Truth.

Here is some brotherly advice I just overheard. I couldnt help but laugh.

Lai: Cole, I am gonna wipe my own bum.

C: just dont get poop on your hand because it smells really bad. You will have to wash your hands a lot cause it takes a long time to get the smell off. 

Sad part is, he knows from experience. He suffered quite a bit when we were on trek!

And since I cant in good conscious leave you with a poop story, i will let you all in another funny kid story. 

We drained the hot tub at the beginning of summer. The other day Z filled it. We were all super excited to climb in last night. As soon as Lai got into the water she exclaimed, "ahhh. This. Is. The. Life."

Truth

Kid rooms

I Love Laila's room. She wanted a ballerina room but I didnt want to go pink. So we went with an aqua/ teal, whatever you want to call it, with pink accents. I especially love the tutu valance that my sister helped me make. Just 22 yards of tulle!

This is my aunt's dresser spruced up a little. 

Now to Cole's room. It was already decorated and he like the motiff so win for me! Z arranged the furniture. I dont love the arrangement but oh well. It works. 

With Joy Wend Your Way

Trek July 10-13, 2013

 

“With Joy Wend Your Way”

 

          Back in November a member of the Stake High Council asked Zack and me to be a “Ma” and “Pa” for trek. While I wanted to throw a book at his face and run from the room screaming “no,” both Zack and I knew that we needed to go on trek. So for 6 months we collected the necessary equipment for our “family.” It was a very stressful time since our leaders were not very organized. They would send us a list of stuff, I would obtain it, just to have them resend a list with completely new items. I even went to Mom’s for her dutch oven. Then they said we needed 2 dutch ovens….one bigger than the other for stacking. The day after we tracked that second one down, we were informed that Bing Canyon was on fire alert so dutch ovens were out of the picture. Ahhh….we ended up using big propane stoves and cooked with our companies instead of families. Anyway, it was really annoying not having a set list. They also kept telling us that we would be getting devotional topics anyday but we didn’t get them til the week before. It really made me worried that trek would bomb.

          Wednesday morning we met at the church in Mt. Vernon. We had to be up at 5am! It was terribly early. We met our 8 “children” and loaded on THE oldest school buses ever. Seriously, these were so old but we were all excited and set to go.

          There were 6 buses that were supposed to caravan together. The first 3 buses took off. The fourth was about a half hour ahead of us. Our bus was in the back. A couple hours into our 6 hour trip to Eastern Washington the bus in front of us overheated. We sat on the buses for awhile until it had cooled down. Half hour later and it happened again. Half hour later we watched from our bus as fluid poured out the back of the other bus. It died on the side of the road. Since we were in the middle of nowhere, a replacement bus was hours away. So they took 3 families (30 people) and added them and their belongings to our bus of 50. We were smooched 3 to a seat with sleeping bags on our laps with no air conditioning. It was awful but the kids were really upbeat. The 4^th bus left its occupants at a rest stop to go back to pick up the remaining 20 people….they ended up with 70 people on their bus. They made it to Bing Canyon with no further incident. We were not that lucky. After cruising for another hour and a half our bus died. Completely. There was a convenient store up the freeway so we unloaded all 80 people and walked along the freeway to the store. You can imagine the looks we got as we walked along in our pioneer clothes! A nice man had seen us and while we had planned to sit outside the store while we waited for a ride, the man went inside the store and explained our situation. They let us all sit inside in their air conditioned building and let us use their water and ice machine and their bathrooms. All the trek parents bought our families treats.

          We were told that it would take 2 hours to get us a bus back and we didn’t want to overwhelm the store employees so we walked up the road to a park to finish our wait. We sat in families and just got to know each other. Eventually the bus came and we crammed in and set off. This bus was more functional but had a malfunction on the back up beeper which went off periodically and wouldn’t turn off unless we went down a hill. It was so annoying. We did make it to our base camp but it was 4 hours late and dark. The kids were in a really good mood the whole time. It was a miracle. We loaded our carts and made our 3 mile hike in half the time they expected. It was almost midnight by the time we made it to camp and then we had to make dinner and set up our tarps.

          That first night we heard thunder and lightning. It was in the distance but close enough to freak one of our girls out. I talked her down and not long after she fell asleep coyotes started howling. The one girl woke up crying and was so freaked out. I kept telling her over and over that it was just bats. Apparently I lie to get kids to sleep at night, mine and others! She calmed down but ended up snuggling up next to me the rest of the short night.

          Day 2 was hot hot hot but we had a great morning. We pushed for 6ish miles and no one complained. We had workshops all afternoon which were kinda boring and they were even worse because of the heat. One of our girls, the one who had a rough night, got heat exhaustion. She had worked really hard during the hike and even gallons and gallons of water didn’t help. She wasn’t able to push the rest of the day. That night we camped on a hill and I figured I wouldn’t sleep much but I was wrong. I slept like a log!

          Day 3 was the women’s pull. It was the first and only time that I was allowed to touch the cart. The youth were supposed to do it all themselves until then. The women’s pull was incredible. The first hill wasn’t too steep but the second was almost straight up and down and very very long. Our 4 girls and myself somehow had enough strength and energy to push that 700 pound cart up the hill without stopping. In fact, we had so many angels helping us that we almost ran into the cart in front of us several times. Our chanting and words of encouragement helped not only us but the cart in front of us as they were struggling.

          At the top of the hill we had a chance to sit with our 8 kids and discuss the experience. I have to say that it was the most spiritual moment of the whole trek. No part of the discussion was forced. It flowed like a normal easy conversation. The spirit was with us and the children all participated.

          Later that day we reached Zion. Let me tell ya, it was Zion! It was completely shaded and there was soft green grass to run in. Because we had arrived several hours ahead of schedule there was lots of free time for games. I am really glad that we made beanbags. We had tons of families lined up to play games with us. It was so fun. Normally, I am too shy and self conscious to get up and act silly in front of people. Not this time. I played all the games, acted silly, and had the greatest time. I even got my groove on at the hoedown.

          Saturday was our testimony meeting and a closing fireside before loading up in the repaired buses. That ride was less dramatic but since we travelled in a caravan this time the rest stop was chaotic and took much longer than expected. They also had to stop at refuel the busses. That took about 45 minutes. The onramp to I405 was closed and the buses couldn’t take the detour so we had to go through downtown Seattle at 5:30pm. We were supposed to arrive back to Mt. Vernon at 5pm but it ended up being 7:45.

          Let me tell you a little about our “kids.” We had 4 boys and 4 girls. Having no experience with teenage boys, I just assumed that they would be annoying and stinky. Annoying, no. Stinky, maybe but we all stunk so we couldn’t smell them! I absolutely LOVED our boys. I would adopt any of them for real. We had 2 14year olds that were quiet but the hardest workers. Kirtland was quiet at first but really opened up by the end. Turns out he is very profound and hilarious. Azure was super super quiet and had to be compelled to talk. However, he was a silent pillar of strength. We always knew that he would be where he was needed without anyone asking. He just always knew where he was needed. He also has an identical twin brother who was even more shy but more mischeivious. Sam would try and sneak into our family to see if we noticed. One time Zack carried a whole conversation with the kids until he realized we had 9 kids instead of 8! When we had down time we would often find Azure quietly standing or sitting next to us just listening and observing us. It was super cute. Jacob is 17 and a gamer. He and Zack bonded over video games. Jacob was goofy and artistic and reminded me a little of Cole. Brett is 18 and already has his mission call. Words cannot describe Brett. He is an amazing kid and a great example to the younger kids. Both Zack and I were so impressed by him that we would go so far as to say that if we ever are lucky enough to have another boy, we would consider naming him Brett.

          Catherine (17) was the sensitive sleeper. She was really strong and pushed hard. She pushed as hard as the boys. I really liked her but she did complain a lot about the heat, having to wear a dress, and how 2 of our other girls weren’t really helping. She beat most of the boys in stick pull! She was also very willing to help and stuck by me most of the time. Lizzie was a ball of energy. I don’t know how such a little body can contain that much spunk. But it did. She was our morale booster. She was always willing to push and help in anyway. Lizzie(16) had 11 cousins and 2 sets of Aunts and Uncles, and a boyfriend on trek so she often wandered away. It drove Zack crazy but we loved her. Cat (17) is a sweet girl but awkward and a little unaware of her surroundings. She was very little help at the beginning but we watched her confidence grow and by the end she was pushing the cart very hard. Bria (14) was sent to trek slightly unwillingly. She didn’t have the greatest attitude at times and mostly just touched the cart without pushing. Like Cat, by the end she was pushing much harder. Bria was quiet but when she opened her mouth it was hilarious.

          I really felt the Lord’s hand in all aspects of trek. We knew we needed to go, Zack’s work schedule allowed him to go without taking time off. Cole didn’t cry while we were gone and just a few tears the night before we left. We all found strength to hike and push through the heat with no injury. I was pushed beyond my spiritual and physical comfort zones but not once did I feel overwhelmed. We weren’t sore or overly tired during trek either. However, both Zack and I woke up on Sunday morning exhausted and incredibly sore. We ended up taking 3 hour naps while the kids watched movies. I also have come down with a nasty cold. It is just amazing that it didn’t hit me on trek. I am still super exhausted. I don’t know how I am managing to stay awake right now. It’s almost 10:30 and I was struggling to stay awake all day. I should head to bed now.

          Anyway, I loved trek. I would consider going again someday, just not too soon. I love the Gospel. I love the blessings that it brings to my life. I am thankful for the sacrifice of the early pioneers. I know that the church is true. I love you all

I can read!

When my grandma was on her death bed we all went to spend some time with her. We fed her ice, arranged her pillows, and sat and talked with her when she was able. Anyone in my family can tell you that my grandma made The. Best. Jam. Ever. Among other things (lasagne, pie crust, fudge....)

Even though it has been just over 3 years since she died one conversation has been carved into my memory. It was between Grandma and my cousin Elna.

E: Grandma, who's gonna teach me how to make raspberry jam?

G: (in a very weak and shaky voice) Read the box.

That was it. And it was so funny we laughed and laughed. That was Grandma. She could say something and it would come out so funny. 

Well, today we picked raspberries and da da da I made jam. I read the box and made myself some jam! And it tastes amazing!

Dirty pigs

The other day Zack and I took the kids to pick up a special treat to eat at home. This is what we heard from the back seat as we were driving home.

"Be cool. It's the police....they will eat our doughnuts."

He must have forgotten that there was a cop in the front seat devouring the doughnuts cause he couldnt wait the 5 minute drive home!

30 on 30

Here I am on the eve of my 30th. Am I freaking out? Nah...ok maybe. But I will get to that later. Mostly i am looking back and here are 30 reasons why I am not scared to be 30.

Ahem...

1) my husband, Zack. What hasn't he brought to my life. He makes me so unbelievably happy. He spoils me, respects me, and basically puts up with my crazy. He actually enables that crazy! Gosh, I am lucky yo have him.

2) Cole.....that kid can be my trial but wouldn't trade him for anything. He is so silly, creative, and talented in ways that I am not. He challenges me intellectually every. Single. Day. Could he ask more questions?! And lets talk about his artistic ability....where did that come from? 

3) Laila, my little lady bug. What a sassy little angel. She is such a snuggle bug. She is so goofy and always making me laugh. I love that she goes with the flow, something C and I struggle to do. She is also way more enthusiastic and unafraid than I ever was. its a little scary.

4) Jesus Christ. Where would we be without our Savior? What would we have without His sacrifice for all of us? 

5) A kind and patient Heavenly Father who is always there to listen even when I dont always listen back.

6) My Mom. She taught me everything I know. I love her.

7) my dad....who taught me what it is like to have a loving Priesthood holder in the home. How a husband should love, protect, and respect his wife.

8) sisters. I have the 2 greatest sisters of all time. They are my best friends.

9) brothers... The 3 greatest and weirdest brothers ever. I have some amazing memories with my siblings but very specific ones of my brothers that always make me smile.

10) in laws. Have you met any of my inlaws? Man, I lucked out. I guess us Hills have great taste.

11) neices and nephews that are so cute and say the funniest things. They are also the smartest kids in the world. I think it's been proven.

12) The Holy Ghost. Just now my little Lai came into my room. She often wakes during the night. She seeks comfort with me. Although getting up in the night isnt always fun I know how important it is to find comfort and know where I can turn for it.

13) friends...the ladies that keep me sane. Thanks to them I havent run away to the circus in my hardest moments. They are my support in motherhood and dont know what I would so without them.

14) books. I love love love to read. To get away. To relax. To spark thought. To imagine and create.

15) My grandmothers. Both my grandmas have been such great examples to me. Everyone says that they have a special bond with their grandmothers. Well, i really do. Just ask them.

16) My grandpas are also great examples of loving husbands and supportive fathers. Both my grandpas always took us on fun adventures and key characters in my childhood summer memories.

17) My Aunts, who I have gotten to know much better now that I am an adult. I love and repect them so much.

18) my crazy silly uncles.

19)my mind....notice how I didnt say sanity,

20) I may be a sahm but I am educated and I am thankful for that. Maybe I dont use my history degree everyday...or even weekly, although it came in handy during game night a few weeks ago. My education has given me a work ethic, and given me the resources for learning and for teaching my kids. Crazy as it sounds... Someday I want to go back to school for a masters in education.

21) i am thankful for my talents. I love to sew and sing and cook and occasionally play the piano. 

22) the temple. Duh, that should be up a little higher. But this list isnt ranked. I am thankful for the Lord's house and the blessings that come from being there. I am thankful for my eternal marriage.

23) I may not always love it but I am thankful for my body. Sure, I wish I was taller with much thinner thighs but with my body I was able to grow and carry 2 beautiful children.

24) without modern medicine I would not have been able to deliver those children. Thank goodness for sterile operating rooms. And pain pills.

25) My minivan. So trivial but I love that van. Hopefully someday we will have more kids to cart around in it.

26) pinterest is my obsession. How did anyone ever survive without it? How did I ever survive without it? What's that C? Oh you want a science experiment right now? Lets just pinterest it...boom.

27) The rain. I love how after it rains the earth feels clean and fresh. It's just like baptism and repentance. i am thankful for that fresh, clean start. Plus i love to listen to the rain when I am trying to sleep.

28) I am thankful for the scriptures and a modern day prophet for providing me with guidance in my life. 

29) noone likes separation. I dont. I didnt. But, I am grateful for the lessons I learned during Zack's deployments all those years ago. I love and appreciate him so much and know that we can make it through everything.

30) Love. I have had so much love in my life. Love from family, friends, my kids. I have felt support from  z's family and friends at times when I really needed it. I made it through tough experiences because of the love I had from the people I needed it from.

Why should I be freaking out about being 30? It is just a number after all. I have had 30 incredible years and I can't wait to see what this year brings.

Ok....i am scared that my body is going to go to crap. I guess I need to learn self-control. Maybe that should be my goal for the year. 

Now to bed. My little bug has found her way back into my bed and needs a little snuggle. Happy 30 to me and a happy 30 to you all too.

Summer begins....

Cole graduated from preschool yesterday. While I am relieved its over, I am slighly nervous about entertaining both kids everyday for thr next 3 months. My kids dont just play by themselves. They want to be entertained and given projects. 

I decided to have the kids help me create bucket lists with things that both they want to do and things that I want them to do/learn. 

Want to know whats on my own list? .....maintain some level of sanity. Tough. 

Wish us luck. I wanted to have pics of the kids with their list but they are not cooperating.