Second time around...........

After a two-year hiatus, and a failed first attempt, I am giving our family blog a second chance. I'm not really down with blogger etiquette or the latest gadgets. I am just a Mom with a passion for life and my family of five.

School Returns

Starting school when it is 11o+ degrees is still something I have not gotten used to, even after five years. However, I was ready for it to begin this year. Madi is in 9th grade this year. Ninth grade is still Junior High in St. George, and Mark and I are very grateful for that! We are glad that she is not in the same school as eighteen year-old boys(especially Mark)! Max is in third grade this year. He was disappointed not to be in best friend Jaydon's class again, but has made new friends in his class. Three days into the school year, a new boy whom he had befriended was tragically killed in an automobile accident on his way to school. The boy's mother was also killed, and his younger brother critically injured. Max, deep, and so sensitive to the energy in his body, had many questions regarding life, death, and transitioning on to the next. We had long talks in the days after the accident, and I even overheard him talking to his other friends about the things we had discussed. Maeve started preschool last week, or should I say she was supposed to start last week! My college classes also began last week, so Mark took her the first day. I called Mark after my class ended to see how it went, and he said, "Actually I am still here. Can you come over?" She goes to the Preschool at Dixie, so it is just around the corner from the building where I teach. When I got there, she was hiding behind the building and Mark was trying to coax her out. When I approached her she said, " I quit preschool!" She definitely has her mother's stubbornness! So, tomorrow we are gong to give it another try. Stay tuned.......

Summer Vacation

We just got back from Southern California, after five days of sun and relaxation. We spent the first two days with Paul and Nichole at there beach house in Capistrano and as always had a great time hanging out with them. We made smores over our campfire on the beach, did early morning yoga and meditated to the sound of the waves crashing, took a long beach cruise, and of course were thoroughly entertained by Froggie the entire time!

The last three nights we stayed with Jeff, Becky and Luke. Jeff took us surfing on Friday. Mark and I braved the rocks of Doheny and had a great time getting worked by the surf. While I was sitting out on my board in the water, I realized what a meditative experience surfing can be. I am thankful that my Mom was a surfer girl of the 60's, and that she taught me to surf.

Saturday we rented sea kayaks and paddled through the Dana Point Harbor (we even ran onto Steve Clifford and two of his grand kids). Later that day we hit the shops in Laguna (a must for Madi). It was a beautiful cool summer night, and perfect for watching the sun set over the ocean. It's always nice to see Jeff and Becky and Luke. Luke is such a sweet boy, and the kids love getting to spend time with him.

On the way home, Monday, we stopped in Las Vegas to stay the night. Madi and Max were dying to ride the roller coaster at New York New York. When we got there, we found out Max wasn't tall enough to ride, so Mark waited with the kids and I went with Madi. I still LOVE roller coasters(although I felt I needed a neck brace after)!

In all, we had an amazing time. I hope you are all enjoying your summer too.

Blessings and Love,
Jessamy

Virgin River

For Earth Day this year, the kids and I decided to clean up the area around the Virgin River by the skim board park. We were surprised at how fast we filled our bags with garbage! This area of the river is just down the street from our house, and we spend a lot of time there during the spring and summer.

The next day, I took Max and Maeve to the river so that Max could try out his new board that we got him in California. It was a beautiful spring day, and we all had a great time. I decided to give it a try(skim boarding) and realized I am not as fast as agile as I once was! I have a very large purple bruise on my knee to remind me!

High School Musical 3

In case you have not already heard by boasting parents, grandparents, and friends, Madi auditioned to be a dancer in the new High School Musical Movie last week in SLC. She got picked to be one of the featured dancers!

We are extremely proud of her. There were a lot of dancers auditioning. Some where much older than Madi, but she held her own and nailed it! The director made a comment that had she looked a little older she would have been picked as one of the 18 principal dancers!

The movie will be filmed this summer and released into theaters in October.

Spring has arrived!

After a long, cold winter, spring has finally arrived in St. George. Daffodils are blooming, blades of green are coming through the grass, and the air is warm and refreshing.

Spring is my favorite time of the year in Southern Utah. My loves runs deep. It began as a teenager coming here for spring break. Although the parties and late night cruising were fun, something about the sun setting on the red rock always inspired me. We moved here in the spring of 2003. I was pregnant with Maeve, and as new life was growing inside of me, my new life in this oasis was beginning to grow on me.

I never let this time of the year go unnoticed. I soak up every bit of this season of life and light.

Blessings and Love,
Jess

Sunday Morning

I love Sunday mornings. The one day we have each week to relax and do what ever we want. Mark got up early and took Max and Lulu to the skate park. It is supposed to be almost 65 degrees here today! After they left, it was quiet, and a perfect time to meditate.

They are still gone and the house is still quiet. Perfect time to read the Trib and have a cup of coffee. Madi is busy in her room planning her upcoming trip to California.

St. George is busy this weekend with the Parade of Homes in full swing. Mark and I are going to go to some of the open houses around town later today, and just enjoy the warmer weather.

I hope that you all are finding a way to relax and enjoy your Sunday as well.

Blessings and Love,
Jess