Holy High Water

It's been raining for over a month I swear.    We have water everywhere in our yard and the canal is running higher than I've ever seen it run.  Even during spring high water run off.  Everything in the yard and mountains is green.  Makes it looks a little like spring except for the bright fall leaves.

Homecoming Queen Contest

What a fun queen contest.  Shonia was so poised and elegant and let's just say she is one talented young lady.  Way to go Shonia!

Still can't get enough of FALL

Even with a road this rough

Climbing higher

and higher

until eventually you hit the trees.

The colors get brighter

And the air gets cleaner

and you feel like you can finally breathe.

Even on a cloudy day

you still feel like you need to squint

from the brightness of the leaves.

I could never get bored or sick of these jeep rides.

Homecoming Dance 2014

Devin before heading out to the big Homecoming date and dance.  The senior girls asked the sophomore boys. They fed them spaghetti on the date which just happens to be Devin's favorite. Devin had a great time.  It seems a little weird to be waiting up for him to come home now.  He's usually been there waiting with us.  Times are a changin.

Loving Rides in the Fall

The ride to the cross country meet was so beautiful.  Indian Canyon is gorgeous in the fall.

Cross Country

Devin loves cross country.  Yeah just kidding.  He doesn't really like it but he survives it without too much complaining.  He actually ran his fastest time last Wednesday in Price.  Their course is completely flat.  The only thing that could have made it better would have been if it was cooler.  But all in all the race was a success.  I even got to run over to Walmart and pick up a few things.  Dean and I even got to eat at Groggs.  That is always delicious.  Not to mention I got to hang out with my man.  He's the best.

 

The start of the race 

  The big finish.

In a Blink of an Eye

I'm just feeling a little melancholy today.  The leaves are changing along with our life.  That's just how it feels.  I've quit working at the vision clinic after 12 years and starting working at the high school.   Dakoda is at college working on his Electrical Engineering degree.  Dylan is on his Mission (headed to Cordoba, Argentina as soon as his Visa arrives).  And Devin is a sophomore in high school.  I look back with such fond memories of raising these boys.  Even with broken windows, stitches and broken bones it was great fun.  They have turned into such great people and I am so proud of them. It's the next step in life.  I'm trying to accept and embrace it. BUT!!!

I couldn't take any of these changes without Dean.  His sweet shoulder to cry on and definitely our weekly jeep rides after church.  And when it gets unbearable a prayer for strength gives me the ultimate comfort.  I just feel like I want to soak up every chance I can get to be around them.  To cherish every little thing that happens.  What's that song???  I don't want to miss a thing.  Yeah.  That pretty much sums it up for me right now.

I remember back in the day when one of the kids would do something mischievous (yes, usually Dylan) and I would roll my eyes and get mad.  Someone would say "Enjoy him.  They grow up too fast." Boy were they right.  It was in a blink of an eye.  I swear.  One blink. And they were men.  I wish I would have truly realized how fast it does go by.  I don't really have regrets.  I've never missed anything that they were involved in.  I just wish it could have lasted longer.

Back then I always felt like it was my responsibility to make sure they succeeded in whatever they were doing.  Schoolwork, sports, clean clothes, happiness.  Everything.  I felt like there was so much to do.  Now I get to watch them succeed on their own.  I can't go on a mission with my son, it's up to him.  I can't check powerschool for Dakoda and remind him what needs done.  It's all on him.  Poor Devin is still at my mercy. LOL  But when they do succeed, which they are, I feel like doing a happy dance because they did it on their own.  No one held their hand.  They achieved success on their own.  What more could parents wish for their children?  I can't think of anything better.