Tessa's Tidbits

Making Good Time

2011-05-03T07:44:00.001-07:00

Spring has sprung...or it's trying to, and so we are taking full advantage and blazing full speed ahead. I don't think I've ever seen a longer winter than we have had. It started in October, and it's still snowing in May. On the few good days we've had, we "made haste" and followed the sun. Part of the fam took a trip to Moab where we did 160 foot rapells down arches and into caves, hiked to Delicate Arch, layed out by the pool, drove up Hell's Revenge in a Hummer and had an all around great time. And I have to say, the girls were great company! They were real troupers. Especially the time we had them hanging from a rope with a 100 foot drop to go, and made them promise to keep their rooms clean and come home by curfew before we would let them down the rest of the way. Ah yes, those were the good times.

Then we followed up that with Whitney being honored as a scholar athlete at Utah State. Only athletes with a high GPA are honored. Whitney was part of an elite group and it was a very proud day.

Then a spectacular weekend with the boys graduation from Snow College. Both boys graduating at once before they head to their next step in life. Jantzen will be starting pharmaceutical tech school to get his certificate before starting up college again in the fall. And Zac just secured a paid work study to set up a sustainable living footprint at a resort just outside Zions National Park. He'll start by setting up an organic garden and go from there. Who would have guessed? I always pegged Jantzen as the art teacher and Zac as the defense attorney. It's such a riot to see them go their own way and evolve into an adult with their own interests.

Kevin just made President's Club (woo-hoo) so we get an all expense paid trip to Kauai coming up in August. He is first to point out that he will meet the terms of our pre-nuptial this year (two trips outside of the country each year come rain or shine). I hate to break it to him Hawaii is on US soil. But I'm not complaining! Can't wait to go. Just the two of us (and 25 of his closest work friends). Golfing, sun, beaches. Ahhh.

Nothing much else to add for now. I've got to go pack for my first fishing expedition of the year. The ice is off Fontanelle Reservoir. The fish have summoned me. And as for an update from my last post--spray tan...CHECK. Lose 10 pounds....getting there.

Hibernation

2011-04-06T21:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been in hibernation for the long, hard winter. Deep depression. No fishing. No trips overseas. No new projects. Just "nose to the grindstone", working and raising kids, paying the bills kind of existence. I've heard it called "real life" --I call it "somebody just kill me now".

As the green buds are emerging from the earth, it brings with it visions of running through the daisies in slow motion with my dog smiling as she leaps beside me. I am caught up in the daydream of rolling the windows down in the 4runner, while the hot wind blows my hair, and John Mayer is singing to me that my body is a wonderland. I think of greasing the fly lines and casting to the big one hiding under the log on a 14 foot cast just past the foam to the left. Hiking. Barbecues. Road trips. SUN (oh, the sun).

The past 6 months have left nothing of consequence to talk about. No icy road skid-outs, no rare diseases, and on the other side of the spectrum, no lottery ticket wins, or major promotions. We can sum up all that happened in two words: Teenage Drama.

Let me illustrate: Just put any name in our household to fill in the blanks. Then repeat the scenario a bajillion times (Obama doesn't even know how high that number is).

Scenario:

"I can't wait until I'm 18! It's only xxx days and I'm leaving. I hate it here. You aren't my (mother/father)! .........(Now wait 5 minutes). Hey mom/dad. I love you so much. Will you give me xxx dollars for gas? I promise I'll pay you back. What?????!! You want me to do jobs for it????!! No way! You are ridiculous! Why do I have to have you for a parent? Forget it! (Then repeat variation of this 10 times).

Anyway, up and coming on the docket--

Trip to Moab with the 3 youngest kiddos--a little rappelling, a little hiking and golfing. Mmmm...
Kevin gets back from China (I'm getting soft. I can't believe I turned down the chance to go with him)
Teaching Hannah and Kayla to drive a stick shift
Zac and Jantzen graduating from Snow College! Yesss!
Tessa will lose 10 pounds and get a spray tan.

I wanted to attach our super fun pics of us sitting in our house on the weekend while it blizzards outside again, but I couldn't decide which one to choose.

Til next time--

Tessa

Fishing Season Officially Ends

2010-11-07T20:34:00.001-08:00

Oh, this is bad. Dad called tonight and asked me to update my blog. When a senior citizen (sorry Dad) thinks you are behind on your blog, you are REALLY behind.

More importantly, why would I go for 4 months without updating my blog? What is wrong with me? When I lived in E-town, bi-weekly updates came easily. But then, so did doing the laundry, writing letters to old friends and relatives, detailing the baseboards and anything else that would pass the time and make the days go by with something to do. It's not that Alpine is a mecca of activity, either. But for whatever reason, I feel like I'm on warp speed again. Beam me up, Scotty.

Four months...let's see. Work, kids, Kev's new job, a few road trips, shaving Dazy (I'm stretching for things now), and finally got the yard fully weeded in time for snowfall. Grand accomplishments. But I digress...

The best part of the last four months was the last 5 days. Dad and I took out a map, and marked all the places we wanted to fish and explore between Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. We made it to a fraction of them. I would put Thermopolis as a gem of a find. World's biggest natural hot spring melts right into the Big Horn river. Imagine standing in water that's 100 degrees but casting to freezing cold water just a few flycasts away. Pretty spectacular. Then there was the amazing "secret" lake near the Big Horn where I caught my trophy. All I will say is that the fishing Gods were kind because I was a hot mess trying to reel it in. A small miracle I was able to land it.

I will skip the section about fishing xxxxx and xxxxx. Dad caught xxxx and Tessa caught x. It was an anomoly. A freaky, bad dream that had me ready to snap my rod in half and give up fishing altogether. Fortunately, the goldfinger came back on the Green River and I was back to equal footing with pops.

We stopped and saw the Mormon trail, shared trivia about trappers, beaver hunting and the Gold Rush in California, and shared our favorite western storylines from movies and books of old.

It was a great end to fall and a wonderful memory to carry with me forever. I can hardly wait til next year's adventure. And not a WORD from any of you about the purple pants. Purple is the new black.

3 Months Since Last Posting?!

2010-07-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go? Summer's half over! Who stole summer? Return it immediately!

In a nutshell, here is our past three months:

Hannah spent a month in California and is now back living with us.
We moved back to Alpine!
Kayla is getting ready for tennis at Lone Peak.
Whitney is back living with us for the summer and just sent off her missionary.
Kevin just accepted a new job here. It's out of athletics, but a great company.
Zac moved to Mass. for the rest of summer for a permaculture internship.
Jantzen is living in Omaha to be closer to his girlfriend.
Gentry just finished a Young Writers Conference.
Kevin and I just got back from our annual trip to Estes Park.

Furthermore, here is what is just around the corner:

Over the next few weeks, we'll be getting kids to/from EFY and other camps.
Hannah will get her learners permit (RUN AWAY!)
Kayla will start practices with the tennis team.
Whit goes back to USU.
Jantzen and Zac will go back to Snow.
Our monthly food bill will go back down to nothing.
Kevin will be attached to the remote as football season starts.

Things I Forgot and Remembered the Past 90 Days:

1. There should be a limit of 2 moves per lifetime. Additional moves should be illegal and fined heavily.

2. Modesty may be our teens continual battle but just be grateful they don't try to dress like Lady Gaga. It could always be worse.

3. Flyfishing is always more fun when you have to hike 5 miles to get there first.

4. Dogs like to eat their own poop. I don't know why I forgot, but I wish I hadn't remembered.

5. Six people in the house means there is not a washer/dryer warranty good enough for what we need.

6. Lots of kids means there is lots of weeding help in the yard.

7. No matter how many kids there are to weed, it still requires at least 2 adults to supervise so that something gets done.

8. The kids still hate weeding as much as they did when they were young.

9. The weeding is never finished.

10. Girlfriends are more important in life than chocolate.

I've attached a few summer pics including our great trip to Estes Park. Good times. Rejuvenating times. Peaceful times. Keep-from-killing-your-kids times. Priceless.

National Football Foundation Dinner

2010-04-30T10:10:00.001-07:00

Look at my hubby playing "big wig" at the Ntl. Football Foundation Dinner. He did a great job. It was a lot of fun to see him in his element mucking it up with the mucky-mucks. Wait...what did that last sentence mean. Did I use any actual words or are those all made up words? I need to get back in English class.

Anyway, fun to see him in a tux. Fun to visit with all the coaches and Eric Weddle. I had to ask who Eric Weddle was, but now that I know, I'm impressed. He was actually a smart, quality guy (I say that like someone who doesn't believe people who play football do anything besides ...well...play football). Sorry Kev. You better not read this blog. Just a little gentle ribbing. You play football and you is very smart. Ha. Sorry. Did it again.

Mostly it was great to see Kev do what he loves with the people he loves.

Our Sunny (NOT) trip to Cali

2010-04-09T08:52:00.001-07:00

YOSEMITE FALLS

HIKING TO HALF DOME

OUR "INSPIRATION"- OUR JAPANESE FRIENDS

We were young, naive, full of promise. "Let's get out of this crappy Utah weather and go to sunny California! We'll do a road trip through Yosemite, Monterey, San Fran. We'll come home with a suntan!".

Weather Check Day 1: Cali 70, Utah 27
It was day two trying to find an open entrance to Yosemite that should have served as warning. The ultimate optimists, we drove around the perimeter of the whole park to finally get in 5 hours later--other entrances closed due to snow. We should have given up the next morning when the sleet came down and the only people brave enough to try hiking were the 2 dozen Japanese tourists huddled in their bright yellow rain ponchos. "Hey, the waterfalls will be GREAT with all this rain!." We trudged on...until we hit 9,000 feet and it started to snow horizontal (thought: Uh-Oh. Honda. No snow tires.) We did a brisk 3 mile jog down the mountain, through the mud, and made it to the hotel on snow-packed roads.

Weather Check Day 3: Yosemite 25, Utah 70

The ultimate optimists, we socked in for the night with a fire and a rousing round of Scrabble. We awoke to 12 inches of snow, no entrance to the park, and no plan. "Hey, I'll bet it's nice in Monterey. Let's go golfing!". Mother nature thought it sounded like so much fun, she tagged along and followed us. Kevin got a round of golf in just as the downpour started!

Weather Check Day 5: Cali 45, Utah 55

In short, it rained on and off the rest of the trip. We adapted each time. We came. We saw. We conquered. Pebble Beach. 17 mile drive. Fresh seared Ahi on the pier. Seaspray and seals on the beach. Tennis. Hikes to waterfalls. Early morning breakfast of steel cut oatmeal with dried cherries, brown sugar and cream while overlooking the 14th hole. Banana Republic outlet store (!!)

Bottom line--here's my beef: This whole commercial with Arnold Schwarzenegger and his cronies talking about sunny California while laughing and sipping Sangria on the beach? False adverstising at it's finest. You should be ashamed Arnold.

And in the cruelest form of irony. The day we get home: Cali 60, Utah 37

Looking Back Over a Decade

2010-01-31T12:23:00.000-08:00

I couldn't have written a book with these kinds of twists and turns in it. Ten years ago I was 32 years old and a single mom with three young kids, and no clear cut plan on how I was going to provide for them. I had big dreams of international travel, and a hope that my future life would be brighter than where I had just come from. Oh, and I had big hair.

About the same time I was hired as head of HR for PowerQuest, I began one of the happiest periods of my life. I was paying the bills, the kids were a real joy to raise, I loved deeply, and I fulfilled a life long dream of traveling the globe. I was able to travel through Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Africa and found a passion for the people and land of of Argentina. I remember sitting in church one day as they were talking about daily trials and thinking, "I must be lucky. I feel like life is near perfect." I knew it wouldn't last,but it was a special time for me and my little family. And I didn't have big hair anymore. Just hair in many different styles and colors depending on my mood.

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The next 5 years were a blur. I worked ALOT--too much. I met and married Kevin who has been my partner and best friend through challenges I never could have anticipated. Little kids turned into big kids. Little problems morphed into big problems. The way we got through it was just a lot of committment, a healthy dose of patience and learning to laugh instead of cry. My hair got better, my wrinkles got worse.

Even though the past few years have been hard, I have learned to appreciate the compensatory blessings that came our way: Our children our alive and happy. I have almost concluded my degree in Art. I have found great joy in simplifying my life. I am beginning to trust love again. I am a kindler and gentler version of the me I used to be.
In a decade, there are ways I haven't changed. I still have to read the paper before I do anything else each morning, I still reach for "impossible dreams" (and sometimes one of them comes true), and I find my solace in the outdoors adventuring down new roads and discovering new rivers.

I have changed in other ways. I sag more in all the wrong places (which drives me crazy). I am less worried about the future and have a lot more fun in the moment. I am careful with love. And I'm getting better at letting go, whether it's about letting my kids choose their own path, realizing there are things I can't change, or forgiving myself for a hundred things I could have done better.

In my 30's I wanted to climb a ladder of "success" and it was all about growing and stretching. In my 40's it's about slowing down to savor the moments as they come and becoming comfortable in my skin. I am less interesting in achieving for myself and more interested in seeing my children achieve and wanting to reach out to others.
And for the record, I stopped caring that much about what my hair looks like. You can love or leave it.

A Christmas to Remember

2009-12-30T20:08:00.000-08:00

What a special Christmas this year. Departing from my usual lightheartedness, I'm touched by what a special week it has been. I'm less interested in telling you what we did and more interested in sharing the feeling I felt this Christmas. It was peaceful, happy, easy, wonderful. All the things you want Christmas to be. There were grateful hearts--least of which was mine--for just the simple things like being together as a family with all of our children. Those peaceful moments don't come along everyday, which makes them all the more special when they make an appearance. I took a simple after Christmas road trip with my kids that was worth it's weight in gold. What a wonderful way to end the year.

Disneyland For a Day!

2009-11-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

How has a month gone by? It seems impossible! Not much to report other than a few lukewarm grades in school, some nicely drawn dead animal skulls in art, and a rockin' trip to Disneyland with just Kevin and Gentry. Now that's the way to do a trip. Cut costs to nothing by taking 3 instead of 8. Let's do some simple math here: 3 x $250 = $750. 8 x 250 = $750 PLUS 2 new Sage TCR limited edition fly rods with large arbor reels, gas money to Montana and 10 cans of Cheese flavored Pringles.

Forty day countdown before I start my new job...excited for the change of pace and to see Hannah more.

More to come after Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday of the year !

Halloween Cookie Decorating Contest

2009-10-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

HANNAH AND PAIGE

THE FRANK COOKIE

THE COLLECTION

THE CHAMPIONS

THE JANIS COOKIE

ZAC'S MASTERPIECES

HANNAH AND MOM

The results are in! It was the best contest yet with new, young blood coming in as the darkhorses and stealing the show. In 30 years of this tradition, why had no one ever thought of making a long ponytail out of red licorice? Lils stole the show.

My minimalist cookie, called "Candy Corn" should have won. It was just too ahead of it's time in it's simplicity. I tried to sell them on the "Andy Warhol was a genius by doing the same thing" argument, but nobody went for it.

The Frank and Jan cookies also fared well in the competition. Let this be a lesson to the male football fans and hunters who thought they didn't need to come--watch out. You just might find yourself the subject of mass produced cookies...and it ain't pretty to see your face decorated in orange icing.

Thanks to Paige for hosting the event yet again.

Tennis, Fishing and Art..in that order

2009-10-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

This past week Kayla and Whitney played in region and state tennis tourney. We couldn't have been prouder of them. Kayla placed 3rd in region and Whitney placed 2nd in State. I think by the end of the tourney, I could keep track (sort of) the score. It was pretty tense a few times. Whit will move on to Utah State and play at a D1 school. See...all those tennis lessons paid off after all!

As for fishing, it's the last of the last of the season. Kevin and I payed homage to the fish by catching each one individually and telling them to get used to our faces, because they only have 6 months off before we'll be comin' a callin' again. So much fun!

And art....ughh. Did I say I wanted to major in art? I said that? Was that before or after I realized I couldn't draw? It's killin' me but I am sticking with it. I HATED the drawing of stuffed animals assignment. Who wants to spend 8-10 hours on a picture of a stuffed animal? Plus, just how do you make the fur look fuzzy? These are the questions that plague a 42 year old such as myself. However, there is hope. I am now drawing giant 4 foot tall flies from my flyfishing collection. Now THAT'S an art assignment I can sink my teeth into. Only one more semester and I graduate with my Associates degree ! Caveat--must pass math. Help mom.

Maybe art is what is driving me back to work. I am going to take on some more work again. I miss using my left brain. It feels left out. Human Resources, I'm Baaaack.

Lastly, I want to formally apologize to my Dog, Dazy for accidentally almost choking her to death. I thought she was going to jump out of the back seat window after some wild turkeys so I rolled the window up. I don't even need to tell you the rest, except that I know now when I panic I do the wrong thing...like roll the window up tighter. Sorry Dazy. We're even now. We haven't spoken since she busted the tip of my Sage rod a few weeks ago. I guess almost killing you puts us at even again. But barely.

Arizona Adventures

2009-10-05T08:34:00.000-07:00

Things we love about Arizona:

1. 85 degree days, 70 degree nights
2. Playing in the pool
3. Smearing our opponents in football (44-0)
4. Seeing friends and family
5. The Grand Canyon
7. Pizza Parties at Dan's house

Things we don't love:

1. Car rides with teenage girls
2. Speed traps in Flagstaff
3. Anonymous farting in the car
4. Figuring out where to eat with a vegetarian and meat lover
5. Gassing up a Yukon

Fall in the Air

2009-09-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

I have not been good at taking pictures lately. My bad. And my apologies to the whole family who is SEVERELY underrepresented lately. But it's been a good month. This weekend, Kevin, myself, and the girls are headed to sunny Arizona for some football, swimming, and (cross your fingers) Diamondbacks baseball game. It's fall break...and a much needed one. I'm not as "into" my fall schedule this year. It's a lot of required classes but not ones I'm very passionate about. I'm still finding some time to mess with pottery on the side. My tall things are getting a little bit taller, and my round things a bit wider. That's good by the way.

The kids are great in school. Kayla is going to be a lead in the school play, and she's doing fantastic in tennis. Gentry is active and having so much fun with friends, Hannah is getting used to a new school and has a boyfriend (arghh). The boys are in college here and couldn't be more pleasant to be around. And Whit is living in Alpine, working and playing for the region championship in tennis next week.

I'm learning to love football more. Since it's about all you can do in Ephraim on a Saturday (if you don't own four wheelers), you plan your day around it. I'm ready to get a foam Badger hat and paint myself blue. I seriously considered shaving Dazy and dying her the blue Snow College logo.

Having fun with new friends...finally feeling a part of things here. One more semester away from my new degree. Hangin' in there.

Labor Day Fishing Extravaganza

2009-09-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

No time for a long post today. Just know this...on Labor Day the fish were plentiful, the company was great, the day was carefree. Now I'm back at it at school...and have a pile of homework that's makin' me belly ache.

This weekend...more football. Next weekend...Lake Powell with a girlfriend. This poor old body hasn't seen sunshine for many years. I'll be the resident "night light" for the houseboat. I prefer to say my skin is "alabaster" instead of "pasty white".

The kids are all doing great right now. This is honest to goodness a great phase. We don't know what to do with ourselves. I keep waiting for something bad to happen, but we are having a stretch of "easy". Knock on wood.

Family Picnics and Other Odds and Ends

2009-08-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

Nothing too new or earthshattering. School has started. Me and my two boys are roaming the college campus which brings me a lot of satisfaction. I can't wait to start my art classes so I can proove once and for all that I did in fact inherit some artsy genes. My dog stinks and I can't get her to poop in her own yard. The girls start school tomorrow, on my birthday. Other than than, I'm just glad summer is over! Let the fall football and fall fishing season begin!

The New York trip without Pictures

2009-08-09T08:46:00.001-07:00

I was so prepared. Bought a new camera just for the trip. Charged it. Packed it...and somehow dropped the battery when I put it in the suitcase. So instead of Kevin and Tessa, I've used some other models to represent us in New York. My, don't we look rested!

It was a great trip. We've finally started to figure out the places, restaurants, hotels, and streets we like. We started the trip by seeing Next to Normal, a musical about a family with a bi-polar mom. Felt right at home. Then we spent a day in Central Park going to a Cuban concert and watching an outdoor documentary called "I am Cuba". We felt at one with our Latino friends. The next day we went to the Museum of Modern Art where we quickly realized I could have a real shot as a famous modern artist. Thursday we headed by subway to the new Yankees Stadium where we saw a Red Sox/Yankee's game that got blown to bits in the 4th inning with 8 runs by Yankees. This is where I got my education on the true cost of being a pro baseball fan. The bleachers tickets may only cost $25.00, but a hot dog, some lemonade and peanuts will run you $21.00. It seemed ironic they received some National award for best run service and catering that night. We also learned that a family of four can go through 15 bottles of beer for $150.00 in 2 hours, 20 minutes. You know what they say: a family that drinks together, stays together. And that same family thinks they are a group of stand-up comedians at about the 7th inning.

We learned our best food was on the smallest plates. When we realized we were at a "fine cuisine" restaurant and our plates came out with approximately 1.5 bites of food on them for $50.00, we ate VERYYYYY SLOOOOWLLYY. Then we washed it down with a $2.00 slice of cheese pizza on the way back to the hotel.

Soho and NYU rocked. We slept through the Good Morning America Jason Mraz concert when we couldn't get out of bed at 5:00 am. But we made up for it by seeing Altar Boyz, a 90 minute Christian boyband concert comedy that had us in stitches. The band members were Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Juan..and a Jewish add-on named Abraham.

We loved the trip. The best ever. Wish you could have been there.

Dreaming of San Francisco

2009-07-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

I just spent a week in San Fransisco with Hannah and we had the greatest time. First we spent 4 days with Nicole with her beautiful family in Novato. Gabe and Claire were our favorite parts of that part of the trip! Going to Six Flags with 4 year olds is so much fun. We saw the world through their cotton-candy covered faces. Hannah and I rode on three of the craziest roller coasters I've ever been on. Just imagine paying money to have someone drop you from a skyscraper and then pull your guts out through your throat. Yah. That good. I felt like I was going to puke all day long.

We got to see Gabe spar in his Tai Kwon Doe lessons, Claire dance in her gymnastics clothes, but perhaps the best was watching Nicole as Primary President. I'd pay to see that again. Imagine little 4 year old Rocco with his mohawk on the front row, lean under his chair midway through singing to find a sucker taped to the bottom (they weren't supposed to get tipped off til the end of opening exercises). "Hey EVERYONE...theres a SUCKER my chair!!!! Then he looks again and exclaims in utter amazement, "HEY!!!! THERE's A SUCKER UNDER EVERYONE'S CHAIR!!! EVERYONE LOOK!!! " It was mass pandemonium. Snicker, snicker. You needed that experience Nicole.
My favorite was our lunch at the Mediterranean restaurant. We ordered a sampler with 10 different types of food to try. Ahhh, the Hummus. Then the next day on the toilet-- AUGGH. The Hummus.

Then on to see Aubs in the heart of San Fran. She and Blake were wonderful hosts. We ate Riccotta Pancankes with Lemon Curd and Raspberry Sauce at Zazzies. We played tennis in the park. We shopped for vintage clothes at the secondhand store. We went to the candy store and tried one of everything. We played the 70's classic boardgame "Hearththrob". We went to Sushi. Life was good.

Hannah made for wonderful company and a very memorable trip. I left my heart in San Fran!

VACAYSHUN Report

2009-07-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

Well...it doesn't get any better. 8 days of hiking, fishing, waterfalls, mountains. I can breathe again. The vacation was complete with dead bodies, big fish and lots of bruises and bumps.

First off, our hike was cut short because they found the body of a drowned missing person just as we got there. We waited for about 40 minutes while divers in helmets traversed against the raging water, but finally gave up and went back down the mountain. Kind of takes the fun out of it to run across a dead body.

Our subsequent hikes proved more successful as there were no dead bodies, only injured ones as we boulder climbed through raging waters and mountain crevasses--whatever it took to find our fish. In the process, we both ended up with bruises and cuts from the knees down--pants and waders didn't seem to shield us. And as per the usual, I was looking at the water and ran into a tree. I assure you it won the fight. My left cheek doesn't look so good. But that is the price you pay to catch the biggest fish.

Yes, I said it. I caught the biggest fish. The kingpin of the river dropped his guard for just a moment, and my professional fishing skills kicked in. Before he knew what hit him, he had taken a gulp of that delicious looking red brassie nymph.
Irresistable.

We fished through the tailwaters of a high mountain lake in this boulder field covered with crystal clear water. We must have seen a hundred fish a day. You got ONE cast and that's all before they figured it out. But we outwitted those wily creatures.

Each day we hiked about 9 miles roundtrip to get to our holes and we were the only fisherman there--my only competition was Kevin ( and honestly, what kind of competition is THAT?) ...and beating the rainclouds to the next downpour. This year we were smart enough to bring raincoats, a change of clothes and an umbrella. The rain didn't make us miserable--just cold and damp and seeing mirages of hot tubs in the distance.

One day we went to my favorite town--Boulder (that's where my peeps live) --and had caramel apples and ate at the local restaurants. We purposely skipped fireworks and the parade on the 4th so we could get some hot tub time without germy kids with snotty noses and BBQ sauce smeared on their faces.

We went to bed each night feeling like a Mack truck ran over us, but with a smile on our faces.

The Dirty Life of Dogs

2009-06-22T09:00:00.001-07:00

Dazy is a brilliant dog when it comes to fishing. She knows how to sneak around trees avoiding the shoreline, she knows how to stand on my left to avoid getting hooked. She is better than any human being I have taken fishing.

So why is a dog that can shake, roll over, army crawl and sit on demand so stupid to roll in dead animals or horse poop whenever the opportunity arises? Does horse poop actually smell like Polo cologne to a dog? Does it release the pheramones that attract other dogs? Because as near as I can tell, all it does it make her nose green and her fur smell like...well...shit.

For those of us who live with her it's an inconvenience. But for her master, it means I need to continually wash her, unclog the drain with dog hair and then live out the definition of insanity by doing it over and over and over.

Last week, I PAID someone else to do it. She came back from the groomers with a bow in her hair and a new bandana. The equivalent of a baby fresh out of the tub with baby lotion all over. But I turned my head for one second (yes, ONE), and she jumps in the muddy river. I scold her and she gets out and as I lunge for her, she rubs out the water by rolling in dirt and horse manure.

This dog is 8 years old! That is 64 in human years. It is unacceptable. She is too young to be senile, but old enough to know better. You don't see my dad running around rolling in poop? Why the dog then?

I thought about getting even. Maybe I could roll in cat feces and then ask Dazy to come and cuddle. But the thing is, this dog loves you no matter what. It's an impossible situation.

It's time to switch out for a goldfish.

May 2009

2009-05-26T07:54:00.001-07:00

Wow! A whirlwind month with end of school events, graduations, softball, concerts, and family fun. I'm not sure where to start.

Let's just say I'm proud...I've got kids graduating, kids starting college in the fall, kids turning into beautiful and smart human beings. I'm just going to bask in that moment for awhile.

Gearing up for summer with so many fun things happening. Fishing trips, hiking trips, great weather, and a lot of family activities. Oh, yeah, and Biology class (gag).

'Nuff said. Life is good. Family is everything.

Kevin keeps movin' up AND Pottery Queen

2009-04-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

Two updates for the week. First, we went to the National Football Foundation banquet again yesterday and it was a lot of fun. Got to visit again with Kyle Wittingham, Lavell Edwards, Ron McBride, Norm Chow and a lot of other great Utah sports mavericks. Kevin loves this sports world and he's perfectly matched with his skills and passions. I am learning to appreciate aspects (the cheesecake was good at dinner). It makes him happy and that's great. They have asked him to be President of the National Football Foundation next year. Great resume builder for Kevin...more cheesecake for me. A win-win.

My pottery came out today and the kiln gods were very good to me. You never know if you are goign to get "butt ugly" or "lovin' stuff" when the glaze is fired. In my case, the kiln loved up the pots and they look beautiful--best batch my teacher has seen. I have reached my goal of making "tall things" and I'm now starting to make more complicated pieces...like bowls that are actually round and don't have holes or cracks in them. Regardless of my skill level, it's my new passion. To look the part, I've got to stop wearing makeup, burn my bras, wear organic cotton clothes, and start recycling. No prob. I was well on my way anyway.

School is out and finals are DONE. I'm like a caged tiger who just got released--leaping and bounding to my next adventure. One whole month for me to brush up flyfishing skills without other distractions. 'Ol Joe has been waiting at Nebo for 6 months to be caught again. Me and my barbless hook and beetle imitation are on our way, Joe.

Easter at the Homestead

2009-04-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

I didn't take very many pictures this trip. For starters, any picture I took would have had at least one person fighting with someone else. Family vacation tip--Never try to sleep 7 in the same room. Things got markedly better after we got a second room. Some of my favorite moments were on the water when Kevin and I snuck away for some fly fishing (sans camera). We caught about 8 fish between two very short getaways.

The look on Kev and my faces in most of the pictures are saying, "Is it over yet?" But sometimes, you carry on with traditions no matter what. We had fun reminiscing about years past when the kids still were terrified of the Easter Bunny because he was so big. Now they just think he's a child predator in a fuzzy suit. Here are our noteworthy moments:

1. Playing games on Saturday night
2. Catching 3 fish in the rain completely unexpectedly
3. The seafood buffet at Schneitters
4. The hotel room Easter egg hunt
5. Conversation on the drive home

Looking ahead to the next holiday--June fishing at Little Bighorn with Fritzie!

Egg Coloring Contest

2009-04-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year...pastel colors, warmer weather, Easter egg coloring contests and time to buy a new fishing license (What? That's not what you think of when Easter rolls around?).

We had the extravaganza on Monday night and I must say the competition was stiff. 2 art students, crazy Kayla, an 11 yr old with a 64 color box of crayons and Kevin (a darkhorse candidate who gave us a run).

In the end, we couldn't decide whether Jantzen's true-to-fairy-tale Humpty Dumpty egg, Kevin's "Tessa is HOT" egg, Gentry's multi-colored 70's egg, Kayla's "fat lips" or Tessa's smiley face egg with the glue-on squigly eyes was the real winner. So hard to choose when there is such an abundance of talent. Personally, I liked the "Tessa is HOT" egg.

We are planning our annual getaway to the Homestead for Easter Brunch and swimming in the crater. Should be a blast.

Also, Kayla just finished her Death By Chocolate play where she was the lead. She stole the show with her rendition of a beautiful, flirty, all legs, detective/sleuth. Wait...no wonder. That's not acting. That was just Kayla. She did fantastic.

The semester is winding down. I have gone from making "tall things" to "masterpieces" worthy of giving to my mom. Although I'm no expert, I have at least one piece I would actually show other people. We fire and glaze it next week. After it's showing in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it will be available for viewing at the house for a limited time.

We are trying to re-rent our Alpine home after hearing it was the subject of a news report. Our renters had a domestic dispute ending in threatening to shoot a policeman. Yes, after 23 years of "reading people" in HR, I am an excellent judge of character. Just call me if you need to hire a security guard. I know a guy with a gun now.

Montana/Wyoming Fishing Queen

2009-03-16T13:19:00.001-07:00

Woo-hoo Spring Break Baby! Dad and I took off for a Montana flyfishing adventure on the Little BigHorn. The weatherman assured us it would be a balmy 30 degrees on our first day. He was only about 35 degrees off. We woke to -4 degrees but braved the day anyway, one of the the only groups crazy enough to fish the river that day. All the fish were just waiting for us. Day Two it got up to 30 degrees and day three we think we hit 40 degrees. Other than almost losing my fingers and toes to frostbite, we had a safe time. We nymphed our brains out. Paul Garrison and his lovely family hosted us and we shared in laughter and games at night, wonderful homecooked meals and great company. It was my favorite spring break on record. We almost forgot to take pictures we were having so much fun. Eat your heart out, Matt and Gabe.

Cute Pics of Kids

2009-03-09T08:37:00.000-07:00

Nothing much to say. I'm just packing to go on a week flyfishing trip with my Dad through Montana and Wyoming so my focus is elsewhere. But Hannah and Jantzen were together this weekend and we took these cute pics. They are almost grown up. Sigh...where did the time go?

Jantzen and Mom

2009-03-01T16:28:00.000-08:00

Gentry ready for her violin performance

Mom and Hannah before our racquetball game

Jantzen looking spiffy for Prom

I just have to spent a minute talking about how grateful I am to have my son home. He is a joy. THIS is what it must be like to enjoy teenagers in the home. Since he has been home, we've enjoyed each other more than any other time I can remember. He is not only funny and pleasant to be around, I am just so proud to watch him blossom as a young adult. He is at Snow College part time and Manti High school part time. In addition, he holds down a part time job. His teachers love him. It's like I got my old boy back. The glint is back in his eyes. We have great conversations together, and he's so good to help out shoveling the walks when it snows or helping around the house when asked.

I still worry about him falling back, but our communication is good and he doesn't take offense when I want to talk about the patterns I worry about. He's actually become the emotionally healthiest one of all of us, and has a great ability to see things from an objective perspective--He is teaching me every day.

Lest you think he's perfect, he still eats like CRAP. If you are what you eat, he's a Mountain Dew and McDonalds french fries, but I can deal with him being human. Yes, he still tests boundaries but we work through it much better than we used to.

He's a good...no GREAT...kid and having the opportunity to have him home before he takes off for college is the best gift I could ask for. Thanks everyone for your support and love over the past year. I really think we did the right thing and I can look back and see what a difference it's made. I love this kid.

Oscar Award Party

2009-02-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

We had the traditional Trinnaman Oscar party last night in beautiful Ephraim, Utah. I was so happy the clan decided to tailgate to our neck of the woods so they could see the place (and double the population in town).

Dad came ready to defend his ongoing championship title, but I ended up taking the grand prize with my Sean Penn pick for Best Actor. I got to present myself with the grand prize check of $500.00 signed by Brad Pitt. Such a pity dad didn't win the only year there was such a good prize.

Among the sisters we picked apart dresses, jewelry, lip injections and Botox. And of course, we had a moment of silence when Liam Neeson came onstage. Perhaps the highlight of the night was the Indian dance and vocal rendition Luke and I performed of the winning song, Jai-Ho.

We had homemades soups and chili's, cookies, chex mix, and some killer potstickers. I got to go to bed fat and happy, while the others had the long drive ahead. It was a nice switch. It was so great to see everyone that I'm left feeling homesick for them all today.

I'm Back

2009-02-18T16:56:00.000-08:00

Pretending I'm surfing and it's warm outside
We really think she can do better in her choice of men...

Joshua James Concert--Where's cool mom? Oh, yeah, taking pictures.

It's been almost a month since I wrote last and there really aren't that many notable things to write about even after a month. Still doing well in school. I'm sculpting now...making an incredible "thing" that will be a perfect White Elephant gift for a lucky someone next Christmas. Kind of looks like Mr. Potato Head with the top of his head chopped off.

And can someone please get me some ethnic food here in Ephraim?! I'm turning into a senior citizen here. White bread, meat and potatoes. Ick. I went to Walmart the other day to get some Tahini Paste and they send me to the pharmacy. So I changed it up and asked if they had lemongrass and they said I could get it at the local co-op but they only had the basic varieties of grass in the Home and Garden department. Help!

Jantzen, Hannah and I went to the Joshua James concert in Manti last week. What a great artist. He sounds a lot like John Mayer. The dean of the music department is letting me book concerts at the Little New York facility. I will put together a whole season of artists from all kinds of genres of music. Fun.

Kevin got called to be in the student ward bishopric. Should be a lot of fun for the family. He'll be perfect. Basketball season is Kevin's latest focus. Four games each weekend. He's in testosterone heaven.

Kayla is working hard on her play. She got the lead role! Gentry just started up baseball in addition to her swim team. Jantzen is having the time of his life as an official "babe magnet" in Ephraim. We're having a great time taking pottery together. Hannah moved to Salt Lake and is now living with her dad.

I've got a bit of the winter blues. I need spring to come quickly. I'm ready to hike, to fish and to travel. I've read far too much and it's time to get outdoors again! Must...get...air...cough...sputter.

2009-01-22T11:20:00.000-08:00

After a grueling week of drawing cats, cubes, and fake fruit, I have withdrawn into a more cerebral side. All I needed was the slightest provocation to get excited again about writing. My professor was waiting for me outside of class and motioned for me to join him in a quiet conversation. "Oh No. He's sending me to remedial writing class. It's the run-on sentences. They've done me in. (NOTE: there are no run-on sentences in this BLOG entry). But to my delight, he was simply asking permission to use my paper as an example to read aloud in class. Although he did not use the words "Brilliant" in any of his comments, I think it's safe to say that his demeanor of mild enthusiasm certainly counts for something. Honestly...this guy comes to class in sweatpants, a Beatles T-shirt and slip-ons with no socks each day. If I'm reading him right, this was definitely a good thing.

As for art, I finally turned in my cat drawing. The face and legs looked like there was Easter Bunny in-breeding but I think that's OK--it's still in the animal family.

Ceramics is a mixed bag. I made a truly spectacular "tall thing" yesterday, but the teacher says it isn't spectacular enough to keep yet. My goal is to create a Tenmoku Glazed Teapot but apparently that's about 10 steps up from making "tall things".

Jantzen and Whitney are now attending Snow College as well and loving their experience. We have signed agreements barring me from any communication with them if we pass on campus. Fortunately, Kevin thinks it's cool I'm a student and regularly meets me for lunch in the cafeteria where he flirts mercilessly with me.

Back to School

2009-01-12T20:46:00.000-08:00

It's only been...let's see...22 years since I was a college student. But here I am, a bit over-aged, saggy boobed, and wrinkled up but I'm keeping up with the best of them. I think the official term is "non-traditional student".

I'm currently pretending to be a talented art major. I try to pull the "hippest" clothes that don't match from my closet (because art students always wear clothes that don't match), sling my backpack over my shoulder and head out right after the girls leave for school. While the girls are studying history and math, I have my charcoals and sketchbook out, followed by throwing some pottery on (or flying off) the wheel. Then it's on to jewelry-making and creative writing (Who KNEW that I was doing it ALL wrong all these years. For example, this blog is very poor writing form especially this part in parentheses and this run on sentence and I DON'T CARE). My self-portrait today in class looked suspiciously like a cartoon sketch of a Teletubbie. Makes for a good improvement grade at the end of the semester.

I occasionally meet one of my neighbors at the cafeteria for lunch ...you know, so we can check everyone out...and then head home to put my 41 year old mom hat on for the duration of the day.

All I know is this: I cannot draw worth a dang. That cat we drew today really threw me for a loop. But I'm going to keep drawing cats til I can make one that actually looks like a cat.

As for the creative writing, our assignment today was to finish this sentence. The world would be better if..... and I think my answer would have to be...if only there were no cats. I think there are a lot of you out there who would agree.

See you on "the Quad"
Tessa

Christmas in New York and Ephraim

2008-12-31T10:15:00.000-08:00

We started off Christmas at home with our ugly Christmas tree in Ephraim. On Christmas morning, the kids unwrapped their gift: Wicked Tickets in New York! We flew out on the red-eye that night for 4 days and 3 nights of pure New York City.

But before we left, we had a fun afternoon with our new friends in Ephraim. We had Christmas brunch at the house, complete with 3 kinds of quiche, gazpacho, breakfast casserole, grapefruit, and fruit sangria. Then with full stomachs we embarked on a four-wheeling and sledding extravaganza. It was bitter cold, but we had a great time.

We came home just in time to leave to New York in the SCARIEST storm of the season. I was crying, saying the rosary, you name it. Just get us to the airport in one piece! There were 8 of us crammed in the 4 runner with our luggage on our laps to the ceiling. I'm convinced the weight in the car was the only thing that kept us on the road.

In New York, we took in fifty degree weather while we shopped, saw musicals, ate until our insides screamed, and stayed up til wee hours of the morning. We ate New York pizza at Angelo's, Sushi at Ruby Foo's, Brazilian and Italian food, and even street vendor kabobs and hot dogs. We went to 2 musicals: Wicked and In the Heights and we roamed the streets of Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown, Broadway, Central Park, 7th Avenue, and Times Square. It was an eye opening experience for the kids. There were more people living in one building than live in the entire city of Ephraim.

Now we are back and need the vacation after the vacation to recover. But no complaints. It was great.

Getting Ready for Christmas

2008-12-17T20:33:00.001-08:00

Whitney and Hannah

The Boys Together at Last

Our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree (great til we had to cut 2 ft off the top

Yes, the dog's tail really did get spray painted red

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

One dog with a tail spray painted red
Three boycrazy teenagers
Four strings of lights that went out on the tree
Five doctor appts. in one week
Six kids coming to our house for Christmas (YEAH!!)
Seven presents that were returned to sender instead of forwarded to Ephraim
Eight loads of laundry in one day
Nine trips to the Athletic Center for swimming and racquetball
Ten strings of lights Kevin hung outside
Eleven basketball games Hannah cheers in during December
Twelve foot tall Christmas tree with a 10 foot ceiling in the house

Recovering from the Bowl Game

2008-12-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

Where do I start? Are we sad because the touchdown that was in bounds was called back? Because the field goal kick hit the post and bounced OUT? Or because the blocked field goal became a live ball when we touched it in the endzone and the other team scored a touchdown? Or because we somehow lost a critical 10 seconds off the clock when it was restarted at the end of our run in the 4th quarter?

Well, I know one thing. Those boys played their hearts out! In a double overtime loss, Snow College lost the National Championship by (as Maxwell Smart would say)..."just that much". But I have nothing but praise for the team. What a class act.

Kevin looked the part. He was meant to do this job. We had such a ball at the banquet and watching the game with family and friends. We got to have dinner with Dave Checketts and we were treated like royalty with our box seats and great food catering from start to finish. What a fun tradition.

All I know is next year...WATCH OUT! This is our title to win.

3 Very Special Guests on Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T19:52:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving this year consisted of 3 particularly special blessings: The long awaited arrival of Jantzen after many months apart, a new little one from Gabe and Kristen--baby Elli, and Aubrey fresh off the European tour with Blake and the band (their band is called Taught Me).

It reminded me that family trumps everything! They are the greatest gift and they are what makes special days so special.
We stuffed ourselves with the traditional fare, then played games and visited late into the evening. Grandma Lind made our 4th special guest...who would have known she would be with us this year after a coma and life support? The day after Thanksgiving we moved her from the assisted living back into her own home. She is my hero. Meanwhile, Kevin took the younger two girls to Logan to be with Grandma and Grandpa White's house for graham cracker (gingerbread) house making, all the mashed potatoes you could eat, and Football games galore. A bit untraditional this year to be apart, but it was perfect in it's own way for each of the kids.

To top it off, I made 3 homemade pies--Coconut Cream, Banana Cream, and Cherry. AND THEY ALL WORKED! Watch out, Paul Deen. I'm on your tail, baby.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Twilight Party

2008-11-23T21:11:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the big opening of Twilight, we headed to American Fork for Sushi, and then on to Paiges for the big extravaganza. At 11:15 p.m. (cough, sputter) we headed to the Gateway. I didn't think I could stay up that late.

We all swooned to Edward and Jacob with the rest of the audience. It was well worth the 2:00a.m. finish time.

SNOW BADGERS #1

2008-11-15T15:00:00.000-08:00

A RARE MOMENT WITH KEVIN AT THE GAME

BADGER PRIDE

Today was the final game of the season and the Badgers won Mesa in a blowout 65-20. Adding to that, Navarro, which is currently ranked #1, just lost their game, meaning that Snow will likely climb to #1 in the polls tomorrow.
The Top of the Mountains Bowl at the Real Salt Lake Stadium will be the National Championship game. Kevin is stoked because Badgers may win the National Championship the first and only time since he played in 1985, and during his first year as Athletic Director at Snow. Pretty cool, even for someone like me who doesn't like sports.

WE ARE WINNING--CAN WE HANG ON TO THE LEAD?

JAMAICA AND NICHOLAS AT THE GAME

AFTER THE GAME--HAPPY FOR THE WIN--

Mom, Dad, and Jamaica all went to the game and had beautiful 60 degree weather and blue skies all day. It couldn't have been more beautiful...unless I had a fly rod in one hand and a fish in the other.

On the home front, I am gradually adjusting to life in Ephraim. I still take on one work day in Utah County each week, but when I'm here, I am making an effort to get to know people, exercise, etc. The pace is sloooower. Let's just say... I get to walk alot. Makes the time go by. The kids are doing great and are very active in everything. Small towns agree with them.

11 more days before Jantzen comes for Thanksgiving! You don't think I'm excited or anything?!

HANNAH IN HER CHEER OUTFIT

KAYLA GETTING READY FOR PLAY DRESS REHEARSAL

Goodbye Alpine, Hello Ephraim

2008-11-06T06:49:00.000-08:00

Well....Ephraim here we are! We moved in on Halloween and watched the election unfold in a new home--a memory that will stick forever. It's new beginnings all the way around. Today, we are on Day 2 of a complete water outage here. Someone hit the main water line and they have been trying to fix it since yesterday afternoon.

Here is what I've learned in 4 days at the new home:

1. It's pretty cool when you can stand in the master bedroom and see every room in the house.
2. Don't under-estimate the frustration that comes from living next door to horses when your dog has a "thing" for rolling in warm horse poop.
3. A smaller house can get stinky when you can't flush toilets, wash dishes, or shower for 2 days.
4. How is it possible that we are in a smaller town but the girls are twice as busy as they were in Alpine? Hurray for cheer, musical theater and violin.
5. Intelligent, fun people live in small towns too. I've met the nicest people!
6. When I design my own home, remind me to put the light switches for the kitchen IN the kitchen (instead of one in the living room, one in the dining room).
7. This move reminded me that when you having nothing to do, it's the time to do all the things you said you would always do when you "had some free time" (banjo, write a book, start an online flyfishing store)
8. Fancy televisions require fancy technicians to set them up. And sometimes they still don't work right so you have to use the 10 inch TV from the dorm rooms anyway.
9. Be grateful for working washer and dryers!
10. Take what you own and cut it in half, then cut it in half again and you still own too much stuff.

THE ANNIVERSARY DINNER

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We celebrated our anniverary last night. Pretty interesting when you have no restaurants in town and the water isn't working. We melted ice cubes to cook with and made dinner anyway. A down-home anniversary with Gentry as our waitress. Take a look at the funny menu the kids made (click on the picture to enlarge).

The Halloween Tradition Continues

2008-10-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, we LOVE our Halloween cookie decorating contest. What started with a simple Jack O'Lantern face, has evolved into a full out, anything-goes competition. This year, however, was the first we have seen the "Double Decker Hamburger" entry, utilizing 2 sugar cookies and a full pound of candy (or something like that). Zachary also made a Jantzen look-a-like cookie in honor of our missing family member, complete with a green tic-tac beanie. I think we only had one traditional pumpkin face this year. Thank heavens for Paige's rational mind.

All in all, it was another success. You know it's gotta be good if Zac would come! Some traditions just get better with time. This is one of them.

5 Wishes

2008-10-23T09:02:00.001-07:00

My friend, April, gave me the best book for my birthday. It's called 5 Wishes. It's fantastic! The premise is that you are supposed to finish this sentence, "The main reason my life was not a total success is because I didn't_______". Come up with 4 or 5 items. Then turn them around into a positive action statement and live by it every day to change the outcome. Sounds simple enough...cough, sputter.

In the spirit of "keeping it real" (thanks Danny), here are my 5 Wishes :

The main reason my life wasn't a total success:

1. I didn't laugh enough and took life too seriously
2. I rushed through eachexperience to get to the future without enjoying the moment.
3. I was too scared to go after the (crazy) dream that lit me on fire. Always ended up playing it safe in work, relationships, life.
4. Gave in to what others though I should do/be instead of being true to myself.
5. I was too rigid and deliberate in designing my life and didn't allow or cope well with unexpected surprises.

I've turned those into positive statements for my life now. My new mantra:

1. I laugh often. I stop and smile. Others want to be around me because I find the joy in my life.
2. I live in the 'NOW' and enjoy each moment as it unfolds
3. I passionately and courageously pursue my passions a little bit every day
4. I am authentic to the real me, which gives my talents and gifts a free slate to blossom
5. I look at life as a big adventure, knowing wherever I go, I can make it a wonderful (and even magical) experience. Life will serve up what I need, and I will embrace the journey.

Now...for those of you who read my blog. What are your 5 Wishes?

JANTZEN!!

2008-10-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

JANTZEN TODAY

JANTZEN 6 MONTHS AGO

I just got Jantzen's school pics in the mail. Look at my handsome boy! He looks so good---like the old Jantzen. I had to immediately blog so everyone can see. He is doing well and sounds great. I love the confident clear eyes I see in him now. Such a contrast from his demeanor 6 months ago. It's a good week!

Fall Leaves

2008-10-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

HEY!! I DEMAND TO KNOW-- WHAT'S WITH THE SNOW??? YOU CUT MY FISHING SEASON SHORT!!

First things first---A continuation of the tennis success stories. Whitney ended up taking third in 5A State Finals. We are so proud of her! It is an incredible accomplishment. Now her poor elbow can take a rest from tendonitis and she can get some good recovery time. Shake and bake, Whit!!

I had a great weekend with my friend Fritzie. She came here on a hunting trip with her daughter and then stayed a few extra days with me. What a treat! We drove to Sundance over the Alpine loop, we went to the Rat Pat musical and out to dinner, and just had an overall nice time catching up with one another. It was like Christmas! The anticipation of having a few days to do nothing but have fun was well worth the wait. Fritzie is much older than I am but for some reason, she makes me feel much younger. She is a verifiable NUT. She toilet papered her hunting guides house and put cheerios in their beds. This story was met with shreiks of delight by me. I knew I'd found an audience who could truly appreciate the benefits of owning a remote control tarantula like myself. Finally, a prankster who I can share in some competition.

Now for the big move. Yes, it's REALLY happening. I think I'm finally getting my arms around it. My obsessive personality is getting plans in place so that it can be a transition with something to look forward to. I'm gathering art supplies to start some of the fine arts classes, and I've been looking into franchise fees to start a SubZero ice cream parlor. Who knows--maybe Ephraim has some hidden treasures I can discover there.

We got Jantzens' report card yesterday---HIGH HONOR ROLL! Wow! It's been awhile since I've seen those grades. It sure made me happy. Jantzen says he hates the predictability and structure of each day but I think it's a magic pill. He seems to be responding well to it all.

Still on the Boot Camp "high". Getting used to tomato juice, veggie patties, cottage cheese, tuna fish, and oatmeal. It actually sounds GOOD to me. What's even scarier, my old fishing staple, "Cheetohs", actually tasted terrible yesterday. Who am I becoming? I guess as long as a juicy, fat hamburger with tomatoes tastes good, I'm still normal enough (some would say I've never been normal enough).

Region Tennis Champs!

2008-10-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

Kayla and Gentry

Seeing Jantzen Again

Canning up a storm
I'm short on pictures, but we're long on pride. Kayla and Whitney both took region in tennis this past week! Whit won in Varsity and Kayla in J.V. They will continue to State Championships this coming week and we are rooting for them both.

Still having some difficulty getting the home sold or leased...we're in eternal limbo. I've been working on fixing "stuff"--there's nothing like 7 years of deferred maintenance to keep you busy! I've been fixing toilets, patching walls, painting, trying to fix electrical problems (til I decided I could kill myself and hired it done), cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning.

Kev has been in Arizona or Ephraim. He took his kids on the road trip to Arizona where they stopped and did some hiking and saw the rim of the Grand Canyon. Pics are coming as soon as Kev comes home again. They had a GREAT time.

It must have done me some good to be alone for the week...I lost several pounds and a few inches from my boot camp. VICTORY! (I just want to know why it takes me a month of blood, sweat and tears and Kevin can lose weight in his sleep--NOT FAIR. In my world I get to create, men will gain weight and look worse as they age and women will lose weight easily and get better looking as they go gray).

How bout that stock market? UGH. I am trying to remember the reason I decided to be frugal and save all of my money all these years! We are burning dollar bills this month by the minute. That whole plan of spending what you earn may have gotten me further ahead! I could at least have had a few more trips or some fun toys. Bummer.

At least there's those snow-capped, beautiful mountains. They calm me. But still--somebody get me outta here! I need to go see another country. I'm getting fidgety! I keep hearing whispers to come to New Zealand, Argentina or Italy.

Our Road Trip to See Jantzen

2008-09-28T21:18:00.001-07:00

We finally finished up our 24 hours of driving to finish the trip out to Bonners Ferry to see Jantzen. Hannah, Dazy and I loaded up the 4Runner and off we went. We passed the tempting Potato Museum, the Testicle Festival in Montana, Lincoln's 50,000 Silver Coins exhibit and a variety of other roadside delights and opted for the straightshot drive.

He was able to show us his world which consisted of beautiful wilderness (which he hasn't grown up enough to fully appreciate yet), a new High School which he attends, and a great pizza joint down the road. Bonners' Ferry and Sandpoint are both pretty small--you can't blink or you'd miss them.

He lives in a cottage at the end of a street, where there are 3 homes the boys live in. Each home is run by the boys--They clean it, shop for and make the meals, do improvement projects, etc. If they are on good behavior, they get one hour of television a day, and 5 minutes internet time. Other than that, they are out mountain climbing, fishing, doing homework, or working in the yard. I like the lack of distractions.

We got to steal him from his daily routine and go explore. Hannah insisted we drive 30 minutes to the border of Canada just so she could say she'd been there. We explored an old haunted lake with lilies floating on it and Jantzen discovered something that looked like a brain in the bottom under the dock. Kind of creepy. We hiked to a waterfall, and we went to SandPoint to the beach. Then we went with the boys up to the top of the mountain above the treeline to this pristine lake. It didn't matter what we did, we just had fun together. You know I was enjoying myself, because I didn't take my flyrod out of the car once. I ALMOST forgot it was there.

We were as happy to see him as he was to see us. And leaving was torture. We miss each other. I broke with my eating plan and had a jelly filled Hostess O just to feel better. Don't tell my trainer.

Tennis Champs

2008-09-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

Kayla and Whitney have been playing their hearts out this season at Lone Peak. The tennis team is currently undefeated and the girls continue the great winning streak. Whit is playing first singles and Kayla is playing on the J.V. team--much to her dismay. Kayla started out as Varsity and was was winning many of the top Varsity players, but the coach had a senior star return and wanted to give them a chance to play on the team for the senior year and knew Kayla had many years left to be the star. You don't want to go up against one of them in a dark alley--they've got the most toned arms and legs you'd ever want to see. Strong and tan. Ahhh, to be young again. I'm just white and flabby...and pretty happy about it.

Their games are on Tuesdays and Thursdays and of course, we always forget the camera. Some great photos were taken last week that we are trying to get our hands on. For now, look at the back row, far right. (Look how tall Kayla is).

On other news fronts, the move has slowed down. No buyers for the home, but we are trying to lease it. You don't think the collapse of our financial markets and economy verging on a depression has anything to do with it? I'm not sure what's better--commuting to Ephraim when gas is $4.00 a gallon, or sucking it up and paying rent in Ephraim. We're probably sixes either way (what does that mean anyway).

Jantzen was in the hospital this past week. A big wood beam fell on his leg and fortunately didn't break his ankle, but sure made it swollen and black and blue. Wouldn't you know it--the first time he's in the hospital his whole life and mom isn't there? Then Zac twisted his ankle and his is swollen up like an orange as well. It's even the same leg. I think he did it so he could have sympathy pains. There are easier ways, Zac.

I'm kicking fanny on my new Fitness Boot Camp. One hour a day of grueling punishment doled out by some evil trainer whose only desire is to make others miserable. But hey, you can't argue with results! The transformation from middle-aged-saggy-baggy to modern mama is in progress. And NO--there will be no before and after pictures shown.

Jantzen and the Bike Race

2008-09-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to report that Jantzen completed his 62 mile bike race yesterday! He said it was grueling, but he didn't stop other than to get a drink at the designated stops. I really am proud of him for his efforts. That's a huge accomplishment! He said he could hardly walk after the race. I am also pleased to report he has straight A's at school. Finally! Back to the good grades like I know he is capable of. These are the "miracles" of this week.

Hannah and I will be driving out to see him in 2 weeks--the 2nd time we've seen him in 4 1/2 months. It's like Christmas!

He had a few setbacks last week which were very discouraging. He got caught with cigarettes, alcohol and some prescription drugs--a long story that spans a few weeks, but such a bummer. Some other kids knew about some sneaking around and told their superiors. Jantzen was confronted and finally told the truth. It really threw me for a loop. I didn't even know he had ever smoked and we didn't think he had any ongoing issues with drugs. It's a tough thing when you find out new information 4 1/2months into "recovery". Some people say he's doing this BECAUSE he's there, and others say it's exactly why he needs to be there. It's confusing as a parent. We just hope we are doing the right things. What this does mean is that we need to stay committed for the year with Jantzen. We had thought about bringing him back early since we'll be in Ephraim, but I think we need to figure out a way to keep him in the program.

We are still moving forward on our plans to sell the house and move to Ephraim. I'm sure I'm not excited about it personally, but I think it's the right thing for our family. We will be together which is most important. I think the kids will thrive in a smaller town as well. And simplifying life is a definite plus. I'll take advantage by going back to college and seeing if I can learn something new. I'd like to become an architect for my second life--one that is focused on building "green" homes or offices. I'm very nervous about leaving my friends in the community. Kevin keeps reminding me we still have a home in Alpine and we can spend time here as well.

The girls surprisingly seem excited for the move. I think they'll be the coolest thing since sliced bread in the high school. Right now we are shooting for an October 16 move--we'll see if we can move things forward that quickly.

RECAP OF AUGUST

2008-08-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

I read today that in times of upheaval or stress, therapists are recommending blogging as a way to get your emotions out. Well, thank heavens. That saved me $100 in counseling costs. Even though my blog only has an audience of 2 (thanks mom), it's nice to write about life in this venue.

MY TOP TEN LIST FOR AUGUST:

10. Eating vine-ripened tomatoes and corn on the cob
9. Playing poker with Cinnamon Toast Crunch as our poker chips
8. Kayla and Whit making the Varsity Tennis Team
7. Kurt Bestor singing Happy Birthday to me
6. Watching Kev, Dad and Matt interviewed on the 6:00 news all in the same month
5. Catching "Bob" the fish (we are on a first name basis) in our secret spot three times in a row. He just keeps getting bigger.
4. Making a 1:00 am run to Betos for a Sunday night "Date" with Kev (it's the only time we could get away)
3. Sunrise at Silver Lake with Hannah
2. Hearing that Jantzen is riding in the 60 mile bike race
1. Finding the first bright yellow leaf of fall in the canyon

I took on a consulting project this past week which has been a blast. I love getting out in the workforce again. I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying the work! Plus, it's chipping away at that big bill for Jantzen.

Kev is traveling this week to games and took Kayla with him on a daddy-daughter road trip. Next week I head to NYC on this consulting project and then head to Arizona and Vegas to catch Volleyball and Football games with Kev.

Countdown to the end of fishing season and the beginning of winter. Ugh.

JANTZEN UPDATE

2008-08-22T20:45:00.000-07:00

The perfect Bday. Kurt Bestor private concert. He sings Happy Bday to me!

Hannah's First Day of School
Gentry's First Day of School

Friends and Family,

Jantzen is doing great for all of you who have been asking. Not only is he in a good place mentally, but physically he is making great progress. We have heard from Jantzen that he has entered a 60 mile bike race on September 13. Those of you who know him will know the IMMENSITY of this progress since the most physical activity he has seen the last few years is rolling out of bed! Believe it or not, he is biking up to 27 miles a day in preparation! Pretty cool stuff. He has assured me new pictures are on their way which definitively prove that he has big muscles.

It's hard to believe at how paths can go so different in such a short time. One of Jantzen's "friends" from several months ago has found himself in prison for the next 1 1/2 years with a bleak progress. And Jantzen is thankfully moving in a direction that we hope will bring happiness to him. He is registered to go to the local high school at Bonners' Ferry and it looks like he may get an internship to a local boutique where he can work with a lady who also makes custom designed clothes. We hope he can see the contrast and begin to thirst after the activities and people that build his confidence and remind him of how amazing and wonderful he is.

We are believers in the power of prayer and would invite all of you to add him to your prayers this coming month. Our financial resources are running thin and one of two things will happen: he will need to come home early in which case we need him to make GREAT progress before then, or we will find a way to keep him there and give him the entire year to gain perspective and strength. Either way, all of our prayers in his behalf will make a difference.

He is limited in who he can hear from, but we would like him to receive all the encouragement possible.If you would like to write him

Please send his letters to:

Northwoods Academy
c/o Jantzen Matthews
PO Box 8
Bonners Ferry, Idaho 85208

On other fronts, Education Week was great. The kids being in school is even better! This weather is heavenly (especially at about 8:00 pm), and Kevin assures me that the football games at Snow are equally heavenly.

Lastly, how about that David Archuletta? If Disney doesn't snatch him up as the next Zac Efron, they are nuts. (I definitely should have been a promoter/agent in life. Did I tell you I discovered Josh Groban and Celine Dion? A story for another day.

A week at the Cabin

2008-08-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

First things first--I have a new separate blog at fishenbabe.blogspot.com that is focused on fly-fishing alone. There just isn't enough space on the family blog to cover the great fishing.

Hannah and I had a wonderful week at Silver Lake Flat together. Gin Rummy tournaments, frozen bra parades, swimming in the lake, playing pool shark, watching the sunrise at Silver Lake, teaching Hannah how to fish, having hair styling parties, hiking, and playing poker using Starburst as poker chips. Yes, it was wild and wooly, the adventures that ought to make the rest of you turn green with envy.

She was great company! My favorite moment was when she caught her first fish by herself at Sunrise. It was 6:00 a.m. and we were the only ones out on the lake besides a lone owl we could hear echoing through the mountains.

Hannah's favorite moment was probably the million times she creamed me in a game of "Speed". It's just not fair. My old body doesn't think and move as fast as hers.

Now it's time for school to start (hallelujah) and life will get back to a nice schedule.

We are thrilled that Gentry will now be living with us full-time on a permanent basis. We love that girl and look forward to her presence in our home.

Kev has mapped out the year and football will be taking up most of our weekends. I guess it's time I learn to love the sport. We'll be getting an apartment in Ephraim so we don't have to be apart as a family so much of the time. Now we can join him on some of the weekends and he won't have to sleep in the "Tinkerbell Suite" dorm room.

The Hike That Went Bad

2008-08-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

Jasmine and I decided to head out on a beautiful summer's day for a 3 mile hike before a nice fresh salmon dinner together. I had to wait ten extra minutes while she applied sunscreen on this hot day. Finally, we were off.

About 15 minutes into the hike, we saw some nice cloud cover rolling in. Ahhh, we said. This will be the PERFECT temperature now.

Then we started to get a light summer shower. "Even better!" we said. Some light misting to cool us off.

Then thunder shook the mountain and followed with it several strikes of lightning close enough to take cover. As we stood under a tree, we said, "Surely this will pass in ten minutes. Let's keep hiking." No sooner had we said it than the "Downpour of 2008" commenced. Torrential rainstorm, flash flood trail, mud and water everywhere, and no sign of stopping. There we stood--metal water bottles in hand, standing under a tree. The stuff the news reports are made of when they talk about two stupid hikers who died on the mountain.

It took forever to get down the mountain because of the slick mud. "Whose idea was this dumb hike anyway? Laurel said to Hardy. Finally, we made it down but without one stitch of dry clothing anywhere.

The only person who thought it was cool now was Dazy, who thought she hit the hiking jackpot as she plopped her slick, muddy body into my newly cleaned 4runner.

The End of Summer Push

2008-08-04T06:41:00.001-07:00

Today, an update on life and some stream-of-consciousness thinking, as inspired by Holly's blog. This time, I'm writing two blogs. The first is the normal-happy-what-we-did-this-week blog. The second is an usually candid out-loud thinking.

First things first. The girls are trying out for the high school tennis team today. We are hoping they both make the team. Whit is playing in the finals of a tennis tournament today and continues to do well.

School is two weeks away, which excites mom and dad. We'll look forward to the return to structure. Hannah and Kayla are both in Honors English, Kayla made the musical theater tryouts and the show choir. Hannah made Yearbook staff. Should be a fun year for them. Gentry is a big 6th grader this year--queen of the school.

Kevin just won 4th place in the Riverwoods Country Club golf tournament. What a kick! He is just getting started with football season, his favorite time of the year. You can almost smell fall in the air. It's hard to believe he gets to watch football for HIS JOB this year. Seems crazy to him as well.

I'm just getting bummed thinking fishing season is on the downside. I hate that cold weather that's coming. I have enjoyed a summer that's including A LOT of hiking, fishing and exploring. I'm getting ready for Education Week, the last big event of the summer, as well as a fun road/camping trip I'm planning with just Hannah next week when the girls are with their mom.

Zac just started a new job which we all are celebrating. It means he can start saving money again for FIT or whatever he decides to do. And we heard from Jantzen. He is adjusting well to Northwoods Academy. They spent the weekend swimming at the lake.

Part II--read at your own risk

I've been having a hard time lately understanding why life's challenges seem so lopsided--some seem to get so few in life, and others of us seem to get heaped on. We were speaking to a dear friend the other day who said how stressful it's been that her son didn't make the competitive soccer team and that it's created a lot of turmoil in their home. I caught myself immediately having a dialogue--or rather an argument-- with myself in my head about how unfair it was that was the biggest trial for them vs. trying to show some empathy for the situation. Yep, I felt real jealousy for the normalness of their lives. How foreign it seems to have "normal" problems like having your child come home late from curfew, or figuring out how to pay for the car repairs that month, or how to get your kids to be nicer to each other. I can't even begin to make a list of what we have been dealing with. You'd be scared to be my neighbor. Just use your imagination and then multiply it by ten.

I guess it's no surprise that my never-normal life would have never-normal problems. Nicole says it's always been that way. I have a bigger than life, LIFE. And the good stuff is extra big, just like the bad stuff is as well. We'd like to move from "surviving" to "thriving" , but that happens on a different timeline than we get to dictate. Yes, we are O.K. over here, but TIRED. I guess the biggest comfort is that God's on our side.

Jantzen's transition from Wilderness

2008-07-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

BEFORE HAIRCUT

AFTER HAIRCUT

Well, my promise to show pictures of clean people has already been broken. We are still unshowered, without makeup and in the wilderness. Must be summer's theme. I've spent the last few days in the Wilderness with Jantzen and Boyd, getting Jantz transitioned to a therapeutic boarding school in Idaho.

Jantz has been living in the wilderness for 2 full months. He's cooked beans and rice over a fire, slept under the stars with a sleeping bag and a tarp, eaten with a wooden spoon, built fires by rubbing sticks together and bathed with nothing but a canteen and a bandana. He learned so much while he was there and it was wonderful to see him in a leadership capacity with the other 8 boys. They had Boyd and I come and spent a full day and night with him so we would understand his world. One day was enough! I have gained a lot of respect for those boys.

We took him straight from Wilderness to a shower (still didn't get the stink off!), and then to a short family gathering in the park before we headed to the airport. It was great to see and feel the old Jantzen again, but hard to say goodbye again so soon knowing we won't see him until Christmas.

He missed his plane connection despite the airlines assurance they would hold the plane, and he ended up in a 5 Star hotel with fresh flowers, marble jacuzzi tub and King size bedroom with gold walls instead of a bunk bed in his new boarding school. How's that for a first night out of the wilderness? Jantzen was thrilled.

Today he lands in Idaho where he'll rotate stays between that location and Costa Rica over the next year. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and help with this transition. We love you for it! It has been an extraordinarily tough year.

Fun in the Outdoors

2008-07-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I'm a dork. Nothing but fishing pictures. I'm so one-dimensional. But later this week I'll be posting our family trek photos and branching out a bit. I had to show these great photos of my hiking trip with my friend Marilyn Clark, and my fishing trip with Jazzy. I'm trying to teach her to flyfish. She's got an AWESOME cast. The big fish she's holding tried to "cop a feel" and jumped down my shirt when I was getting the hook out. I'm pretty sure he went back and told his buddies about it. We laughed pretty hard. Jazzy was trying to put her game face on everytime she touched the fish. What fun.

Marilyn and I are trying to climb to Horsetail falls twice a week in our quest to be in shape. There isn't a prettier place to be and a better person to be with.

And speaking of friends, my dear friend Fritzie and her husband Marco are coming to see me and go fishing. I can hardly wait to spend time with them. Fritzie knows everything about everything and has been a wonderful mentor to me. They both make me laugh and heaven knows we need a good laugh!!

Jantzen is transitioning to a new school next week where he will be for one year. We are nervous, but happy a decision has been made. I really think he will like it and he'll blossom there. It's a working home environment where the kids get jobs, have chores at home, school, field trips, and a 4 month stay in Costa Rica, along with therapy. This feels right.

The girls are doing great. Busy with girls camps, tennis tourney's and EFY's. How does the summer go by so quickly? Hopefully August will go slower than July.

My pledge to you bloggers: I'll stop using photos where I have no makeup on and I've just hiked a mountain. Let's shoot for something more refined where a shower has actually been taken prior to the photo shoot.

Tight Lines from Colorado

2008-07-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

Kevin and I just returned from one full week of ectasy! In a week's time, we hiked 25miles, caught over one hundred fish, golfed 36 holes (18 with 2 balls each) and logged 1200 miles on the car. We spanned Colorado's best fishing and hiking with all day treks to Rocky Mountain Park where we fished glacier lakes and waterfalls, and we hiked into high mountain rivers braving downpours (OK, I didn't brave it very well but Kevin didn't care how wet he got) to fish in out of the way hidden treasures. We'd get down the mountain each night in time for dinner and then crashed til morning so we could do it all again.

I dragged Kevin to Meeker, one of my favorite towns, where we fished the White River and ended up staying LONG past our allotted time. You know the fishing rule...you stay until they stop biting. We found the "magic fly" and caught one every single cast at dusk. It was fishing NIRVANA. But the best fish were close to home in our own secret spot on the way home from Ephraim. We've never caught so many big ones in a day.

We laughed until our stomachs hurt and remembered this week how much fun it can be to put the cell phones away for a week and focus on exploring the great outdoors.

We came home to a 92 degree house and a $2,000 air conditioning repair bill. Isn't that just how life goes sometime?

The Highlights and Lowlights

2008-06-30T18:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the family and an update of the favorite times and moments...and a few not so great moments we've shared. Just a reminder that despite the challenges, there is so much to be grateful for!

Zac's New Job and the Zoo Kids

2008-06-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Here are pics of the zoo just as we got there...and coincidentally, just as my batteries on my camera died.

Zac got a new job at the Flying A Ranch in Wyoming. I think this is the perfect job for him. Let me rephrase. I think this is the perfect job for me. He works on a flyfishing and horseback riding ranch that only allows 14 guests at a time. He is the assistant chef. Fantastic job for him! He says he can finally reach his goal in life---learn to ride a horse bareback while shooting a bow and arrow. Who knew? He lives with two 60 year old ladies, and a bunch of cowboys, and a bear. The bear sneaks into the garage on hot summer days so they have a furry companion. There is no internet, cell phone or surrounding night life. Just the peaceful breeze through the trees and the sound of fish sipping on the ponds at dusk. Lucky-duck.

The newest summer news

2008-06-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

Boyd and I were able to see Jantzen this Tuesday. We drove about 3 1/2 hours up to this remote spot in the mountains and then walked into camp, much to Jantzen's surprise. I was scanning the camp to find him and had looked past this guy with a beard and mustache that I thought was one of the group leaders. Then I saw a glint of recognition in his eyes and looked back and it was Jantzen! Long, curly hair and a beard and mustache, and filthy dirty! He immediately started weeping to see us and gave us the longest hug I can ever remember. We spent all afternoon in therapy sessions and had a very productive time. It was hard to say goodbye. He's in with a very diverse bunch of kids. One is a pretty hard kid with a long criminal record, one is an overweight, red headed freckled kid from back East, and there is a new kid that couldn't talk to anyone yet that looked like he was somewhere in between. They've hiked to about every peak on the mountain. They eat oatmeal and fresh vegetables every day. Jantzen says peppers and onions never tasted so good. He is still working on his own issues, but it seems to be going well.

Kev is FINALLY over his pneumonia and can play again. It's a good thing! I told him I was ready for a mail-order husband if he didn't get better soon. He's been golfing at the Thanksgiving Point tournaments--a perk of the job which he loves.

The girls are having a great summer. The best investment I ever made was the $19.99 Slip and Slide. They play on it all day long. Each week, we go on a "field trip"--last week it was Hogle Zoo.

Zac is back and looking for a job. He wanted to work here, but is finding he can make more if his lodging is paid for and he works in a fishing or camping lodge in Montana or Colorado. We'll see what happens.

Ah yes....and the best news for last. Yesterday I had a 41 fish day! Went to my secret spot and knocked em dead. I slept like a baby with dreams of tight lines.

Update on Jantzen

2008-06-09T07:07:00.001-07:00

We just got our first letters and pictures from Jantzen. It sounds like he is getting stretched a lot. He has a tarp, a rope, some sticks for a tent. They carved their own utensils out of wood, and he is learning to create a fire by rubbing sticks together. The counselors said it has snowed and rained a lot this past week. A change in warmer weather this week will be welcome. He'll get two new boys joining him this week. After a whole week alone with his thoughts, this will be welcome. He is still not real comfortable being there and is begging to come home, but they tell us this is normal. He'll probably need a few more weeks before he'll realize he needs to settle in and start working the process.

We are looking into next steps for him. Have any of you ever heard of the Hyde School? Would love input if any of you have heard of this school.

Kevin is still healing from his long bout with pneumonia. We are hoping he's healed enough to still go on Trek in two weeks so we can be a "Ma and Pa". If not, I'll get assigned a new "Pa". I guess it's like reverse polygamy. I may have two husbands. The one who is too sick to go, and the new guy that adopts me. If there is one upside to sickness, it's that Kev has lost 15 pounds. He assures me it's a terrible weight loss plan.

Counting the days until Kevin and I get to go spend a week alone together over the
4th of July. The Plan? Hike until our legs fall off and fish until the lakes are empty.

Say a Prayer for Jantzen

2008-06-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

This is one of my hardest blogs to write. Usually, our blogs are happy and I pick the best things happening in our lives to share. What's happening is good in a very hard way. This week we checked Jantzen into a Wilderness program where he will stay for several months, after which he will transition to a therapeutic boarding school until he graduates. We took him to the program this past weekend. Talk about a rip your heart out experience. We have second-guessed ourselves on whether to do this for several months, but finally knew that we were ignoring the truth of what was happening and each wasted day was one less we had to work with him as parents.

We researched dozens of programs and finally settled on one that we felt would be a good fit for Jantzen's needs. Our contact with him will be limited for some time, and even though we feel at peace that he's being watched over by a wonderful team of people, we miss him. In some ways, it's easier to rest knowing he can be helped. We know the outcome if we did nothing.

Home has been a rough place for awhile with all the challenges our various kids are facing. The emotional and financial toll has been great, but then again, nothing great has ever been accomplished without great sacrifices. We are doing our best to deal with each child's issues with love and patience. But we are big believers that stress can take a toll. Kevin has been ill for ten days straight and I have had TMJ with my jaw locking shut. The good days have been far and few between, but we have faith that sunshine is around the corner (Sunshine? You are there, aren't you?)

We figure this too shall pass...sometime soon hopefully. In the meantime, lend your prayers to the family as we grapple with some of the toughest issues I can remember ever having on my plate.

I guess it's all relative...when we can move from 5 kids in counseling, down to three or none, we'll give a big cheer. Think of all the expendable income we'll gain back! We'll be rich! Independently wealthy! We can buy a second home! Buy art and stock fresh flowers and chocolates year round!

Lastly (and on a good note), hiking and exploring season is here. I've been hiking to Horsetail Falls with Dad and exploring some new fishing spots now that spring run off is ending. Nothing like a good hike to clear your head and get that hamburger you ate for lunch off your thighs.

Father-Daughter Trip

2008-05-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

Dad called me last Thursday and said, "Get packed. You need to get away. We are going to Montana and Wyoming to explore." Three hours later, he picked me up and we were on our way. Our main purpose was to get fish planted in two ponds on some of the R &K Hunting Company ranches. One pond had produced 13 pound rainbows (see the John Elway picture). But the weather turned bad, so we ended up traveling to all of Earl Holding's ranches and assessed the land for fishing and hunting opportunities we could package and sell. We went to the Sunlight Ranch, buried deep in the forest near Yellowstone, to Twin Creek Ranch, a sprawling cattle ranch with green hills and meandering streams, to Will James Ranch, where the upland bird hunting opportunities were vast. We stopped along the way at the Royal Bighorn Lodge, a potential partner in the fishing venture. Paul Garrison and his family were kind enough to host us for three days of insane flyfishing on the Bighorn River and I caught more BIG fish than I've ever caught in a day. 18 to 24 inches almost every fish! We went hiking and saw bear, coyotes, skunk, wolves, and racccoon. We watched a heron stab a 17 inch brown right from the banks of the river. We listened to coyotes call one another at night. We followed dirt roads from old maps to find little known rivers and freshwater streams. We sat on the banks eating Doritoes and listened to the sound of the birds and the wind in the trees.

It reminded me of exploring through Argentina and Chile. There is just nothing like a road trip with no end in mind except experiencing the great outdoors.

It was five days later I caught myself saying, "Kids?? What kids? Oh, yeah, THOSE kids. I guess I'd better get away from this fantasyland and get back to being a responsible human being. I got back cell phone service Monday night as we drove into Park City. I'm back home, but not without great memories to carry me. Thanks to Kevin for holding the fort down while I was gone!

The Best Weekend

2008-04-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

Just what the doctor ordered! Sunshine, redwoods, and my favorite family in the world. I love Gabe and Claire.

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-04-19T21:04:00.001-07:00

Spring Break

2008-04-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

We have spent the week in Midway, Utah swimming, watching movies, flyfishing, and barbequing on the porch. Finally! A day nice enough to be outside!

Before we came up, Gentry had her Celebration performance and her solo was outstanding. We are pretty proud of her.

Whitney thinks she's in love (again). See roses and boyfriend in that order.

Hannah and Kayla have turned into fish...that's right...fish. We can't get them out of the pool. They are in a continual state of wetness. The day is like this: Wake up and eat breakfast. Swim. Come back and shower. Swim. Watch some television. Get snack. Swim. Get kicked out of pool when pool closes. Dream about swimming the next day.

As for the boys, Zac is heading to Colorado next week for the summer with my brother Luke. They are going to find financial freedom selling Comcast door to door. Jantzen is working, going to Lone Peak, and trying to give his parents grey hair or an early death (I think I'd opt for early death about now). Raising-Kids-Difficulty-Factor this week: 9

Kevin turned 41 this week, but he only feels like 51 (a five year decrease in what he felt like last week).

And lastly, Tessa is heading to San Fran to play with Nicole, her best friend, for her birthday. It's a heck of a commute, but she needs a playmate this weekend.

Candlelight Dinner

2008-03-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

Kevin and I were tired Saturday night after a weekend of Snow College sports/banquets and a full week of teenage troubles. I was intently watching (or dozing...depends on how you position it) the Womens Conference on television, and Kevin was upstairs watching the Final 8 in college basketball. I had no intention of stepping in the kitchen--one of those "fend for yourself" nights. Without any idea what was happening, the kids came and got me blanket and all and then grabbed Kevin 1minute before a crucial basketball game was going to end (THIS BETTER BE GOOD), we were escorted to the kitchen for a candlelight dinner the kids had prepared. It was complete with "Love Potion" to drink, fancy menus, and a beautifully set table.

Other than the bouncing out of their chairs giddiness from the girls, it was a quiet, quaint(?) candlelight dinner for five. Kayla made some great Chicken Parmesan, Hannah made Pasta Fries, and Gentry helped make our green salad with Raspberry Balsamic dressing.

The kids reminded us that they had made us some love potion a few years ago and it seemed to have worked. They thought we needed some more.

It was a great evening to offset a very difficult week and reminded us that we are indeed blessed to have children with tender hearts and good souls surrounding us.

Tessa's Been Tagged

2008-03-04T08:15:00.000-08:00

FAVORITE THINGS: the smell of cut grass, latin music, long hikes, a big, fat juicy hamburger and Diet Coke TO DO LIST: grow old gracefully, raise good kids, live in a foreign country, publish a book AVERAGE DAY: drive carpool, write news article, sell a house, clean house, drive more carpool, occasionally fish or hike MOST TREASURED POSSESSIONS: Family, Friends, Flyrod, Camera 3 WEAKNESSES: I'm grouchy when someone wakes me up from a nap, I can't do anything til I read the morning paper, I pick my eyelashes

Now I tag Hannah...

Christmas in Snowy Alpine

2008-02-08T14:51:00.000-08:00

Princeville Trip 2007

2008-01-26T16:44:00.000-08:00

It has been a year since Kevin and I had been on a substantial trip. It was time to "feed the beast within" and go on a "proper" trip. We spend less than an hour on the beach and instead hiked, boated, kayaked, and golfed our way through the island. A highlight was spending an entire day hiking the the top of the Napoli coastline mountains. We were so high up we were right in the clouds. With the rain, we were slipping along the top of the ridge, sometimes on a ridge so narrow you could fall down either side of the mountain just six inches either direction.
Not recommended for those with a fear of heights. To keep my eye on the ball, so to speak, Kevin quizzed me on on all the names of the NFL, MLB, and NBA league team names.

We are planning our trip to Argentina and Chile for next year where we plan to fly fish our brains out.

Kauai Trip

2008-01-26T14:59:00.001-08:00

Welcome!

2008-01-10T08:35:00.001-08:00

You've reached the now infamous White-Matthews family blog. We are beginners at this blog thing, so this is our first humble try.We are a true life Brady Brunch. Kevin brought three kids into the marriage and I brought three kids into things. Together, we make a very large family comprised of five teenagers at once. That will be 3 kids in college at any given time and 4 drivers still in the home within another two years. In grocery terms, that's 2 loafs of bread a day, 1 dozen eggs every other day, and gallons of Suave shampoo each week (it's a girls thing).On his side we have Whitney, Kayla and Gentry. They are tennis and soccer buffs, great students, and social butterflies. On my side, we have Zac, Jantzen and Hannah. They are gypsies like their mom with wanderlust to see the world and try new things.Kevin is "Uncle Rico" incarnate. He loves football and can't go a day without at least talking about it. He was an All American and won the Jr. College National Championship "back in the day". Nowadays, he announces games for KJZZ and BYU, and heads up the Jr. College National Championship game at Rice-Eccles stadium. That's his hobby. Then there's fishing, golf, hiking and travel. He's a family man through and through, never wanting to leave them too long.Then theres me, Tessa. I love life. I'll try anything once. I drive down dirt roads just too see what's at the end, I fly fish at least once a week, and if it's too cold, I'm inside trying a new recipe or scouring the internet to find great deals on a new trip.Together, we make up the 8 muskateers. Our family motto: All for one and one for all.