Local Tourist

Sometimes I forget how lucky we are to live in such a lovely area. I take for granted that just a few minutes drive away is the Snake River Canyon. You know, the one that Evil Knevil tried to jump, but missed. We spend quite a bit of time there as a family. It's a major attraction for tourists coming through the area, but most of the time we get to have it all to ourselves. Especially if we time it right.

(The Perrine Bridge that spans the canyon)

(The water that falls out of the rocks above the cayon. A little bit over exposed so I tried to fix it.)

(More of the falling water)

On non~hurried days, we like to take a lunch down into the canyon and play at Centennial Park. It's one of the kids' favorite things to do.

(Ally finally mastered the monkey bars)

(Give him something to climb and he's off.)

I guess we figure that since we live here, we'll go someday. We still haven't been to the City of Rocks. But we love Shoshone Falls and go there often as well. Fall is my favorite time to go visit these places since most of the visitors have gone home.

Do you have somewhere that you love to visit? Tell me about it so I can come and see.

Turn Your Face to Heaven

I sat down to write a a new blog a few days ago. I typed out a couple of sentences, but after thinking about the things I wanted to say, I deleted them. Deciding that some things were too personal to share.

But here I am now, wanting to share with you the other thoughts that have been in my head begging to be released.

Over the past two Sunday's or so, we have had lessons on adversity. Our Sunday School lesson focused on it two weeks ago. Our talks in Sacrament Meeting visited the subject again today.

If you will, let me share my own ideas. My thoughts on the subject are this:

I picture myself standing next to the Savior at the end of my life. We review my life together and hopefully I don't get into too much trouble. I've pictured this scenario in my mind a few times. When the Savior turns to me and says "Well Amanda, how do you think you did? Tell me what you learned". I don't want to look back on my life and say...."That was a breeze. I got everything I wanted, didn't shed a tear, was never lonely and just plain had a good time".

Instead I hope to honestly say, "There were times when I didn't think I would make it. The world was pressing down on me so forcefully that I thought I would drown in the turmoil. But when I was pressed down, I found myself on my knees, and that's when You were beside me. There were times when I felt alone, but then when I asked You to, You came to me. I felt sadness only to recognize it's opposite in Joy! I learned so much through my trials, they brought me closer to You and the Father. I learned to have faith and trust in Thee. "

In this months Ensign there is an article about Joseph Smith's time in Liberty Jail. Midway through the article written by Elder Holland, there is this quote:

"..when we promise to follow the Savior, to walk in His footsteps, and be His disciples, we are promising to go where that divine path leads us. And the path of salvation has always led one way or another through Gethsemane. So if the Savior faced such injustices and discouragements, such persecutions, unrighteousness, and suffering we cannot expect that we are not going to face some of that if we still intend to call ourselves His true disciples and faithful followers."

Each of us at some point will face our own personal Gethsemane. Every picture that portrays the Savior in Gethsemane, shows Him with His face turned toward heaven. As our example in all things, He gives us the key to enduring and overcoming our own trials. It is to turn our faces from to world and look to heaven as our source of strength.

I'm getting better at it, but I still have a lot to learn!

Smelling Roses

Is life speeding by for anyone besides me?

I find myself saying over and over again, "where does the time go?"

The kids are growing up. Their activities keep me in constant fast forward.

I haven't blogged in awhile because I really don't know what to blog about. When I am running like I have been it isn't conducive to quiet moments of reflection.

But within the constant movement there are moments, however small, that remind me why I'm here.

A tug on the heartstrings because of a talk in church.

A quiet whispering that brings comfort.

Prayers that are answered by a loving Father.

And then there are the reminders to open my eyes and see the world around me. This lovely world that was created for us.

The other day as I was walking into the dentist office I noticed a rose bush growing by the door (how could I not notice it? It was taller than me). On the impulse of the moment, I gently cupped one of the open buds, leaned in, put my nose next to the soft petals and inhaled the sweet fragrance of summer.

It didn't' occur to me until a few days later that I had actually stopped to smell the roses.

Hmm imagine that.

Eternity's Promise

The first memory I have of my husband was when I was five years old. I was sitting on the bus in my green dress. I didn't get to wear dresses to school very often (in fact I can only remember two instances) because I was so rambuncious. My mom just knew I would be turning cartwheels all over the lawn and the playground, and she was right. So before I was even allowed out of the house I had to give my solemn oath that I wouldn't climb monkey bars, turn cartwheels, swing high in the swings or chase the boys (the last part was a required promise any time I walked out the door). I remember sitting on the bus being my most lady like self when Larry walked by. I had many thoughts at the time in my five year old brain like "He's cute" "He's such an older boy" " I wonder if he likes my dress". I remember these thoughts so clearly probably because it was such a momentous day for me, wearing the dress. I remember the boy, blonde and quiet. He really was a handsome boy.

My next recollection is of the boy every one talked about. The information was whispered and tragic. So sick, would he die? His poor family. "What does he have Mom?" "I can't remember the name of it. It's something very rare."

And then the blonde boy again, a few years later. Riding his green motorcycle. Would he take me for a ride if I asked? I wondered.

As a young woman at a dance Vickie says "he's so cute...you just have to get a look at him". Dressed in his California style I was a little put off. Christmas caroling at his grandparents house, standing in the back, again, the cute boy with the blonde hair, the motorcycles, the illness no one dared mention.

A couple of years later, a first date, a tender kiss. My earth shook, was tipped off balance, and forever changed when I looked into his eyes and saw eternity.

Camping~Beck Family Style

For a few summers now we've been promising the kids that we would take them camping. Spring comes, the anticipation builds. Summer comes, the hay grows and needs cut, the corn grows and has to be chopped. A few swimming excursions at the YMCA, weed the garden, mow the lawn, summer turns into fall and we say again, maybe next year.

I couldn't stand the thought of another summer going by without the long awaited for family camping trip. So I enlisted the help of Ramona. She was game to go, was excited and for some reason, I couldn't let her down. (Maybe it was the taunting, "oh you won't really go" or "you wouldn't last one night without the camper" "you're too high maintenance". For future reference, don't give me a good challenge unless you plan on my winning.)

So for two nights in a row, we braved the elements, fought with faulty mattresses (okay, I'll camp, but not if I have to sleep on the ground, hence the air mattress), killed spiders on our chairs and chased a hungry skunk from our campsite. Courtney only threw up once due to her intense nervousness from the lighting and thunderstorm wailing over head. Our tent, although bent nearly parallel to the ground a few times from the wind storm, survived and provided adequate shelter from the rain that came later the second night.

Larry and Braden at the "dinner table/kitchen area"

Ally, Adam and the back of Devan's head after a long day of swimming.

Samantha, Mona, and Jenna, relaxing before the worst part of the storm hit



The clouds are rolling in

I guess these pictures don't do the waves justice, they were rolling in like we were at the ocean instead of our little lake in Idaho. The spray was blowing at us causing us to close the tents down so we wouldn't all get wet.

We had so much fun swimming for two days. The water was so warm it was like a bathtub. A few family members came to swim but didn't stay the night with us (wimps).

I would totally do it again next year.....I just need to get a new air mattress first.

Driving Lessons

This is Gabby at two years old. This is Gabby driving my car.
This is Gabby in my mind.

Consequently this is me while she drives....

I know, I know! It's not fair to her that she is perpetually two years old in my mind. Especially since she is so mature and handles life with such grace. But this driving thing has seriously tweaked my insides.

Maybe it's because I remember being fifteen and how fast I drove. I actually used to drag race through town with Jason and along the highway with Dusty. AAhhhhhh! I would kill my daughter if she did that!

Maybe it's because I have been in nine car accidents since and know how fast things can happen. When I was fifteen I had NO idea that a car accident would happen to ME! Let alone nine of them!

Or maybe it's because this means I have only three years with Gabby still at home. After that, she gets to pursue her life. Independence and college. She'll leave the shelter of my wings and start to build her own nest. These driving lessons are only the beginning.

I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Becoming

The other day while reading an article in the Ensign, I came across a quote in the footnote. It was an interesting thought that I have been mulling over since. I wanted to share it with you but I won't add my usual commentary in the hope that you will think about it too and apply your own thoughts to it.

"The final judgement is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts--what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts--what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made to some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."

Dallin H. Oaks

Four Going on Eight

One of the reasons I like keeping a blog is that I get to write down the fun things that happen on a day to day basis. The things the kids say and do that unless recorded will be lost in the busy-ness of life. Like this one time Gabby was totally...oh wait, I didn't write it down so I forgot.

These days are too precious to be lost. I would freeze time if it were up to me and keep my kids forever. I like the age Braden turned today. Four. He's old enough to do so many things for himself and yet still needs mom for hugs and kisses and to pick him up when he gets hurt.

Even still, he's independent enough to make rational decisions for himself. Take for example the other day. Braden has many trucks and loaders that he loves to play with. He only has one problem. There is no dirt to play in. No earth to move, load in the truck or make roads out of. The ground around our house is either covered in grass, flowers, weeds or rocks. Using his four year old little brain Braden came up with a seemingly obvious solution. You know those flowers mom has planted in the flower bed? Well, they were covering a whole boatload of perfectly good dirt so why not pluck the flowers from the ground and run my tractors over the roots? Problem Solved.


When asked today how old he was he kept saying "eight". Is this his subtle way of reminding mom that her last baby is going to grow up WAAAY too fast? Do you think he'll be embarrassed if his mom shadows him to school offering to wipe his nose for him.......when he's seventeen?

Where does the time go? Braden at five months

And tonight right before bed. I asked him to hold still for a picture so I could post it on my blog. Do you know that four year old little boys don't actually HOLD still?

I mean never.

Not even for a second.

(Yes really, I'm pretty sure they don't even hold still while they are sleeping).

It took about eight takes but we finally got this cute one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHORTY

Slow down will ya?

~Walmart Anxiety~

Maybe you heard about it on the news. It was the big story around town and the irony alone may have meritted international attention but just in case you haven't heard, I'll make the announcement.

~News Flash~

Twin Falls Opens a New Walmart!

So you're saying big deal, right? Who cares? There's a new Walmart opening somewhere in the world every ten minutes.

( I made that statistic up so don't drive yourself crazy trying to google it).

So what IS the big deal?

The big deal is this. Twin Falls didn't want a Walmart. (~Collective Gasp~) They fought tooth and nail to keep it from coming into their town.

Well, why didn't Twin Falls want this super~savior from high retail to come to town? Because, Twin is an interesting little city. Trying to maintain it's small town feel and at the same time hoping to offer it's residents some options.

Take for instance the fact that we don't have a Red Lobster....that's a problem for me. I LOVE

Red Lobster! I think it was about a year ago that I read in the Times-News that the city had X number of liquor licenses that they were willing to distribute to restaurants and businesses and that number had been used up. Since most restaurants won't open without a liquor license I am sad to report that we won't be getting a Red Lobster anytime soon . A side effect of living in a little big city

Back to Walmart. When the city council of Twin Falls denied Walmart's bid to build a store in their community, I'm sure the retail giant was a little bit stumped. I mean, who wouldn't want low prices and great deals on their doorstep? Twin Falls city council that's who. I for one already have two Walmarts within driving distance. One in Burley, fifteen minutes away and one in Jerome, forty minutes away (that's only a ten minute drive from Twin for those folks) so this decision didn't really affect me. But Twin Falls in it's careful consideration of this proposal decided that to give it's already established retail giants (Target, Kmart, Fred Meyer) a chance to keep their head above water they would reject the bid. And did for four years. Then Walmart came in and promised to pay millions of dollars in taxes the first month alone and wal~la Twin Falls opened it's new Walmart in June! Money talks folks.

For over a month I have avoided the giant of a shopping center. Home Depot, Sportsmans Warehouse, JC Penny, Albertsons and your local Garden Center all rolled into one. I avoided the crowds that exploded at the grand opening, the parking two blocks away just for the opportunity to walk to and then through the newly opened store. I haven't been very concerned with what the insides of the store look like since I have the philosophy that "if you've seen one, you've seen them all". Until today. Today I was on a mission. The mission of any mother who loves her children and wants to give them the things that will fill their hearts and make them smile. I'm talking about birthday presents (you thought I meant love and tenderness didn't you?) This morning I was on the hunt for Bradens much wanted Spider Man bike.

I knew that Walmart had it. I saw it in Burley but didn't buy it at the time because I didn't want to try to hide the darn thing for over a week. Since I had to go to Twin to pick his cake up from Winco I decided that I would check the new Walmart.

My first impression of the store was that the parking lot was very nice. The yellow stripes are freshly painted, the handicap parking is clearly marked, the sign on the store says Walmart "Always Low Prices" so you don't forget. I noticed the nicely painted lines on the pavement perhaps because there weren't very many cars in the parking lot. After having been full to overflowing the previous month, the few cars sitting sparsely around gave the eerie impression of a lack of customers. Then, as I am walking through the automatic doors I half expected to see a Walmart greeter standing somewhere nearby. Only to be fully surprised when one nearly jumped out at me from behind the electronic theft protection thingies that are posted at each entrance and said "welcome to Walmart". For some reason this made me feel all jumpy and nervous.

After grabbing my map (yes you need a map in this place) I looked up at the wide isles, concrete floors, high ceilings and scantily populated walkways and felt distinctly anxious. The store was big, huge, and otherwise enormous. How was I ever going to find anything in there? You could run a marathon inside the store and only have to circle it once. It took me forty five minutes to navigate the store and find the three things on my list. I survived! For that I am grateful. I could still be stuck in there you know. Lost in the toilet paper section, buried under paper towels. I left the store shaking slightly and on the verge of hyperventilating.

Although glad for the experience I don't know if I will ever go back. I seem to be a creature of habit more than I supposed. I like the narrow isles in Burley's Walmart. It feels more secure to pass someone, maybe brush their shoulder and offer an apologetic, "oops sorry". Some days it's the only human contact I get outside of my family. And I like that I know to the letter where everything is in Winco (I was asked by two different people if I knew where the so and so was at Winco. I just have that look about me, like maybe I've shopped there forever, I guess.) And I like that Target has everything that I can't get at Winco and Cute Shoes too!

For now they can keep their Super Walmart, and who knows, maybe one day when I'm hopped up on Zoloft I might decide to go back.

Bloggers Guilt

I have a confession to make.

I feel guilty when I don't blog for awhile.

That's all I need in my life....one more thing to feel guilty about!

I don't know why but the ideas aren't flowing in my head the way they have for the last few blogs. Maybe it's because we've been sick, out of town, and generally out of sorts (not really but it went with the out of town bit).

I don't want my blogging to go the way of many of my newfound interests. I genuinely enjoy writing about my life (self-centered? maybe). Sitting at the computer and thinking about what I might write gives me some much needed time for reflection. Maybe I have writers block.

Larry mentioned today that I should write a book. It was very flattering that he thought I might have some talent in that area. I have been tooling around in my mind some ideas for a childrens book and a novel but they are a little ways off. I have to organize my thoughts first.

Stumbling, stumbling through this post I realize what it is that I might need right now.....

I'm going to go take a nap!