The Kinder Way

It is cliche to say "I can't believe my baby is five." The truth is, I can't believe he is ONLY five. We have been through more in the past five years than I ever imagined I would go through in my life. Some mother's cry when their babies turn another year older, or when they grow out of clothes, or when they drop them off at the first day of school. I celebrate. I consider each milestone a blessing. Instead of wishing that he was still a baby I say to myself "I am so lucky we made it here."

I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about "the first days of school" while Jack was a baby because I couldn't see past the third surgery. We didn't allow ourselves to be jinxed by imagining the days when Jack was 5, 10 or 15 years old because we just needed to make it to that third surgery.

Now that we are here, I haven't had time to daydream about him growing up and doing the regular things kids do. Or, how they would affect him, and us. It has been SO exciting and fun to watch him do these new things. Today was certainly the beginning of a very long, important part of his life. He was thrilled and woke up yelling "First Day of School!" ..even though we have PM Kindergarten. (To my surprise..) he couldn't wait to put on his uniform and head to school.

It was quick and painless.. pat on the back, couple of pictures, a hug goodbye- off he went.

So we are on our way, the Kinder way, to a whole new world of PTA meetings (I'm a card holding member..), volunteer work, homework, new friends, class pets, math problems and recess fights. I love it.. we are all happy here.

"Surreal" barely cuts it...

Today I took Jack to visit Sunrise Elementary, where I went to Kindergartern. (And all the other grades..) I knew that the school would be open, being that teachers are preparing their classrooms and things are getting in order.

The school was remodeled the year I left, in fact we spent our last few months of 6th grade at Eastmont Middle School because Sunrise was under so much construction, and we were on year-round, so the Middle School students were off for summer break. The inside of Sunrise was virtually unrecognizable. When I had left, all the classrooms were open; if you turn around in your desk, you'd see the OTHER classes in your grade, and all their backs. It proved too distracting (obviously) so the classrooms went under remodel to enclose each classroom for more privacy. But that created a MAZE of hallways. I had no idea where I was till I ran into the "Kiva" (shown below). It was where you'd meet for unique presentations or speakers, and we'd all sit on the levels to create stadium seating. More intimate that the assemblies in the combined lunchroom/gymnasium.

The GYM and Lunchroom haven't changed- the lights were off or I would have taken pictures. But they brought back LOTS of memories: Assemblies, 5th Grade Sales Parade (I sold little candy trains made out of Lifesavers and Red Licorice Rope), the Maturation program.... good times. We finally found are way over to the Kindergarten room. I showed Jack the classroom I was in and he sat down at a desk and said "It's just my size!!" That was when I TRULY realized just how long ago it was that I was there.

The classrooms were all prepared, with tote-trays on top of each desk filled with supplies. I stole a pencil, because you can't tell, but they are JUMBO pencils, the diameter of those things are as wide as my forefinger. So I took one. Don't tell.

This was the 4th grade bathroom. I remember raising my hand to go to the bathroom, doing my business, then stand looking at that mirror, wondering just how long I could stay in there while time passes- until someone came to get me. It was a great way to move the day along. Those toilets are tiny.

Outside the back of Sunrise was the "good" playground. Which doesn't say much compared to what it is NOW. It is wicked awesome. Jack declared it his favorite playground in Utah, and we have decided it is where we will go to play. There are rock climbing things, lots of slides, spinny things that make you a go a million miles an hour... and a zip line. So, that part has GREATLY improved...

We stayed an played for awhile. A little girl that was going into 4th grade was playing there also, telling me the things she usually plays at recess. I spent a good month or so playing with a fire hydrant. Ah, how times have changed. I explained to her that I went to Sunrise 25 years ago, to which she replied "was this building even HERE that long ago??"

Yes, little girl. Yes it was.

The Wish that Keeps On Giving (Photo Alert..)

Last month Make A Wish asked if they could give Bangerter Homes permission to use Jack's wish as inspiration for one of the bedrooms in their "UP" house they built for the Parade of Homes. We will do ANYTHING MAW asks because we are so grateful to them and want to help them in any way we can. So we met with Adam Bangerter and he and Jack had a nice chat. Jack showed him his video montage from his wish trip and Adam told Jack that they'd like to do a "Toy Story" theme and make the room like "Andy's Room." Jack spent most of his trip on the Toy Story Mania Ride, so he was down.

We got to preview the room at the "room reveal" last week. (Video, here.) The House is incredible to look at, from the outside it's as realistic as it gets. Then they added such great details like the chairs, the walker with the tennis balls, the Paradise Falls mural and jar of money. The kitchen was DARLING with tiffany-blue appliances and there were great pictures of Ellie and Carl lining the walls.

Jack's room was super cute, the signature clouds on the sky blue wall, the chest full of all this his favorite friends from Toy Story. The race track running off the desk, and the army guys parachuting from the ceiling. Jack saw his name up on the wall and the pictures of our family on his trip around the room- he knew it was special. BUT- it has taken (and is still taking) some convincing that it isn't HIS room.

Part of the proceeds from the Parade of Homes tickets will go to Make A Wish, and I encourage everyone to go, not only because it helps Make A Wish, but because there are a LOT of fun homes to see. Not to mention the UP house. We are so glad to be a part of something and to have Jack give back... Make A Wish is a very important part of our lives and though Jack is doing well, unlike many, MANY MAW kids, it always reminds us of how lucky we are he is still here, and what a miracle he is.

A Place Where Everyone Knows Your Name

The list of things I love unconditionally has grown exponentially since I was young, and it was a long list even then.

Jelly Belly's

Recess

San Diego

Sleepovers

Shasta

Being a "grown-up" my list has gotten much deeper and more meaningful. Things that last longer and things I've worked for.

Josh

Jack

My Bed

Traveling

Garbage Disposals

Every single person in my family

Chocolate (yes, this is a grown-up one. I may develop acid reflux and I realize my days with chocolate may be numbered.)

But one thing that has stayed on both lists and has almost become a source of life, happiness and energy- is Hiking. Since I was young, I've remembered acknowledging how PRESENT I am when I hike. My mind seems so clear and thoughts are real, meaningful and significant. There's something about the fresh air and the complete rawness of nature that frees you.

In high school and college I typically hiked alone. Without hesitation I would start up trails such as Cecret Lake, White Pine, Devil's Castle and trails I don't even know the names of, or if they even were named. I preferred hiking alone. That way I was always able to notice that moment of clarity and peace, without distraction. Being present.

I only had one hike where I realized I shouldn't be alone-

or I should have least specified to someone (anyone) where I was. It was June, and the snow hadn't melted off yet. When I reached the higher elevations a storm set in that brought dense fog. I couldn't tell what direction I was going or see the trail well due to thes snow. The fog brought rain and I started falling waist deep into spots of the snow- completely oblivious of what was below me. I turned and ran any way that was "down" and reached the bottom safely.. but pretty shaken. Didn't stop me though. I went back to finish it, later.

Since marriage and childbirth- my free time has obviously been occupied to fill the needs of others. We'd get out there now and then, but it was nothing like it used to be; the limitless time factor, the freedom. And now we had a child that we had to watch with every foot of elevation we stacked on him, as the air got thinner and thinner. I hope we can make it a hobby and part of our lifestyle as a family.

But yesterday- I got to hike with someone that shared the same passion for it as I have, and someone I haven't hiked with in YEARS. My friend Stefanie came into town and we arranged to meet together with our friend Alli and do a great hike. MY favorite hike in Utah is Sunset Peak.

It is the perfect combination of difficulty, beauty, horizons and length to make for a great day-hike. We immediately felt the exhilaration when we stepped out of the car into Albion Basin. The temperature was cool and everything was SO GREEN due to all the rain so late this year.

Without too much effort, us 30-year olds marched up the trail to the peak and summited 10,468ft in the sky. The view up there is amazing, I call it the "four corners" because you can see Brighton, Heber, Timpanogos, and Snowbird all standing from one spot.

On the way down we ran into a few older hikers with their Trekkie's and they stopped to let us pass. They asked how old we were and we all said "THIRTY!" as if we were so old and proud to have made it to the top. They pointed to the man and told us he was 89, then told us that they came up the long way,from Mt. Supreme. Humility and admiration spilled over all three of us and we envied these cute people that were up here enjoying nature and comradery, which they have probably have been enjoying for decades. I can't wait to be like that.

The feeling I get when I hike is ALWAYS there, it is there every single time I go back. It's like returning to a place where I am welcome and loved, and the feeling is mutual. Thank you Stef and Alli for making it such a GREAT day, and I hope we can all take advantage of what is so easily accessible to us.

(more pictures of Sunset Peak, HERE.)

Bear Lake

The Trent's first Bear Lake trip was this past weekend. It couldn't have been better. We stayed at the KOA campground with Jen and Teagan. KOA's are GREAT. I've never stayed on an "organized" campground before, and the balance between sleeping in a tent enclosed by a fence, and between roughing it outside with a bathroom complete with flushing toilet and warm shower- made me completely comfortable. I love them. However, next time I wouldn't mind pitching the tent in a forest without the loud neighbors...

We spent our time with the super-fun Lamoreaux Family. We had dinner the first night there with many of them at Cafe Sabor. I'll spare the Cafe Sabor any embarrassment and just say they had an 'off night.' But we had some fun conversations and ate some reasonably good mexican food. Just be sure to never ask for a vegetarian mean and expect that they didn't just pull the chicken out of the already pre-made pasta.... Or expect there to be napkins and silverware for you. Or menus. But a nice night for friends and family to have a god time.

The beaches at Bear Lake are great. The water is nice and cool and the kids can reach for a great length of the shoreline. Jack and Teagan had fun playing in the sand and water. Jack could sit on a beach from sun up to sun down, if we let him.

Every one came to hang out at the beach and it was a BEAUTIFUL day, perfect for chilling at the beach and boating. Jen's Uncle Bob was the best host on the lake, he had a great boat, and this awesome raft that Jack, Teagan (and Josh) played around with at the beach while the others were out on the lake.

It's pretty awesome that Jen and I have been friends for 28 years and still get along swimmingly....

(I chose wisely when I picked my husband..)

This was Jack's first time boating! He was nervous about it, but I reassured him that because I know him best, I knew he'd like it. And I was of course right. But it took just a short w

hile for him to shake his nerves off, he had a few funny faces on and I took a lot of pictures of him just because every time I looked at him he had a new expression, and they were so raw it was like seeing exactly how he was feeling spelled out on his face. Cute thing.

He loved riding on the boat, and he was fine with going fast as long as one of us was sitting with him. He'd often come crawl on my lap and wrap my arms around his little life vest. It's so strange because sometimes Jack is so fearless and brave, and at times where I expect him to be just fine he suddenly has this vulnerability and gets so shy. It's very unlike him. But once you get him out there and going he perks up.

The best was when we started wake boarding and Jen got up immediately and was perfectly gliding behind the boat. Jack was SO impressed with Josh's skills, he was cheering him on telling him how well he was doing and how AWESOME he was. When I went out (I haven't tried to wake board for ten years, and didn't even succeed those ten years ago...) I finally got up after 5 or 6 tries and Jack watched me crash every time. I was fine, the crashes weren't TOO rough, but when I got back in Jack told me he didn't think I was cut out for this sport.

He wasn't beaming with pride like he was when Josh got back in the boat. Then Jen tried wake surfing, something I've never seen (thus making me feel REALLY old..) but it was quite awkward and tricky. Not to mention the water was getting choppy and making it more difficult. But Jen kept falling down and Jack turned to me and said "That looks like YOU, Mom!" Then of course, Josh tried it, got up instantly and then cruised around and made it seem like he was almost bored. He grew up surfing so Jen and I didn't let it get us too upset.

I'm glad Josh had so much fun, this is stuff he should be doing more often. Jack too. The water in Bear Lake is usually pretty cold (so I'm told,) but this year it was so nice. Even Jack jumped in so he could see if he would 'really float' in his life vest. He didn't turn blue, which is a great indicator the water is a decent temperature. I'm really proud of myself for finally standing up on a wakeboard. I've had a fear of water sports, and after telling Jack that he couldn't say he didn't like boating until he tried it, Jack told me I could say I didn't like wake boarding until I tried it. He was right.

Then came the part for tubing. This was another thing that I thought once Jack did it, he was gonna LOVE it. We got him onto the raft without any issue (I threw the "you can't say you don't like it till you try it" thing RIGHT BACK AT him.) But when Bob gave Jack the signals to "slow down" or "go faster" Jack took control on the raft and kept giving Bob a thumbs down. After about 1 minute Jack started yelling "We're done, Bob! We're Done!" It was pretty funny. Not to mention the expression on his face.

On the last day, we went to Minnetonka Cave, a pretty sweet cave only about 20 minutes away that drops 60 degrees once you get inside. After being yanked around by a boat and crashing quite a few times, my muscles weren't too stoked about the 888 steps going up and down this cave, but I actually handled it quite well, not to mention Jack, who was probably low oxygen at that elevation. He did great and had a good time.

Jen and Teagan had already done the cave before but let us in on the little secret that at the end of the cave (3000 ft in) they shut the lights off. It is definitely the darkest dark you have ever seen. With that cold temperature and extreme darkness... I could sleep like a baby in there. We had a great hike in and a great hike out, the tour guide sang some sweet chamber music in the "ballroom" on the way out, then showed us a baby bat at the opening of the cave. All very interesting for parents and children alike.

I only post this picture of Jack the look on his face is that of some rabid creature we could have run into in these woods. He was wired and tired all at the same time.

This is was such a fun trip and Bear Lake is such an awesome place (I had 3 raspberry shakes...) we will certainly be going back again... and we'll be dragging all of you with us :)