Say a Prayer for Jantzen

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

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

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

Check out my Slide Show!

Spring Break

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

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

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...