Apgar and Two Medicine

Wednesday, we headed south to Apgar and Two Medicine. The National Park Services has a wonderful program for children called the Junior Rangers. They give the children books that they can learn about conservation and unique things about the park as they drive around the park. They also ask the children to participate in a Ranger Lead Activity (Discovery Center, Ranger Stations, Hikes or talks given by the rangers). Once they complete everything, the children make a promise with the ranger to take care of the park and nature in their communities. We took Ms A to the Discovery Center where she told the ranger about "mommy's bear experience" at Appistoki Falls. She and Ms E had a great time making a beautiful park with the giant felt board. When it came time for her to take her pledge, she looked so serious. Ranger Heather gave her her Junior Ranger badge and Ms A couldn't have looked more pleased.

Ms A also enjoyed a little wading in the lake, until she realized HOW COLD the water was. We loved the view of the lake. I still can't get over the amazing view!!

Our next stop was Goat Lick, where the goats will come and lick the minerals from the rocks after the spring run-off. We didn't see any goats here, but Reed, Sara and the kids hiked up a little and saw a little goat and it's momma under the bridge.

At Two Medicine near East Glacier, we had a nice little hike around a portion of the lake out to Paradise Point. It was beautiful and windy. Sara and her kids taught us about Bear Grass, which receive it's name from Lewis and Clark. They came to a meadow full of these flowers and also bears. They thought the bears ate them.

It was fun watching Ms A hiking with her cousins. They loved spending time with each other and would make up stories as they walked.

Archery and Four-Wheeling

On our way to Glacier National Park We stopped in to visit with Reed's mom. Sara and her children joined us the next day. The kids were SUPER EXCITED about Grandma Gayla's four-wheelers and our archery. Ms A couldn't wait 'til they came and she could show off the fun ride.

I have a couple of movies that will be added once I figure out how to edit them.

Happy Fourth of July

We love the Fourth of July! There's something about it that brings such pride and stirs up wonderful childhood memories. I also love creating new memories with our little one. Ms A has been counting the days down to this wonderful day. She loves fireworks, sparklers and talking about the firework show that "was on the river and woke her up. " (our trip to Thailand) Ms A especially enjoys spending time with our friends. It was so sweet watching her calm Ms E and hold her hands during some of the fireworks. She kept saying "It's ok, we are safe." (what a great big sister she will be!)

We learned from our past Fourth of July celebrations that Ms A doesn't like the loud fireworks, neither do I, so we steer away from those and put Reed's headphones on her ears (ear plugs don't work.) As the evening wore on, it got a little chilly, so Ms A put on her jacket and out came the gloves. I think, besides the feelings of patriotism and watching the fireworks, my favorite part was watching Ms A and Mr A holding on to one another when the loud aerial was lit right above them.

Happy 234th Birthday America!!!

Ingenuity

Reed purchased a torch for laying down roofing. His logic was he could use it at the rental for the roof, as weed controller and to light fireworks. He's used it for the first two, and last night he was able to use it with the Glo-worms. We tried the lighter with no success, so Reed adapted.

Check out his smile!
We also had a few smiles and curious glances from our neighbors.

FYI: The kids were a safe distance when the lighting occurred and the Snakes performed perfectly! We'll stick with matches or lighters for the fireworks. :)

Soccer Camp

Our summer officially began this week with Soccer Camp via our Park and Recreation (which I love). Ms A was so excited, especially when she saw Ms J on their first day. She loved learning how to toe stop, pass the ball and play games like clean the junkyard (kicking all of the soccer balls to the opposing side before the time up) and sharks and minnows ("minnows" trying to get their soccer ball to the opposite side before they get tagged by the "sharks"). She loved being the shark. They also had several scrimmage games with each other. Ms A was pretty good at being the goalie and cheering Ms J as she made the goals.

What I'm Thankful For ...

....knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The past year has been extremely heartbreaking, challenging and difficult. I never knew a person could have SO MANY TEARS and that they could come out during a variety of experiences (ie: grocery shopping, a lesson about Eli and Samuel in the Old Testament, going to the park, etc). The past couple of weeks have been quite heart-wrenching and I wanted a TIME-OUT from life, then came that "Heavenly Lifeline". Today, I was checking out a couple of blogs, when I came across this video and this testimony and talk.

I especially love Elder Holland's thoughts:

"Yet in my mind’s eye, for just an instant, I thought perhaps I saw on that side road an old car with a devoted young wife and two little children making the best of a bad situation there. Just ahead of them I imagined that I saw a young fellow walking toward Kanarraville, with plenty of distance still ahead of him. His shoulders seemed to be slumping a little, the weight of a young father’s fear evident in his pace. In the scriptural phrase his hands did seem to “hang down.” 15 In that imaginary instant, I couldn’t help calling out to him: “Don’t give up, boy. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it—30 years of it now, and still counting. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

Their words reminded me how grateful I am for a Heavenly Father who throws me a lifeline, just when I'm ready to say "I QUIT!"

THANK YOU!!!!