Actually, I can.

I sang with Preslie in sacrament meeting on Sunday.

Whew. It was terrifying! Back in June, when I got asked to sing with my daughter in church, I actually felt sick. It scared me a lot. I almost backed out. But I wanted to do it just because I was scared to do it. I wanted to prove to myself I could. I wanted to show my kids that I can do hard and scary things. The only thing holding me back is me. The morning of, my armpits sweated gallons. We did pretty good! I'm not a singer in the performing kind of way. I would have rather given a 20 minute talk or played the piano and those things still would have made me nervous. People don't know that I am actually a scaredy cat when it comes to a lot of things. I was really shy when I was young. I didn't go on a roller coaster until I was a teenager. I didn't try water skiing until I was in my 20s. Well, I'm quite friendly and I love roller coasters. Lakes still freak me out, mostly because they're cold and murky, but I always have fun when I go!

A lot of my kids have inherited my anxiety about the new and unfamiliar. But they, too have overcome a lot of their fears and I'm so happy! I payed Mack $20 this summer to cliff jump at the lake. That's a bit extreme, I know, but I wanted him to do it so he would see how fun it was and not be scared. I don't want my kids to hold themselves back from having great experiences!

This past weekend, we vacationed in Logan, Utah. We visited Willow Park Zoo, saw the Clarkston Martin Harris Pageant, hiked Tony Grove in Logan Canyon, and played at Logan Aquatic Center.

We ate a picnic lunch at Tony Grove and then began our hike. It was hot outside and a mile into it, morale was low. Quinn had fallen twice, and the rest of the kids were already "tired". I tried to stay positive and told them how fun and pretty this is, etc. I carried Quinn piggy-back some of the way. The hike to White Pine Lake was 3.8 miles, one way. We got to where the trail starts going down hill (dropping down to the lake) and Dax stayed with Quinn and Hunter and set up a hammock and chilled out while I took Preslie and Mack the rest of the way to the lake. It was another 2 miles to get there. Mack had been the most grumpy up to this point so it surprised me that he decided to push forward (I should never be surprised with this kid; he always does the opposite of what I expect). The trail dropped steeper and I carried Mack some of the way because he started to get an ingrown toenail. We got to White Pine Lake and it was glorious! Mack and Preslie got in the water, of course.

Way too cold for me! It's a mountain lake made up of melted snow, for crying out loud. We started back toward the rest of the gang and Mack was singing and having a great time, then the steep uphill hit, and his mood took a dive. We made it back to Dax and the others and started hiking the rest of the way back. Mack and I ended up running the better part of the way back to the car. The way back was so much quicker and more pleasant! A good attitude makes all the difference; something I was sure to point out to him. Mack and I sat in the car to wait for the others and the first thing he said was, "This was the best day ever." This from the kid who at one point laid down on the trail and said he wasn't going any farther. It was a great experience. Even though we ran out of water, Quinn fell down a dozen times, the kids were hot and tired, and they all thought the hike sucked at one time or another.. at the end, everyone said it was worth it.

The kids loved the Logan Aquatic Center: water slides and a high dive plus the "umbrella of doom". Can't beat a day at a water park. We headed home tired and happy.

Last weekend, I took my kids to my parents' house for my Dad's 70th birthday. My Mom and all my siblings pitched in and got him a nice spotting scope for his hunting rifle. His old scope was 40 years old and needed replaced. I'm excited for him to have a new one! This was a hard birthday for Dad because that week, his brother (my Uncle Norman) died at age 77. It hit a little too close to home for my Dad. He told me that time was slipping away too quickly. He lost his brother and his best friend. I went to the viewing with my parents and had a nice visit with my Aunt Jane. I just love her. She is one of those people that makes you feel like the most important person in the world. She and I sat in the same chair and held hands and visited about Uncle Norman and all the good times. I told her that Mack had been praying for him and her ever since we visited them back in February. She is not a religious gal, but she said that those prayers have helped her. She told me that the night before Norman died, she prayed that he wouldn't have to suffer anymore. Her sweet, unselfish prayer was answered. I can't imagine the hurt of losing my sweetheart. She and Norman have been married for 58 years.

That weekend, I had an interesting confrontation with my brother Matt and his girlfriend. I felt like I needed to stand up to him and I'm not sure why. This is another thing the old, scaredy-cat Tristie would never have done. I love my brother and I want what is best for him and his son and I think he knows that.

Preslie and Hunter got braces on Monday. It has been an adjustment with the tender teeth, thrashed up mouths, and extra long brushing and flossing.

Preslie went to Lagoon with a friend this week and we're all jealous that she got to ride Cannibal. We hit the pool twice this week. It closes for good next weekend. A new pool/rec center is being built and our beloved old pool will become its parking lot.

Quinn graduated from Upstart, her online preschool. She also decided to get brave at the pool and dunk herself under the water, something she's been terrified to do. I love it when my kids decide that they CAN do something. It's frustrating to wait for them to come around, but when they do, it's so cool!

My second grade teacher always told our class that "can't" isn't a word. She said "can't" means, "I don't want to" or "I won't". I believe her. I can do anything I want to do. I choose to do those things that are truly important, even if they are hard or scary.

NO! vember

Seriously NO. Why is it another month?! The time racing by makes my heart race with stress that I'm not getting my projects done fast enough. I DID make massive progress today, though. I got half my bedroom painted and it is so much brighter and fresher in there already.

 I had the cutest helpers! My room has a lot of angles and it is really tall at the highest point. Here is me sitting at the top of my closet. That dark wall to my left went bye bye.

 For the color I chose, I went 2 shades lighter on the paint strip. It is also the color of my ceiling, so that makes for some easy cut in (none). I am happy with the change already! More work to be done, though. So much more.

Moving backwards through the month of October... Halloween:

(the girl on the end on the right was Katniss..notice the bow. She looks like her! I love when people dress up as characters they look like. I always love a creative idea/ homemade/ made up costumes)

Totally thought of the boys' costumes day before...Mack was a zombie clown (did his own make-up) and Hunter was a greasy mechanic. The "greese" wore off. He unpicked the name tag from the coveralls. For some reason, he didn't want to be a mechanic named Elvis.

I got a new niece named Audrey! Can't wait to meet her! Dax got to already! Yay for babies.

 I made this roman shade for my friend's daugthers' room! It turned out way fun. I can't wait to go over and see it hung up in the window.

Hunter was awarded his Arrow of Light. Hard to believe that little Wolf in my scout den has graduated to boy scouts!

Hunter joined his school's Math Olympiad (which I think is a club for smart kids). I am way happy about it!

We really enjoyed Preslie's choir concert and her Halloween dance show. It is fun to see my kids develop talents.

We went deer hunting with my family. My Dad, brother, bro-in-law, husband, and I all had tags. We camped with my aunt, uncle and 2 of my cousins. A couple of my brothers came up to camp for fun. The kids liked the gophers that popped their heads out right in camp.

 It was Hunter's birthday while we were out camping. I surprised the pants off him and brought his long lost bud from Salt Lake out to spend a couple days with us. Hunter blew out his candles atop a dutch oven cobbler.

Opening morning I rode with Dax and we hiked around looking for deer. We saw a cow elk, a porcupine, and a blue jay. Also a doe or three. We didn't get a deer but had fun. I really don't enjoy shooting animals. I do love to camp, hike, and visit my family. Many of my extended family hunt and that is when I get to see them. I took a selfie of us out hunting. Later I saw how weird it turned out and noticed my camera was on fish eyeball setting. WHY is that a setting? Not useful.

My Dad brings pumpkins for the kids to carve every year at deer camp. They love it. My Dad is a great host and always shares his trailer, food, and supplies with us. He is the biggest kid of all and wants everyone to have as fun as he does.

I gave Hunter a chess set for his birthday and he is getting way into it. He played Dax and beat him. Dax got so frustrated. It was so funny/sad. Hunter felt all bad and guilty for winning his dad. Dax is really mellow and easy going but once in a while, his competitive streak shines through and he looses that warm fuzzy vibe that we all love about him. Playing games with my in-laws makes me think competitive-ness may run in the family! Ha!

 I took Mack with me to go back to deer camp a couple days later to see Trent and Kenzi who had driven in from Seattle. It was fun to visit them but Mack got a fever right when we got there and felt crappy the whole night. I drove him home the next morning.

 My littles ran the Spook Scoot race. They were awesome! They ran their hearts out. I ran along with Quinn and cheered her on. She was a delight. I was so impressed with their good attitudes and perseverance. A mile is far for such short legs.

 I took Mack and Quinn with me to Salt Lake for a funeral. On the way we saw this rad Moose. I pulled over and snapped some pics. It was SO cool to see. We were very close. Mack and I loved it.

 The funeral we went to was for my little nephew's Mom (Matt's wife). Seriously, people write movies that are as crazy as Matt's real life. It was really sad and hard. I feel sad for Matt and his son. The only thing worse than losing your wife, is losing her twice (3 times, actually). It was bad for a week or so there. My whole family mourned. My little Mack cried and cried that his cousin didn't have a Mom. Things are going to be ok. Life is hard sometimes.

I am sorry to write about such crappy stuff on my happy little blog but sometimes life isn't fun. A person's choices affect so many more people than just them. The more I get to know people, the more I realize that no one is exempt from hard times. So many people I love are dealing with so much. People that seemingly have it all together. I've learned time and time again to never ever judge someone; you never know what they are going through or struggling with. So many people that I think have everything going for them are carrying heavy burdens. This month I went to visit a friend in town who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  I have served in cub scouts with this rad girl and she is one of my sewing buddies. She went from an energetic mother of 5 to losing her breasts and her hair-plus other horrible side effects of chemo (and cancer in general). It is amazing to me how people recover from the blows life dishes out. I just want to reach out to people and lift them a tiny bit to make things a little easier to bear. Here is a quote I read in the Nov 2014 New Era that hits home:
"We came to mortal life precisely to grow from trials and testing. Challenges help us become more like our Father in Heaven, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible to endure those challenges. I testify that as we actively come unto Him, we can endure every temptation, every heartache, every challenge we face." Richard G. Scott

Ok, here is a weird thing- I got released from primary! WHAT?! I'm now the Relief Society meeting coordinator (Enrichment leader). I cried about leaving primary. Mack sobbed. It has been an emotional month! I will attend Relief Society tomorrow for the first time in a year. I have come to love primary. It isn't just babysitting like I thought it would be. Miracles happen there. The kids are so bright and know so much about their Savior and His gospel. I never thought I could feel the spirit in primary with all the wiggly and loud kids but I was so wrong. I've loved being in primary with my own kids, too. I will miss them! Our Primary program in sacrament meeting was this month. So cute. Quinn sang her heart out. Also at one point she walked up on the stand and grabbed a microphone and started singing into it. Little diva wanted to be the star.

Among lots of these other things, my master bedroom project is constantly on my brain. I wake up in the early morning hours and immediately my mind starts racing with lists and ideas and plans. Then my heart starts racing. Then my eye starts twitching. I have GOT to get this baby done. I need to sleep and feel content in my own bedroom! I know that sounds so crazy but it is real and exciting and annoying. Having my room done will add quality and years to my life. This is happening. Watch me do it!

Huge Surprise

All my siblings, their spouses and kids, my Aunt Sharon and my cousin Mike orchestrated a huge surprise for my parents' 40th anniversary. I don't know how that many people were able to keep the secret AND all fly in/drive and meet at the designated time before my parents got there but we pulled it off!

When my parents showed up for church, we were all there waiting in the foyer! It was so fun to see their faces! When my Mom first pulled into the church in her wheel chair she looked at my nephew and said, "Oh my gosh, that kid looks just like Wyatt!" Then she saw everyone and her face was priceless. It was fun for us to reunite with each other, too. Tisha, Jason, and their 6 kids came from Idaho, Trina, Jason and their 2 girls flew from Oregon, Matt and Natalie and Wyatt flew in from Oregon, Dax and I brought our family and my West Jordan brothers were of course there- Lance and Tyrel. Trent lives with my parents and he gets tons of credit for not letting my parents leave for church until all of us had arrived in the foyer. Thank goodness for text messaging!

Here are a couple pics of the surprised Mom and Dad!










We went to Sacrament Meeting with my parents and then to their home for a gourmet meal cooked by my cousin Mike and wife Kristi and girls and my Aunt Sharon. It was the most delicious coconut and rosemary crusted smoked pork loin drizzled in a yummy dark red sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, steamed veggies, green salad, and two huge sheet cakes to celebrate the occasion.


It was a wonderful time to be together and celebrate my parents' life together. We all love and admire them and I think they had the best anniversary ever!

Tyrel and I had a huge laugh about the above pic. Look closer and see who popped in for the shot. Tyrel is such a crack up!

Here is Chef Mike and his family, Aunt Sharon, and Mom and Dad.


Cannot believe my nieces are so grown up.

Love my sisters! It is times like these that we miss Tiphanie dearly.

Uncle Jason is a huge hit with the 2-year-olds.

My brother Matt and his beautiful family..

My kids just love playing with their cousins! I wish we were much closer to them all.

Mom, Dad and Auntie visit

We've been to Salt Lake every weekend this month so we were not only thrilled to stay home, but to have visitors. And not just ANY visitors...my Mom and Dad and Aunt Sharon! This was the first time they have seen our house and it was fun to show them around. I always love showing off our house to family because they get so excited about things and think it is awesome (which it is). We have really gotten settled and feel like it is our home now and are so grateful to have it and so grateful for the hard work that was done for us to be able to get to this point.

Saturday morning, we got up way too early and Mom and Aunt Sharon started doing what they do best: WORKING. My parents' truck was loaded with all my belongings that have piled up in their garage for the past 10 years. They thought it was a good time to bring them all to me since I have a house now...

They also brought me a tree for my yard and tons of flower starts and we got to work hauling dirt over with a wheel barrow. Our kind neighbor saw us 3 women doing this and came and offered his family's backhoe to which we gratefully accepted.

We had a good time and my Mom and Aunt Sharon both worked too hard but we made something pretty out of bare dirt and it warmed my heart! My Dad and Dax planted our new tree which I am so excited about. It is a flowering pear tree-the kind that turn bright orange in the fall and stay that way clear through November. I love it. And now it looks like someone actually lives here. It made me excited to start my yard which up until this point was so overwhelming.
Mack was so happy to ride on the digger and in Aunt Sharon's motorhome ("mo-meh hib"). The kid loves all things with wheels. He cried when Aunt Sharon pulled away and the motorhome went bye-bye.

Thanks so much for coming and for bringing all the goodies! We love you all!