Joy

Thursday, August 5, 2010
Dear Max,
Joy is driving home from work and spotting your daddy's truck up ahead. As I caught up with daddy I noticed that he had already picked you up from school. You ask why I noticed? I saw him playing peek a boo with you at the stop light. Now that is pure joy! Seeing the loves of your life enjoying a simple moment while driving home from work and school. I'm a lucky mommy and wife!

Back up to St. George

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Dear Max,

Just one week later and we are back up in St. George. We went up Friday night, arrived late, but worth the drive so we could spend some extra time with family on Saturday. Saturday morning we went to visit Grandma Trenholm. You love spending time with Grandma Trenholm, she always has a treat or stuffed animal she has been saving for you. She is always thinking of you. She loves to hear you sing songs and just watch you run and giggle. You love all the gadgets that you can touch and play with. Not always the best activity!

Grandma Trenholm giving the doggie kisses


Max with Grandma Trenholm


Laughing with Grandma Trenholm

After visiting with Grandma Trenholm we headed up to Pine Valley for Kamryn Leavitts birthday party. We made a quick stop at the Pine Valley cemetery where my Grandma and Grandpa Snow are buried. This is the first time you have been to their graveside. I love telling you stories about your Grandma and Grandpa Snow. I'm positive all your silly faces are a direct result from hanging out with Grandpa Snow in heaven, and your sweet and mischievous smile, yeah that's definitely from Grandma Snow. I love having such strong heritage and so glad that you get to carry that heritage on. We have a pioneer spirit about us thanks to our sturdy stock!

Our Family


Max

At the party you chose to hang out with the wise, young spirited men. I have a feeling I know why you are drawn to them, you are one at heart for certain. It is so interesting to me.


Max, Papa and Papa Rogers



Sitting on the porch enjoying some lemon aide


You did love all the open space to run and play, once we taught you how to jump over the ditch instead of tripping on it every time you when by. I must say you are a quick learner, once taught.


Leaving the party with you two besties. Max, you are an amazing little boy! Let's be honest, you just got two grown men to hold hands with you! They love you so much.


You are wise Max, these two Papa's could teach you all you would need to know in the world. At least 90%, maybe your daddy and I along with all the others that love you could make up the rest. That's how amazing these two men are! You are very lucky.

One Day with the Family

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Dear Max,
No rest for the weary. No sooner was I off the mountain, the next day to be exact, and we were on our way up to St. George. Aunt Jali, Uncle Geary, Daniel and Natalie had come down for the family reunion. We couldn't let them be that close and not go say hi. It's always so fun to spend time together, and we have our upcoming Family vacation we need to plan. It was a quick day up and back, but worth it. So quick I didn't even take a picture! Now, that's fast! Love you Max

Girls Camp and Aunt Kathy

Monday, July 19, 2010 - Saturday, July 24, 2010

Dear Max,
We made it! We made it through the week! You had a wonderful time with Daddy and Aunt Kathy. They took such good care of you. I'm so grateful that Aunt Kathy came down to help, it was such a peace of mind knowing she was there. Not that your Daddy couldn't handle it. As a matter of fact, he would most likely do better at single parenting than I would, but it's just nice to know that a woman's touch was around.

I had a great time on the mountain, it rejuvenated my soul and reminded me how much I miss being with the young women on a regular basis. They have such testimonies and a spirit and zest for life. It was a truly blessed experience to serve these beautiful girls. I met some of the greatest girls. Our 2nd year YCL's were amazing, so willing to serve and help our 2nd years. Truly us as leaders were barely needed. I will say the toughest part about camp, besides the tents, cots and cold nights is definitely the showers. This has always been the case, so this year I decided to get smart. Mid way through the week, Wednesday to be exact, I rented a hotel room at the lodge, I went down Wednesday night, took the most amazing shower of my life, met my cute little family for dinner and slept in the most amazing 2 stare bed I've ever slept in, in my life. I'm sure their were bed bugs, this place was that classy, but really, who was I to judge, I hadn't slept in a real bed or had a shower for three days. I'm surprised they even let a sight like me in the front doors! Returning Thursday morning, it was not easy to hide my excursion and it quickly became the joke. Hey, all I can say is who smells clean and is no longer grumpy? That's right! I have a feeling the lodge will be full next year!

Highland Hills 2nd Year Girls with their YCL's

Me and my tent mates
Sister Black, Sister Stevens (yeah, it's Mike Chamberlain, a dear friend from high schools sister, isn't it a small world!) and Sister Severson

The most amazing YCL's in the WORLD! Love these girls!

Last Day with mommy for awhile

Saturday, July 17th

Dear Max,
I'm so grateful to have today with you. Just the two of us. Daddy had to work, so the two of us get to spend the entire day together. I'm trying to take in as much of you as possible. I leave on Monday for girls camp for a week. I can't imagine being away from you for that long, and I'm already feeling sad about leaving. When I received the calling to be the Stake 2nd Year assistant leader, I was set apart and in my blessing I was told that my family would be protected and would be blessed while I was away. I remember walking out of the stake presidents office and him saying "Sister Trenholm, remember what was promised to you in this blessing, your family will be blessed and protected" how is it that our Heavenly Father knows us so well. How does he know that 7 months before I even had to leave I was already dreading the moment. I can't tell you how many time in the past several months I have reflected on those words and kept moving forward, but it is today that I'm the saddest. The time has come and I'm taking every second in with you. We ate breakfast together, napped together, played games and spent every waking moment together. I have a feeling your going to be happy when I leave. I love you so much Max and the thought of not seeing your smile when you wake up in the morning, hearing your silly giggle or snuggling you to sleep each night is killing me. This could be the longest week of my life. Just remember, our family will be protected and blessed. I love you Max!

Arts and Crafts with Mom... How can I leave this face?

Busy, Busy, Busy

Dear Max -
Life is so very busy right now, I will try to keep you up to date as much as possible.  The big project right now is were moving.  Time to downsize and realign our goals, one of which is having Daddy go back to school.  He would like to go into the medical field, a departure from his current world, that is for sure!  But I'm excited for our family, it will take some sacrifices, but that's what families do!  We support each others dreams!!  We have 3 day's during this move to get settled and then back to work we go!  Oh, on a side note, Daddy fell while wrestling a man to the ground at work.  Because he got hurt he had to take a mandatory drug test.  When the nurse came in to go over his test results she asked Daddy, "how long have you been diabetic?"  Daddy said, about 3 seconds!  We had no idea that Daddy had diabetes. We have been going to several doctor appointments and getting lots of great education on how to best manage this.  It is a lot of information to take in, but I'm grateful for caring doctors and the information that is available for us.
Change is always happening, and that is the beautiful thing about our life!  I'm so very grateful for your Daddy and the tender mercies that we receive from our Heavenly Father.  I know that everything happens for a reason and this to was a situation guided to us to find out this information.  I'm looking forward to settling into our cozy cottage and being physically close to one another.  Sometimes bigger is not always better!  I love you Max!


Love,


Mom

4th of July

Monday, July 5, 2010
Dear Max,
Happy Fourth of July! We have had a fun and patriotic weekend filled with family. What more could a little family ask for? Tanier and I put together a bbq for some friends and family, a little impromptu decision, which was yummy...

Kitchen prep. It's always nice to have Grammie here, she LOVES to feed you.

Not too bad for two girls and a days work!

After our bbq we decided to attend the north stakes 4th of July program. They put the program on each year, however, we have not attended before. It is a great program with a beautiful choir, full orchestra and speakers. Very touching and perfectly patriotic.

Handing out kisses before the concert

I love that smile!

Heading out to the concert

You are such a fan of music, you loved it and clapped for all the performances! Daddy even ran into some high school friends that live in the north stake. It's so sad that we live so close, but don't get to see each other. Life get's so busy.

When we got back to the house we lit fireworks out in the front yard. You loved the fireworks, especially the "snaps" Pappa taught you how to throw them good and you would just go into laughter every time they popped.

Pappa and you giving your best Oooh and Aaaw looks

The one thing that I learned the most this 4th of July, is a lot can change in a year, we have been experiencing a lot of change the last several months and especially the last few weeks. But the important things don't change. Our family and our love for each other will always remain strong. And seeing this reminded me that when life is tough and full of trials and change, it is these moments that remind us what is important and that we are truly blessed.

4th of July 2009

4th of July 2010

The really important stuff is still the same!

On Monday we went to the movies. Grammie, you and I went to see Toy Story 3 and Pappa and Daddy went and saw a dude flick. Daddy claims that you wouldn't remember him going to a dude flick over Toy Story 3 with you, but I'm documenting it. Mommy 1 - Daddy 0. You loved the movie, well, really you loved the popcorn and drinking from a straw. Love you Max. We are so blessed to live in a free country and to have the experiences that we are blessed with both good and bad. Through it all we just keep smiling!