next step should be. 

I'm so tired of thinking/talking about it.  Can't we just be done with it already? 

Moving is emotionally and physically draining.  On one end you're trying to say goodbye on the other, the real work starts of building a new life.  Making new friends, finding activities and figuring the new area out.  Moving has been full of deep learning experiences, but maybe I'm ready for life to just be a little easier for a while. 


We went on a walk last week and Heb and I had a discussion about Abraham Lincoln.  (Completely beside the point, but did you know that Lincoln had a copy of the Book of Mormon checked out from the Library of Congress for months until right after the Emancipation Proclamation?)  It had been ages since we've talked about something other than a) moving and all the stuff that goes with it b) kids c) logistics d) Cub Scouts (I kid you not).  I think those things have just been so all consuming. 

I'm so ready to be settled into a place that we can really call home.  It's not that we don't have the means or capacity, its just trying to determine where we want our life to be and how we want to live it.  These are questions that have to be answered thoughtfully. 

At this moment, I'm thinking about hope.  We heard a talk in church today about hope, that it's optimism and trust in God.  For me, hope is signing up for music class, hope is moving forward and making new friends.  Hope is believing that God will answer our prayers because He has before.  So for now, I'm filled with hope.  It's all going to work out.

And, in all the craziness of life decisions, I can't help but be grateful for our life.  Even in uncertainty, it's pretty good.

Super Leo!  Doesn't this just make you smile?

Nature and a Perfect Day

I loved today.  It was one of those perfect weather days, not too cold, not too hot.  We went up to the Stokes Nature Center in Logan Canyon to our Parent and tot class.  I was just basking in the green growing everywhere, the sound of the river and watching my boy throw rocks like a champ.  It was so peaceful.

We have to hike up a short trail to get to the center.  Over the past couple of months, I have watched the trees bud and then grow into leaves.  The world went from cold and brown to leafy green.  I don't think I ever paid attention to stuff like that before.  Now, Leo and I stop and examine the butterfly flying among purple flowers or to talk about dandelions. And meeting some new buddies to throw rocks in the river isn't too bad either.

I never thought I would be one of those people who signed up for a bunch of classes.  I'm more of a "let your child play and explore" kind of person but I have been so happy with this little class.  That and it was time that we met more people with kids Leo's age. 

Leo and his rainbow project.

We met up with Heber at Hydro Park (the one where we got engaged) to have lunch together.  I told him that I refused to go inside on such a perfect day.  After our long, cold winter, we have to appreciate this little window of good weather.

Shaved Ice

Our favorite shaved ice shack opened up this week.  We, of course, went as soon as we heard.  I guess everybody else in town knows it's the best because we had to wait in line for a good half hour.  But it was totally worth it.  

I got my favorite, red raspberry.  I'm a fan of red.  Heber got peach with ice cream and Leo got orange.  It was gone in about two minutes.  He really is my son. 

It's been interesting experiencing some things that we loved about Logan with our kids.  Summer really is the best time here.  I'm looking forward to free concerts at the Tabernacle, picnics in Hydro Park, the farmers market and yes, many many more snow cones to come!  I may even branch out and get a different kind.  Nah, don't mess with perfection.