Happy Birthday, America!

God Bless America

Committing treason left and right. Would I have been so bold? I am thankful for those who did and the sacrifices they made on our behalf. Am I showing enough gratitude today? Are you?

TREK! June 2009

Isn't Maddie a cute pioneer? But where's that bonnet?

I was so excited to go on trek this year and see Maddie. I stayed at camp and cooked, set up camp and got ready for the kids to get in at the end of the day. How wonderful it would have been for the pioneers to have dinner waiting when they stopped each night.


Each family received a baby doll which represented an actual baby that crossed the plains to Utah. Maddie's family got twin sisters, Emma and Clara. Maddie ended up carrying at least one girl most of the way. At one point on the trail, Emma died and had to be buried in the valley. Maddie was very upset and realized to a small extent what the pioneers had to do when they lost a child or family member.

Where is that bonnet?


About five o'clock, one of the men came into camp and told us he had just seen the first company back over the hill. They would reach us in about an hour. We had been talking about all the kids and especially our own, wondering how they were doing and if they were having fun.

We hurried to finish dinner and grabbed our chairs. We went to the edge of camp and lined up like we were waiting for a parade. Maddie's company was first and as each family came in, we were all cheering and clapping. Everyone was so excited that the first day was almost over and we had had no major casualties.

Four of the five families came in but not Maddie's. I was getting a little anxious as I did not know why they were late. Did someone really get hurt? Way off in the distance, we could see white family flags snapping in the wind. The next company was heading our way. As they got closer, I stood up and just stared at who I hoped was Mad. There she was! Walking, smiling and happy.

I couldn't help it. I cried. "Oh, mom! Don't cry." she said. "I'm ok!" Gotta love a girl who is happy, sweaty, tired and funny. But...Where IS that bonnet?


AHHHHH! Shade!


And cold water to clean up!


We moved camp the next morning and set up at our new site. The day became overcast and a cool breeze moved in. How nice for everyone! As the day drew on, the clouds got darker. When the last family rolled in, the rain started! And the hail! It sprinkled on and off until 10 pm. Bedtime...and then the rain did not stop until early the next morning. Everything was soaked!

We got to stay at that camp that Friday night. Thank goodness. The weather was nice and cool that entire day. The sun came out and dried the blankets, shoes and the muddy ground.


Maddie's family. Anyone seen Maddie's bonnet?



The last trail ends. YOU DID IT!

Bonnet?

What a great experience we had. I loved the dirt, sun, bugs, sweat, the testimonies and the feeling of gratitude for all I have been blessed with. How thankful I am for our ancestors who sacrificed so much for all of us. I love Utah and love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I wonder, though, what legacy am I leaving for the next generations to come? Will they want to reenact a portion of my life so they can feel closer to me? To my Heavenly Father? To feel the blessings he bestowed upon us?