Turning 40

See my dedication?! I'm writing my family letter, even though I should be curled up into a ball weeping about turning 40. I guess I'll have to put that off until tomorrow.

Actually this has been a very nice birthday so far, and Scott is taking me out to dinner tonight, so that will be even better. The best present was picking Ethan up from camp, where he had been for almost 2 weeks. I missed him so much! It was a "Christian Youth" camp up at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. The first week was spent at the huge campground there. The boys stayed in cabins (there were over a hundred boys Ethan's age) and did all kinds of activities: paintball, rock climbing, banana boating, swimming, archery, etc. Ethan said the food was great and he had a good time. I asked him about the church aspect of it and he said, "it made me so glad I was a Mormon because I went to chapel and I couldn't really feel the spirit." He said he was so excited to come home and go to church. One of his cabin mates had a good friend who was Mormon, and he and Ethan had some good talks about the church. Ethan said he did appreciate very much that there was no swearing or taking of the Lord's name in vain.

The second week was spent with 18 other boys hiking and canoeing all over Wisconsin. On the Tuesday Ethan crashed his bike into a tree and sprained his wrist pretty badly and got scraped up. (Of course when I saw him today with his wrist brace and scratches I felt terrible that I hadn't been there for him - - my poor baby!) He recovered ok, but had to miss out on the rock climbing, which was a bummer. The counselors were very nice and took him to the nurse so he was well taken care of. He made some great friends, and helped out a couple of boys that had special needs. I'm so proud of him, 2 weeks is a long time to be away from home, and the last week was pretty strenuous, but he toughed it out.

Noah has been going around today telling me, "Happy birthday . . . forty!" Well it is true, I am forty. Yikes! But what a great life I have, with a wonderful husband, 3 fantastic children that I adore, and great friends and family. I certainly don't feel 40!

Having a 1 year old is either aging me rapidly or keeping me young. Meredith is on the verge of walking well (she takes lots of steps, but also falls down a lot). And she is into everything! I just bought a gate for the basement so she can play without me constantly dragging her away from the stairs or other no-nos. She is a very happy girl, with an infectious laugh. Her hair is getting long, in fact her bangs hang into her eyes, but I don't want to cut them (I'm afraid I'll do a terrible job - - how on earth would I get her to hold still?) I put in barrettes, but she often pulls them out and then tries to eat them. She has suddenly gotten very picky about food, so we're trying to creatively cram fruits and veggies into her. She is a little bundle of fun and it's so great to listen to her babble. Still waiting on an official first word, but I have a feeling it will be "DAD" - - she sure loves her pop!

Noah finished up his day camp, but he has 2 weeks of extended camp coming up. Yesterday he went on a field trip to the zoo, his favorite place ever. He has become very helpful around the house - - when I ask him to pick something up or help me in some way he always replies, "okay!" or "of course!" and it is so sweet! While we were out in Idaho Noah spent 3 days and nights at "Camp River Run," a special camp for children with medical problems or special needs (most of the kids didn't have developmental delays, but they are expanding their camp to include more of them). Scott actually met the guy that runs the camp on an airplane and that's how Noah was invited to attend. It's a free camp and run by all volunteers. They did lots of fun things like fishing and horseback riding. They said Noah was great and not too homesick. He came back with two new phrases: Camp River Run and Wild, Wild West! I'm so grateful for the wonderful people who choose to work with individuals with special needs. Noah has been so blessed with wonderful teachers and helpers, who continue to inspire me with their patience and love.

While Noah was at camp, Scott and Meredith and I flew up to Spokanne, Washington, and then drove to Sand Point, Idaho, where our friends John and Cynthia have a beautiful summer home. It's right on Lake Pend Oreille, and it is truly lovely. They are such generous people, and it was so restful to be there. We ate out a couple of times, put together a fun puzzle, played Trivial Pursuit, and Cynthia and I made a fantastic pie to enter into the summer pie making contest. They were very accommodating of Meredith too, which was lovely. I wish we could have stayed for a month!

The rest of our Idaho trip was much too short, but lots of fun. I actually had to fly out a few days late because of a bad sinus/ear infection (I have learned my lesson about flying with a stuffed head - - I have had times where I truly feared it would explode in some way!) So Scott, amazing man that he is, flew out earlier with all 3 kids! They attended the Garner family reunion, as well as the mission farewell of Scott's nephew Nate. I'm so grateful for Ethan's wonderful Garner cousins and their good examples to him!

I flew into Idaho Falls on a Sunday, the same day Scott and the kids drove to Sugar City (and also Meredith's 1st birthday!) She got 2 parties and cakes! I can't believe my precious baby is already one! Wow has the past year flown by. She is so darling, taking little wobbly steps and babbling so sweetly. She claps her hands and pats me on the arm when I'm holding her. Everyone comments on her constant smile and cheery disposition. She is such an angel! I can't believe how lucky we are to have her in our lives.

We had a great time visiting in Sugar City. Dad took the cousins to Craters of the Moon, which was great. He also tried to take Ethan and Milena to cave falls, but unfortunately the cave was closed. But Ethan and Beanie had a great time anyway. Heidi and I took all the kids swimming for several hours. It was wonderful to see everyone and hang out and talk. Thanks so much for the hospitality and the birthday gifts for Meredith! I wish so much we could have stayed longer!

Ethan stayed with Scott's brother Mike and his family while we were in Sand Point. He had a lot of fun swimming and hanging out, and maybe even learned to do a little bit of manual labor by digging holes for irrigation lines. It's awesome to have family on a farm (and with animals) because it gives the kids such a different experience when they get to visit.

I'm writing the rest of this post the day after my birthday, so I can tell you how wonderful it was. Scott had arranged to take me out to dinner, but I didn't know he'd also arranged a surprise party for me at the restaurant! When we got there I saw a big table full of people, all with their menus covering their faces, and I knew something was up! It was so much fun and I felt so loved! There were thoughtful gifts and a beautiful cake, decorated by my talented friend Michelle, and best of all such a nice feeling of love and friendship. It was one of the best nights I have had in a long time. It was great! And Scott also got me a Kindle (electronic reader), which I have tried out and really love! It can hold thousands of books, and will certainly change travel for me, since I will no longer have to carry and extra suitcase just for reading material. What a great and thoughtful husband! So turning 40 wasn't bad at all - - thanks to my sweet brothers and sisters for their happy wishes. I'll return to favor when you all turn 40 (it's coming sooner than you think!!!!!)