Today

We are already two weeks into summer and I feel like I have been more scattered than ever.  I've been getting ready for Trek, driving teens to work, Grant to swim, lots of church meetings, early morning mountain biking....there's been very little structure and a whole lot of me not making dinner.  For some reason meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking dinner are beyond my capabilities right now. Things have just felt very sporadic and chaotic.

Today was different.  Today I invited some friends and their kids to hike up to the waterfall in Bell's Canyon.

Just look at that scene!!!!

Grant and Grace were such good hikers...even though the hike was quite a bit longer than I had remembered.

I told Grant that if he finished the hike before I did, he wouldn't have to practice piano today.  I've never seen Grant hike so fast.

At one point (about an hour and a half in) the kids were all begging to just turn around and go back, but when we reached the waterfall they were thrilled and agreed that it was totally worth it.

10-year-olds...am I right?

So fun being out in nature, sweating a little with these two.

My sister-in-law Liz, packed homemade ice cream in her backpack that set while we were hiking.  Food always tastes better when you are hiking/camping but that seriously was some of the best ice cream I've ever had....and it wasn't even chocolate so that's really saying something.

Then I came home and found a wasp in my kitchen window. I hid behind the bathroom door while Chad went after it with a fly swatter.  I don't do wasps.  Chad is my hero.

 

The Cookie Jar

 

Marian used to have a cookie business.  Did I ever post about that here?  Can't rememeber.  When she was like 11 she would advertise on neighborhood group chats about her cookie business.  Every Monday she would bake dozens and dozens of delicious chocolate chip cookies (her own special recipe).  I would eat quite a bit of dough and then drive her around to make her deliveries.  She had cute little white bakery boxes and tags...it was adorable.  And she made a ton of money.  

She doesn't sell them anymore but every once in a while a neighbor will ask for some of Marian's cookies and she's usally pretty happy to oblige.  Last week her old YW president asked for some so Marian made the cookies (I ate some dough) and she drove the cookies over herself (I was in the front seat of course...probably eating more dough...it is seriously so good).

She left the extras on a plate with the nicest note.  

Everyone needs a Marian in their lives. 

Scooter Ballet

I had to deliver some things to YW leaders in the Stake and since it was such a nice night I convinced Grace and Chad to walk with me as I made the rounds.  During the walk, Grace entertained us with some scooter ballet. It was awesome.

 

Working Girl

Meet the newest employee at Handel's ice cream

She's smart, darling, and will have a right bicep that's as hard as rocks by the time summer is over.

We stopped by to watch her in action 

(and get ice cream of course... can't go wrong with Chocoholic Chunk). 

 It was so fun to see her all smiley and bubbly helping customers. 

She got her first paycheck the other day and she was even MORE smiley and bubbly when she saw how much she made in tips $$$.

Marian has her learner's permit, but no license till September. So that means ...

I also got a job at Handel's delivering ice cream scoopers between home and work. 

I have to say, No One makes more plans to go places than 15-year-olds without a driver's license.

The redeeming part of all of this is that I get to have a lot of 1 on 1 time with Marian while she drives and I sit panic-stricken and braced for impact totally relaxed and so chill in the passenger seat.

Totally TOTALLY worth it.

 

Beautiful Moments

 

Last night I took Grant to his soccer game.  While I was driving to the game I reached my hand out for Grant to hand me something, I can't remember what.  Instead of handing it to me, he put his little 10-year-old hand in mine and just held on. 

That was a BEAUTIFUL MOMENT.

The sky at the soccer field and the view of the mountains, while I watched the game, were also beautiful.

I'm so grateful for all the beautiful moments in my life.