Trek 2023

We left for Trek bright and early at 5:40, about 25 minutes later than we wanted to. 🤷‍♀️

Virginia, Lily, and Adi excited and ready!

We wouldn’t be this clean again till we got home. 😂

We drove into the craziest rainstorm that slowed us down so we were super late. Thankfully all the other adults ran late as well, so we were fine. 

Trek was so wonderful. We were so nervous. I haven’t worked with youth in 15 years and it’s been several years for Matt too, though he works with the primary boys activities. we had no reason to worry, it was so inspired and perfect. We had 7 boys and 5 girls in our family and they were so fun and accepting and strong. We had one girl that was majorly on the struggle bus on Wednesday. She complained and walked slooooowly all day. She eventually threw up and then pokied around so long in the porta potty that we couldn’t even see any other trekkers and had to have brother Naluai take us through a shortcut to catch up, but after that she got over herself and was glad she stayed. 

The adults met together before the challenge pull and every family was nervous their girls couldn’t do it. We had more boys than girls and it seemed every family had girls struggling. Then Elizabeth stood up and through the spirit really admonished us to trust our girls and believe they could do it. It was powerful and we all believed her, and they did it. It was left to the ma’s and pa’s to decide how much they helped their girls up the hill, and I knew I needed to jump in. I have to say it was easier with our girls then the week before with the adults. It was so special to see the relief and pride on their faces when we made it up. And they had some amazing gospel insights after. ❤️ 

We slept under the stars Wednesday night, a first for me. It was freezing and we woke up wet with dew, but it was still really awesome. The second day adi got stung by a bee. Seriously worst case scenario! but I think it was a trek miracle because for the first time ever, the swelling went down on its own. Matt and Micah gave her a blessing, and even though it was swollen the whole of trek, her symptoms were managed and she was ok. 

We did a blindfold pull that was tough and also kind of funny. Matt walked in front guiding them and I stayed in the back and watching 6 kids and trying to keep them away from cow pies proved to to be impossible. All 12 stepped in poo - and I really tried!

Thursday night we got word that it might rain. We had 2 huge tarps, one that we all slept on, and then a second one that we could use for shelter. We told our kids that we would help them, but wanted them to come up with an idea. And nothing happened. We encouraged all evening, and they would start, and then peter off. This happened 3 or 4 times, until finally we had a structure but the sides weren’t secure. We made dinner that night and were running behind for the hoedown, but 2 of our boys and one of their friends stayed once the hoedown had started and worked a system to tie down the tarp. #blessings

Around 3am we woke up to pouring rain. One of the girls sat up and I asked if she was ok, then whoosh! The girls side of our structure flipped up with a huge gust of wind, and every girl got wet! We all bolted up, I grabbed the flashlight, Matt and some of our older boys grabbed their shoes and we got to work. By this point the boys side had flapped up as well and kids were holding them down to keep the tarps secure. 

The kids had borrowed another families wagon and had secured our tarp with the wagons on either side, but it was so windy and crazy that I had to stand with my shoulder wedged under the yoke to keep the wagon from falling and then held the flashlight for the guys to see what they were doing, so I was getting wet too. The guys finally whittled some square poles Sam had given us into stakes and used our little shovel to hammer them in to secure our tarp. Our families camp was the first one in the line, and as I held the flashlight I could see all the families up and down both sides working with their tarps to secure them. It was a crazy little storm! We finally got everything secure and moved everyone in close. I had the 5 girls cuddled together with their heads up against my side, then the boys fanned out like wheel spikes on Matt’s side. They were cuddled pretty close together (the girls with the girls and the boys with the boys), but we all got back to sleep and stayed dry the rest of the night. Many families got drenched and some never even went back to sleep. 😬

On Friday the kids had time with the stake leaders, solo time, whole group testimony meeting, and then family testimony meeting. the kids had packed up most of their things that morning, since everything was dry it was easy. While they were gone Matt and I got the rest of our camp all put away and the chili and scones cooked. One of the pa’s set up a shade structure so several of the ma’s sat under it and cut veg. That was a tasty meal! Our family - the Mountain G.O.A.T.’s had been the very last family a few times, so we pep talked our crew into being ready so we could be first for the last pull. Since we were last in, it made sense for us to be first out, and we managed to do it. 💪🏻 

Our family testimony meeting was one of my favorite times the whole trek. We didn’t get much time to just be with our family, but I loved the times we did have. Thursday night we had a family night that was amazing, and then testimony meeting was beautiful. I’ll never forget the way the kids looked at Matt and I as we testified of Christ - they want to know, they are seeking truth and pure doctrine. This rising generation, we are in good hands. ❤️

After our testimony meeting, we played games and goofed around. Our kids were seriously so funny! They taught us serval new phrases and a new dance and game. And then we were on our final pull. It went so fast! Matt and I walked behind our wagon so the parents could see the kids being awesome. Colleen took a ton of pictures and shared them. There was a professional photographer there the whole trek and I can’t wait to see his pictures!

Sam sent this cute picture. It was so fun to be with Matt on Trek. I always wanted 12 kids - cheaper by the dozen, and now I know we could do it. 😂

Our handcart was kind of busted and we had to wait for special tools to take it apart. 🤦‍♀️ But we got it done and finally everything was loaded. 

Adi was a trooper with her painful swollen arm. Lots of Benadryl, cortisone cream, Claritin, ice, and prayers. 

We all took off our shoes in the car and made a pact that we wouldn’t complain because we were all stinky and all of our smells combined. 🤣 🤢 That was a stinky ride home!

I couldn’t pass up Cafe Rio, and there were like 5 other trek families there. 😂 We Mormons love our Cafe Rio! It was fun to chug horchata and chat for awhile.  

And our Patuxent trekkers. Minus a few - including Matt who was bringing our car down. 

It was such a wonderful experience - we really loved it and would for sure go back. We sent notes to each of our kids and can’t wait for clean hugs at the reunion dance! ❤️

The week with no pictures

I’ve been a terrible picture taker the past few days.

On Saturday Matt and I woke up early and headed up to the Marriott Ranch for Trek training. It was really good to see it and know sort of where we’ll be. We got some training and asked questions, then couples were divided into two families and we put carts together and did the challenge pull. 

Once we got to a hill we were asked to be silent, then one by one they pulled the men off the handcarts until it was just the 6 of us women pushing and pulling that wagon up the hill. It was much more difficult that I thought it would be. I enjoy a good challenge, but there were many times I didn’t know if I’d be able to keep going. We talked about how it would have been helpful to know how much longer we had to go, but as in life we usually don’t know how long our trials will last. 

One of the talks we’ve been asked to study is United in Accomplishing God’s Work by President Bingham. She talks about the divine plan of men and women working together, and how we can do so much more when we do - neither is greater than the other, they complement one another. To that end, as ma’s and pa’s we are to show the boys how, even though they can’t push the cart, they can help. They can carry things from the cart - although I will say I didn’t realize they had taken things out until I saw men ahead of me carrying water and food box - it was till crazy heavy! They moved big rocks and sticks, fanned us, chalked the wheels as soon as we stopped, and had our waters ready. 

There are fewer girls than boys attending trek, so I think the ma’s will have to help the girls. I’m interested to see how this will go. Testimonies grow the most during the difficult times. We’ve planned and talked and been trained and I’ve been feeling all week like let’s just do this already! I’m anxious to go. 

Matt and I read through the trek handbook and listened to the talks and planned on our 2+ hour drive there and back. We stopped at Cafe Rio on our way home and that was delicious and nice just to sit together and drink all the horchata our little hearts could handle. 

We found all the assigned chores done at home, in spite of the text we’d gotten about Frankie and Delaney screaming at each other. We went to the pool to cool down after our long day, but they pretty quickly closed it because they heard thunder. 

I was in our ward on Sunday. After church Johnna sat down with adi and showed her how to play the organ and Adi played her first hymn while Johnna sang. ❤️

It was all hands on deck when we got home. We worked together to make some desserts for my Young Women to Relief Society Transition Forum that evening. Then that evening the sister missionaries, Katie, and Porter twins came over and we picked up Anna and headed to Amber’s house. 

For a long time, even as a ward president I felt like we could do a better job helping our young women prepare for relief society. If the aaronic priesthood is preparatory, then surely young women should be preparatory as well. I told the girls we were interested in their honest thoughts and opinions and they wouldn’t hurt any feelings and it was all confidential, then we asked how they felt about RS, where they got those ideas, how they’d like to be treated and how we could help them feel better prepared and more excited. We had Chrissy De Atley there taking notes since we don’t have a secretary and we got some really insightful and thoughtful responses. 

One thing is that we don’t talk enough about what RS actually is, our purpose and origin. The girls sort of knew little bits, but not because anyone talked to them about it, including their moms. They all agreed they’d feel more comfortable with a buddy as they start attending, which is the same no matter the age. And interestingly they didn’t think of their YW leaders as being part of RS. We talked about how they are comfortable with their leaders because they have an established relationship, and how that is needful in RS too. Anyway, it was good and I’m excited to take that and learn and hopefully make some things happen. 

Monday and Tuesday were Trek prep days. That includes house prep for the days we’ll be gone. 

Monday night we had Darrows over for salmon and home evening. 😂 we had talked about Matt’s salmon grilling prowess and how we needed to have them over to enjoy it and then salmon was on sale over the weekend so it all worked out. Matt didn’t end up getting home till 6:30, so it was a later night than anticipated, but still great. 

One of Frankie’s good friends had been trying to coordinate a birthday party and with trips and non Sunday availability, Monday night was the only one that worked, so we missed her for salmon night, but she had a good time celebrating Jaidyn. 

Tuesday morning I met Alecia at the gym for my first ever spin class. She gets an extra entry into a drawing when she brings a guest, so I had to help her win. I took it very easy in anticipation of trek and I’m happy to report than the only place I’m sore is my bum from the seat. It was an hour long class and even taking it easy was a good workout. 

Then we met Johnna and her boys at the pool for pizza, then Cyndi and crew brought ice cream and it was a fun afternoon at the pool. 

I came home after 2 hours to shower and continue packing and preparing. 

Dad rolled into town and said let’s go pick up dinner, so we popped into Food Lion for movie snacks for the girls for tomorrow and then Arbys for dinner. We’re so grateful he was willing to come up and watch Frankie and Delaney. They’re going to have a blast. 

And this early morning I’m doing my can’t sleep before a trip routine. 10/10 do not recommend, but that’s been my MO for a few years now, so 🤷‍♀️. Our bags are packed and we’re ready to go. Bring it, Trek!

A midsummer week

Chantell came to town last Friday. She just stayed one night, but we played games and swam and talked all night and made the best of our time together. We ❤️ us some Chantell.

I attended Capitol wards virtual ward council, then their ward, mission coordination meeting, made a few visits with their relief society president Barbara, virtual stake and mission coordination meeting, drove home, then Adult Leadership Committee meeting. It was a loooong but good day. I ended it with a foot mask and quiet time on the couch. 

The girls went to a fireside that evening. And also, I get to work with Josh again because he just got called into the stake presidency. Exciting times!

Monday was Chelsea’s birthday, so after months and months Sarah, chelsea, and I finally got together for lunch and shopping. 

We had delicious sandwiches at Showtime Deli then hit up Marshall’s. It was so nice to catch up and celebrate one of my favs. 

Tuesday was a catch-up day. We did things around the house, then headed into town for shopping and free slurpees. 7-11 on 7/11, yo!

Hot Cheetos are really having their day in the sun at 5 Below. 

7-11 had super fun flavors, but I was bummed with my choice of horchata. Should have stuck with one of the fun lemonades. 🤷‍♀️

That afternoon D went to swim with Hayden and I picked up Nola and we met up with Manuela to meet the director of the Solomons Mission. We got them on board to be partners for our big September Just Serve project! Kelly was fabulous, and as we were checking out her gardens we met an elderly man named Sunny who had grown up on Solomon’s and had allll the stories. It was a really great meeting. 

That night Frankie gave a fun home evening lesson, then we FaceTimed our favorite Montanians. 

Wednesday was trek day. We tried on all the dresses Chantell had brought and gathered supplies and ordered what we don’t have. It took most of the day, and then that afternoon Matt and I made the Amish circuit in search of a bonnet ✅, straw hat ✅ on the 3rd stop, and an apron ✅ on Amazon after none of the Amish stores had any. Isn’t this flower dress amazing?! 😂

We dropped the girls off for their temple trip and then Matt, D, and I headed out to finish our errands. We hit Walmart for the last of our trek gear, Joanns for supplies for D’s chair project, Rita’s because I had a coupon, mission bbq because I had another coupon, and finally Chicfila for D - which was also free with Chicfila points. 🎉 

We went to the pool when we got home. The girls have been loving these reusable water balloons I bought last year. They’re always a hit at the pool and surprisingly, even though we always share, we haven’t lost any yet. 

2 temple trips in 1 week. Lucky kids!

On Thursday we finished Delaney’s chair refinishing project. D did everything and we just assisted. 

She surprisingly picked pink for her cushion and loved how it turned out!

Rightly proud of herself. 

Today was a beautiful summer day. We spent 5+ hours at the Wildwood pool with Darrows, Ainas, and Kinney’s. 

I didn’t take any pictures till right before we left, so I missed half the crew. 

Adi swam for a few hours, then walked to Darrows to hang out with Lily, so I got another shot of the last 3 of our crew still at the pool. 

Frankie snuck a water balloon over Curtis’ head. 

They threw balloons at each other for a long time, they’re such good and cute little buddies. 

Frankie and Delaney have sunburned faces and we all came home sun tired, but happy. Matt grilled chicken and I made stir fry and then more fav FaceTime! I also talked to Brother Johnson about our September project for over an hour. 

Today marks exactly half way through summer and that makes me sooooo sad! We’re making the most of it and soaking it all in!

Mt. Vernon

We had a summer adventure with the Darrows to Mt. Vernon on our CWS Friday. 

We had an easy drive and met up and got right to hiking their trails. 

It was v warm, but everyone had water and there weren’t too many complaints. 

We had a mansion tour scheduled for the afternoon and waited less than 5 minutes. It wasn’t very busy at all. 

We are pretty partial to GW over here, and Mt. Vernon is absolutely beautiful!

We enjoyed our tour and the guides with all their great info. 

One of my favorites things at Mt. Vernon is sitting on the beautiful back porch overlooking the river.

We met a sweet older lady on the back porch and she told us all about the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association that saved Mt. Vernon. Cause girls get it done. Our friend walked out with us and we got her to take another group shot. 

Carters birthday!

They had this cool activity called Be Washington where Christopher Jackson tells us all about a battle and then each person gets to choose some advisors to get advice and then choose what to do. Not to brag, but I was Washington. I decided to advance north to NJ just like he did, turning the tide of the war. There was one adviser that put his hand to his chest and said “I grew up in this forest and I can lead our troops to New Jersey,” and you know, I just really trusted him. 

Matt is always ready to orate! Also, while we were inside it poured down rain. It had been thundering all day and our timing ended up being perfect. 

My favorite part of the museum was the Revolutionary War Theater with their 4D effects. Feeling the cannons and gunshots, it felt like fireworks, it was really cool. And then it snows, such a fun experience! 🤗

By the end of the day everyone was famished so after some nose picking we headed to District Taco for a delicious dinner. 

We love summer adventures. I’m so so sad that we’re almost halfway through with Summer!