lets try this again... and again... until we get it right.

This past weekend I watched a lot of conference. It inspired me on a million levels... One of which, to journal again. So since my life is blessed in the most significant ways, I will try this again... and probably again. Here goes... a little recap of the past week and some of the last month... and an unforgettable summer.

Dustin Stibal works with Nate. His lovely wife, Cristy, is my friend. They have flown the coup and entrusted me with the care of their 4 children for a few days. Their children are beyond obedient, incredibly easy going and astoundingly self motivated. I am learning a lot about ways that I can encourage my own children to be successful in life from the way that they conduct theirs.

Meet this total stud, Skyler. He belongs to the lucky Stibals. I have forgotten what a treat it is to have little people in my house. The ease and convenience of older and more independent children makes life physically a cake walk. But to remember how innocent and sweet a little body who needs you to help change a shirt, who winces while washing the soap out his hair and who is so quick to cuddle up... a warm body who admittedly needs you... it warms my heart. This little man is shear pleasure in every way. I forgot what little man poo breath smells like first thing in the morning, how nice it is to have a little person body slam you without notice and how simple their problems are even though they seem like immovable mountains. Little people are cool. Behold your little ones.

over a year ago I posted my goodbyes to Elder Kennedy. I was so sad to see him leaving my area in Poland. Since that time we were able to hike with him in the mountains of Utah while he was delivering his brother to the MTC... that was last summer. Then again, just last week, Ethan came to visit us! The Mechams consider this one of God's tender mercies. Its a reminder that goodbyes are never final. I always knew this kid would go far in life. Undoubtedly he will. He is studying abroad this summer in Brussels and engaged to one lucky lady (to be married this winter). Since he is just a skip away, he honored us by giving up an entire weekend to hang out in England with us.

Pawel, a friend of Ethan's and ours from Poland, also joined us while Ethan was visiting England. We hiked around the ever beautiful Malham Cove and took a load of pictures! Pawel was baptized while we lived in Poland. He has since moved 2 hours south of us here in England. It was such a fun reunion with both of them.

The week before Ethan came out, Lisa made the long journey to visit us! Though she travels often with her work, this was her first visit out of the USA. She timed it to coincide with our holiday in Europe. We had not planned on going Paris, but it was OH SO CLOSE and Lisa's lifelong dream! We surprised Weezer (McKay's nick name for this lovely lady) by telling her that we were "going to Rheims but that we didn't have time to go into Paris" and then just before we walked up to the Eifel tower we told her where we really were. I do not have words to describe how fun it was to see the shock on her face! I will blog about this later. It was unforgettable!!!

Prior to Paris, we spent two weeks traveling across Europe. We went to Germany, Czech Republic, Poland and Austria. Salzburg, Austria was (HANDS DOWN) my most favorite place! There were countless amazing sites and photographs, food and people, history and culture at every turn along the journey... but PLEASE let me breath another day in Salzburg before I die! OH!! That place!!! One of Heaven's masterpieces! I don't have the vernacular to describe my love for the beauty that mine eyes beheld in Austria.

We also took Lisa to London with the Yowards. We hit all the big sites and the temple. I have to admit, London is pretty great. Every time I go down there, I become a little more fond of it uniqueness. This trip, the company was impressive! Sometimes when I consider how cheated I would have been had I not met the Yowards I recognize that a loving Heavenly Father really does want us to fill our lives with Joy and unmeasured happiness. How on earth could I have lived all my life without a little Mayan Yoward in it? Happiness is friends who are more like family and a confirmation that you KNEW them long before mortality. How does my pool of friends like this keep getting bigger? I must be the luckiest person alive!!!

speaking of Cool Cats... This kid (Mayan and Andrew's youngest) is a TON of fun! I dig his happy demeanor, his enthusiasm for life and the fact that he is my favorite age; 2. I could hang with him all day! He is learning to talk, (everyone knows how fun it is to have little kids say something over and over... ) he has a determination that (undoubtedly) will take him to the top of success ladders and the boingiest curls any kid ever had while running! EVERYTHING about him is a treat!

We had a busy summer and one of the funnest for the record books. Before Ethan came Lisa and before Lisa came Marci & CO. for 6 awesome weeks through June and July! That girl has energy like NO other! If there was a single rock unturned in England, I don't know where. We traveled from Scotland to Lands end and swung by Venice, Italy in between! I slept for two days after they left but the memories of their visit are still so fresh and exciting in my mind. I will have to journal about the summers of my life at some point... This one will go down as one of the most memorable and in its most simple form, the best! ******************************************************************** While I have been blessed with a ton of company and more travel than ever before in my life, It has made one thing absolutely concrete in my mind and heart; Heavenly Father's hand made creations, His gospel, the relationships I have with family and friends and the memories I create with them are among the greatest treasure I have. I will be ever thankful for the blessings that pour upon my little family.