I was cleaning up my files at work and came across the below life lesson that I treasured enough to save. It helped me with some perspectives, maybe it will for you to...

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

Cascade Lake

The Hunt's invited us up to their cabin in Cascade. Nothing beats getting out of town for a night. We took the boat up with us and I discovered how nice Cascade Lake is. There was absolutely nobody on that lake. Spencer and Jefferson were so excited to get out and ski. Jefferson wanted to try out his new wake board. The bindings aren't like normal water skis, they looked like moon boots, but white. It was just so strange. Below is Jefferson catching some great air. He is really very good at wake boarding and wake skating. Wake skating is where you don't have any bindings and you just stand on the board with or without special shoes. Jefferson convinced Spencer to give it a go and needless to say, we will probably be purchasing a wake skate soon.


The only issue we had with Cascade Lake it that the shallow spots come on you pretty quick. We were pulling Jefferson and when we swung around to pick him Jefferson's whole top half was out of the water. He was standing on the sand bar and his whole chest was out of the water. Oops. Pictures of Spencer wake boarding. What a handsome fellow.



After a beautiful day on the water, we headed back to roast some dogs and mellows on the fire. I will admit that I am a Hot Dog connoisseur, but nothing beats when they are cooked and a little burned from an open fire. Below is Amelia and Shad sharing a stump to eat their dogs. And then of course, dad had to help with the mellow. It was "hot" according to Amelia so Spencer had to hand fee her.

We had a great time with the Hunt's. It was so nice to get away, have fun with friends, eat some mellows, and smell the pine trees.

The Idaho Fair

I just love the Western Idaho Fair. Spencer could most easily do without. My most favorite part is the food. I wish I could just keep eating and eating. First thing when we arrive, we head to the Pronto Pup stand and then off to the animals. Amelia really loves the animals and I hope she takes my love of the fair over her dads. We met up with Jeri and her two little ones. Both Wyatt and Amelia pet a cow and were so excited about that. We then headed to the petting zoo. I get a little wigged out, but I make sure to sanitize all our hands when we leave. This year Amelia rode a ride. I was positive that she would freak out, but Jeri wouldn't let me back out. Amelia wouldn't sit in the seat by herself and insisted on being on my lap. There are a couple of the pictures where she has a death grip on my arm. By the time the swings were up, Amelia was laughing, giggling and waving to her daddy. I think this was the last year that we were able to get away with no rides.

After walking through the ride area we realized what a mistake this was. Amelia spotted and zoned in on the famous Fair game stuffed animals...a frog. We started to walk past and out she screams, "FROG." Both Spencer and I had no clue what she was talking about. I then realized where she was looking and after I explained it to Spencer realized just how much she has her daddy wrapped around her finger. Off he went to try and win her that frog. Spencer wasn't lucky at throwing basketballs so we walked away without the frog. We then came across a ping-pong through. I realized I was walking by myself and looked back to see Spencer handing over more money. The carnies don't help as they guilt trip you to win an animal for your kid. At least on this game Amelia could play too and even if you didn't get a ping-pong in the floaty thing, they gave a departing gift. Amelia loved throwing the balls. We just didn't seem to have the Fair luck on our side as once again we didn't win the stuffed animal, but Amelia did walk away with an inflatable purple wand.

Amelia was being so nice and showing us her sharing skills. She would scoop up some slushy in her stray and they hand it over to Wyatt so he could have some too. Now if only her daddy could learn to share like that. He is like a lion protecting it's kill when it comes to food. I had to get a picture of poor, tuckered out Jane. She fell asleep and was oblivious to the surroundings. Amy was a good sport to smile for the camera. The fair came and went too fast for me and I am already looking forward to next years.

Swan Falls

My brother-in-law, niece, and two nephews headed up with us to Swan Falls to do some boating. The water was a little choppy, but that doesn't stop these little ones from playing in the water. The kids wanted to go tubing. They had a good time. We almost had an incident when Collin thought we were going to fast and was on his way to bail out of the tube. We realized what he was doing and stopped. Although, later in the day, it was all bragging at how fast he was going in the tube.

We decided to stop and let the kids do some jumping off the boat. Spencer and Cory joined in. Neither Amelia or I chose to jump in the cold water.

We had a great day and were glad that Cory, Collin, Camille, and Corbin could join us.

Eyes

I snapped this picture of Amelia snuggling with her daddy. I just love those blue eyes.

Phoenix

I don't know if I was lucky or just stupid to be heading to Phoenix to attend training in August. I ended up really enjoying the 108-110 temperatures as I froze in the training and all restaurants. I met this older lady who made the comment, "Phoenix is the coldest place in the summer." I agree. I don't understand why they choose to keep the AC so low. I ended up wearing jeans and a sweatshirt for the whole training. Some of that might just be that I freeze regardless.

After the training, I took a couple of days of leave and stayed with my girlfriend, Jeri. I love my little Amelia, but it was nice to have a little time away from being a short order cook.

I have been introduced to pedicures from great sister-in-laws and decided to partake in the joy with Jeri. We left her two little ones with their grandpa and we headed out to be spoiled.

We had such a great day. After the pedicures, we headed to the Scottsdale Mall. What a fabulous treat...shopping without husbands or children. We were actually able to look and try on clothes and just do whatever we wanted. No husbands standing looking bored or children winning and crying. We didn't even make it through half the mall by the time we needed to head back. I think I am going to have to take more of these kinds of trips in the future.