summer has come and gone

Adam having fun at Bear Lake  July 2013

We camped up Logan Canyon with some of Mike's relatives and then headed to Bear Lake for the day.  It was so much fun and the kids had a blast in the water.  See, we don't need to take them to Hawaii when Bear Lake is so close.  Wink Wink

Camping up Logan Canyon   Aug 2013

We have had fun doing a little camping this year.  A few weeks ago we headed up to Tony Grove in Logan Canyon.  We weren't able to camp up there because the sites were all full, but got another spot in a lower campground.  We had a lot of fun.  We hiked, vegged and ate yummy dutch oven food.  One day we hiked to White Pine Lake with the kids.  It ended up being an 8 mile round trip hike.  The kids did very well and we had a lot of fun.  You should have seen their faces the next day when we told them we were going to do it again.  It was priceless.  This year I was finally able to really enjoy camping as I don't have to follow Ethan around worried he will get lost or hurt.  We really had so much fun roughing it in the woods and being together.

August was a hard month for me.  We did a lot of fun things as a family.  It really was hard because our family isn't complete and I really miss Ryan being with us.  He would have had so much fun doing these things with us.  I know he is where he is supposed to be but sometimes it is still so hard and my heart breaks.  It also has been hard with school starting.  Ryan would have started high school this year.  I know Alex is sad he isn't able to go to the same school with him and show him the ropes.  Alex has also taken a liking to fishing this year.  Ryan loved to fish.  They would have had a blast going together.  Yes, they would have fought and most likely been grounded from going but that's what brothers do, right??  Jaime also started school at the Jr. High where Ryan had his cardiac arrest.  She was so nervous.  I took her around and introduced her to the kind staff and they promised to watch out for her.  I am so thankful I know she is in good hands there and am so grateful for the continued love I feel every time I enter the Jr. High.

Aug 12, 20013

My sister and her kids came and stayed with us.  It helped keep my mind off of things and we had a lot of fun.  We all dressed in Texas Longhorn shirts and went to eat at Red Robin.  I know we were getting a lot of stares.  Our waiter kept teasing us and finally I told him why were were dressed this way.  I felt sad for him as the smile faded from his face and you could tell he felt bad for us.  I usually try and just tell people we like orange or the team because I don't want them to feel sad when they find out the true reason.  We usually don't attract as much attention when we are in different shades of orange but I guess it's hard not to notice a big group of people all in the same shirts.  Afterward we headed to let off balloons and eat donuts with Ryan.  The kids still love to come and see Ryan.  They especially love it when we ride our bikes there.  The first day of school Ethan and I rode and did a "drive by" on our bikes two times.  The guys mowing the lawn probably thought we were nuts, but Ethan loved it and it was special.

Our garden has been doing super good.  I now know why Hooper holds Tomato Days.  Our tomato plants have exploded and I am giving away tomatoes left and right.  I have made some salsa, but still have way to much.  Next year I will adjust what I plant.  It has been yummy eating so many fresh veggies and I feel very proud of our hard work.

Our mutant potatoes

Ethan was so excited that the seed he planted in Primary grew. 

After taking the first picture he actually bent the stem and it needed a band aid to help it stay up.  It worked a little bit but still doesn't have the strength to hold itself up, however, it is still growing.  Yesterday I finally snapped it off because I want to see if it will actually regrow the leaves.  Any guesses?? 

Ethan is so excited to turn five next month.  He has been telling his teachers at church that he is getting a new bike with flames on it.  This is not something I was planning on.  So, I came up with a great idea to make us both happy.  I spent $4 on some flame duck tape and with the help of Mike's cousin, we duck taped the entire bike.  It was actually a fun little project that probably only took 30 minutes.  You should have seen his face.  He is so proud of his new bike. 

We have so much to be thankful for.  I see my Father in Heaven's hand in so many things.  I love my family dearly and am so glad we will all be together again some day.  I am thankful for Mike's new calling on the High Council.  I enjoy going and hearing him speak.  He spoke a few weeks ago on the blessings of the temple.  He shared our families story.  I hope hearts were touched and those who listened could see how fragile life is and how important temples are.  Not only are we sealed to our own families in the temple, but we help make the promise of forever families possible for those who have gone before us.  I am thankful to be able to be a part of this great work and I am so thankful for the gospel and the happiness it brings me.  I know that I continue to receive strength and comfort from a loving Father above.

  Alex's principal came up to us after Mike spoke and we chatted.  He is very nice and we have his cell phone number if we ever need it.  Watch your back Alex, just kidding.  And on an even funnier note, someone came up to me a few days later and told me they thought Mike was a return missionary sitting up on the stand. I got a good chuckle, but it is actually true.  Guess I need to find the fountain of youth so I am not mistaken for his mom (even though she's a hottie) in a few years.

Yikes,  look what we caught down stairs.  Hope it doesn't have any friends.

The Lotts travel to Nauvoo

 

 

 

In July we went on a trip to Nauvoo to visit the church history sites.  In total we drove around 3,200 miles.  We were gone 11 days.  Amazingly enough, it was a wonderful trip and we made a lot of great memories.  Mike's mom Jeri came with us and we met his brother Chris and his family in Nauvoo.  The kids behaved very well and all the driving really wasn't that bad.  Here are some of my favorite pictures, in no particular order. 

 

 

 

 

The kids had a blast swimming in the hotel pools. 

 

 

 

We bribed the little boys a dollar to get them to finally take a nap while on the road.  Hey, you don't have to pay me.  I would do it for free anytime.

Gotta love the contraption I figured out to keep his head from falling forward.  It really worked but did need adjusting from time to time.

July 12, 2013  Remembering Ryan in Nauvoo 

 

 

A carnival was held before the Nauvoo pageant.  The kids and adults had fun trying different activities that were done back in the 1800's.  Mike actually did really good on the stilts.

Alex pulling the kiddies via handcart.

 

 

We went on a covered wagon ride pulled by oxen.  Oxen, by the way, are just big cows that have been trained.  It was bumpy, but fun.  We were told that the naughty children had the job of cleaning bugs out of the oxen's noses.   I wonder which one of my kids would get that job.  It would vary ever day I am sure.

 

At Winter Quarters in Nebraska the kids dressed as pioneers and pulled a handcart.  "Howdy Ladies."

 

 

 

Carthage with the Lotts.   It was humbling to be in the same room that our dear prophet Joseph Smith lost his life.  We were able to see the gunshot holes that were in the original door.

 

 

 

 

Ethan trying out the stilts with the help of a big brother.

Adamondiahman

 

I think this quote was at Liberty jail.  It is a good reminder to us all and gives me so much to look forward to.  It is worth it!!!!

 

This was at a park in Kansas City.  When we got up close it wasn't so pretty.  There was duck poop everywhere.  Gross.

 

 

 

Adam and Mike sawing a log.  I am on the other side helping Ethan saw the log with his uncle Chris.

 

 

Adam on a little wooden sheep.  We learned how to make yarn from wool.

 

 

 

 The beautiful Nauvoo Temple.  Jaime and Alex were able to do baptisms for the dead while we were there.  It was Jaime's first time.  It was a very special experience to witness.  I don't doubt Ryan was there proudly watching from above.

 

What Ethan bought from the gift shop.  It didn't surprise me one bit.

Winter Quarters-    Aren't they cute!!!

 

 

 

It was a great trip.  We learned a lot.  My respect and love grew so much for those that came before us and dedicated their lives to building up the Kingdom of God on the earth.  They sacrificed so much and had so much faith. 

A summer of Lotts of fun

Happy days.  Alex finally got his license in June.  With a big smile on his face he drove to a friends house the first night remaking how fun this was.  I had to add, "I told you so.  You could have been doing this for the past year and a half had you decided to listen to your parents and just get your eagle done."  But what do parents know, right???    Alex has had a fun summer thus far.  He enjoyed a week long scout camp and stayed with some cousins in Salt Lake last week and attended EFY.  He had a blast and wished it would have been longer.  I recently learned he likes to dance and heard he can get down to the Harlem Shake.  I can't believe that at this time next year he will be on a mission.  We are very proud of his decision to serve and know he won't be alone out there. 



 

Jaime turned 12 on June 9th.  A few days before her b-day I let her go on the yw/ ym hike to Waterfall Canyon in Ogden.  She had fun until the return trip.  She ended up getting separated from our group and was lost.  After about a half hour we finally found her.  She was very upset and had been very scared.  I was relieved and glad my prayers were answered and that we found her before dark.  Poor girl.  Then to top things off she had the flu on her birthday and ended up in bed the entire day.  She was able to go to girl's camp a few days later and had fun at the Heber Valley Girl's Camp.  I was able to spend one night up there with her.  It was special to be up there with my sweet daughter.  Wow, I can't believe she has grown up so quickly.  She was very sad today because I was released from being in the young womens.  I am glad for the short time I was in with her.

 

 

Adam is loving being outside and on the constant go.  Last week he got a handle bar to the gut but was up again five minutes later running around.  I am so relieved and was glad no hospital visit was needed.  He loves to swim, fish, and do about anything that makes messes.  He loves to watch movies and I love to hear him laugh.  He has become a big help around the house and helping take care of the pets. 

 

 

Ethan still keeps me laughing.   A few weeks ago at lunch I heard him tell Adam that goat poop was yummy and tastes like M&M's and has chocolate inside.  It made me laugh so much and he should know as he tried it a few summers ago.  Gross!!!   He is so excited to turn five and can't wait to go to Chuck E Cheese. 

 

 

We enjoyed watching the Ogden Raptors.

Our garden is doing awesome.  The tomato plants are now as big as Ethan.  We have already started enjoying some yummy veggies.

 

 

 

The kids love this tire swing at their Great Grandpa Moon's up in Malad, Idaho.

Mike enjoying the shade in our newly planted tree.

 

 Happy 4th Ryan.  We miss you.

 

 

Up in Malad at Grandpa Moon's.   Check out the orange bandanna.  Thanks for remembering Ryan.

 

 

 

Alex and Jaime had their heart check ups the first week of July and no concerns were found.  What a blessing.  They will both be seen again next year.   The rest of us don't need to be seen for four more years.

 

a hard month

into the arms of His love

 

Well, I made it through a very hard month.  Thank you for all the love and support we received.  I received many calls, texts, visits, gifts, flowers and prayers.  I am glad to have the first year behind me and yet sad knowing my sweet Ryan has been gone so long.  I shed many tears last month reliving what we had gone through the year before.  It was hard, but necessary for me to heal.  Our families came and spent the day with us on Mother's Day, the year mark.  It was special to have them all join us for sacrament meeting.  I really felt that even though it would be hard, we needed to attend church that day.  Alex was asked to speak in sacrament and it was special to be able to hear his testimony.  The night before we had went out to dinner with the kids and then went ice blocking.  We also ate shakes at the cemetery and wrote on balloons and let them off.  It still blows my mind that a year has gone by.  I really think all of our family's injuries last year were in a way a blessing to keep our minds focused on something else and not our sadness. 

 

Ryan's school held a small tribute in his memory on May 10th.  Kids wore orange in his honor and 12 balloons were let off.  Then the kids wrote messages in chalk on the sidewalk followed by drinking orange punch.  It touched my heart that he would be remembered.

 

Speaking of remembering, thank you to all those who continue to wear orange in Ry's memory.  On Mother's Day I noticed more orange than usual and that made me smile.  I also want to thank those who visit his grave.  It touches my heart to see things left there by others. 

Memorial Day was beautiful at the cemetery with flowers everywhere.  It's too bad it can't look that way all year. 

 

Primary Children's Hospital held a memorial service for all the kids that passed away in 2012 on May 19th.  It was a short and beautiful program consisting of a talk, poem and a few songs.  Then a video was played with a picture and a few words about the children that had passed away.  The tears flowed.  It was also sad seeing others hurting as well because I totally knew what they were going through.  Later doves were released outside.  We were told that the doves knew their way home just as our sweet children did as well.  I was surprised that almost half the kids that had passed away were teenagers.  It made me think something wonderful must be going on up in heaven to need so many of our special children.  I can't wait to someday know exactly what.

 

 

 

 

The kids are out of school.  Yeah.  I think I am just excited as them.  I am so ready to be able to sleep in and not have to worry about homework anymore. 

 

   Ethan graduated from preschool and will go another year before he starts kindergarten.

 

 

The sixth graders did the dunk tank on field day.  I got her dunked with my second shot.  Awesome!!

Last week Mike worked in California.  The three little ones and I drove out with him to spend the week.  I figured, what the heck it's practically a free trip.  Alex stayed up in Hyde Park and had fun hanging out with family, fishing, riding motorcycles and vegging.  Poor Mike had to work a normal week while the kids and I soaked up the sun at the pool.  We swam for about 5 hours a day.  I even read an entire book.  I can actually say this was one of the best vacations ever.  It was truly a relaxing vacation and I think I actually caught up on some lost sleep as well.  Thank goodness for sunscreen and dark skinned kids so no one burned too much which was nice.  The kids did sleep very well each night considering they were totally wiped from all their swimming.  My sister lived an hour away and it was so great to see her and her kids.  The cousins all had so much fun together.

 

Jaime and Adam snorkeling- they were naturals

 

 

 

tired after a fun week in California

 

 

 

Alex having fun dirt biking

 

So a busy and sad month is behind us.  I hope we have a very fun and eventless summer and are able to relax and just enjoy life together as a family and make many more wonderful memories together.

I am so thankful for all my blessings and especially try to count them when I am feeling sad and that life is unfair.  Regardless of all that has happened, we have so much to thank our Father in Heaven for.  We have had so many answers to prayers and so many miracles, for even a tiny miracle is still a miracle.  And some day we will be blessed beyond measure.  I just want to end with a scripture that helped me through a hard month.  I came across it one night while reading with the kids.  It struck me hard in a good way and provided me the comfort I needed at the time.  It can apply to anyone and so I'd like to share it.

D&C 98:1-3    "Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;  Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament--the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.  Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled;  and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's glory, saith the Lord."

I am so thankful for the scriptures and the many times they have provided me with comfort and answer to my prayers without me ever even looking directly for the answers--  small miracles.

 

 

 

 

 

 Ethan wore these to preschool.  He told me they were to protect his head. 

 

 

 Adam loves cantaloupe.  He ate practically the entire melon in few minutes top.

 

 

 

 Alex helped clip the chickens and ducks wings.  They keep getting out and Ethan has already rescued a duck and a chicken from the dogs.  Aren't they lucky he moved fast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I need to frame this.  Our poor cat had a ton of matted fur.  He kept pulling it our so we decided to have my sister-in-law shave him.  He looked totally hilarious.  We kept his head and tail fluffy.  He looks like a strange little lion.

 

Thinking of you and your family Becky

My mother-in-law shared this special poem with me.  I want to dedicate it to Mike's cousin Becky and her family.  Tomorrow, May 10th, marks the one year anniversary of her newborn son returning back to be with his Heavenly Father.  Baby Kevin was so perfect he only needed his earthly body for a few precious hours. 

 

 

 

Welcome home, my son, I've needed you.

There is a great work here that must be done,

And no one else can do this work but you,

Welcome home, my son, I've needed you.

 

Your time on earth was short, I know,

But all the needed time was given you

To fill your mission there, and now it's through,

A greater, heavenly mission waits for you.

 

I know your earthly family grieves,

But they would have you do this work,

And I will comfort them, and solace bring

Into their hearts, replacing sorrowing.

 

You are bound by ties that last forever,

A choice son, born of goodly parents.

Death cannot separate, nor can time sever

The ties that bind your lives and love together.

 

 

 

And so tomorrow I will wear both blue and orange in honor of

our boys who are looking down on us from up above.  We love you Beck family.  You are in our thoughts and prayers on a difficult day.