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You Know it's Summer When...

We make our first visit to the beach!

We pull out our "wiener dog" corn on the cob holders!

We do a lot of bike riding out front on the driveway!

We play at the park with friends!

Pennie suns herself out in the back yard! (She was actually lying down but I couldn't get the camera in time.) (And what would a blogpost be without a picture of her?)

And, last, but by no means least, Cody and Jayce have extra time to come up with some very silly ways to pass the time!

I really love summer!!

The burden is heavy today.

Mark called his dad last night for Father's Day. And his dad told him about a phone call they had received this week.  Apparently, a woman was walking her dog in some small town in Montana. As they were walking, she heard another dog barking incessantly, so she went to investigate. There she found a man, lying unconscious with his dog tied around his waist. The dog was barking non-stop, I imagine to alert someone (like a Lassie story) or maybe the dog was simply hungry. Anyway, the woman called an ambulance and the man was taken to the hospital. He was passed out from intoxication. After he was released from the hospital, she paid for him to stay a night in a hotel. The man is my son, Dallin. I don't know the woman.

I have been flooded with emotion since I heard this story. And I can't get the image out of my mind of him lying on the ground with his dog tied to him. Why is Dallin so dumb? I'm angry and ashamed at him. This good woman had to give so much, for which I am grateful, because my son is an irresponsible person. Mark says he is an alcoholic. The burden is so heavy for me to carry today. Most days it isn't. Most days I realize that Dallin is free to make his own choices and he has to own those choices. Most days I can separate my life from his, knowing that someday, because of the Atonement, it will all be made right. But that is not how I feel today. I feel pain and sadness in every part of my body. I cried myself to sleep last night, praying that sleep would come fast because that is the only escape from the sadness. Dallin is so kind and so handsome and he has such promise. Why won't he do something, anything positive with his life? I don't know the answer and it's extremely frustrating to me, almost more than I can bear at times.

This morning I was reminded of a scripture: "I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people." (2 Nephi 33:3-4) I KNOW this to be true and it carries me through every day. But sometimes the burden is just super heavy to carry. Today is one of those days.

Every time I have these days, my mind goes back to when Dallin was little. I think of reading books to him for hours and hours. I think of him coloring at the kitchen table with Caitlin. I think of swinging on swings at the park. And I wonder how did we ever get from there to here. Those days held such promise. And today holds such pain.

But, I will go on, like I always do. There is much to be grateful for in my life.

Father and Sons Outing

On Friday night, Mark took the boys on their annual Father and Sons Campout. They went to Lake Dixon. It is a pretty place!

 Way too much fun in the tent...I heard everyone had trouble sleeping because someone was snoring.

In the morning, they tried fishing. Jayce really wants to catch a fish.

 But, they didn't catch any...so bike riding was the next best option.

They had a great time! It was weird being home all alone. Pennie and I watched a chick flick together. Then I was creeped out by the quiet house. I'm glad they had fun, but I'm also glad I'm not alone very often.

Derek's Graduation Week Part 2

On Wednesday Jayce and I took Grandma and Grandpa to Old Town. We went to the Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center. It is very fun and interactive. We watched a few short movies about how the Saints were asked to enlist in the U.S. Army to help in the war with Mexico. Jayce got to outfit like a soldier -

After that, Grandma and Jayce panned for gold!

And they struck it rich!!

 Jayce also learned how to wash clothes 

 and pump water from a well.

When we got home Grandpa was pooped and had to take a rest. And where else would Pennie be?

On Wednesday night we were privileged to attend a piano recital for Derek's friend, Whitney Peterson. It was amazing!! Her pieces were so upbeat and beautiful! Almost as beautiful as she is!

Thursday was the big day!! Derek had graduation rehearsal all morning, and then the shuttling to the stadium began. I went early with the Grandfathers to save seats, Mark dropped off the Grandmothers half an hour before showtime, and then he parked and took the shuttle over. Whew!

The feeling as they began to play Pomp and Circumstance is truly beyond words. As I saw the graduates march into the stadium, and then finding Derek among them, was an incredible feeling! I think I am more proud than most parents because I have lived through a child who didn't choose to accomplish high school. Caitlin and Derek's graduations were especially sweet. I am so grateful! 

 Marching in. Can you find him?

Mr. Cassen, the principal, making opening remarks.

 In the line for his handshake and diploma.

 Handshake.

 Diploma.

 Mr. Cassen congratulating Derek.

 Mr. Peterson, Derek's English teacher.

 Mrs. Ingram, Biology.

 Mr. Johnson, Calculus.

 Mr. Hymes, baseball coach and History teacher.

 Mr. Oliver, Chemistry.

 Pointing at...

 Jamal! (I can't believe he makes a cameo appearance on my blog! It's for you, Cait!)

It was tough to find Derek after the ceremony. We forgot to pick a meeting place. Hopefully we'll remember to do that when Cody graduates because it was CRAZY! Mark stood on a chair and we finally found him!

After graduation, we had to hurry home because Derek had a baseball game! We fed the grandparents, then I and the Grandpas hurried over to watch the game. The Grandmas took the night off. Once in a lifetime to have both grandpas at Derek's game!

Afterward, we had cake and opened graduation presents. Wahoo, it was fun! And we managed to surprise Derek, which is difficult to do! Check out this awesome cake made by Bertha...she was the gal who made the amazingly delicious cake and cupcakes for Caitlin's wedding!

 Card from Grandparents Sutherland, with a hefty check which will go into the bank for his mission fund.

 Card from Grandparents Barrow with a Sports Authority gift card.

 And, yes, a laptop for the college bound man!!

 I think he was happy...I hope he was happy...you can't really tell with Derek sometimes.

Well, these are the goods -

Next stop...BYU Idaho in September!!

What a great week! So grateful to have good kids!