July

This was the first summer the boys participated in Golf Camp. Blaze wasn't too keen on the idea of hitting balls for 1 hour...but by the second day, he was hooked! Braxton really enjoyed it and hopes to do it again next summer. At the end of the camp, the club provided a pizza and swim party. Dan has been on swing shift, so he has been able to attend golf and swimming lessons during the day. The boys love having their Dad around to watch them!

Dan surprised me with a 2 day-1 night resort stay in Tuscon to celebrate our Anniversary! It was so refreshing to have that time alone and reflect on our 14 yr. of marriage. Ed and Andrea watched the kids, which we are so grateful! It was our first time leaving Berlyn, but she was just fine. We would like to make this a yearly event, no matter where we live. We would have loved another day or even an entire week, but we realized that it doesn't take much to rekindle the spark!

The Best Decision

Dan and I recently celebrated our 14th Wedding Anniversary!!! I still can't believe we have been married 14 years? We always get a lot of surprised looks from people 1) I guess we are considered a young couple 2) we have young children. I am not sure where the time has gone, but I really don't feel much older than the day I got married. I still remember the day when I took my decision (to marry Dan), to the Lord. I will never forget the anxious feelings I had, but the most assured answer I received..."YES". It was a still, but firm, soft voice. Even though I was only 1 month away from turning 19yr (still a baby), I knew my marriage to Dan would be the best decision I ever made. Well, 14 years later, I am proud to say that I am more "in love" with Dan than ever before. I wish I could say we have had 14 years of Bliss...but I would be lying if I said our marriage was perfect. We have had our ups and downs and trials along the way, but we are stronger because of them. I know many family and friends doubted our decision, because I was so young. My mom has always said that either 1 of 2 things will happen: 1) "you grow up and then get married...OR 2) "you get married and then grow up." In my case, I got married and then grew up. I never questioned my maturity in getting married so young, but I have matured in so many ways in our 14 years of marriage. I always get chills when I hear the General Authorities speak about "love" and the fact that they (at the age of 70yr.) are just now beginning to understand what love really is. There was a time in my life, that I was embarrassed to tell people my age and even questioned myself, "did I make the right decision?" However, I am proud to say that the decision I made at 18 yr. was right for me. I don't think the decision to marry young is right for everybody, but because of my experiences with Dan...I am so glad I made the decision to marry. I am not sure what the next 14 years will bring us, but I wouldn't miss it for the world!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

It was hard saying goodbye to family, but we ended our trip with a wedding and a relaxing Fathers Day in Moab. Our oldest niece, Dani, was sealed to her sweetheart Michael in the Bountiful Temple on Saturday the 19th. It was such a beautiful sealing and the sealer was amazing. He gave them some amazing counsel, but the two things that stuck out to me was: 1) continue to "date" each other 2) "you two" are the most important things now and everything else comes second. I really felt the spirit so strong, and even felt the presence of my niece Katherine who was stillborn. It was just an amazing day from the beginning as I walked into the waiting room...all of my nieces and nephews were sitting so still and looking so beautiful and angelic. I thought, "this must be what Heaven is like!"

Since Michael is part Hawaiian, they had a Luau during the luncheon. Michael and Dani had homemade lays and everyone else got shelled necklaces as they walked in. The food was wonderful and there was great entertainment; including a dance that all the women learned together and a dance that all the men learned together. I did not get any pictures of the women, but I was so proud of all the Dean boys for learning the dance. My eyes were of course fixed directly on the cutest boy up there!!!! Even though I am the dancer in our family, Dan is surprisingly very coordinated and has the best pointed foot for a guy that I have ever seen. He says it is due to his "high arches", but I think he secretly took ballet as a child (ha-ha). At any rate, our kids have rhythm and I could not be more delighted!

After hangin' with the Dean clan in the hotel and saying our goodbyes the following morning, we headed to Toy Story 3 with Jeff and Kim and boys before they flew back to Tennessee. It was a great start to a very enjoyable Fathers Day. After the movie, we said goodbye and ate at the cutest Italian restaurant called "Spaghetti Mama's". Berlyn is our "picky" eater, but I think she ate more than the boys! We usually dread the trip back to Deming, because it is so long and we try to get there in 1 day. However, we decided to stay in Moab and enjoy a hotel with pool and see the "Hole in the Rock" museum and zoo. I think Dan had a pretty good Fathers Day and we really enjoyed the trip home!

Hangin' with Family

Dan had to go back to work in Deming, so he flew out of Boise and we headed to Grandma Boyer's. We stayed a couple days with her and then headed back to Firth. It was so much fun hangin' with my fam! During my stay, I was able to see a dear, sweet cousin and her two adorable kids, and visit with my Grandpa Ivie (who has had his share of trials these last 18 months). My Grandma Ivie passed away in January of 2009 and since then has had a hip replacement, then surgery due to a broken femur, and is now back in the hospital due to blood clots and pneumonia! He is an amazing man and someone I hold the highest respect. I was so glad to see him before I came home!! I got to see him in the hospital just before returning to Mackay, and then he drove all the way to Firth to spend more time with me. I will cherish our visit always and hope it won't be long before I get to see him again.

While in Firth, I had the opportunity to teach again for the Brindusa-Moore Summer Intensive. This was my 4th summer teaching for them...so I guess I am doing a good job, since they keep inviting me to come back! They are the coolest couple and I am honored to be a part of their staff! While in Pocatello, I was able to visit with my good friends Molly, Lauralee, and Marcia. They have been wonderful mentors and true friends. We always pick up where we left off. Devanee was my hired babysitter and I couldn't have asked for better help! My kids adore her and I am glad her and Berlyn were able to connect.

I was ready to return to Deming...but it was hard to leave my family this time around. I'm not sure if it was because I was there for two weeks, or I am just realizing that we may never be able to live in Idaho (at least until Dan retires from Border Patrol)?! It is weird to think that...but it may not be in the "cards" for us? I cherish each visit with all my heart and so thankful for cell phones, skype, and emails!