Birthdays for the Youngest and the Oldest
March and April are busy birthday months for our family! Brighton's is discussed in a different post. Polly, being only two years old and the youngest of 5, didn't get a birthday party. That doesn't mean we don't love this little girl! She is adored by everyone in the family, except for maybe Dale, lol. He's kind of ambivalent at this point. She is so so cute. She only has about 3-4 words (Ma, Da, NO! sometimes she says "shoes") but she speaks excellent Minionese. She chatters away with lots of animated facial and nonverbal gestures. She gives us kisses when she is in the mood to do so. She loves her blankets and would happily carry 4 of them everywhere. Whenever I finish getting her clothes on in the morning, she jumps up and walks over the shelves and points to her shoes, wanting me to complete her outfit. She enjoys wandering in the backyard and can spend hours out there. As her mom I have to acknowledge the exhausting work it is to have five children, but I couldn't be more grateful for our caboose and the way she draws love and softness out of everyone in our family. We love baby girl!
She was not willing to blow out the candles on her ugly cake made by me. Nor did she care to even eat any of it. #momfail
For Justin's birthday we went out to eat without kids, what a present! He gave himself a birthday present of a weekend without kids as he went and hiked rim to rim to rim all by himself. He had a really good experience and did it with the intent of making it on faith, since he hadn't trained at all for it. He finished with a great time of just under 19 hours.
When I came out of the ditch I was delirious. I never got the
sickly tired feeling but I could feel the fatigue. By the time took
2 shuttles to get back to my vehicle I drove to McDonalds in
Tusanyan, had dinner then hit the road. There were no rooms
available there. Williams was closer so I headed that
way. The rooms were more than I wanted to spend but I knew
I could not make it to Flag as I was so tired. So I parked in the
church parking lot in Williams, and snoozed for an hour or so
and made it to a motel in Flag by 10 pm. I thought the bed and
pillows were clean and comfortable and after a shower
slept great, but then again I was dead tired. I didn’t stir until
5:30 AM, went to the bathroom and then went back to sleep
for another hour. At 6:30 am I got up and started my day.
The next day it was my birthday so I called in sick as I need to
recover. I made it home to play volleyball with Audra and
friends and family. Then I got the car cleaned up and returned.
Then Audra and I went to dinner. We tried a Vietnamese place.
I like that it’s so healthy. Last year I added Thai to my repertoire
and ate out a lot at Thai places. This year it seems to be
Vietnamese. After we got ice cream and a cake and came
home to have cake and ice cream with the kids. Audra
wanted to plan a trip for my birthday next year but I had planned
to do R2R2R next year instead of this year. Thankfully my hike is
done and I can go with whatever Audra had planned and I have
no doubt it will be more relaxing than my day yesterday.
I am grateful to have had that experience. I am grateful for
my sweet wife who kept things going at home while I was away.
I am also thankful for my 2 brothers and 2 dear friends who
reached out today.
She was not willing to blow out the candles on her ugly cake made by me. Nor did she care to even eat any of it. #momfail
For Justin's birthday we went out to eat without kids, what a present! He gave himself a birthday present of a weekend without kids as he went and hiked rim to rim to rim all by himself. He had a really good experience and did it with the intent of making it on faith, since he hadn't trained at all for it. He finished with a great time of just under 19 hours.
Justin's account of his hike:
Where to begin a quest of 40+ miles, and 11,000 feet of climbing
and just as much descending all without sleeping? I will start at the
very beginning, a very good place to start. After conference
the family and I played volleyball for a little bit. I planned on leaving
at 5 but it was 6 before I got on the road. I stopped to “carb up” in
Flag and arrived at the trailhead at 10 PM. I was scared. I even
called Audra and told her about my concerns and she told me to
just get out there.When I was dropped off I was all alone, nervous,
and scared. I said a prayer and started off. It was in the 40’s
when I started so I was all bundled up and even had gloves on.
It wasn’t 30 minutes before I took off the bottom portion of my pants,
swapped the knee length socks for ankle socks, taken off my
jacket, gloves, and long sleeve shirt. I warmed up pretty quick even
though it was windy. Unbeknownst to me it was a full moon.
This was such a gift from God. I had checked out the lunar calendar
for a previous potential dates but didn’t consider it at all for this time.
The canyon by moonlight was breathtaking. I was able to keep my
light off for a lot of the trail. I passed to hikers early on but then
didn’t see another soul on the trail until I was descending the North
Rim (I started on the South Rim)
and just as much descending all without sleeping? I will start at the
very beginning, a very good place to start. After conference
the family and I played volleyball for a little bit. I planned on leaving
at 5 but it was 6 before I got on the road. I stopped to “carb up” in
Flag and arrived at the trailhead at 10 PM. I was scared. I even
called Audra and told her about my concerns and she told me to
just get out there.When I was dropped off I was all alone, nervous,
and scared. I said a prayer and started off. It was in the 40’s
when I started so I was all bundled up and even had gloves on.
It wasn’t 30 minutes before I took off the bottom portion of my pants,
swapped the knee length socks for ankle socks, taken off my
jacket, gloves, and long sleeve shirt. I warmed up pretty quick even
though it was windy. Unbeknownst to me it was a full moon.
This was such a gift from God. I had checked out the lunar calendar
for a previous potential dates but didn’t consider it at all for this time.
The canyon by moonlight was breathtaking. I was able to keep my
light off for a lot of the trail. I passed to hikers early on but then
didn’t see another soul on the trail until I was descending the North
Rim (I started on the South Rim)
I started hiking at 11 PM and I got to the river in about 2 hours and
shortly after had my first scare as a mule deer startled me at only
10 feet away. I kept my headlamp on an indirect wide angle when I
looked over it was right there staring me. It was harmless but I was
on edge as I choose not to bring my gun. I also saw a million lizards,
a female elk, and a ring tailed cat. These last two I saw their
glowing eyes and then hit them with the spotlight to see what they
were. I was worried about scary mammals and snakes. I did have
3 snake scares. I am terrified of poisonous snakes in the wild. I have
come across them and have observed them. I have held safe snakes.
But being surprised by them always freaks me out. Twice at night
and once during the day, shadows played tricks on me to make
me think I saw a snake. I even screamed and jumped one time.
Totally got my adrenaline going so I was grateful for that time.
shortly after had my first scare as a mule deer startled me at only
10 feet away. I kept my headlamp on an indirect wide angle when I
looked over it was right there staring me. It was harmless but I was
on edge as I choose not to bring my gun. I also saw a million lizards,
a female elk, and a ring tailed cat. These last two I saw their
glowing eyes and then hit them with the spotlight to see what they
were. I was worried about scary mammals and snakes. I did have
3 snake scares. I am terrified of poisonous snakes in the wild. I have
come across them and have observed them. I have held safe snakes.
But being surprised by them always freaks me out. Twice at night
and once during the day, shadows played tricks on me to make
me think I saw a snake. I even screamed and jumped one time.
Totally got my adrenaline going so I was grateful for that time.
As I got closer to the North Rim the sun started brightening the
horizon and I finally made it up just before 8 AM. After a short
break I started back down and met the first of many fellow hikers
at the first stop down. I powered through much of the flats and
downhill portions by running to get back to Phantom Ranch
(near the river). I had two glasses of Lemonade there and took
a long break before I set up. Getting to the North Rim was a
huge milestone. Getting back to Phantom Ranch was even
bigger. All I lacked was the final climb out. I was so close to
accomplishing this!
horizon and I finally made it up just before 8 AM. After a short
break I started back down and met the first of many fellow hikers
at the first stop down. I powered through much of the flats and
downhill portions by running to get back to Phantom Ranch
(near the river). I had two glasses of Lemonade there and took
a long break before I set up. Getting to the North Rim was a
huge milestone. Getting back to Phantom Ranch was even
bigger. All I lacked was the final climb out. I was so close to
accomplishing this!
Some thoughts on the music/content I listened to: I started
the hike listening to a lot of Piano Guys and with the moonlit
back drop it was pretty magical. I really enjoyed this part. I
had planned on listening to Man’s Search for Meaning (MSFM)
on the climb up the North Rim but I found it too slow and dull. I
opted instead for more upbeat music to include rock and
such. I will admit my library has songs with explicit lyrics.
Some from my high school music selection and some
more modern influences like the Tony Robbins event.
This seemed to help me get up the North rim but it kind
of took the magic away. I listened to the book MSFM on
the way down and enjoyed listening to that. I started the
South Rim and I didn’t get very far up before I realized I
was spent. The lack of sleep and miles had taken their toll.
I also didn’t have any electrolyte fluids or chews - I had
bought some but didn’t pack it. While I had prayed for
assistance prior to this last climb, I was much more earnest
in my time of need. It’s just like my life when things are good,
I listen to my offensive music but when I need God, that’s
when I change my focus. I found the Greatest Showman
soundtrack and that got me a way up. Then I listened to
Brad Wilcox’s His Grace is Sufficient. Now this is an all
time favorite talk and I can quote most of the parts of
this talk and even do his voices. No talk has hit me as
much as his. So it seemed like a good thing to listen too,
and I even spoke aloud parts with him. As I got closer but
seeming so far from the top I prayed for strength both
from the prayers that sustained me and from the Atonement
of Jesus Christ. I don’t recall a time in my life when I have
communed with God like this. The duration and intensity
was more than anything I have done in the past.
the hike listening to a lot of Piano Guys and with the moonlit
back drop it was pretty magical. I really enjoyed this part. I
had planned on listening to Man’s Search for Meaning (MSFM)
on the climb up the North Rim but I found it too slow and dull. I
opted instead for more upbeat music to include rock and
such. I will admit my library has songs with explicit lyrics.
Some from my high school music selection and some
more modern influences like the Tony Robbins event.
This seemed to help me get up the North rim but it kind
of took the magic away. I listened to the book MSFM on
the way down and enjoyed listening to that. I started the
South Rim and I didn’t get very far up before I realized I
was spent. The lack of sleep and miles had taken their toll.
I also didn’t have any electrolyte fluids or chews - I had
bought some but didn’t pack it. While I had prayed for
assistance prior to this last climb, I was much more earnest
in my time of need. It’s just like my life when things are good,
I listen to my offensive music but when I need God, that’s
when I change my focus. I found the Greatest Showman
soundtrack and that got me a way up. Then I listened to
Brad Wilcox’s His Grace is Sufficient. Now this is an all
time favorite talk and I can quote most of the parts of
this talk and even do his voices. No talk has hit me as
much as his. So it seemed like a good thing to listen too,
and I even spoke aloud parts with him. As I got closer but
seeming so far from the top I prayed for strength both
from the prayers that sustained me and from the Atonement
of Jesus Christ. I don’t recall a time in my life when I have
communed with God like this. The duration and intensity
was more than anything I have done in the past.
As I was within a mile or so there were a lot more people.
They were taking photos of themselves, and experiencing
the canyon as most do - within a mile of the top. It always
annoys me as there are so many people who don’t keep
the path clear or yield to hikers coming out. They don’t
recognize the distances others hike and extend courtesy.
It’s all in me and they have no idea, but still.
They were taking photos of themselves, and experiencing
the canyon as most do - within a mile of the top. It always
annoys me as there are so many people who don’t keep
the path clear or yield to hikers coming out. They don’t
recognize the distances others hike and extend courtesy.
It’s all in me and they have no idea, but still.
When I finally saw the trailhead I was giddy, it was almost over.
As I passed more and more people i was getting closer.
As I finally got all the way out there were people all around.
Not a single person knew what I had just accomplished.
The most physically challenging ordeal in my life and there
was no finish line, no blaring music, and no fans or loved
ones to support me, not even a high five. And yet, I was
overwhelmed with the feeling that God was with me, He
carried me, and he was proud of me. I was in tears. I was
having this amazing moment with people all around me who
were all living in their little worlds not even grasping what
someone else had gone through. I also had the strong
impression that God and the Spirit are able to motivate
and strengthen more than any secular music.
They have more power and strength than Tony Robbins
or anyone else. I am still trying to decide how to motivate
myself focusing more on God and things of the Spirit. Part
of it includes gratitude but also humility to ask for continued
strength and support. Also finding music for workouts that will
motivate and get me going but not chase away the Spirit.
As I passed more and more people i was getting closer.
As I finally got all the way out there were people all around.
Not a single person knew what I had just accomplished.
The most physically challenging ordeal in my life and there
was no finish line, no blaring music, and no fans or loved
ones to support me, not even a high five. And yet, I was
overwhelmed with the feeling that God was with me, He
carried me, and he was proud of me. I was in tears. I was
having this amazing moment with people all around me who
were all living in their little worlds not even grasping what
someone else had gone through. I also had the strong
impression that God and the Spirit are able to motivate
and strengthen more than any secular music.
They have more power and strength than Tony Robbins
or anyone else. I am still trying to decide how to motivate
myself focusing more on God and things of the Spirit. Part
of it includes gratitude but also humility to ask for continued
strength and support. Also finding music for workouts that will
motivate and get me going but not chase away the Spirit.
sickly tired feeling but I could feel the fatigue. By the time took
2 shuttles to get back to my vehicle I drove to McDonalds in
Tusanyan, had dinner then hit the road. There were no rooms
available there. Williams was closer so I headed that
way. The rooms were more than I wanted to spend but I knew
I could not make it to Flag as I was so tired. So I parked in the
church parking lot in Williams, and snoozed for an hour or so
and made it to a motel in Flag by 10 pm. I thought the bed and
pillows were clean and comfortable and after a shower
slept great, but then again I was dead tired. I didn’t stir until
5:30 AM, went to the bathroom and then went back to sleep
for another hour. At 6:30 am I got up and started my day.
The next day it was my birthday so I called in sick as I need to
recover. I made it home to play volleyball with Audra and
friends and family. Then I got the car cleaned up and returned.
Then Audra and I went to dinner. We tried a Vietnamese place.
I like that it’s so healthy. Last year I added Thai to my repertoire
and ate out a lot at Thai places. This year it seems to be
Vietnamese. After we got ice cream and a cake and came
home to have cake and ice cream with the kids. Audra
wanted to plan a trip for my birthday next year but I had planned
to do R2R2R next year instead of this year. Thankfully my hike is
done and I can go with whatever Audra had planned and I have
no doubt it will be more relaxing than my day yesterday.
I am grateful to have had that experience. I am grateful for
my sweet wife who kept things going at home while I was away.
I am also thankful for my 2 brothers and 2 dear friends who
reached out today.
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