Best friends: Aislee and Brynlee, Alyssa and Kailee...so much in common these two sets of BFFs!
The poser with her fruit cookie salad she invented! Man I'll miss her cookin during the days!
That was just what I needed to hear at the moment. I really connected with that entry. So, I've kept reading because I have really been loving it. I'm definitely not keeping up with it daily, and I'm a bit scattered, but I can tell this book will be by my bedside for the rest of my life, highlighted and page-folded, just like my moms. Maybe you have to be a certain type of person to get so much out of this book, or maybe you just need to be in a certain place in your life, or maybe we all would love it, go read it and tell me!
Today I read July 13. It was about Nell Nichols who was the Martha Stewart of the 20's, 30's, and 40's writing as a columnist for the Woman's Home Companion. What really stood out to me was some advice she gave to our grandmothers in the summer of 1924:
"Just one word more--please STEAL time every day, if you cannot find it in any other way, to lie on the grass, or in a hammock, under a huge tree this lovely month....and relax. What a tonic this is for the soul! What a rest for weary nerves! Our husbands, children, friends--yes, and the nation--will profit by our relaxation. The greatest need today is for calmer homes, and no fireside can be calm unless its guardian is at peace with the world." ~Nell B Nichols
She also continued to say..."Won't you agree with me, as you lie looking up at the leafy canopy above you, that a home now and in every other month must be a haven to the spirit as well as a place in which the physical needs are supplied?"
Yes, I agree Nell, and don't mind if I do!!!
pic from pinterest
I had to hurry and journal about my trip to Lake Powell...A) because I loved it, of course I did, it's Lake Powell...and B) i don't want to forget my thoughts i had while spending time reflecting on my life C) I think Lake Powell is truly heaven on Earth...and because I think that...I think it's a time when I'm closest to God....so D) if I don't write this down now, life will catch up with me and the World will soon take priority over me and my connection with God and this new nautical perspective on life.
First, let me start off telling about our trip. The weather during the day was incredible. It couldn't have been more perfect. Beautiful blue skies against the red landscape and emerald green water....ahhh, it was 90-95 degrees, so when we weren't out on the boat...it didn't feel like we were melting. We started right off with a wakeboard run, it's been THREE years since I've wakeboarded....I forgot how much I love it.....face-plants and all!! We got to camp and set everything up, went for a ride up a canyon (my favorite part...having the wind in face, the hum of the boat, and the slight rocking from the waves....it's bliss), dropped off party poopers (Jarrett and Tajia) at the marina to go home for a dodgeball tournament (cool excuse but lame they had to go) went back to camp-made dinner, more fun on the lake playing, ate dinner, set our anchor (good thing), and drove back to the marina to drop off grandma, grandpa, baby Lewis, Kailee and her friend to sleep safe and sound in a hotel room. Me, Brian, Ais and Easton headed back to camp. The dark gray clouds followed close behind us.
Let me first explain something about myself. I LOVE storms. I always have. In fact, I love sunshine, but I much prefer a stormy day. For me...the stormier the better. The louder the thunder, the more exciting! Seeing lighting, the best. The wind makes it pretty cool too. And bring on the rain. I love it all.
So, I see those deep dark gray clouds coming towards us...and I get so excited I can hardly contain myself....we get back to camp and hook up to the anchor, and not 2 minutes later, the wind starts up. Now, I'm not talking normal wind here, I'm talking GUSTS of wind. Wind so strong its picking up the lake water in walls and throwing it against our boat. It did first start one direction blowing walls of sand at us, but quickly changed directions, luckily. I much prefer walls of water than walls of sand! My kids were really scared. Brian had to go retrieve all of our coolers, and awnings, and chairs that were scattered across the beach, so I sat in the boat calming down Aislee and Easton who were tucked under the captains chair where they couldn't get wet. I secured the boat as much as I could and then just waited for Brian to come back so we could put up our screens to keep out the water. I got the kids in dry clothes and got blankets and pillows for their cozy little cave. I kept assuring them that we were safe, and I would take care of them, and that storms don't last forever, and it would be over soon. The wind was so loud and it got darker and darker. I last saw Brian retrieving a tube that had blown up onto our beach, then I couldn't see him and wondered what he was doing and what was taking so long. The kids wondered where he was. That was the scariest part for me. As we sat in the boat, huddled in the corner being tossed to and fro in the waves, with the rain crashing down on us and the wind whistling through the boat, I had fears that Brian was hurt and that was what was taking so long. What would I do? How do I comfort our children....alone? How do I get through this storm alone? I couldn't leave my kids to go to the houseboat just down the beach to ask them to help me find my husband. And I couldn't carry my kids through the wind and waves to the beach to find him. The more I worried about Brian, the more the kids were scared. So, I sat as patient as possible for him to come back. After about 30-40 minutes (felt like 2 hours), I looked up and saw a black figure running towards our boat. YAY, it was Brian. He was safe. He had gone way down the beach to help a houseboat who's anchor had come undone and started to drift. He helped them re-set it and told them they'd have to figure out the rest, so he could come check on his wife and kids. Now, soaking wet, we started putting up all the screens on the boat to block the rain. Aislee fell asleep and cute little Easton had become more and more brave and was now NOT afraid of the storm. He was our little helper. We brought his head-lamp flashlight and he was thrilled to provide assistance! He also kept us updated on his sister Ais, "oh, little Ais fell asleep", "let me go check on 'lil Ais", "Aislee is still asleep". He was such a big protective brother! We finally got all set up and cozy. Ahhh, it felt great to be safe....and dry. As we were going to bed, Brian and I kept reminding ourselves how thankful we were that our anchor was holding.
And then the storm died down, but the thunder and lightning stayed awhile longer. At one point that night I woke up and it was so calm, I almost felt sad, I wanted the storm to last a little longer. It was way more adventurous.
The next morning, the sun was up we had another great day teaching Aislee and Easton how to kneeboard, Aislee learned how to ski, and then we went exploring and we found the funnest canyon where we swam and jumped off of small cliffs, had lunch, went to Antelope point for Ice cream, and went back to camp to load up. Again, as soon as we tied off, more storm clouds. This time the wind came and blew the sand at us the whole time. It never changed directions. I was huddled with kids while Brian and his parents got beat by the sand trying to load up the boat. Then as we were trying to pull up the anchor, the wind kept blowing us in the wrong direction and our propellor got stuck on the anchor rope. Crap. But Brian got us loose, and we pulled and pulled in all directions to get the anchor up. It was deep. The storm the night before had done it's job to secure that anchor well. It finally came loose, we drove around the bend and started for the marina, and that's where the HUGE waves and swells started. YES...more fun (for me)! That ride from to the marina was my favorite I think I've ever been on. Our boat was a rockin' and slammin and spraying us, and I loved every second of it. I think this slow ride back to the marina is where I did most of my pondering. Because I found myself not wanting it to be over. Am I crazy? I don't think most people think being on a boat in a lake with huge waves and big dark storm clouds, soaking wet would be much fun. But I didnt want to leave. This is when I realized something. I started relating these last two days on Lake Powell to my crazy life. The storm. My trials. God. Our anchor. My husband. The Captain. Me. The First Mate. My family. The Crew. Maybe this is what I signed up for. In heaven. The storms. The wind trying to beat us down. The rain, the lightning and the thunder. The craziness. As we started for home, I checked my phone, Brian checked his. Our house that we are renting after two long years went back to the bank. We're going to have to move. Brian had a bunch of not good emails from work. Great. Real life. Another storm. I need to find a way to love these storms as much as I love real storms. There's got to be a way. And what part of the storm are we at. Just at the beginning....needing to put our anchor down way deep so we can hold on for dear life. Or is my anchor already down, and now I'm just being the comforter, waiting it out until it's over, reminding everyone it's all going to be okay. Maybe the worst of the storm is ahead, and I'm just being prepared.
All I know is I found this on Pinterest, and I love it:
I think one life lesson I was taught at Lake Powell this year is that life is a boat ride. Some of us are given cruise ships as our vessels. Some of us old wooden boats, some sailboats, some power speed boats, some yachts, and some canoes. Right now I feel like my vessel is a kayak, and I'm being pounded by powerful suffocating waves. Never can catch a breath of air. But, I'll keep going, I haven't reached the shore yet. And just like that quote..."no one would have ever crossed the ocean, if they could have gotten off the ship in a storm." I know my reward at the end of this long trip across the ocean is going to be grand....and I think it's almost my turn to take out the yacht and cruise right through it!
I also want to point out how thankful I am for the captain of my journey. Brian. He was amazing. I trusted him during our storm, and knew we would be safe. He took control and knew what knots to tie in the ropes (LOVE boy scouts for that), he knew how to drop our anchor and make it hold. He was constant, and never once stopped working for us. He almost cut his finger off with rope fighting the wind and the waves, but he never complained. Because he is such a great "Captain" of our family...I want to be the best "First Mate" I can be. I found an article on "how to be a good first mate", and I want to share because I think it explains my job as a wife and mother so wonderfully. I paraphrased a little and left some steps out.
How to Be a Good First Mate:
Know your Captain. This is a critical issue where the captain's ability and mental condition are suspect, of course, since the safety of the vessel and crew are dependent on a captain making good decisions in every circumstance, but knowing the captain also makes it possible for the first mate to anticipate orders, keep the ship and crew in pleasing form, and make life more pleasant for everyone in the cramped spaces of a ship or boat.
Keep morale up. On a long voyage, the first mate must help keep the crew cheerful and in good spirits. This means being an arbitrator in disputes, maintaining discipline, making sure everyone pulls their own weight, and keeping things running smoothly.
Keep a positive attitude. On large vessels or on long voyages, morale can become so poor that the crew is unable or unwilling to perform their duties effectively.
Run a tight ship. Keep tackle and gear stored properly, make sure cargo and stores are secured, be aware of the condition of rigging or engines, know how much fuel, food and water are on hand, and make sure hatches are kept secured. Keeping the deck clear of debris and loose lines and tackle makes for a safer environment for everyone.
Communicate effectively with the crew. When the captain gives an order, carry it out by giving accurate and concise instructions to the crewman responsible for completing the task. For particular tasks, it is advisable to attend to it or observe it being taken care of personally.
Stay in top shape. Sea voyages are often boring and lacking in physical challenge on modern vessels, but when a crisis occurs, equipment fails, or severe weather is encountered, the first mate must be able to physically perform his duties without fail.
Observe the seas and weather for unusual events. Even with modern communications, satellite weather technology, and onboard radar, nothing can replace a pair of sharp eyes scanning the seas and skies for approaching squall lines or other vessels wandering into the path of your ship.
Get to know all the hands on the boat personally. Knowing each person will make the job of managing their efforts much easier, since personalities often dictate different management techniques to get optimum performance from the crew.
Make yourself available at all times, for both the captain and crew. This means being willing to take a midnight shift at the helm, talk about personal problems with a deckhand, or being gopher when the captain needs a cup of coffee.
Warning:
Sea life can be dull and boring one moment, and dangerous or deadly the next. It is definitely not the stuff of romance novels
Here are some pictures of our small, much needed vacation:
The diving contest!
The toe touch contest!!! Nice one Brian!
King Louie ....and the storm cave
the boys share a snack
