Thoughts From Utah

E, W and I are having a great time in Utah. We are dog-tired at the end of each day from everything we have done. Swimming, baseball games, museums, visiting, etc. And, did I mention it's wicked hot here? Like 100 every day since we've been here?

I am always filled with strong emotions when I am in this valley. With my family. My mom, my sister, bro-in-law, and their brood, my brother, his wife and their girlies, my three grandparents, my aunts and uncles, cousins and my best mission companion friend (Who is really like my sister. That's how I should introduce her). The mountains that I looked at every day growing up. The roads that are so familiar I don't even have ot think while I'm driving. I have bored my kids to tears pointing to houses, schools, parks and churches, telling them "that's where I went to Jr. High, that's where my best friend lived, that's where I lived, that's where I used to play tennis..." They're good sports, and feign interest.

I am filled with reminders of really (as in truly) important things.

And then other things happen to remind me of the reality of life---as in things that make me think of why I'm here. On Earth. What I need to do while I'm here.

I watched my cute aunt, who is really like my sister (that's how I should introduce her), have a little meltdown in the school supply section of Target when she remembered that her youngest will be starting Jr. High in a few weeks. (She admitted denial.) But it reminded me to enjoy my kids and our daily walks to and from Adams Elementary in the upcoming year.

I was in a store and met the sister of this girl. I hesitated to talk to her because their family is kind of famous around this valley and I didn't want to bug, but I stopped her long enough to ask her to tell her sister that there is another mommy out there with ugly burn scars. She was gracious and promised to do that. It reminded me that there are *really* nice people out there, who live life to the fullest and don't seem to sweat the small stuff.

I read this blog, and it goes without saying, that I was filled with a sense of urgency to hug my kids when they wake up, make sure I'm doing everything that I think Heavenly Father would want me to, and not waste any time with anything else.

So, in between teasing my too-cool fourteen year-old nephew, eating too much ice cream, perusing the Distribution Center and searching out each and every ex-7-11 in this valley, I am reminded of what is truly important.