Dartmouth ward

They last few years our primary has a water activity to celebrate the start of school. It took a while getting the water started. The Ramada spicket didn’t work so they had to hook up with the cleaning supply water line. Once it worked fun was had by all. Popsicles included!

I didn’t stay the whole time but this was actually our last activity in Dartmouth ward. Yesterday we had a realignment approved by the first presidency and now we’re in Fountain ward. We were the only two wards that changed. So a chunk of our ward got moved to Fountain ward and a chunk of Fountain ward got moved to Dartmouth. 

Definitely bitter sweet. Andrew was 1st counselor in the Dartmouth bishopric and now he’s 1st counselor in Fountain bishopric. We were in Dartmouth ward (previously Lazona) for 15 1/2 years so this is a big change.

I know these changes are inspired by Heavenly Father and I look forward to getting to know and serve new people and have amazing experiences in Fountain ward. God is good.

 

Utah girls trip

Three weeks ago I got to fly to Utah on a girls trip. It was the first time I’ve done a trip like this and it was so special. 

Mom flew in on Thursday and picked up Sara, Ruth, and I from the Provo airport. We went to the Provo City Center Temple for a session, my first time in that temple.

That night we had pizza with the Johnson’s family and got to see Louise’s play Gerd & the Goose. It was wonderful and I’m proud of Louise and the Johnson family with all the time and work they put into it. There was so much talent that made it all work.

Such a beautiful temple! The old Provo temple is completely demolished so not an option for temple work right now. It’s always nice visiting a new one and this temple is pretty unique.

On Saturday before flying out of the Salt Lake airport we went to temple square. The church history museum was pretty cool and my first time there. There was a temporary exhibit with Minerva Teichart paintings. Very beautiful.

All that scaffolding was a sight to see!

Mom, Sara, Ruth and I got flowers for Louise for all her talent and hard work.

I got to cut and braid Odesa and Hazel’s hair. They look beautiful. I love doing hair.

These pictures are out of order but Saturday morning we joined the Johnson family for a ward service activity at the park near their house.

Here’s Steven as Conrad the goose boy. He did a great job and was even funny at times! Hazel also has a short scene.

Stanley and the kids worked concessions.

 I hope Louise does another summer production so I can bring the family next time.

Last summer practice

This June we started our pre season cross country practices. By we I mean Sally Johnson and me. Sally is the head junior high cross country coach for Heritage Academy and I’m the assistant coach. This will be our third year coaching together! Avery and Ella (Sally’s daughter) were on our team the first year before they moved up to high school. Ben Johnson joined the team last year and will be again this year, and Zara moved up to Heritage and will be on the team this year. So excited for this season ahead. For summer practices Rupert came to many, and we’ve had more younger siblings join practice this summer than other years. So fun!

We started summer practices weeks ago and it’s been so good getting to know a lot of new runners, build endurance, play some games, do speed work and last Friday was our last summer practice. School starts on Tuesday, July 30 and we had our last practice at Sally’s where we did the same 2 mile loop we always do and had snow cones afterwards. I also brought pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. 

Sally and I already got the schedule for our meets this season, all in September and October, so we have a month to get all our runners ready. We totally have this!

Every year we have an amazing team, but it’s feels different each year as we gain new runners and loose some. Different personalities effecting the few of the team each year. I have a good feeling about this year’s team!

 

Go Heroes!

 

life lately

Last Saturday Andrew and I took Zara and Rupert to the batting cages for the first time.  We did slow pitch softball and of all the dozen coins I used only one.  They kept asking to go again so it was a success.  Beatrix even tried a little with Andrew's help part of of the time but she's not quire ready.

That morning Elliot returned from a week in Hawaii!  He went on a school trip and even got to spend time with the Manning family at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  Lucky guy.  It's so beautiful there.  He went with the jazz band but Heritage also had scholars form orchestra, piano, dance, and choir.

On the first day of spring Dairy Queen offers free cones.  This was our first time doing this.  It wasn't even that busy.  We did go right before dinner though. :)

On Saturday we also swam at the Brown's pool.  They are our next door neighbor who let us swim whenever.  We like to swim over spring break for the first time each year.  Yes the water was cold but Rupert and Zara earned a candy bar by jumping off the diving board and getting their whole body wet.  Bea came with us and went in half way which is impressive too.

I got Zara this swimsuit at the end of swum season last year so she is excited to finally be putting it to use.  Last year we were in CA over spring break.  We went to the beach, and yes it was cold, and we went to Disneyland and CA Adventure.  It was the best!  But it was nice keeping things more simple this year.
 

Mesa Half Marathon

 Well, I did it again.  This is my fourth official half marathon, and third at this event.  I also ran the full with this event years ago.  The race finished moved east a little from Mesa Riverview shopping center to the other side of the lake and it worked out great.  The EXPO the day before where you pick up your packet, race bib, and shirt was at the Cubs stadium where this photo is taken.  It was a really cool set up.

Almost as soon as I arrived Nurse Clare came up to say hi.  I haven't seen her since we were in the PICU with Bea almost 6 months ago.  I have so much gratitude for her and the other nurses during that time.

Chris ran the half again this year for his second time and beat last year's time. Always a good feeling.

I ran most of it was Sara again like last year.  This was her second half marathon just like Chris.  We both ran faster than last year as well, with Sara a few minutes ahead both times.  She's so fast at the end when I struggle the most.

Andrew and Beatrix showed up to cheer me at the finish.  They were the best cheerleaders!

As per tradition, the #1 photo. :)

Natalie Hill, a good friend and Andrew's boss's daughter, finished a few minutes ahead of me so I saw her soon after finishing.  It was her PR. 

This was my third fastest half marathon.  I was 1 minutes slower than my second fastest.  My first fastest was the first one I ran with my cousin, Elizabeth Curtis all those years ago at 2:03, and I still hope to beat that time.  Just not this year. :)

Mesa Marathon did a great job with this race.  So professional and fun, plus it's nostalgic running in my home town.  It's definitely not my last.

Beatrix interview

 

On August 7, 2022 around 4pm or so Beatrix was hit by a car in the cross walk going from the Mesa Temple Visitor's Center to the parking lot on the north side on Main street.  It was a life changing and traumatic experience.

There really is so much to say about it but I'll summarize with a link to one of the interviews Chris, my brother, did in our behalf after the accident.  He did a good job.

It'll be 6 months since the accident on Tuesday and last week I was brave and felt prompted to do a followup interview with ABC 15 news.  They did a good job.

I shared more on my Instagram account throughout the experience and came away with a stronger testimony, more compassion for others who go through similar or other traumatic experiences, and ultimately just feel so grateful Beatrix is ok now and we are so blessed.  God is good.

It's an experience you never think will happen to you but it happened to Bea and our family.  We had so many friends, family and strangers reach out in service, love, and prayers.  What a humbling experience.

Annual New Year's hike

 

Most years we try to hike "A" Mountain in Tempe on or around New Year's Day.  Usually my dad joins so I missed him this year since he and mom are on their mission in Pennsylvania.  

Since New Year's Day was on a Sunday this year Monday was a bank holiday.  It was a little strange this year because Andrew didn't have work, and Mesa Public Schools didn't have school including Franklin East where Zara and Rupert go to school.  However Heritage went back to school on Monday so Elliot and Avery weren't home.

Andrew stayed home with Beatrix for this hike since Beatrix is a little young (it's rocky and steep at the top) and Andrew's ankle is healing from an injury.

We invited Elmina and Allen to join so it was a little more fun for Rupert and Zara.  It was the little Opie's first time doing this hike.

I love how this time of the year you can see the wisemen, star of Bethlehem, and a menorah to celebrate the season. I was reading in Matthew 2 about the wisemen and was amazed to be reminded how King Herod questioned the wisemen about when the the star appeared and told them to report back to him where Christ was so he could also worship him.  We know King Herod was wicked and the wisemen had an angel tell them no to return but to go home after seeing Christ.

I also love their example of leaving the comforts of their home to bring precious gifts to he Savior.  It makes me ask what gifts am I giving the Savior and what sacrifices am I making to seek Him and have Him at the center of my life.