Snow Day!

I want you to think back on a happy memory, maybe even the happiest of memories, now times that by a million. That is how I felt getting the text stating that the heavens had opened up and dumped enough snow on the ground for Granite District to call a snow day. I was so happy I couldn’t fall back asleep, which was frustrating because I was so excited to sleep in…I attempted to sleep for a couple more hours and then we decided to do what Trent and Eliza would do on a snow day, go snowmobiling!

Its been a weird winter, meaning that I haven’t been able to go snowmobiling with T as much as I would have like to, so this snow day was a happy miracle. Not to mention I’ve been run ragged this year and I really needed a day with T. Tender mercies are REAL people.

We grabbed breakfast and drove up to Midway. It was still stormy down in Salt Lake, but it was blue skies and perfect up there. We bundled up and hit the mountain. It was absolutely incredible! The snow was fresh, we were cutting trails the entire way. No one was around and it felt like we owned the mountain. At one point we saw a Mama moose with her baby only a couple yards away. (Trent wanted to take a picture and I wanted to get the heck out of there….) Everything was perfect. I’m still quite inexperienced when it comes to these scary big machines but I’m so grateful for a patient husband who slowly leads the way as I follow along.

I’m reminded of the people in life who lead the way. They guide and direct us in so many aspects of our lives, creating the path for us to carefully follow. Other times, we’re the ones cutting the trail and guiding others to success. I’m so grateful for the leaders in my life that have set the example for me to follow. My hope is to continue to find them as well as be them.

The day was perfect, even with bumps and bruises and snowmobiles stuck in the snow. I woke up sore and exhausted the next day as I returned to work but it was 100% worth it.

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Beginnings

2019 is already a month shorter and I can’t believe it! Time seems to be flying by quicker than I can manage and I’m always so shocked by how quickly it slips away. Life, as usual, has been a tad crazy but we have learned so much and I’m already excited for the changes that are coming up. 2019 is going to be a wonderful year for the Ward family!

 

We began this year full of time with family and I hope the rest of the year will be no different. I feel like just within the past  2 months I’ve heard story after story of families being separated by tragedy and loved ones lost. It makes me want to hug my loved ones a little tighter and remind myself just how fragile life is.

This year, I hope for a couple things. I hope to be present. Whether it be in conversation with my coworkers, family or with Trent, I want to be present and involved. There is so much distraction in this world and I want others to make sure they feel listened to and loved when they are around me.

Second, I hope to choose what’s best for me. This may sound odd, but I have a tendency to put all others feelings and wants before whats best for me and my family. This has often led to unnecessary feelings of guilt and mixed up priorities. This year, I hope to make decisions based on what I feel is best for me and my little family unit.

Lastly, I hope to be sharer of light and goodness. This little space has been so fun for me to put my thoughts and feelings down. I hope to continue to be a reminder that there is goodness and light in the world.

May your year be full of wonderful beginnings and hope fulfilled.

Thanksgiving in Junction

Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite holidays. It’s always been a holiday full of time with family and a break before the chaos of the Holiday season really hits. I’ve always loved it and this year was no exception.

Thanksgiving Day was spent with Trent. Holidays aren’t always the easiest when you’re trying to figure out how to share families and figure out new traditions. We’ve learned lots over these past couple years and I’m always so grateful for how gracious and loving Trent is. I love building new traditions with him each year.

The day after Thanksgiving we took off to Junction Utah with my mom’s side of the family for a little weekend away. Junction is quite the tiny town and it was so refreshing to be off the grid and connecting with one another. We arrived on Friday afternoon and spent the day playing games and walking around the town. On one of our walks we were followed by a darling dog who we quickly grew to love. She had about 10 different names by the time we left and if I didn’t live in an apartment that had a no dog policy, she would definitely be ours.

Lucky for us, Junction is about an hour away from Bryce Canyon National Park! I’ve never been to Bryce and it was absolutely incredible. The red rocks and amazing formations blew me away. I’ve lived in Utah my entire life and have never gotten out here. There are so many unique National Parks in Utah and I want to do a better job of getting out and seeing all of them.

After Bryce, we went back to Junction for an delicious Thanksgiving feast and then began our journey home. It was a much needed weekend and I’m so grateful to be surrounded by such incredible people. It can be so easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others but it’s important to remember how blessed and lucky we are.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Newport Beach, California

I’m still trying to catch up on our summer trips and I can’t believe it’s October already. Where has the time gone! This week was busy, filled with Parent Teacher Conferences for me and tests for Trent but luckily with some days off, I was able to catch up on lots of things. Including this little space here.

Newport Beach has become sort of a family tradition for Trent’s family. We’ve been coming here the past 4 years and every time has been a complete blast. It’s fun to have a vacation spot that feels like home after a while and we know so many of the good places to explore. This year was no different. We spent time relaxing on the beach, exploring different places and enjoying each others company. It was so much fun!

We got some good family pictures this trip which is always a plus! I’m still figuring out this whole photography thing and the Wards were all so patient and kind. The beach is definitely a good spot for family pics. Trent probably didn’t know he’d be stuck taking so many photos when he first married me but he is always an excellent sport! I’m the luckiest!

This year, Trent took spear fishing to a whole new level. Last year he tried it out and absolutely fell in love with it and this year he came prepared. He had his dive portable lungs, a spear and all his gear ready to go. He caught a lot of fish and it was fun to watch him do something he loves. He tried to take me with him once but I was a little too nervous, aka I had a complete panic attack out in the waves. Whoops. The ocean freaks me out sometimes. Maybe I’ll be better next year, maybe.

 

We also gave surfing a try this year! Boy was it hard! We’re used to wakesurfing behind a boat, in fresh water and a lot smaller waves. I got tumbled multiple times but Trent did a really good job! I was super impressed. It’s fun to try something new, even if you fail over and over, haha. Props to all those amazing surfers out there. I gained a whole new appreciation for you. Surfing is tough!

Love my Janela Bay suit! It’s one of my favorites! 

Sometimes your pictures don’t quite go as planned when this…

ends up like this…

Haha, I sure love this husband of mine. It was such a wonderful trip and I completely understand why people love Newport Beach. It is truly a magical place. What a wonderful summer it was.

 

Nauvoo, Illinois

Wow, I am so behind…I was talking with Trent the other night about this space and we both agreed it is such a fun journal. So these next couple posts are probably more for us then for you but feel free to enjoy.

This past summer my sister, Faith, had the incredible opportunity to be a Young Performing Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s 3 months full of dancing, singing, performing and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in Nauvoo. It’s different from a full time proselyting mission in a lot of ways but a truly remarkable experience.

Nauvoo holds a really special place in our families hearts as we have traveled here numerous times and had some truly sacred experiences. It was so much fun to bring all of our husbands back to see such a special place.

Our oldest sister, Mary-Martha, was 7 months pregnant during this trip and let me tell you, she was such a trooper. I was so impressed by everyone patience and good humor as we traveled 20 hours across the United States. We had such an incredible time with endless inside jokes and hours of fun.

One night our phones all went crazy with a tornado warning. All the girls stayed inside while the boys went to go watch the weather! It got pretty crazy but luckily the tornado missed us and we just experienced some wild wind and rain.

Faith did such an amazing job in all of her performances and it was so fun to see her again. I am so blessed to have the most incredible family and siblings. Trent kept commenting on how impressive it was that we were all so nice to each other on such a long journey, haha. It was such a great trip and I will cherish these memories forever!