Top 10 reasons why the Historic Kirtland 5K might in fact be the happiest 5K on the planet.

1. It was free.

2. Macey ran with us!

3. Cast members from "This is Kirtland" were there to sing the National Anthem and cheer us on.

4. And then they actually said an opening prayer before the race started.

5. Stephen was in town and was willing to tag along to be our personal photographer.

6. This hill, although it looks harmless here, was a real killer.  But at the top we got to run around the Kirtland Temple.  And then we got to fly back down the hill.

7.  Emma and Leah won first and second place in their age division!

 

8. We did not, in fact, die from the extreme heat.

 

9. It inspired me to take the girls back out to Kirtland later to see the play.

10. We passed a McDonald's on the way there and a Burger King on the way home, which of course both had 50¢ cones, and of course we had to taste-test both.  

All because of the Historic Kirtland 5K.  Now THAT is happiness.

Bad, Bad News Bears

Once again, Andrew got the short end of the stick in the baseball team department.  It was like nothing I've ever seen.  The throwing, the fielding, the batting--or lack thereof--was mind-blowing.  And poor Andrew.  It was so frustrating for him.  He ended up playing catcher for most of the season.  He did a good job there, but wasn't his favorite.  Mostly it was a matter of endurance.  Enduring each play, each game, and the whole season.

We were grateful to have family and friends supporting Andrew.  His Primary teacher and her cute family came to see Andrew play and it ended up raining super hard.  Elyse loved cheering Andrew on!

Shockingly, there was no post-season for this team this year, but the boys still celebrated (that it was finally over?) at Mitchell's.

One of these days, I just know Andrew will get to play on a team that matches his skills.  Hopefully sooner than later...

I love to see the temple.

Glenn and I got to go down to the Columbus Temple with the youth in our ward.  This time was special because it was my first time going down with Brooke, my parents were there, and we had some family names.

When we were ready to leave, we discovered it was pouring down rain.  Inside the temple we had no idea the storm was raging outside.  I loved the symbolism--the temple can protect us from the storms of life as well.  We find peace and safety in temple attendance.

On the way home, we of course had to stop at HomeTown Buffet.  The kids all die over the orange chicken.  I keep telling myself this is NOT the real reason they like to go on temple trips...

Once again, it was such a privilege to be in the presence of these youth.  They never cease to amaze me.  Can't wait until Andrew gets to join us next time...

Fabulous 4th.

After an amazing barbeque with the family, we weren't sure if the weather was going to hold.  No one felt like sitting in the rain.  But since the Public Square concert earlier in the week was rained out, we all really wanted to see some fireworks.  So we decided to risk it.  The weather ended up being perfect, so different from the sweltering heat from last year.  The kids played football and frisbee, Callie kept us entertained with her dancing and then nearly got plowed over by some oblivious boys, and once the sun went down we broke out the glow sticks/necklaces/bracelets.  The city of Westlake always puts on a great fireworks show, and this year did not disappoint.  Another fun day celebrating our wonderful country!

Girls, girls, girls, that's all we see...

This year's girls camp was by far my favorite.  And it wasn't because we had perfect, cool, beautiful weather.  Because we didn't.  We had hot, humid, stormy weather.  It wasn't because the bugs completely left us alone.  Because they didn't.  They were everywhere, biting, stinging, nagging.

But there were so many reasons to love it.

I loved it because I saw someone with enormous obstacles in her life finally find a voice. 

I loved it because the girls all look so cute with their hair in braids.

 I loved it because I saw older girls setting examples for the younger ones. 

 I loved it because I saw new friendships form.  Fast.

I loved it because the girls got to make memories together.

 

I loved it because there were wonderful women there who helped nurture and teach my daughters.

I loved it because I gained a stronger testimony of the priesthood.

I loved it because I knew that, despite the huge storms and the texts from worried parents back home, we were safe.

 I loved it because the girls learned how to share their beliefs with others.

I loved it because the girls gained confidence in learning new skills.

I loved it because I got to be in a room where Joseph Smith received revelation from Jesus Christ, in a home he was dragged out of in the middle of the night, tarred and feathered, and then stood on the front step the next morning to preach a sermon. 

 

I loved it because Emma, Leah, and Becca were finally initiated as YCL's (youth camp leaders).

I loved it because I never tire of the beauty we see on the hike.

I loved it because all of my daughters were there with me.  And my sister.  And my sister-in-law.  And two of my nieces.  And my mom and other sister came up to visit.  We've never all been at girl's camp together.

I loved it because I saw beautiful, strong, virtuous young women learning, growing, working, laughing, and crying together.  There is such power in being with so many others who GET you, and I am so glad my daughters had that experience.  I know that we are daughters of God.  And at girl's camp, in spite (or maybe because) of the difficulties and trials, that's where you feel it most of all.