So, I did it!

I may be a few years late and I may not have done it with my brothers and sisters but I did it! What exactly is it that I might have done, that would be post worthy? Well let me just tell you. As you may or may not know one of my biggest fears is heights. (if you didn't know, you do now ) Anyway, just keep that in mind. I took a journey the week end of May 15th thru the 17th, because it was April's birthday. I told her I would come down so we could celebrate with her. So on Friday afternoon Megan and I loaded up the car and headed out. We got to Mom and Dad's house I guess about 10 pm there about. On the drive down we had been texting back and forth with April (she was at work, that's why I didn't just call her) trying to decide what is was that we might be going to do to celebrate. A Friend of ours from school and a Friend of her had also made the journey southward for the birthday party. They wanted to go to Vegas, but April wanted to go hiking in Zion's or someplace like that. She said she wanted to hike the narrows or Angel's Landing. I told her I would rather not do the narrows (water would be one of my other fears) but that it was her birthday and she should do what she wanted. Also I told her to keep in mind that I had Megan with me and if they chose to go to Vegas I would not be going with them ( our friend has no religious standing) so just to let me know what they decided they would do. Long story short (sort of) We ended up going to Angel's Landing. The funny thing is that all of us except Megan and Michelle (the friend Amy's friend) we were ALL afraid of heights. I think April chose this hike trying to show her self that she could conquer something. None of us (except Michelle) was in the best shape of our lives, so less than half way up we were huffing and puffing. At one point we passed this little girl, waling with a couple and the couple told us we were almost there. The little girl promptly announced "No, you're NOT! Not even close!" The couple told her not to tell us stuff like that and she said " WELL! Their NOT!" and kept going down the mountain. Haha, at that point I was wondering what we were really doing. It didn't look that bad for the map, so I was really thinking they had been exaggerating the whole fear of heights thing. HA was I ever wrong! It took us longer than most people to get to the top, but we had a goo time getting there! We would randomly break out in song and laughter. It really was a good time. We got to where you can start seeing out over the canyon and I thought we were there, and I actually breathed a sigh of relief, until someone told us we still had 500 feet to go or so. I have to be honest, I almost started to cry! When they showed me where we still had to go I really almost started freaking out! It took everything I had from my toes up to even be able to keep going. Oh ya, and Megan encouraging me to just keep going because we had come this far and we were so close to the top. I finally decided I would go on but that I had to go first and I wasn't looking back to see if they were keeping up with me or anything. I can tell you the only thing more scary than going up the last part was coming down! But! I did it! Thanks to Megan and my friends I got to see an amazing view and the wonders of God! Below are some of the pictures of the great adventure! I love you all and wish it had been you guys (and Megan) I had hiked it with! I am glad if it couldn't be you though I got to do it with April.

Angel's Landing Pictures

this first picture is Megan, April Michelle and Amy

ummmmmmm. . .

so, if post frequency is any indicator, life has become a bit crazy for the whole bunch of us. this is a long over-due update from our little corner of the world.

we are mournfully singing a funeral dirge for the blue pathfinder. who knew transmissions could actually combust??? we are a one car family for now, until we decide what to do. it's an interesting adjustment. i have realized how much i like being able to come and go on my own whims. probably good to be reminded of how to coordinate every once-in-a-while.

if i thought the inside of our house took a lot more time to keep up with, it is nothing compared to the yard. i think i understand why some people choose to live in apartments their whole life. but it is so wonderful for the girlies to have a place to run and draw on the sidewalk, so we mow the lawn, praise the joys of a "soon-to-be-working sprinkler system" and spend a lot of time outside.

we are looking forward to june 25 & 26, and wish it could be the whole clan getting together. maybe next year?
the girlies have two more weeks of school before summer break! i am excited for summer with my kiddos -- hopefully the sibling squabbles will be minimal and the fun factor memorable.

hope all your corners are happy and well!. love & hugs!!

Dear Family, I hope everyone is well and happy.. I guess Mom, had a great mothers day, I know she enjoyed talking to each of you who call to talk with her. We are staying busy and trying to stay out of trouble.. Hope to hear from everyone very soon..