Joy In The Journey

Taylor and Mom

1998

Today marks the 16th anniversary of my baptism. This has caused me to reflect on the growth I have had not only in the church, but as an individual. When Doug and I started medical school, I had a one year old baby. I remember feeling alone for that first year. Really alone. I was 1400 miles away from any family members and didn't know a single soul. Upon arrival, I did meet a lovely group of friends, but none of them had kids. Therefore, much of the time I felt sorry for myself that I couldn't just "drop" everything and go out with them. It was a time in my life I wanted to be part of that in group and my situation was hindering me from it. I can look back at that time in my life and I remember it being hard. Truthfully the only reason that first year of medical school was so horrible in my eyes was due to my attitude. Instead of looking at my situation. (i.e. having a big brown eyed sweet healthy little girl) I chose to look at my glass being half empty.

Chanel, Me, and Allison

It wasn't until about a year later when my dear friend Chanel moved in next door that I realized life was too short to sulk about silly things. Afterall, I had a healthy daughter and was pregnant with a sweet baby boy! I think what helped me the most was she too had a little girl (a year younger than Taylor) and we hit it off from the get go. We took up photography, quilting, took our kids to the park, swapped kids, had several family "waffle" dinners together, and stayed up late eating popcorn watching CSI while our husbands would study (thank goodness for baby monitors). The remainder of the 3 years of medical school ended up being some of my most treasured, memorable times in my life. The day I pulled out of New Orleans, Louisiana, I cried and sobbed for a good week. I not only left dear friends behind, but was also closing that part of my book and had to proceed forward.

Jared and Taylor

2004

Moving to San Antonio for residency, I was scared. Essentially, my comfort zone had been pulled from under me and I again had to make new friends. This time I had Taylor who was 4 and Jared who had just turned 2. The first year was hard. No surprise there right? Doug went from studying at home in our office, to literally not around at all. If he was, the poor guy was so exhausted he was falling asleep on the couch within minutes. I remember trying to fit in with some of the girls in church, because we all know that trying to barge in on a group, well it's never easy. I managed to quickly become aquainted, but still felt like I didn't fit in. Luckily, I met Angie who lived down the street from me and happened to have 2 little kids the same age as mine. I really believe that Heavenly Father knew I needed her because once we found one another we became fast friends and inseparable for 6 years.

Jen and Ang

Weekly Date Night

Like Chanel, Angie became my partner in crime, and my go to buddy. Because her husband Greg was a year ahead of Doug in the Orthopedic program, we turned to them for all advice. We survived 5 years of residency, an extra year of fellowship together along two more pregnancies each. When I look back at all of it, there isn't a single moment I wouldn't change. Was it tought? Sure. Doug and I probably had some of the hardest financial moments in our marriage during that time. It was stressful because he was striving to be the best doctor he could, soaking in all knowlege, not to mention impress all attendings. This inevitably left me a single parent a lot of the time and in return rely on the gospel in our life. I think this allowed me to absorb myself in my role as a mother, learn what it takes to be a supportive wife as well as a good friend. We closed our chapter nearly 2 years ago in San Antonio. On one hand it seems like just yesterday, but on the other it seems like an eternity ago.

Doug, Jenny, Angie and Greg

We picked up and moved our family in 2008 to Chandler, AZ. I remember crying and sobbing again as we left that state line of Texas. I wanted so badly to take my dear friend Angie and her family with us to Arizona. But, I knew that wasn't the path that either of us were supposed to take. We were excited to finally be back by family, but I also knew it was going to be hard work on my part to make that transition to a new place. The repeat pattern continues as I was in that place where I had to "sell" myself and make new friends. So, what did I do? I reached out and made extreme efforts to meet people. I showed up a book clubs (despite not liking to read). I attended relief society functions, ward parties and got nerve to call a few women I thought may have things in common with me. And I didn't just call them once, it was numerous times before that friendship was reciprocated. It took about a year before I really felt comfortable and that I had friends I could rely on, just like I could my Chanel and my Angie.

Luke potty training

I am not sure if it is the knowledge I have gained over the years or lots of practice, but I have learned to look at things with a grain of salt. Doug's famous quote and motto has always been, "happiness is not found at the end of the road, but along the way." Over the years I have been blessed to be able to latch on if you will to a friend to help me get through the times I couldn't on my own. Each chapter has had it's own set of challenges. Being a young mother with small children, going through the newborn stage (which was always my favorite), sleep deprivation, potty training, having two kids in diapers, whining, tantrums......the list goes on and on.

Weston

2006

Despite having my kids ALL in school now I still struggle with everyday things. For example, trying to parent a teenager without hoovering over her like a helicopter. Letting her make her own choices and telling myself that she is quite capable of making WISE decisions on her own without me telling her. Not letting my 3rd child's everyday tantrums crawl under my skin, making time to read my scriptures, serve others, excetra, excetra.....

Minnie, Tiffany, Jenny, Amber and Marisol

I have a new group I have seemed to create or "barge" in, now here in Chandler. I like to call them my very own personal consultants. We lift each other up with suggestions on how to become better, stronger women. I'll admit, most of them I run with, which works out well when you need a LONG therapy session. However, I have a few close friends I serve with, or are mother's to my children's friends. Have they replaced my oldest dearest friends? Of course not. That is where, phone, internet and planes come in handy.

Congress St. Bat Caves

2006

Looking back over these past few years, I definitely feel that there has been a time and season for each trial and event I have encountered. Each one has made me into the person I am today. I started motherhood at the age of 21. I vividly remember longing for the day for all of them to be in school. It's never easy to tow 4 small children to the grocery store. Sometimes even running small errands became much like nails on a chalkboard. However, now that my kids are essentially easier to take the store, we can no longer just pick up and head out on a family vacation. I do miss that luxury.

August 2010

Roaring Fork

I am not sure if it's my age or the knowledge I have now, but I really love when my family has time together. It comes rarely these days due to sports, piano, scouts, and schedules. If I could freeze time right now, I would in a heartbeat. If I would offer any advice to my friends, family, and children it would be to LOVE the moment you are in. In other words, find joy in YOUR personal journey, life truely is too short not too.

Dear Legs,

It's been a long hot summer here in Arizona. Miserably hot! You have definitely taken a beating in the most extreme way. You didn't ask for the constant pounding I give you on a daily basis. I can't help but express my gratitude to the both of you. (left and right) You have carried me from the 2nd week in July (10 weeks to be exact) until the present day without any complaints. Just occasional grumpiness now and again to let me know you are sore and tired, but overall no whining has occurred.

My UGLY feet. Ick!

Left and right toes have expressed their frustration by abandoning 4 of their toenails. That's okay. A minor hiccup I can deal with, although the "toad ogar like" appearance isn't too attractive and pedicures are embarrasing.

I didn't realize how painful this was until I tried it for 5 minutes!

I have tried keeping you content by feeding you glucosomine, giving you ice baths and allowing you to stretch, oh, and appropriate rest. That is important too, but sometimes hard, because I don't realize you have been over worked.... We are going on week 11 of training together and you have not only carried me through several miles (120ish or so to be exact), but sprinted when I gave you fuel (aka chocolate gu) and have done your fair share of hills. Just a few more weeks of 3am rising, I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just pray we can both hold on for 4 more weeks and keep the rest of your neighbors happy (like hips, knees, and glutes). Thanks for being a part of me, I honestly don't know what I would do without you. I feel extremely blessed to have you attached to me.

Love, Me

xoxox

Kings Football

We switched leagues AGAIN this year and were hopeful that 3's a charm for football. It began back on August 2nd. TWO weeks of practice everyday in the heat. I am still amazed these boys want to play the game. I have decided I am a much better cheerleader, because this year the mom's actually got to learn the game as well. 16 women (mom's) came together and a powder puff team was created.

King Momma's

Believe it or not we tried out to be on teams. And there were some HIGHLY competitive ladies. I ended up on the "red" team that was coached by Oliver. We labeled ourselves the "Hot Team-Ollie's" (clever eh?) We basically got a crash course on how to play football, practicing 4 straight days at 2 hours each. What did I learn? A little bit of the rules...AND that I am not cut out for contact sports. These women were tough! Not to mention feisty. The first play of the game one of our teammates had to get stitches!

If you couldn't tell, this was serious business, Coach Ollie giving us our next play of the game.

But, in the end we were ALL superstars!! However, for the record I still beat Heather!

My Personal Challenge

I think most of us know that we can accomplish anything we really put our mind too. Some things require a little more effort or practice, but in the end it CAN be done. A few months ago we challenged Taylor to finish her Book of Mormon by the time her braces came off. She had gotten over half way and stopped during the school year and lost all motivation. 7 days prior to getting them off she still hadn't gotten any further than before. That is when I intervened and offered that I too would take the challenge to finish the book in 7 days. Remember she was over half way and I hadn't even begun.....did I mention I am NOT a reader?

We shook on it and my reading began. At first as I went through the "familiar" chapters about Nephi and his brothers murmuring, Lehi's dream...you know the stuff I think we all start each time we have a goal. I would sometimes read through the chapters with just my scriptures, then I really got into listening and following along on my ipod. Each spare moment I had, my skull candy plugs were in my ears listening to the strong powerful voice of the man (unknown to me). It's a powerful voice though, and he does really use intensity on those repentance verses! It became a story that intrigued me and believe it or not I listened to 6.5 hours of it in the car on my way to California. I saw the patterns of good, then wicked, repentance, and then good again. I ended up finishing my last page on the beach in Carlsbad. And I can't help but say it actually increased my testimony. I am embarrased to admit, but that is the 2nd time since I was baptized I actually started it from start to finish. It gave me a better understanding how important it is to feast yourself on the word of God and how fast we can get wrapped up in worldly things and possessions.

Being a convert to the church, I am coming up on my 15th anniversary. Crazy how fast it has gone. I hope to read it several more times in the next 15 years and even become more knowledgeable and get a better understanding of it. For the record, Taylor too finished the Sunday before her braces came off. I am not sure, if she finished it to get them off or just knowing I caught up to her determined her to finish. Nevertheless, it was such a great experience and I am proud to say I took the challenge!

Arrow of Light

Jared started out at football and quickly had to change gears into his scouting uniform. It was a big night for him. He not only received his Weeblo with 4 of his buddies.......

Logan, Keston, Ryker, and Jared

Following his dads footsteps, Jared earned his highest award in cubscouting, the arrow of light. This is the only award he will be able to carry onto his new official boy scout uniform. The ceremony was actually quite neat. There were 6 other boys who received this award along with him.

The scouting organization came out and provided us with a ceremony, fire and all!

They each got to light their torch.

This means he is now officially on the trail to working toward the eagles's nest.

Way to go Jared, we are so proud of you!!

Spicing Up Our Cabin Trip

The kids enjoying their electronics for the ride.

We left early Saturday morning and headed straight up to our destination for the day, Blue Ridge reservior just a few miles north our cabin in Strawberry. Dean graciously towed all 6 canoes so we could enjoy a day of paddling, picknicking and cool refreshing water.

We arrived around noon and really you couldn't have asked for nicer weather. It was sunny, warm, with a few fluffy white clouds. Until.....we all got situated. We began to canoe and I felt large drops upon my head. No big deal right? Wrong. Those innocent droplets of water soon became what I would like to call a monsoon storm. It POURED. Literally.

With a total of 19 family members, there were 3-4 of us in each of the canoes. Unfortunately, Glenn's canoe capsized along with Jared and Aubrey inside. It was a little tricky trying to flip it back over, but once we were able to get his crew back in the boat we headed for any type of shelter. Freezing and hungry we decided to park and hoped the rain would pass.

Makayla and Haleigh

It did pass for a bit....but that didn't help us warm up any. We made the executive decision to head back to the car and up to the cabin. We may have not of fully enjoyed the canoe outing, but can chalk it up to a funny, family experience. Luckily, we all paddled safely back to the dock because it began to lightning.... Not very safe, especially on a lake AND in an aluminum canoe.

I have to say I was extremely happy when I got to the car and was able to get some dry warm clothes on. I was much happier taking the rain photos from inside rather than out. Ha.

Sunday wouldn't be a Sunday without attending good old 9am Pine ward. I had intentions on skipping out, however ah em my husband decided to use love and logic with me. Did it work? Yes, I felt extremely guilty and went to church in my SHORTS mind you (since I wasn't prepared). Jen had a great idea that we should go on a family outing, not only to prevent obsessive eating at the cabin (which happens each time), but to explore the surrounding areas. We decided Tonto Natural Bridge was a place we could check out. The best part, it was only 15 minutes away.

It was about a 1/4 mile hike down into the big opening. All the kids did really well considering

how steep it was. Also, it was surprisingly crowded, who knew the natural bridge would be such

a popular location.

The view from the inside. Pretty amazing.

Doug and I at the bottom

This was the lovely water we were misted by underneath. By the time we hiked back to the top it was time to head back and eat dinner.

Jen, Kathy, and Jenny

Dinner required walking off ALL of the delicious food that we inhaled.

The bonus, watching the sunset.

......followed by a night sitting and chatting around the camp fire.

and smores of course!

Doug and Grandpa Dale deep in conversation.

Last, but not least cute Jordan and Taylor seemed to keep themselves entertained and amused with my camera and took a ton of photos that included this video, which I found funny.

All Aboard

Because their mine I can justify hopping fences just to get the shot I have envisioned in my head. Okay, so we did end up with a few cuts and scratches from the fence.....shhhhh don't tell.

Most people ask me how I get my own to pose. To be honest, I never really position them, just follow them around and let them choose. This is the ONLY way in my opinion.

I remember being in junior high self conscious of how I looked and I was even guility of doing the famous head tilt. Everytime I suggested to straighten her head it always seemed to fall back to this position. But, really I did capture what I wanted. Her gorgeous smile and how confident she is in her skin. Something every 13 year old girl should be.

In all honesty, there was gnashing of teeth and fighting over which train they wanted. (there was literally every color to pick from.....so cool). Not to mention the famous whine and

"are we done yet???" My only request, act like you like one another and smile.

Jared chose this one.

This one happens to be my favorite, so happy to be their momma!

xoxox mom