Rainy Camping and Manti Pageant

George and I are trying to fit in all of the activities that we wanted to do last summer and didn't do. Our first attempt was camping. We finally found a weekend that would work with his work schedule and what does it do? It rains. Of course. So we decided we would brave it anyway. We bought tarps and loaded up for a rainy night. We just didn't know it would wind up pouring. We got soaked and dirty. Our tent leaked and we wound up in the Escape for the night, not the best of accommodations.

 My amazingly wonderful campfire maker and tarp putter upper.  He weathered the rain a lot more before I did.

 We are a little goofy but we definitely love our goofiness.

 Cindy, Reed, and Brendan weren't crazy enough to stay in the rain with us but they did come visit for some marshmallow and apple roasting.

 George used the large stick to keep our tarp propped up!  He is very resourceful.

 Sleeping in the car!

We loved the way the clouds looked on the mountains.  It was gorgeous.  There were even clouds that would drift through out campsite.  It was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever seen. 

Our Krispy Kreme breakfast. 

Excited to go home!

Cleaning the mud off the tarps.

Yay!  We made it to the Manti Pageant!

The temple was gorgeous with the blue sky behind it, we loved it!

Can't you tell?  It's Angel Moroni!

We have had a good time so far this summer.  George is at scout camp this week so hopefully we have a post about that.  And we hope to still make it to Lagoon and a multiple other fun places.  I will post the California pictures as soon as I remember to grab our hard drive and bring it to work.  Hopefully these pictures will appease for now.  :)

Being Sensitive to Couples Without Children

I found this article on lds.org today and thought it was very appropriate and would be helpful to my friends around me, whether dealing with us or other people you know who struggle to have children! I love you all! Just ask me and I'll tell you. :)

• Remember that the circumstances in which infertility occurs vary greatly from couple to couple. Infertility may result from a health condition on the part of either or both spouses. Sometimes couples become infertile after they already have a child or children. Some have married later or waited to try to have children, and some have not. Regardless, all deserve compassion and freedom from stereotypes.

• For some sensitive situations, such as baby showers, it might be wise to ask first whether a person wants to be invited. You don’t have to handle infertile people with kid gloves; just ask how they feel and if they are up to certain events. But be sure to include them in Church and family activities.

• Try not to second-guess a couple’s medical treatments or other actions. They have most likely been careful and prayerful in making difficult decisions. Trust that they have learned what is best for their family. Remember that decisions about building a family are between a husband and wife and the Lord.

• Recognize positive contributions that are not related to childbearing or rearing. Everyone needs to feel valuable, and this is sometimes hard—particularly in Latter-day Saint culture—when one cannot become a parent.

• Realize that infertile people can be sensitive to the undertones of your comments, and try to be careful about what you say. For example, saying “You’ll get pregnant if you just relax” implies that you think infertility is the couple’s own fault, when in reality it is usually a medical condition not caused by stress. “You’ll get pregnant as soon as you adopt” implies that you see adoption as merely a path to having a biological child, when it is actually just as valid a path to parenthood as pregnancy. Even reassurances such as “It will happen in the Lord’s time” can be painful for people who are preparing themselves for the possibility that they will not have biological children during this lifetime.

• Express your support and love with simple, positive, nonintrusive comments such as “I love you” or “I have been praying for you.” Your genuine care and concern are needed by those experiencing the trial of infertility.

Disneyland

George and I escaped a couple weekends ago and flew to California at the spur of the moment. It was so much fun and really needed. Pictures to come soon!

Winco

An ad came in the mail yesterday for winco and I couldn't help myself. I went. They had coupons for free hot dogs, buns, chips, and soda. All stuff that I shouldn't eat but heck, when it's free, who cares?

I also bought a digiorno pizza (I had a $4 off coupon), a box of mac & cheese (free coupon), a box of couscous, some dish soap, and a 4 lb. container of strawberries. Total for everything I spent less than $7. I was pretty darn proud of myself!

Life

Sometimes, we let life get in the way. We are so busy day to day that we forget the things that really matter and sometimes, we keep ourselves so busy that we don't have to think about what really matters.

Throughout our miscarriages over the past few months, George and I have realized that the things that really mattered are the things that we let slip by. Our relationship with our Father in Heaven has been one of those things. I let myself cut everything out yesterday and sat down with my scriptures and the Ensign. It was great. I had to force myself not to think about needing to exercise and do chores but it was wonderful. I haven't had a day like that in a really long time and it was exactly what I needed. George had the same opportunity in the morning. It's a great feeling to get that much needed quiet meditation time. No distractions. I don't know why we let it slip. Our relationship with Heavenly Father is what keeps us strong during the hard times. How much easier would it have been to handle these miscarriages (at least emotionally) if we had stayed stronger?

Sometimes, it takes knocks in the head to make you realize what you haven't been doing and what you need to be doing.