So, we ended up going to the Huntington reunion out at Red Point. I mentioned to Ryan that I would really like to hear the river. Of course he lined our window right up with the river, and it was so, so incredible. It also rained a ton out there, and it was really nice. I had some really nice visits at the reunion. I learned a lot about my Grandparents and my dad and his siblings, just by talking with Alan, Ann and Betty. I really enjoyed the last evening's campfire, and it was just fun. The next day we went to church in Hatch, and then we pulled the trailer out past Tropic Reservoir. We found a really good spot that had a stream that ran through it, and it was green, fresh, and cool. My only complaint was and is the deer flies. I am still scratching deer fly bites. The fishing was also bad...like really bad. Ryan will fish by hand if he has to, but there were literally only minnows to be had. That doesn't break my heart or anything cuz I just don't like fish a ton, but the kids were disappointed.
Anyhow, so basic recap of the camping trip. The kids spent a lot of time shooting guns, playing cards, and they spent some time swimming in the river, even though the river was extremely cold. There was a squirrel or a chipmunk...I honestly cannot remember which at this moment. It lived in one of the trees that was right there in our camp. It was the most annoying little thing ever. It chittered and made noise all day long. Oak begged me to let him shoot it, and I told him that if he shot it, he would have to eat it, and I had brought meat for the family and so there was really no need to destroy it like that...it was annoying though. The litte animal was scared of Ryan for whatever reason. He would come down and start his loud noises, and Ryan would get after him, and he would run up the tree all sorts of scared. I would go and confront him strongly like that, and he would just get in my face. He would make his noises louder. I would like to think that I am intimidating, but I guess I am just not. I am not even intimidating to small woodland animals. Little does that little guy know, but I saved his little life. Beautiful thanks I get for doing so.
Ryan had to run Jerusha home one day and conduct some business. I was a little bit nervous at this because I was out there without a vehicle and a phone, but hey...I am tough, and it was for one day. That morning, I got up early and went on a walk. Normally, I like to run, but the elevation was kinda killing me, and so a walk uphill sufficed. It poured on me the whole time. I slid all over the path in my running shoes. When I got back, I decided that it was best to just let the kids sleep as long as possible because we were going to be stuck in the trailer while it rained. When the kids did finally wake up, they got on this card playing marathon. They played cards until the rain broke, which was late afternoon. We also ran out of water in the trailer, which was a problem, but we were sitting by a river, so yeah...we were not going to die or anything. I have watched my husband and children drink out of rivers and streams galore, and I am always a little nervous to do that. Ryan seems to have an immune system of steel, and I guess I was just raised in a more controlled environment, where we carried in our drinking water etc. Anyhow, I followed the little stream up the hill until I found where the water was actually springing from the mountain. I filled up all of the water jugs that I had with me, and then I summoned Oak to help me fill up more. As we were sitting there, Oak noticed a camera that was watching us on a tree. It was the weirdest and most unsettling feeling. I realize that this camera, was most likely placed there by hunters, or game watchers, but the Government has tailed me and surveilled me for so many years, that I immediately felt violated. Being out away from cameras, phone service, and the internet, I had felt so free until I saw that dum camera. Sigh...it is kinda frustrating, but the water was extremely good. I really loved it. Oak and Jazz literally shot guns all day, we swam in the stream, pretended to fish, and went on hikes. It was the best week I have had in a really long time.
I have noticed something a little undesirable in myself, and it leads Ryan to behave a certain way. This is noteworthy, because I really would like to change this about myself. When we go on rides I am not too adventurous. On the last evening we were out there, Ryan wanted to go on a ride. First of all, rides are hectic because of the kids. When we are out in the hills like that, the littles want to be on my lap, and their bony little bums wear my lap right out. Not only that, but they fight over my lap, which just leads to more sighs of exasperation. Ryan is quite adventurous, and he likes to push vehicles to their limits, although, on this trip, he had borrowed his dad's truck in order to pull the trailer, and he really was cautious with it. When we are in the van..the sky in the limit, to what he might try to conquer or climb. I find myself really ragging on him. Has he gotten us stuck? That depends upon your definition of "stuck". My definition differs from his. In my opinion stuck is when you cannot move and you are delayed as you try to get out. His definition is that you have to call in an emergency tractor and equipment to get you out. Anyhow, we drove to this beautiful peak, lookout spot, and it was literally freezing cold. It was raining, and the wind was howling. It was gorgeous though. On our way back it took me a sec, but I realized that we were not on the same road that we had been on. It began to get narrow and rough, and I wondered where exactly we were going. My lap had a few holes in them from Dill's wallering. He mentioned something about seeing the map, and knowing that the road was going to make a large loop, and then rejoin the main road. The road got kinda rougher, and narrower, and then we ended up on top of this hill that had obviously burned recently. The road ended abruptly, and so I kinda wondered about his map explanation ha ha. I really need to chill. He enjoys exploring, and I kinda just want to get to the destination. We also saw some really nice deer, and some fat cows. That made Ryan all kinds of excited. Yes...we enjoyed our ride.
On the way home we blew a tire on the trailer. This is extremely typical. We hobbled into Hurricane and had to buy a tire and a new spare. Sage texted me asking about the purchase of a milk cow and I was kinda confused. Sage has been wanting a milk cow for awhile now, and we really have not had any luck finding one. In a way we really need one because some days we are going through a gallon and some days we go through three. I am literally buying about 10-12 gallons a week. Ryan had found a jersey on the range that he felt we could milk. She had a new calf and everything, and so that is what I thought Sage was asking about. When I mentioned it to Ryan he told me that he had actually arranged to buy one in Rockville Ummm...yeah. This was the first time I was hearing about this news too. It was then that I started asking a million questions about how we were going to put in a stauncheon, panels, feeding system, watering system, fences etc etc to accomodate a cow and calf. I can see why I am annoying and why he just doesn't tell me this stuff. He explained that he was just going to go pick her up, and worry about all of the details later. And, that is what he did. He dropped the kids and I off, picked up Sage, and then turned around and headed back to Rockville. He and Sage arrived late that evening with the cow, her calf, and an extra holstein calf that just kept bawling. Sags could not really explain how we ended up with the extra heifer, but she had paid for it, and it was an annoying little thing. The cow was nursing them both, along with Gravy...the little calf that had not been being properly taken care of by his mother. It took a few days, but all animals settled down, and Sage went to milking the cow. It kicked over plenty of buckets, and at this point she definitely has the hang of things. We have more milk than we can drink. Sage and I both have allergic reactions to the hay that Ryan brought home, but hey...who needs to breathe? We muddle through.
We have had a few birthdays this month as well. Chloee turned 10, and Jerusha turned 16 yesterday. Chlo was really low maintenance on her birthday. I took her shopping, made her homemade french fries, and had her cousins over to watch a movie. Most of her birthday list consisted of stuffed animals, and I know that this is probably the last year that she will ask for toys like that. She is growing up, and makes me sad. She is one of the quieter, and easier going kids that I have.
Jerusha had quite an eventful birthday. Lydia invited her out to her house and had a nice breakfast for her. Some of her guy friends came over and had purchased her candles from Walmart with saints and scriptures on them, and then Brock came over. Brock is such a great friend to Jerusha. They have a ton of fun together, and I am always so amazed at all of the craziness he rolls with. He and Jerusha took Dill and they went over to the delicious pizza restaurant across the street. According to Brock, Dill ran pretty wild in that place, and then refused to eat any of the pizza because Jerusha had ordered it with vegetables on it. Brock has seen it all at my house, the good, the bad, and the ugly. The kids have been atrocious to him at times, wallering on him, and banging into him.etc...he keeps coming back. I really like that kid. I also dropped off donuts for her seminary class, and we have a shopping day planned. I am pretty sure she has a date today as well, and I am going to do my best to look intimidating. Aden Woods came over last night as well, as he and Jerusha, along with a few others have gotten into mud turtle finding down at the river. We ended up chatting instead, but Jerusha is a champion mud turtle catcher apparently.
Another awesome thing that has been going on, is that Jasmine's friend Maddy has been taking the missionary lessons in our home. I cannot tell you how much this has helped our whole family. We began these lessons with Elder Christensen from Idaho, and Elder Gunderson from Burns, Oregon...yes, Burns. Coincidence?? Not a chance. These two Elders have an amazing spirit about them, and Maddy was learning it all. She did not know anything about faith, prayer, baptism, the Holy Ghost etc. To be able to go over these basics has been so good for me...so good. Prayer....praying for her has opened up a whole new world. It has also strengthened my own prayers. Sadly, Elder Christensen got transferred, but Elder Gunderson is now training a new missionary from Texas named Elder Whitworth. Maddy has agreed to get baptized too. It is amazing to be a part of. Gunderson is a kid I will never forget and always love. He grew up on a ranch, and has so many similar stories...he is such a kindred spirit now and forever.
Jamie has been moved from Philadelphia to Woodstown, New Jersey. She absolutely loves it. She did really well in Philadelphia too, and really enjoyed Sister Stumpf, but Pennsylvania came up with a new law that required fingerprints, background checks, etc, and Jamie fasted and prayed, and did not want to be moved, but did not feel she should comply with that kind of a law either. The week after she was moved, the police had a big shoot out with a guy and six ended up dead....yes...I feel relieved, she is out of the city, but I know she was willing to stay there. I truly feel like she is where she is supposed to be. She has clicked with the small town, has gone to the fair, and roped, and has had two baptisms in her area. Three of her contacts from Lehighton are getting baptized, and Charmaine from Philadelphia is also on schedule to be baptized. Charmaine was always worried about the "devil getting on her" and I can completely relate to that. That little lady has been an example to me.
Oak has started back up with football, which is awesome because it is wearing him out, and Jerusha made the volleyball team. I am way happy for her. I was concerned that she would not make it, but she made it, and she is a starter.
Sage has been teaching a few yoga classes here and there, and should be certified within a week or so. She does a really good job. I have gone to a few of her hot yoga classes and it really does release a lot of tension and it feels great. She is still wanting to serve a mission of her own, and about has the money earned to pay for it herself. Great going Sags!!
Chloee went to school a few days with a large circular hicky on her forehead....she chose to stick a suction arrow in the middle of her forehead, and there ya have it. I am so grateful that she is less than concerned about her appearance these days. Seriously...we can get to that later.
