Salt Lake Summer Send Off

Once we were all reunited in Page, we decided a family road trip up north was just the time together that we needed. We are planning to have a celebration in conjunction with my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, so our official annual Ross Reunion was being put on hold until December. I am in charge of that event. It is going to be so awesome! Nonetheless, we still needed to get our Utah time in for the summer.

While in Salt Lake, we tried to keep up with the boys running in preparation for the coming cross-country season. We enjoyed going up to some trails in Draper one of the days. I though this was a lovely spot until the boys returned from their trail running in the foothills with tales of jumping over a rattlesnake right in their path! Sheeshee!

One of our days we ventured up into the mountains above Salt Lake for a chilly hike. It was crazy to get out of the car in late July and wish I had brought a coat! We even spent a day going to Bridal Veil falls in Provo, one of my favorite hiking spots when I was a co-ed at BYU. After all of the hiking, running, school shopping and general good fun, grandma gifted Bowen with his birthday quilt. Beauty!

Now it is time to head home to get ready for school to begin. Goodbye summer!

 

Fantastic Fifteen

This kid is FIFTEEN! What a ham! Love it!

Mini Move

In preparing for our move back to Page, we had some logistics to work out. Although graduated, Theo would need to prepare for his board exams which he would take in July. I was committed to work until at least the middle of July at the service center. We decided at the beginning of June it was time to put out house up for sale.

We had everything spruced up and got it listed online. We anticipated it could take a while to sell, but we figured we had the summer. Much to our delight and chagrin, within one day of putting a sign in our yard, we had more than one seriously interested party. Within a few days, we had an official offer on the house! Things were moving fast, and it looked like so would we!

We made plans to have the boys return to Page in conjunction with a trip that we had already planned in June. The Martin clan was having a sibling reunion of sorts, and we were already slated to go. It was decided that Theo and the boys would go to Page and stay with Theo's parents (we were starting a search for a new place. More on that later). I would stay in Amarillo for several more weeks to complete the things that I had scheduled before departing for good.

As we negotiated with our buyers, it quickly became apparent that they wanted to be in the house sooner than I would be finished with my job. I made arrangements to stay with my boss and dear friend Tammy in the interim. Things were all set up.

We left for Page and had a wonderful week going to the lake and generally frolicking. Corbin's friend Jacob joined us as well. We love having that kid around.

It seemed very surreal to consider we were actually here to stay! We had so much fun. Tim and Anne made the journey from Indiana, and Shaun and Bri were both there with their families. We rented a boat on one of the days, and had a fantastic time soaking up Lake Powell.

When it came time for me to go back to Texas, it was hard. My family was moving on to the next phase. I was going back to Texas. I knew it would be a few short weeks before we would all be together again, but it was hard to be separated again, much like when we left Page 3 years ago. It was a strange echo of events. Ultimately, things will work out. It is time to move on.

Nineteen and Counting

These beauties showed up at my office today. It is our 19th wedding anniversary! I love that man!

Finals

This was the last day of school that our boys would spend in the Amarillo, Texas school systems. I have to say that the schools here have been one of the biggest blessings since we have been here. Our boys have had fantastic teachers for the most part. They have been pushed to excel in their classes. They have learned a lot and grown so much! It is hard to believe that they have spent three whole years here. When we first arrived, Drake was just starting high school, and now he is on the cusp of his senior year!

As Theo finished school, he has been seriously considering where he will begin his new career as a physical therapist. We have prayed and pondered about what the next steps will be in our lives. Although we weren't sure if there would be an opportunity, we have always held out hope that we could return to our home in Page, AZ one day. As luck and/or the Lord would have it, there was an opening for a physical therapist at a home health company in Page, Zion's Way. With mixed emotions, we decided that our tenure in Texas had come to a close. We have received so many tender mercies here. We have made so many wonderful friends. I was able to advance my own career in such unexpected ways. The boys have had a fantastic experience.

Alas, it is time to move on. Arizona, we are coming home!

Birthday Bonanza

My birthday was the usual family affair at home. My mom sent me a beautiful quilt! The boys also thought it would be fun to get me some gifts to enhance my fabulosity. Bowen was gracious enough to model my sun hat and sunglasses while coveting my chocolates and Nutella. These boys sure know how to spoil a lady.

 

The Twelve Year Tradition

Theo started a tradition with our boys when they turned twelve. His goal is to take each one on a special endurance hike. It has been a great experience for our two older boys. As Bowen's 12th birthday was approaching, they were making big plans. Bowen had decided that he wanted to climb a mountain for his coming of age adventure. Theo has a small window of time in which he was available.

The mountain they planned to conquer was one of the peaks outside of Colorado Springs. They would drive to Theo's brother Donavan's house, spend the night, and then spend a couple of days climbing their mountain.

The week of the climb arrived, and the boys were getting their stuff all ready to go. And then the weather decided to take a turn. In the area, there was heavy rainfall for several days followed by dangerous mudslides in the foothills. In fact, the community of Manitou Springs had roads washed out and covered in mud. Sadly, the trip had to be cancelled.

The bigger bummer was the continued busy schedule Theo had for school. He was in the midst of his clinical rotations with no breaks or days off. The trip was put on hold indefinitely.

Many months later, Theo wrapped up school, we celebrated his graduation, and then true to his super dad form, he immediately whisked Bowen off for their delayed adventure. In the months that had passed since the false start, they decided to do a Grand Canyon hike instead. Havasupi Falls was just the ticket! 

Theo and Bowen left Amarillo in the wee hours and drove all day to get to the trail head. Having arrived after the sun had gone down, they camped at the top of the gaping canyon below. In the morning, they left long before the sun was up and made their decent. At the bottom, they then jogged to the Havasupi village, considered one of the most remote communities in the whole world. They then made the necessary arrangements to visit the falls. After some frolicking in Mooney Falls and a lunch in the village, they started to the climb back to the top. As they neared the last few miles, Bowen had slowed down a great deal. Upon checking his bag, Theo discovered that Bowen had not been drinking water all day. He was still carrying all of it! 

They took a long break and worked on getting hydrated. The going was still slow, and Bowen wasn't sure if he was going to make it. Having hiked for such a long time without recharging his water supply really took its toll. Just as Theo hoped, Bowen soldiered on and made the trek all the way to the top, a 21 mile round trip in one day!

Not only have these hikes been a great way for the boys to really see what they are made of, it is also a great father son bonding time. I was so grateful that in the middle of all the craziness of our lives, Theo made the time for this special occasion. Yes, it was belated, but it was always a priority. Theo always makes our boys his priority. He is an awesome father. Bowen is becoming a strong young man. The tradition carries on.