Tender Mercies....

This past summer has been a bit of a strange one for me. Through out all of the activities and usual summer vacations it just seemed that trials and tragedy were happening all around. End of May the kids got out of school for summer vacation and we were all excited for what lie ahead for the next couple of months, boating, swimming, visiting family, vacations, sleeping in....etc.


The second week into the summer break we found out that my nephew Noah, had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was quite a shock as nothing like this had ever been an issue in my family before. My sister and her husband, now had to make some very big changes in their family's lives.

I also had a friend in my ward who found out that her 3 year old son had a rare brain tumor. Through miracle after miracle they were able to find it, and get in with a Dr who was able to remove it(just this past week).

Another family in our ward had their father and two sons struck by lightening. One of the sons had actually died, but through CPR and I'm sure the Lord's will, was brought back to life and after several months of therapy is doing pretty well.

At the end of the summer my brother and his wife were expecting their 2nd child, a little girl. Liina and I were exactly 2 months apart. I was very excited that my baby was going to have 2 little cousins his age to keep him company. The day before Liina was due I recieved a call from my dad letting me know that the baby had passed away. Eventhough this was a very sad time for all of us, we were able to witness how thin the veil is and how much our Heavenly Father loves us. What could have been a very horrible and tragic time turned out to be a peaceful experience for my brother and his wife.


One night, while thinking about all that had gone on this summer I realized something....with each experience I could see when Heavenly Father was relied on and when he wasn't. When humility and faith were exercised and when pride and bitterness got in the way. Do we use the trials in our lives, no matter how big or small, as stepping stones to help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father, or stumbling blocks to pull us further away? Do we grumble and complain and focus on the "why me" or do we try to better ourselves through our experiences?

I was watching "Music and the Spoken Word" the other day, and between the songs, the narrator said something that has stuck with me...."The Good Shepherd is vigillant by day and by night. When the shadows get darker and the threats seem more real, He stands ready to help. when disquieting sounds and hidden dangers intensify our fears shake our peace, He offers peace....in the night His song shall be with me. That song is a song of peace amid the storms of life of comfort dispite heartache and pain. And above all it is a song of love and tender watchcare. No matter how dark the night we can feel heavens light. That doesn't mean bad things won't happen, good people will suffer, hearts will be broken, and anguish in one form or another comes to us all, but we can trust in the Lord's promises. In our quiet moments we listen to Him who's song in the night was first Peace, Comfort and Joy to the soul."

Summer break ends to quickly!

Another school year has begun. And this year, I am an empty nester until the baby comes in October. It's actually been kind of lonely to be here alone all day, but I know that it's not for long. Braxton is in 5th grade, his last year in elementary school and Hailey started Kindergarten (out here it's all day). Braxton is always indifferent when school starts up again. He's not excited and he's not dreading it, Hailey on the other hand was very excited to wear her new clothes. She had no idea what she was in store for......school starts at 7:40 am, so the bus comes at 6:43 am and Hailey is not a morning person. It's been a struggle for both of us to get her off, a lot of tears and frustration, but she hasn't been late yet.

Lake Murray

The day after we returned from Utah, we repacked and headed out to Lake Murray, South Carolina. Mikes sister, Kerri and stepmom were able to join us. It was so relaxing to hang out at the pool, boat and do absolutely nothing! A great end to the summer break. Braxton and Ellie getting ready to jump off the dock.
Her first time swimming and she once she got in it was hard to keep her out.

Mike just chillin....love the pink tube.

Superstar!

Even the dog is enjoying the relaxation..

Getting up in the morning, boating and swimming in the pool and be really tiring.

It's a rough life...

Hailey definately enjoys the camera.

Grandma Patti and Hailey took apart this puzzle thinking it wouldn't be a big deal to put it back together in three days......boy were they wrong. Everybody ended up having to work on it.

I am happy to report that we were able to get it put back together before we left.

Utah!

Well, we finally made it back to Utah. After lastyears cancelation, due to health issues, we were very excited to be able to go out there and visit family. While we were out there my family had reunion and most of my family was able to be there, minus Jarom, Liina, Mark and Abe. The kids had so much fun spending time with their cousins. We were also able to see Mike's Mom and Stepdad, who live out there part time now, Mike's sister, Traci and our friends The Colemans. There is always a sense of returning home when we go out there.

Enjoying our day at the park with my family.
Our family reunion was a little different this year. We usually spend the weekend up in Park City, but due to a softball tournament this year, which occupied all of the hotels up there, we were unable to go. So my sister, Kerry pretty much took over and set up a fun day at the park for the kids. She set up a waterslide, and games to keep them entertained and they absolutely loved it!

Braxton enjoying the slide.
The kids also had a water balloon fight. There was a big plastic bucket of water balloons, which took all morning to fill up, and about 5 minutes to empty.

More water games.

Hailey, Grandma Hanson and Braxton

Mike surprised us (well as good as Mike can surprise) with a mustang, convertable as our rental car. It was fun to ride in, however, being pregnant and riding in the the hot sun not the best circumstances.

We were able to go to Stacy's pool while we were there. Braxton decided he was going to jump off the high dive....let's just say I had a few contractions watching him do it.

Zach doing a flip.......AAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!
We spent a day with the Colemans. We went to the Hansen Planetarium, and Gateway Mall, so the kids could play in the water fountains.

Hailey and Kenzie playing in the water.

The air in Utah is a little different then here. When you are wet and not in the sun, it can be chilly, where as here it's so humid, you stay warm.

Kenzie and Hailey at the planetarium.
Yikes!Like father, like daughter.Me resting, and Braxton keeping me company.

Boating

Boating this year has been kind of a bummer for me. There's not much you can do when your 6-7 months pregnant, other than swim around the boat. But it was fun to see Braxton's progression with his wakeboarding. It seems like he went from getting up to jumping the wake overnight. Oh to be young again! Braxton doin his stuff.While Jarom and Liina were here we were able to go out on the boat a couple of times. Jarom and Mike Crosby getting ready to tube......I don't know who has more fun, those out on the tube or Mike trying to make them crash...

Jarom getting some wakeboarding in, not to shabby.

Swett little Hailey

Independance Day

4th of July, Mike's favorite holiday. This year was no different than past years....food, friends, family and fireworks. We made the trip up to South Carolina to pick fireworks for Mike's show. It's sickening how much money Mike puts out for this, year after year. It's so funny how excited he becomes, it's like a kid at Christmas.

Jarom, Liina and Hannele were able to get away from their busy lives in South Carolina and come up for the weekend and witness the show. We had our good friends, the Maddox's my sister Kristine and her family join us as well. It was a lot of fun for the kids as well as the adults. Only one mishap this year, when a firework tipped over just before igniting and shooting at a neighbors car.....................it just wouldn't be the same if some kind of close call didn't occur. Jarom showing his American spirit and his cougar allegiance.

This is my favorite picture....Mike helping Noah shoot off a roman candle.....it almost looks like a small cannon going off.

This is another good picture....yes, it's still light outside. The kids had been pestering all night to do sparkler, so Mike gave in and let them do some of them. In the picture is Mike Maddox, who is very cautious about things, so he made the kids line up with their sparklers and wouldn't let them move for fear they would either burn themselves or someone else, it was pretty funny.

Hailey and Hannele enjoying a Popsicle. Hailey loved spending time with Hannele, it was like having a little sister....not sure if it was reciprocated.

A sample of Mike's show.

Visitors from the West....

Well, miracle of miracles.....my sister Stacy and her family finally came out to the South to visit. I've lived in Georgia for 11 years now and Stacy has never been able to come out and see where I live, so we were excited that they were able to come. Being pregnant, I was worried that I wasn't going to be the best hostess, but hopefully they had a good time. We were able to tube down the Chattahoochee, do some boating (until the boat brokedown) and even make a trip out to Charleston, to visit Jarom and Liina. Braxton and Hailey had so much fun spending time with all of their cousins. All in all it was a fun filled week. Hanging out at the beach in SC
Zach, Anna, Amanda, Braxton, Kayla and Hailey

A little shark, a fisherman caught in the harbor.

Hailey and Amanda boogie boarding.

Zach, Braxton and Anna.

We were also able to have another one of my sister's, Kerry and her daughter, Elsa come out and visit for a week. Kristine's son, Noah was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the beginning of the summer, and Kerry, being the sweet sister she is, wanted to come out and try to alleviate some of the stress and chaos for her. Between all of that, we were able to do some fun things; lots of time at the pool, boating (Kerry even got up on the wake board), and stone mountain. I realize that we live on the other side of the country from most of my family and that it's not so easy to come out here, so we appreciate and enjoy the times when they can.

Scout Camp

Every summer is started off with Scout camp. Braxton looks forward to this week filled with sports, crafts and scouting activities and just hanging out with his buddies. When I first put him in scout camp the person in charge accidentally put him in a den a year ahead, so he's always been with the older boys and because of that, this year was his last year. He was sad, but ready to move on. I am just happy I don't have to go to another closing program of cheesey songs and super long skits. Brax in all his garb.
Getting his awards.