This is WY

Yesterday we took a short hike to this beautiful waterfall literally 10 minutes from our townhouse. Carson had fun playing in the water and with all the rocks. We're still exploring, but I gotta say, Wyoming is definitely a beautiful state. There is wildlife everywhere. Yesterday at the park there were about 10 pronghorn just chillin near the playground where Carson and Keith were while I was at the gym. Keith is definitely excited about the hunting, camping and fishing here. I'm just excited that I can literally ride my bike to Hobby Lobby. 

NJ + ID = WY

So you know that good news I mentioned in an earlier post? Well..... I can finally share!!!

Most of you know that Keith left his job last September because of the constant travel, he was in Montana for over a year straight. It was a hard decision to leave such a great job, but it was what was best for our family, marriage, and church involvement. So.....he applied and applied and we took advantage of Keith's free time and took a couple vacations out East. We didn't hear anything back until June when Keith had an interview on his birthday with a company we've been hoping to get on with. Near the end of June he had a third interview and was offered the job. We were thrilled! We have never prayed so hard in the last ten months and have gained an even greater testimony of Faith and trusting in the Lord's timing.

So this Idaho girl and New Jersey boy are Wyoming residents now----Casper, Wyoming that is! It's not Boise, I really miss my family, Carson keeps asking to go to Brielle's, and I really miss Winco and having a Temple close, but we are adjusting after being here for six days and surprisingly I really like it, it reminds me of Boise in some ways. It also helps that my neighbor and I have become good friends and she has a little boy Carson's age.

We are excited for our new adventure and to explore places we've never been before like; Denver, Mt. Rushmore, church sites in Missouri and more. So we'll be calling the cowboy state our new home!!

Our 2014 Graduate!

Yesterday my family and I took a quick trip to Rexburg for my sister Misti's graduation from Byu-Idaho. We drove back home to Boise this morning so it was a super quick trip, but I'm so glad I was able to go and watch my little sis graduate from college!

Misti and I had some fun times at Byu-Idaho together. I was already married when she started school there so we never roomed together, but we have some cherished memories together. I'm so proud of her! She is going to make an amazing teacher!

She not only endured some intense semesters and strange dating experiences, but also survived the 2014 Rexburg flood!! Whoohoo!

Love this girl! So proud of you Misti!

Carson Crazy

Sometimes I call Carson, Carson Crazy because of the things he does. It fits him perfectly because his middle name is Carey (after his Grandpa Penrod), so instead of Carson Carey, in his crazy moments he's Carson Crazy.

These past few days Carson has said or done a few things that I just have to document because I don't want to forget these crazy/beautiful moments.

So my sister Misti was swinging Carson outside a little over a week ago, (around the time of Silver Creek) and this is the conversation they had...(Cole was a name we were thinking of using if it was a boy, Carson told us he wanted to name the baby Cole)

Carson: “Misti my mom lost her baby.”

Misti: “I know. It’s okay though, she’ll have another one.”

Carson: "Was it Cole?"

Misti: "Cole?"

Carson: "Yeah, like Cole and Carson."

Misti: "Yeah, maybe. He’s up in heaven waiting right now." 

Carson: "Why?"

Misti: "So you can be his brother and teach him."

Carson: "Teach him how to fold?"

Misti: "Fold?"

Carson: "Yeah, fold his arms." ( folded his arms to show her) 

Misti: "Oh, fold his arms and pray."

Carson: "Yeah, grandpa didn’t fold his arms at breakfast." 

The first part makes me want to cry and the last part cracks me up. What a character.

Last Saturday Keith and I went bike riding on the greenbelt with my sister and her husband, my Mom was kind enough to watch Carson for us. My mom said Carson was playing out front near the grass when he said 

"Cita, come here now!" He said it in a stern voice like it was very important. 

So my Mom went over to him and when she got there he said, "I Love you" in the sweetest voice. 

It  melted my heart when my Mom told me that story.

Then on Sunday I was downstairs getting ready and my Mom comes home from a Ward Council meeting and yells "disaster!!!" I thought she burnt the chicken we were going to have for dinner, but then she says, "grab your camera!" So I grab my camera knowing that it has to be something to do with Carson, but I wasn't expecting what I saw.....

The fridge was open and the whole outside and inside of the fridge was covered in chocolate frosting including food and some of the containers holding food. I mean covered, along with Carson's face and pajama's painted with chocolate. 

I asked Carson, "What in the world are you doing?"

His response was priceless...

"Mommy, I'm painting." 

It was too hard for me to be mad at this face....

This little guy definitely keeps us on our toes, but we sure love him. :)

Silver Creek Plunge

Our family took our annual Lewis Reunion campout to Silver Creek Plunge last Wednesday through Friday. The three days were packed with fun and games! This year we had 8 out of the 15 siblings and their kids come, that's a good turnout for our family! We had over 30 people! It was nice to have my parents home and to be able to come this time since they were in Peru this time last year.

We spent our days playing volleyball, ultimate frisbee, missionary tag, water balloon volleyball, murder in the dark, minute to win it games, hiking and also had a fishing pond with prizes for the kids along with a scavenger hunt. We went swimming at the naturally heated pool Wednesday and Thursday. A lot of the grandkids also went swimming in the nearby creek, but I was too chicken, the water was freezing! We had amazing food that Keith mostly cooked (the dutch oven king). I loved our time around the campfire roasting smores and playing Dad's family trivia game, I sure learned a lot from that game I didn't know. 2014 was definitely a special year at Silver Creek!

Picture overload!!!

Cousins at the Creek--
Alexa, Brecka, Brooklyn, Ammon, Carson, Brynlee, Tyson

Hailey, Skylee, Carson, Brielle

Carson loves his Aunt Misti (A.K.A. Bippy)

Cabin 17! Woot Woot!

Daddy/pool time

Water Balloon Volleyball

Missionary Tag

Tube Races

Anthony in the tubes

Playing Minute to Win it Games

Keith had to balance three balloons in the air for a minute

Everyone that came (Keith was taking the picture)

The grandkids (Mark and Jared are also in the picture holding kids) 18 out of the 36 grandkids were there.
Austin, Tristan, Emma, Anthony, Brielle, Tyson, Alexa, Malia, Jessa, Katy, Hailey, Ammon, Carson, Brooklyn, Brecka, Skylee, Brynlee, & Jace.

Carson, Brynlee, Skylee, Hailey, Brielle

Me, Misti, Holly, Emma. The babies sure loved the warm water.

Volleyball.

Till next time!!!

**Chelsea remember when we talked awhile back about you having a dream of us all camping together. Man, this sure would have been perfect if the Fakkels were able to make it. I think the last time you guys came to Silver Creek was in 2004--10 years ago. I had just finished my Sophomore Year in High School. Crazy huh!!

Unreal

You know when you hear news about something that happens to someone and you feel so bad for them, but then you think it will never happen to you, and then when it does happen to you it just feels so unreal? Well, that feeling overcame me this week.

 About a month ago my Mom was on the computer and I walked in the room (she was reading e-mails) and she said there was an e-mail from my uncle saying that his granddaughter (my cousins daughter) had a miscarriage at 11 weeks. I felt so bad for her, I thought wow, 11 weeks, she was so close to being done with her first trimester.

Well all of last week I was having some complications, but it didn't get bad until Wednesday/Thursday. So Thursday I went in to see the Dr. at 9 weeks and was told I was having a miscarriage. I was in so much pain I just wanted the pain to go away before I could process what was happening. So the Dr performed a D&C and then I rested awhile so I could try to feel better, I didn't but went home anyway. It was a miserable day full of pain, nausea, throwing up, and sleep. I couldn't keep anything down because of the pain meds. It was hard for me to hear Keith tell anyone or see it written down in a text. My sister arranged dinner and had help from my other sisters, my two nieces (12 & 8) also stayed the night and the next day to help with Carson since Keith & my Mom both had to go out of town. My sweet 8 year old niece wrote me a get well card and I just bawled when I read it. I was so grateful for the support from my family. 

It's still hard for me to process what really happened Thursday, especially since I really, honestly thought with the timing of how it happened that this baby was truly meant to come in January. Prayer has helped, and knowing that the Lord always has a plan for everything. A plan bigger than my own, better than my own. I probably don't understand now why it happened, but maybe after this life. It's still hard, I'd be lying if I said I was fine, but I'm recovering and getting better physically and emotionally. My Mom had two miscarriages and it really helped talking to her about it. She had some insightful thoughts and we had some good discussions. 

Guess these are all my thoughts for now. It's hard writing about it but it helps some.

But we did get some good news on Friday. I will share with you in a future post.

Memorial Day Weekend and Keith's Birthday

We got to spend six days over the Memorial Day weekend in Rexburg with Keith's family. Ivory- the newest Penrod grand baby was blessed and Keith's parents and family in Utah came for the blessing. We BBQed, hiked, went to the movies, flew kites, rode the Carousel, ate at BIG JUD'S, took in the beautiful scenery at Mesa Falls, and had lots of family time!

Lil' Ivory

Both families at the blessing

Flying a kite with Daddy

Riding the Carousel in Rexburg with Grandma

Celebrating Keith's b-day with his family at Big Jud's

I couldn't get this pic to upload correctly rotated, oh well. Our delish 1 lb burger

Mesa Falls with some of the Penrod Fam

We're sure glad we got to see Misti in Rexburg!

June 2nd was Keith's Birthday, it started off with breakfast in bed, then hiking at Camel's Back, then back home so I could made Keith's favorite- Mississippi Mud Pie, then out to dinner with my parents, and then pie & present time.

On our hike- Love the City of Tress

Helping Daddy blow out his candles

Happy Birthday Love!