Turkey Run State Park

We had heard lots about Turkey Run. We had always thought it would be a fun place to "check out." We have thought that for the past 3 years....so we finally decided to give it a try. We woke up early Saturday morning, ate breakfast, and we were on the road by 8am. It took us about 1 1/2 hours. It was a beautiful day. Sunny, low 60's, mid 70's. What a fun day!!! We started off in the nature center petting a snake and then planned our route while looking at a very cool topographical map. Then off we went. Across the suspension bridge, over the rocks, next to the river, down in the crevasses of rocks, on top of the rock wall, down the ladders, over the stream, up the rocks and then back over the suspension bridge, heading back to the car. My legs felt like jello by the time we were done 2 hours later but I can't wait to go back.

Duet

My parents were in town for Dayton's baptism and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for my dad and I to play a piano duet in sacrament meeting. He misunderstood and thought we were playing for the baptism. We practiced and practiced and laughed and sweated and bonded before playing the piece in sacrament meeting. It went well, even though both of us were really nervous and a little shaky. It was a lot of fun to be able to share an experience like that with my dad. I've always looked up to his talent and wanted to improve so I could play as well as he does. I think I still have some improvements to make, although my triplets are almost perfect.

Thanks Dad for playing with me.

Trumpet

Alexa is playing the trumpet this year and has been practicing every day...I suspect this enthusiasm will start to dwindle, but I may be pleasantly surprised. My parents were in town this past weekend and my dad wanted to have a go. I think the pictures say it all.

Cub Scouts

Dayton was super excited to try on his scout shirt and get going on all the fun stuff in his cub scout book. He has been anxiously awaiting the day he would get to go to church on a week night for his activity. The girls have been in activity days for the past almost 4 years. He has completed all of the requirements to earn his bobcat and is cruising through the wolf requirements now. I'm sure there will be lots more scouting posts to come.

Baptism Day

Saturday was beautiful. It wasn't too hot. It didn't rain. The sun was shinning.

Dayton and Kim were baptized.

Kim Anders is a friend who has been investigating

the church and chose to be baptized on the same day as Dayton.

Grandma and Grandpa Dayton, Grandma and Grandpa Page, Uncle Bevin and Aunt Val and Aunt Florinda were all able to make it to Indiana for the baptism.

The water in the font was a bit low which made it a little tricky for Nathan to fully submerge both Kim and Dayton but after 2 tries each they were baptized. Sister Oliver gave a talk on baptism and Grandma Dayton gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. Alexa, Mackenzie, Coley and Hannah Norton sang a duet "The Church of Jesus Christ." I am so proud of Dayton for the choices he has made and the example he is to our family. It was a great day and we are grateful for loving and supportive families those who traveled to share this day with Dayton as well as those who weren't able to be here.

Good News

Nathan has accepted an offer of employment from an engineering firm based in Michigan but with an office here in Indy. We get to stay in our house, schools and ward. We are still 4 1/2 hours away from family, not farther. I get to keep teaching my darling piano students, who I love. We get to stay by our friends (some of them). We are thrilled! Nathan is excited about this opportunity as well.
So what have I learned from this experience. The Lord does love me unconditionally. He isn't going to make everything that happens in my life great. Sickness, job loss, trials, all of those things are a part of our mortal experience. He knows what I was feeling, thinking, concerned about and He provided peace and comfort during those times. I think I naively thought that as long as I was doing all the "right" things then surely nothing bad would happen to us. But was this really bad? Honestly, no. I have a stronger relationship with my Savior and Heavenly Father now than before...could that have happened in a different way? Sure. But it happened this way and for that I am grateful. I have a stronger relationship with Nathan. We have been able to spend A LOT of time together and it has reminded me of why I fell in love with him 13 years ago. I appreciate what he does for me and for our family. I have learned to overlook some things that used to drive me crazy. In the grand scheme of things...it doesn't matter. I have learned that the most important thing to me is my family. I hope our kids have learned that too.
If I could change the course of events that led to our family having this experience...would I? No. We are stronger because of it.
* Now I have to figure out what to do with myself without the kids and Nathan around. He starts tomorrow. I think I will be lonely.

Decisions

It is so hard to make a choice between two good things. Nathan has been offered 2 employment opportunities. One is in Illinois. Carlyle to be exact. It is a good opportunity from a good company. I think we would be happy there. The cost of living is far less than here, life seems to slow down and become less stressful there as well. He was also offered a position here with a good company. We could stay in our house, not switch schools in the middle of the year, not live apart and stay by our dear friends who have become family. But which one is the best choice? We learned when we moved from Ohio that we need to decide and pray about the decision we've made...we're doing that and I know that it will all work out.

Potter's Bridge

We spent some time along the White River at Potter's Bridge today and the kids enjoyed getting in the water, finding shells and looking for other animal life...exploring. Their exploration brought them to some kind of a clam. Convinced it had a pearl inside and needed to be our pet they (some more loudly than others) begged for this creature to accompany us home. Nathan led the argument that a pearl was inside. Mackenzie argued that if there was a pearl, it could be the biggest pearl ever and we could sell it and Daddy would never have to work again. Although quite the argument we decided to leave the clam in its home undisturbed to enjoy the rest of its life without human interference. It was quite the find for a short exploratory session and prompted further research on clam type creatures that inhabit the White River once we arrived at home. We learned that they are not really clams but fresh water mussels. Freshwater mussels are some of the longest-lived animals. Mature individuals often reach ages in the decades and some nearly a century. The oldest mussel recorded was 132 years of age. Sedentary animals they spend most of their lives in a very small area if it suits them. Almost like plants they anchor themselves in the sand and pebbles of a riverbed and await the change of seasons while filtering water for microscopic food sources. So we are happy we chose to leave that mussel where it belonged to enjoy another day.

Dayton enjoyed skipping rocks after his photo shoot as well.

Photo Shoot

When my girls were turning 8 I took them to a stream or river in their white dresses for pictures. I have struggled with what I wanted to do with Dayton. I didn't want to leave him out but I didn't really have an "outfit" that fit what I had done previously. So we settled on his white shirt and khaki shorts. Maybe not the most "churchy"outfit, but he was happy and I think we got some good pictures. More than anything, these are pictures to remind him of this special time in his life.

Dayton almost "8"

I'm not sure what I expected to feel when my youngest child turned 8. I feel old but more mature (I think by that I mean more experienced). I feel excited but also anxious. Have I taught him all he needs to know now that he has reached the age of accountability? Does he know how much I love him? He is such a cute kid (I may be slightly biased, as his mom). He is huge...it's not as easy as it once was to snuggle him on my lap. He doesn't fit anymore. Dayton was a challenge while in the womb. I started contracting at 22 weeks and was put on bed rest. My girls went to Ohio to live with my parents for 2 months because I couldn't take care of a 3 and 19 month old. He was born 6 weeks early weighing 7lbs. 10oz. Shocker! He was in the NICU for a week and came home happy, healthy and loved. He has been a joy ever since. Dayton is my shy, quiet, sometimes crazy, friendly, loving, tall son. Our family would not be complete without him and we are so excited to celebrate this milestone birthday with him.

We celebrated with cake and ice cream last night and the Norton's joined us. Dayton requested a skateboard cake and it turned out all right.

Not like the picture but good enough.

His real birthday is on Monday the 17 of August.

I think we will celebrate all weekend.
I love you Dayton. You make me smile everyday.

First Day of School 2009

I HATE the first day of school. It makes me sad every year. Well, today was that dreaded day. The summer never seems long enough. We've had such a good summer. We've been able to spend lots of time together as a family laughing, riding bikes, driving in the car, swimming at the Monon Center, playing mafia, and the Wii. If it was up to me, and we could afford it, we would spend all of our time together playing. Now, I know that my kids need to learn and get an education but does school really have to start in the middle of August?

The kids were excited to pick out their outfits and put all of their new school supplies in their new backpacks but I don't think they were "excited " to go back to school. And I think that is okay with me. No one was crying or grouchy about the return to school. I'm pretty sure I would be even more sad if they could hardly wait to be gone for 7 hours a day 5 days a week. I'll take the indifference.

So here's to a new school year.

I hope it is a good one.

I will cherish the time I do get to have with my kids because it really flies by.

The Scooter

Alexa, being the oldest child, has a tendency to be a little bit selfish. She is willing to help out but always wonders, "what's in it for me?" Now don't get me wrong, she is a kind, loving, obedient and sensitive young lady most of the time. Yesterday was one of those times. Alexa came home from playing at a friends house with a request. She wanted to trade her i-dog for a scooter. A scooter that she wanted to give to Mackenzie as an early birthday present. What's the catch? I wondered. No catch. Alexa knew that Mackenzie was the only one who didn't have a scooter and thought she would really like to have one. Alexa made the trade, brought the scooter home and helped Nathan "fix it up", it needed some minor repairs. She sneaked upstairs to get a ribbon and tied it around the scooter. Then she came in a begged Mackenzie to come outside to play.

As you can imagine, Mackenzie was very surprised and grateful.

Alexa was thrilled.

It was one of those moments when I thought my heart might just burst open.

Kids with a camera

The kids have been using my camera more lately and taking pictures of random things.

Most recently, they have wanted to take pictures of themselves and

have gotten some really cute shots.

Yes, this is the same kid. She's just a little bit silly.