Andy was at it again - he competed in his seventh triathlon! Anyone who knows my husband knows that he is passionate about his interests and triathlons are definitely one of his passions! He is not big on training, but he loves to be there for the event, and he will do it no matter what. This triathlon was especially exciting for him because it was his first open water swim. He signed up for an open water event last year, but at the last minute the health department shut it down and they had to swim in a pool. This time he actually was able to experience the open water. Sadly, I wasn't there to see that part, but it went well. As he says - he finished and didn't die.
As a spectator, this was probably my favorite of all the races he has competed in. The venue was nice, with a playground near by for the kids, and plenty of room to see up close as they rode into T2 and also came into the finish line. It was a great race, and I look forward to him racing it again next year.
You know I was distracted when I don't have pictures to show. The same night Peter learned to ride his two-wheeler, Ammon was out on his bike. Unfortunately, Ammon crashed and we had our first experience taking a child to the Emergency Room. I heard what sounded like it could be Ammon hurt just outside my window. But knowing Andrew was out there, I wasn't too concerned - until Andrew called out, "Jenny, I need your help!"
I went out to see what was wrong and found Ammon on the ground with several children surrounding him. Andrew said, "He cut his leg and it's so deep I can see his bone."
The first thing I pictured was an accident I remember from my days in elementary school. There was a boy who tripped on a sprinkler head and broke his ankle. The broken bone punctured through his skin and stuck out of his leg. The whole thing was very gruesome. Picturing that, I was surprised to break through the crowd and find Ammon there with very little evidence of a problem. He had a gash about an inch or so long on his shin. It really wasn't even bleeding. But as I peered into it I could see that there was something white and I realized that it was deep enough that Ammon probably did need to get into the hospital.
Andrew ran to his car to get his first responder kit. He wanted to clean and bandage it, but Ammon was in pain and we are about three minutes away from the hospital, so I told him to just get Ammon some Tylenol and then take him to the ER. (Later I was told that cleaning it would have been the right thing to do.) I stayed home with Peter while Andrew took Ammon to the Emergency Room at Primary Children's Hospital. Within moments of arriving, Ammon was happily playing with the Lego's in the waiting room. He got called back fairly quickly and was given five stitches. Andrew said that they considered giving him a sedative to help him stay calm and still during the stitches, but Andrew encouraged them to just explain in detail what they were doing. He was confident that Ammon would stay still if he just knew what was happening. They compromised by having the sedative on hand, but went ahead without it. Andy said the staff was all amazed and impressed with how good Ammon was through the procedure.
Ammon came home happy as a clam. I tried to take some video of him, but he was so distracted with the thrill of the adventure, and the new "toy" he received from the doctor. A week later I took Ammon back to get the stitches removed and now he just has a big scab on his leg. I don't think we could have asked for an easier "emergency" than what we got. Over seven years into parenting with this being our worst story to tell - this experience is leaving me feeling pretty lucky.
Andrew was out working on his bike in preparation of his triathlon the following day. Peter came over to him, grabbed a tool (the one they actually needed) and said to Andy, "I'm ready to take my training wheels off."
They worked together to take off the wheels and Peter got on his bike, turned to his dad and said, "Now push me so I go fast."
Andrew gave him a push, and Peter has been riding around on two wheels ever since. After his initial ride he did ask us to push him again, but we showed him how to make sure his pedal is high, push down on it and just keep going, so that's what he does. He is a pro on that bike, and we couldn't be more proud.
The boys had their six month check-up at the dentist. We LOVE the office they go to now. Ammon has the same crowded mouth that I have, so they are going to need to pull teeth in an effort to make room for the adult teeth that are growing in. I was pleased that all of the adult teeth he already has are cavity free. We had so many problems with his baby teeth that I've been really worried. But they are still in good shape. Ammon is very comfortable with the dentist and was happy to be there to earn the prize they give him at the end of the visit. I was the same way when I was a kid.
Peter, being a little bit younger, was slightly more nervous than Ammon. They did a great job reviewing with him all the equipment they use and what they would do. He thought it was great fun. It was absolutely adorable to watch. Peter is also cavity free, which was a shocker. After getting nailed with $1000 in dental bills about eighteen months ago, I am always just waiting for the hammer to fall. But we got through another check-up and I was quite pleased that their teeth are doing well.
That night we took the boys to see Cars 2. At the beginning of the summer, we had picked it as our traditional drive-in movie. But I got lazy and decided it would be just as good for us to see it in the theater. As it was, Peter was really tired and I think it still ended before the drive in would have started.
On our way out of the theater, Ammon couldn't help but notice this poster! He is allowed to read the first three books and then watch the associated movies, but he won't get to read the other books or watch the last four movies (which are rated PG-13) until he is older (like maybe 13). He is really accepting of that rule, though, and just thought the poster was cool.
I guess it makes sense... as I approach my ten year wedding anniversary, my brother, who is ten years younger than me got married. Still, it seemed a little strange. I remember when he was born. I was always a very heavy sleeper. But his crib was put into my room and suddenly I found myself waking up at night making sure the baby was breathing.
That baby kept on breathing and now he is all grown up with a job, a house and a wife. Nikki and David are the cutest, sweetest couple you could possibly imagine, and I have never seen a more flawless wedding day. They kept things simple and quick, which left no real room for things to go wrong. The ceremony in the morning was lovely. After some professional pictures, we had a nice luncheon and then went back to my parents home where my mom hosted a backyard reception from 4-7 in the evening. Nikki was a beautiful bride and I'm so glad my brother picked her! I couldn't imagine two people who compliment and adore each other more than they do.
I had back to back fun planned beginning with a morning out with a bunch of Relief Society sisters and an evening with my husband. The ladies and went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building downtown to watch the movie there. It was a great experience. Afterwards we went to lunch at The Lion House and everyone at our table swapped stories about how they got engaged (as was asked by the visiting mother-in-law of one of the ladies in our ward). It was fun to listen to the experience everyone had - each with their own perfect romance. I had just finished writing about mine, so it was fresh on my mind and was fun to tell to a live audience.
After lunch, I hopped on Trax and headed down to South Jordan/Riverton/Draper area to meet up with Andrew and the boys. Ammon had attended a birthday party for his cousin and was invited to stay and continue playing. Andrew and Peter picked me up from the Trax station and we went over to visit with my parents and grandparents. From there we went to pick up Ammon and take the boys to Andy's parents house. They were babysitting for us that evening so that we could go see the new Harry Potter movie.
Andrew and I went to dinner at Zuppa's. We had only been there once before and it had been years ago, so we were excited to do something a little bit different. It turned out to be really good and we would both love to go back.
On our way through the parking lot, after dinner, we saw Peggy's car. We stopped in to see Derrick, Peggy, Ammon and Peter eating at Panda Express. That is a favorite place of my boys and I know that was just the beginning of a really fun night they had with Gramma and Grampa Shadel.
After a quick hello and goodbye, we headed back on our way to the movie theater. From start to finish, I had a very rare, but fun day of play.
I was able to go to the hospital and meet my nephew Samuel, but the rest of the family waited until he was home. Ammon, Peter and I had a fun play date at Jennifer's house and Andrew stopped by after work. The boys fluctuated between being completely enamored with the baby and rushing off to play with the cousins that are their own ages. Andrew acted nervous about holding Sam - he always says he's scared of babies. But of course he is great with the little kiddos and looked like the most handsome uncle I know.
I am not a morning person. I don't like to get out of bed. And even when I do get out of bed, I don't like to eat right away. I have spent my life with a weak stomach and I get easily queasy in the morning under the best of circumstances. It just never seems appealing to shovel food into it. As a result, my kids don't get great breakfasts when I'm in charge. Truth be told, Ammon's school fed him breakfast all year last year. It was a great situation for everyone involved, I think. When Andrew is home for mornings, he will often make scrambled eggs and toast. But when I'm in charge of breakfast, it is usually frozen waffles that just need to be popped into the toaster. But despite the convenient habit I have developed of not giving much thought to breakfast, I AM capable. So when Ammon came to me with a special request for pancakes, I was excited to do it for him. I thought it was kind of random since it had been so long since we had even eaten pancakes. I have no idea what made him think of it. But his interest made a little more sense when he asked to add the secret ingredient - chocolate chips! I enjoyed spending a morning making my boys a "hot breakfast" and catering to their simple wishes in life. I hope that when they grow up they remember I did cook them breakfast at least a couple of times.
My mom took these pictures our first night at Bear Lake. We were amazed by the lake. The water levels are much higher than they've been in years past. In addition, it was crazy windy when we arrived. This made for some awesome waves and Ammon immediately fell in love with wave jumping. It was just intuitive to him, and he had so much fun!
True to form, Peter was a little more cautious and stayed right by my side while Ammon ventured out and explored this new experience to the fullest. Ammon had so much fun! I can't imagine a more perfect night for him. The adventure and excitement of the crashing waves combined with the tactile exploration of feeling the water and sand pounding against his body just created an experience that matches his love for living on the edge and figuring out new things.
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
