So Long, Summer!

My favorite time of the year is slipping away. I love all the seasons and have favorite parts about each, but summer is the best!

I gained my love for it as a child. From sun up to sun down, my sisters and friends and I roamed the wide world of Payson, UT, engaging in such activities as catching worms for my road-side worm sale business. We hunted night crawlers, barefoot, in the mud of the neighbor's garden after 10 PM each night by the light of cheap flashlights. Nothing says summer like fat, wriggling worms between my fingers and mud between my toes. We especially loved floating, and racing sticks, and better yet, our jelly shoes, in the ditch to see if they would come out of the culvert on the other side of the road. My mom stopped buying those amazing plastic shoes because we lost too many. We had rotten tomato fights, threw eggs at cars (bad idea, I know), made neighbor kids eat or drink strange "concoctions" composed of all sorts of random organic materials, made up dances, chased the ice cream truck for blocks, walked downtown to go to the park or the movie and played truth or dare. Days and days were spent collecting and selling golf balls, spending our quarters at Mendenhall's Market on the table-top Pacman game, swimming at Payson Pool, riding bikes, playing every variation of tag, having massive water fights, sleeping out on the trampoline so we could go toilet-papering the neighbors and the homes of the boys we liked.

My childhood was really good. In fact, it was great! I really didn't start to hate living in Payson until high school when it suddenly seemed so distant from any real action. Life in Payson as a teen wasn't nearly as cool as in the happening town of Provo, thirty miles north. As a teen, I always complained that there was nothing to do in that small town. But, that's another story.

Because of those lax and playful summers of my youth, nostalgia has surely guided my parenting decisions about summertime fun as a mom. I live and love the summer the same way as I did as a child, with the exception of childish vandalisms. I have never allowed nor encouraged, and certainly, ever taken my kids to do any toilet-papering. As a parent, I have taken a more mature approach to summertime fun, but I still engage in it whole-heartely. This time I get to enjoy it with Shawn and nine amazing kids! We've had lots of fun without doing any toilet-papering!

Since childhood summers come only once, I vowed to make them count. Here are some highlights from this summer:


Triathlon season.

Sierra jumping from a 40 foot diving platform at Lava Hot Springs, ID.


Fishing at Flaming Gorge.

Cooperative play in a great mud hole at our weekly homeschool park day.

Ice cream while wearing bright colored clothes and pink flip flops.

Cycling a morning ride on a highway in Idaho.

Playing with friends.

Jet skiing at Jordanelle Reservoir for Christian's birthday.

Rope swings at Burston Ponds.

Swimming!

Floating the river at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.

Christian jumping his dirt bike.

Goodbye summer! See you next year!

Vision of Zion

In the summer of 2006, our family took a 27 state, 5 week, 8,015 mile journey across America. It was incredible; definitely an unforgettable family favorite. One of the stops we made was to visit the Kirtland Temple in Ohio. We also visited the Newell K. Whitney store, which was the location for many key revelations received by Joseph Smith, including the Word of Wisdom. The room above the store also became the place used as the training grounds for the first four prophets of the LDS church in what was known as the "School of the Prophets."

Standing in the "School of the Prophets" was overwhelmingly powerful for me. I was hit with inspiration so deeply and strongly, I could not ignore it. I knew I needed to start a "school" with the same attributes. The "School of the Prophets" was designed to teach world history, languages, upper mathematics, world cultures, ancient history, the wars and perplexities of the nations, manners and civility, and an in depth study of theology and religion as all subjects were taught through a gospel perspective, with Christ at the center of all truth.

The undeniable witness I felt was that this type of school was needed, not only for my children and those that would come to the classes, but to serve as an example of what is possible for others to replicate. Parents everywhere could make their own "schools," completely privatized, unfunded by government dollars, uncontrolled by compulsory laws, voluntary, staffed by educated, skillful, passionate, and God fearing instructors in an environment where God is welcome and invited rather than prohibited and shunned. The classes would be inexpensive and yet, superior to the government schools run by tax dollars. It would also be non-profit and rely on the work, effort, vision, and support of the families that utilized it.


Not long after returning home from the trip, I set to work on formulating a vision for this type of institution. I have always wanted to build a large "community center" type building to use for classes, parties, dances, political functions, meetings, community service projects, family support services, business endeavors, etc. much like the usage of the public libraries, only, it would be privately owned and under no such regulations, restrictions, and scrutiny as government owned buildings. As the vision got bigger and more defined, I started looking at large buildings to purchase. I looked at buildings that were minimally 7,000 SF, consequently making the sales price begin at about $500,000. Knowing that I didn't want to get a loan on the building, I started entertaining the idea of getting other investors to purchase the building with me, using cash so we would own it outright. I formulated the numbers and started looking for investors. If ten investors put up $50,000 a piece, we would easily be able to buy a building outright and negotiate quite a deal with our cash.

It soon became apparent within the diverse group of potential investors that our motives were different. Several potential investors were about the philanthropy and community impact of the project, while others were bent on a phenomenal profit margin that discouraged philanthropy. The tension over the use of the building and the lack of cohesion in the investment group started to make me doubt whether we could make the project work. When it looked as though we could not make it happen as a team, I started thinking about starting something on my own again. I immediately felt as though I was on the right track.

Along with the thought to press forward on my own, came a rememberance of a principle I have always utilized in entrepreneurship, and really, in life: start at the bottom stair (or ladder) and build upward. I realized that I had been trying to skip many steps by purchasing a building that I did not have the cash to purchase on my own. I knew that I had to start at the beginning and that if I built upward, like climbing stairs, I would eventually be at the place I could buy a building on my own and it would be when it was the logical "next step." A spiritual confirmation followed, so I set out to define and start at the beginning step.

In the fall of 2008, I started holding classes in our existing real estate office space for older teens. We had Seminary, Speech and Debate, Constitutional Studies, and History. By the spring of 2009, the vision had grown and I rented the space next door to our real estate office, formed a non-profit organization, and called it Vision of Zion. We used it in the summer as a place to audition, cast, and rehearse for our movie, Stand Strong. We used it in the fall of 2009 to start hosting an extended number of classes for teens as well as younger children. Month by month, new students, and excellent instructors kept manifesting themselves into the vision.

Because of the intensity of the inspiration, and the urgency to start Vision of Zion, I was sure that it had been for the purpose of spiritually aiding one of my children. It turned out that at the end of the 2009-2010 school year, that child had never attended a class, and will not be in the future. While contemplating that thought and the realization that was not the purpose, it occurred to me that amongst other things, Aura made a friend in her classes that she may never have met any other way. I felt a spiritual witness of that truth. Vision of Zion was started for many reasons, all of which were inspired.


I thoroughly enjoyed watching Vision of Zion blossom this year. As we just ended the school year, I have had some time to think about the many great families and youth I've come to know and love through our association at Vision of Zion. We finished out the year with a night games party last night. It was amazing to watch the 70+ youth who attended, run and chase and laugh. They are incredible youth and I'm so blessed to have gotten to know them.

Here is a link to the photos that were taken over the 2009-2010 school year. If you took photos or video of activities, parties, classes, or events, please share them on the site.

http://visionofzion.shutterfly.com/#

Next year's schedule is looking amazing and will start again the day after Labor Day, Tuesday, September 7, 2010. Hopefully, I am ambitious enough to get a website up for it soon!

Mentored by the Best: My Best Friend, That Is

I love the wide bike lanes in Draper. Shawn and I can ride side by side on most of the roads we cycle. On the roads with a narrow shoulder, he always insists that I go ahead. He often proves that chivalry is not dead. He says he likes the view. But I know better. This is how he leads. When he taught me the ins and outs of cycling and the rules of the road, he would briefly edge in front of me to demonstrate, and then slip into place behind me, letting me set the pace. This is how he is. He leads from behind, like a shepherd driving his flock. He is an amazing leader, teacher and example. I'm often vocal, animated, and larger than life. He happily encourages me to be the visible one--the one out front. He prefers silent anonimity. If there is something great to accomplish, and we set out to do it together, rest assured, he is the driving force behind making it happen. The truth is that he is my better half, observant, thoughtful and kind. On our rides, I watch his shadow touch mine and marvel at how blessed I am to go through life with him. Tonight as we made our way home from a ride just as the sun was setting, I looked at him as the sun shone across his face. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and love for him. In that moment, I began thinking about how all the cool things I know, I learned from him.

Before I met him I didn't even know how to mow a lawn. Crazy, I know. I had no brothers and my dad loved his Honda mower too much to let his daughters mar its awesomeness. A week after a brief mowing lesson, Shawn arrived home to see me finishing up the back yard. He saw me pushing with all my might and chuckled as he walked up and held down little bar that turns on the "self propelling" feature. I guess I missed that part of the previous instruction. I wondered why it seemed so hard. He was pleased with my effort nonetheless and praised me for my attempt at mowing neat lines.

Never before had I been rock climbing. He was excited to introduce me to one of his passions. He beamed as I donned my first climbing shoes and a harness. He belayed me with a patient and encouraging attitude when I took my first overhang and struggled against it for what seemed like an hour of total frustration. He smiled at my hard-headedness and didn't ask me to quit. He congratulated me when I was able to tie a figure eight knot myself and was out of his head ecstatic when I knew the climbing jargon and could speak his language, put on all my own gear and make it to the top.

He taught me to rappel, ice climb, and how to ride a motorcycle. He even rode on the back! What trust. He took me on a three day, 25 mile backpacking trip when I was five months pregnant with our eighth child. That's how much faith he has in me, that I'd be able to make it! Because of his belief, and his walking along behind me, I did! He taught me to play chess, and didn't complain when I started to beat him. He taught me how to snowboard, how to change a bike tire, how to use a camp stove and filter water out of a stream. I went to Moab for the first time in my life with Shawn. We camped and took a morning run over the slickrock at sunrise. I'll never forget it. The first time I ever saw the natural beauty of Delicate Arch was alongside him. He signed me up for an introduction to paragliding class that got me hooked. We flew the mountains of Mexico together. A couple of days ago, he installed new cycling pedals on my bike, bought me my own cycling shoes, in my size (all on his own, without my knowledge,) and taught me how to clip into the pedals. He put the bike on the grass, had me climb on and carefully held it steady as I learned how to clip in and out safely. When I mastered that, he did the same setup on the concrete driveway. When he was sure I could do it, he turned me loose to ride on the street. He complimented my aptitude. I knew it wasn't my aptitude, but the skillfull instruction of my favorite teacher.

Without his influence, undoubtedly my life would not be as wondrous and rich. Shawn and I have been reading "Driven: The Autobiography of Larry H. Miller" together this last week. We've both been teary in many parts. I don't think the tears are necessarily for the story of Larry H., but for the feeling of catching a glimpse of our future together; the confirmation of events to come. We have much to do, and in many ways, we're just getting started! Aura recently asked me how I knew that Shawn was who I'd marry. I thought back on the similarities of many of the young men I dated. Then, I thought of the great difference in Shawn. After only a couple of dates, we were discussing our visions of the future, and in no time at all it seemed, our visions became entwined. We knew we'd fulfill those visions together.

Nine kids, at least ten houses, and innumerable businesses and experiences later, we're well on our way. I hope and pray we are granted many more years to dream, plan, work, create, grow and learn together.

There is an area in which I am still greatly, or rather, grossly, lacking skill. These are cookies I made last week. Shawn, can you teach me how to cook?