FSY and Another Ski Day

Blake got to go to FSY last week.  He wasn't super looking forward to it, he usually gets nervous before going places.  Monday morning he was joking about just not getting on the bus.  I later learned that FSY was for all of Canada, some of the kids flew in.  I thought each province/area was holding one.  Very thankful it was so close to us.  Blake had kids from Saskatchewan and Manitoba in his company.  But I'm getting ahead :)  I got a picture of all the kids from our ward as they were setting out. 

I had asked Blake to take just a few pictures and assured him that he would want some for memories. He was not down. He roomed with Avery and was across the hall from Jack and Joey.  He later told us that he knew that God had definitely hand picked his group to be together.  He loved every single one of them.  

Blake had so much fun.  He misses the kids in his company and said it was the strongest he has ever felt the spirit.  He loved all the classes, didn't even mind the dances.  Said he felt like they truly were all his brothers and sisters. Said his leader was the best ever. (Turns out Leah knows him, not a shocker) 

He came home declaring he was a changed man and was feeling the love of Christ for every person. We had talked about his mission on the way to the bus Monday morning as we often do, but he sent a text during FSY  and said he is so excited to go and share the gospel with everyone. And he had got a lot of pictures. Even kept a journal. 

It was so neat to hear his stories and see his excitement, even though he was exhausted, when we picked him up.  I am so glad he got the chance to go.  Later Cora and Leah were talking to Blake about how they still refer back to their EFY journals and the experiences they had there for talks and Cora has used on it her mission. He had a blast and made wonderful friendships.  One of the great things of social media is that he can keep in contact with them too. 

Leah had planned to come down and switch back cars.  I was very happy to switch as it is the only car with A/C and I wanted it back.  Haha. Leah also wanted to go out on the boat.  They brought Cora with them, which was a very fun surprise.  We had lunch and then just hung out, Dave was out in field and Blake had gone up to the smash-up derby with a friend.  When everyone got back we packed up our picnic and got the boat ready.  Off to the lake we went.  It was very windy and Dave was a little worried about going out on the lake. We said a prayer and it ended up being absolutely beautiful.  Answer to prayer.  Lot of tubing, waterskiing, wake boarding, swimming, and a great picnic on the boat. 

And yes, in case you were all wondering, Blake did go waterskiing with his broken ankle.  He skies so well I wasn't worried about him falling, crazy kid.  He said it was just fine. 

We stayed out until the sun went down and we had to turn the lights on on the boat.  After church and a quick meal, the kids played a round of spikeball and then headed home.  Cora started work very early in the morning. 

Dave has had this picture on his desk for years.  It is one of his favorite.  I have been wanting to recreate it for a few months.  When Cora came as well, I knew I had to do it now.  I don't know when they will all be together again at the farm to do it.  And it turned out pretty good. 

September 2010

July 2022

I love it.  My kids are such beautiful people, in their souls and outwardly.  Blessed with the best. 

Summer Begins

Blake made it through his final exam.  He was very glad to be finished his last day of Grade 11.  One of the exam days he went to lunch with friends and finished his construction project.  He has a cool chest he made.  The size of what used to be called a Hope Chest.  

We took ward pictures one Sunday for the ward history.  I don't even know the last time they did that.  I got a quick family (with those at home) picture since I had actually dressed up.  

I have worked a lot in June.  I was covering for a lady that had surgery.  I made it through doing the referrals.  Didn't mind it, was fun, but wouldn't want to do it all the time.  I zipped out to mom and dad's place one night after work.  Natalie was up for a few days and it was fun to see her.  

We had no big plans for July 1st.  Our town was having their 111th and was celebrating.  We had all signed up for the 5k run in the evening and knew there were fireworks.  Thursday morning Cora called to say they were on their way through and could they use our hotel and borrow a tent.  We were happy to have them.  Decided to take the boat out since Cora didn't know if they would be back before they go to Montreal.  It was a perfect day for it.  Weather was ideal. 

Ammon had never been before.  He got up fairly quick.  We had put the wrong size boot on the skies and he was up but had to really fight to keep his legs together because of the boots. Later we changed to smaller ones and it was much easier, but he was already sore.  Cora a few days later said she thinks he was confused about the activity he participated in cause he kept saying he felt like he had ridden a horse all day. 

Blake had gone to drop in ball a few day before and came home barely able to walk.  He was in immense pain and his ankle was swelling up.  Had come down wrong after stuffing a guy.  He had to run to meet Leah, more on that later, and then I had him come up to the clinic to get an x-ray.  He should not have been driving but we had no choice. He got there later than planned cause of Leah, so we went for lunch then he saw the dr after lunch.  It was determined the he had torn 3, possible 4 ligaments and was going to have a 4-6 wk recovery.  The boy is NOT happy. He missed a beautiful ski day.  At first he thought he would just give it a try, but after swimming around a bit he was in so much pain, he sadly realized that he really couldn't ski.  We got home from boating and had a call from the doctor saying that the X-ray had been further looked at and it was determined 'most probably broken'.  We were asked to return in a week. 

 Cora and Ammon were supposed to head off to their family reunion, but found out we were moving cows and wanted to stay for that as well.  It was nice to have their help.  Blake drove the truck back and forth since he couldn't run or even walk on the uneven ground. 

It was a fun day.  In the afternoon we found out that the town celebration was a 2 day event.  Right on top of things we are :).  

Dave and I went into the 5K and left Blake at home.  We came back and got him and went back for the fireworks.  The next day we did pancake breakfast, parade, looked for air boot for Blake, back to other events and then Dave and I came home.  Blake stayed in town with friends.  We ended the day with ice cream.

Leah went to Coeur d'Alene with some friends for the 1st.  We had applied for her passport renewal back in April and were checking the mail every day to see if it would come in.  As we got closer and closer we tried to call the passport office and sent in emails.  Nothing.  Finally I called the border and they said as long as she had old passport, birth certificate, drivers license, and the receipt to prove we had applied they would let her in.  Thursday they left Edmonton and Blake meet them out on hwy to give her the stuff she didn't have.  Then we tracked her and waited hours to see if she would get through.  She did and they had a blast. 

She chilled on the beach a few day, cooked some fun meals, go-cart, and bumper cars.

Last night there they all went out for a fancy dinner on the pier.  It was a really great, quick get away for Leah.  After the stress of wondering if she was going to get through the border, she had a blast.

She had a blast with the people she car pooled with, they are good friends and it they had a great time the whole weekend. 

Blake had a recheck.  He definitely has torn ligaments and it is 'for sure a probable break'. Which I find a very funny diagnoses.  The doctor even took us in to look a the X-ray because she didn't think it was. But later we got a call and they said, yep boot it for 4 weeks and come back in.  Dave and Blake don't think he needs a boot since it is weight bearing and he has been back to work all week.  Walking around.  It is tender, he is keeping it in a tight tensor and Blake said he wouldn't wear it at FSY next week anyways.  So I just hope that doesn't come back to bit him in 10 yrs. 

Dave has had the last week off work.  He didn't get to hike or ski with Blake like he had planned because of the ankle, but had some rest and did some things around the yard.  I loved having home. 

Summer is off to an ok start.  Hopefully Blake heals fast and can do some skiing. But we have had lovely weather and some much needed wonderful rain.  Things are actually green around here.