Good friends in California

It’s so strange to have Lucy tucked in safely at her camp. Oh we miss her. I get so excited for her calls, especially when she is so happy. There is something pretty beautiful when you and your child both knowing there are good things brewing in their soul.

And speaking of those good things brewing, the other kids are hanging in there pretty well in their own necks of the woods. If you’re a mom like me, you know those moments when everyone is doing relatively well should be savored. Because you never know when the next hiccup is coming along!

So Dave have had a few of our own adventures.

I headed to my niece Ana’s wedding while Dave stayed at home taking care of some work and church business.

Dave headed to “high adventure camp” with the young men in our ward. He was grateful for the opportunity to get to know those awesome boys better. It’s always a good bonding experience when you help carry an injured teenager down from a hike. Ha! (Luckily that cute kid is doing well and recovering fine.)

Meanwhile I met up with some friends in California.

These are women who have helped me raise my kids.

We all have kids the same ages, and I’ve been so so grateful for their added input and parenting wisdom getting through the high school years.

It was so good to have a couple days to talk, talk, talk away and get caught up with this “parenting village” of mine since we rarely get to see each other back at home these days!

Then Dave came to meet me.

A few of our friend couples were also in town, so we got to hang with them:

These happen to be friends Dave spends half his life with playing pickle-ball (HA!). It was fun there was a big pickle-ball tournament going on that we got to go to.

I can’t believe how big that sport is getting!

Church near the temple:

I had a pretty special experience that day pondering some big things as I walked around the temple. A reminder at church to look for and recognize the hand of God more in my life.

Dave and I also got to visit Dave’s cousin and his wife who live near there and who we adore.

It was so funny that that very same night, unplanned before, Max and Abby happened to be at Bear Lake with their daughter and her husband…and their babies (Her husband was Max’s last missionary companion and it’s so fun to have that connection!)

AND Claire and Grace happened to be at a party with their son up in Provo:

It really is such a small world!

Dave and I had a few little dates just ourselves too.

Praying always for those kids of ours, but pretty special to have some time just the two of us as well.

To remember why he’s my number one.