What Inspires You?

It's Saturday afternoon. My sweet little baby had a hard time going down for a nap, but when she finally did I got some snacks and ice water and laid in my bed reading. I've been reading about the life of someone who inspires me. People are inspired by so many different things - it can be music, literature, art, goals, nature, athletics, etc. Whatever it may be these things speak to our souls and make us want to be better. They move us to action to increase our knowledge, nurture our talents, turn outside of ourselves, be our best. Most of us need frequent and powerful reminders of the good within us and the potential that we have, but the point is that we all have it! Though we are all unique about how we respond and the things that "make us tick", God placed so much variety on this earth so that each of His children could relate to and be inspired by something. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

For me, I feel most inspired and motivated by the lives of others. I've always loved reading and have enjoyed many different genres, but lately all I want to read are true stories of inspiring lives. Some of my favorite books and those that have changed my perspective are:

John Adams, by David McCullough
Driven, by Larry H. Miller/Doug Robinson
Unlikely Heroes, by Ron Carter (stories of courageous men and women in the Revolutionary War)
The Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley, edited by Virginia Pearce
Stolen Lives, by Malika Oufkir (story of a woman from Morrocco who spends 20 years in a desert prison)
I Am a Mother, by Jane Clayson Johnson
Surround Yourself with Greatness, by Chad Lewis
Heaven is Here, by Stephanie Nielson
To the Rescue, by Heidi Swinton (biography of Thomas S. Monson)

TELL ME SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE AND/OR BOOKS WHO INSPIRE YOU.

I've loved watching the Olympics the past couple of weeks (I'm an Olympic junky) and learning the personal stories of athletes. They are examples of humans reaching their potential (in one aspect of life) and doing their very best at something. It inspires me because although I don't aspire to be an Olympian, I know that I have the potential to do and be my very best in whichever aspects of my life that I'm willing to sacrifice and put forth the effort in.

One example of "best effort". I don't know Chad Lewis personally - I've met him a few times, but that's it. I  liked his book (listed above) because you really feel like you get to know him. The writing itself isn't particularly amazing, but it's genuine, straightforward, and it's Chad. My husband and I read the book together as we often do. Before we got very far we wondered if maybe Chad had hired a "ghost writer". It didn't take long for us to know that the voice and pen was no substitute, but the man himself. We laughed every time he introduced a new person into his life story by estimating their height and weight - in true football player fashion:) He's had a lot of amazing opportunities in his life due to his dedication and sacrifice to become a great football player. But it's not just football. He gives his very best effort to everything he does. I was reminded of the type of person that he is just a couple of weeks ago when we were at Seven Peaks water park in Provo. Chad Lewis was there with his family for a work function that we were able to attend. He challenged a small group made up of athletes, co-workers, and kids to race down the newest slide at the park. I watched and even participated in one race and smiled as I saw Chad win every time....by a long shot. He was super competitive (in a very friendly way) and gave his all each time he slipped down that slide. I was particularly impressed because he's consistent and dedicated to being his very best...all the time...even in a water slide race. WHAT WOULD WE ALL BE LIKE IF WE GAVE OUR VERY BEST EFFORT TO EVERYTHING WE DID - work, school, marriage, physical exercise, parenting, etc?

It'd be somethin' fierce.

Utah Lake

We pulled Micah's boat out after a couple of years of non-use for a test run on Utah Lake. It fired up like a champ! It was an Arriva Miracle! (The boat is an Arriva and Micah's family had it growing up.) We did a little fishing and Jeremiah went out on a ski. The weather was perfect and the water was so smooth. I love summertime.

We got a new life jacket for Kaylyn. It's a little big, but she makes anything look cute:)

Natalie, Jeremiah, Willy, and Cameron's dog Riley.

Willy makes any adventure better. 

Cousins

Jeni invited us to come to her kid's photo shoot at FotoFly (great variety of backdrops, fabulous photographers and service) in Draper to get a cousin pic. They turned out so cute! Thanks so much Jen! 

Our cast of characters:

The Child children

Kate takes the cake for the cutest pose. Look at that smile! She looks sooo much like her mom in this pic.

Drew. Is. Awesome.

The Tan-Man

I can't comment too much on this one because of course I'm biased:) Kaylyn was a little nervous in the photo studio so this is the biggest smile we got out of her, but still, isn't she adorable?:) When we showed her dad he said, "Ohh, cute." It's pretty awesome what little girls can get their daddy's to say. 

You know she gets this from her mom. That pose. That smile. That sassy-ness. Oh how we love Ellie!! And Kimmy too:)

Four days old. We love our newest cousin so so much! P.S. He was born in the master closet at his house (not planned). Visit Kim & Clay's blog for details.

Kaylyn has enough hair to hold a little clip in!

The real reason...

The real reason why I keep a blog is this little munchkin:

 If you come to our house around 9am you'll meet One-Eyed-Chancha.

 I'm obviously having the time of my life. This little lady cracks me up! She is so much fun to play with...every...day.

Kaylyn visits Munchkin Land.

4th of July

We had a fabulous Independence Day! We started out at 7am with the Cherry Days 5k in North Ogden. Fourteen year old nephew Nathan has been running with the track team lately and wanted to do this race but said, "I want to do it as a group!" He's such a good kid. Cousin/brother-in-law Todd and I ran with Nathan and he did awesome! Seven year old Andrew came in just a couple of minutes after us. His face was white as he came across the finish line and it took a little while before he no longer felt like throwing up, but he took first in his age group! He'd never ran a race before and maybe never ran that far before but he was determined to beat his little buddy Titan who kept taunting him:)

All the runners. Kaylyn and Micah were our cheerleaders along with Gpa Allen & Gma Janny.

 Kaylyn and Cousin Matthew. 

 Kaylyn Gwenneth and her namesake Grandma Gwen. After passing out popsicles in the parade for Gpa Allen we spent the afternoon swimming at Grandma Gwen's. 

 Kaylyn with Cousin Claire. They're one month apart and new best friends.

 These Christensen cousins love each other so much. All of my little nieces had a "girl meeting" and we planned a girls night for sometime this summer complete with a menu of pasta, salad, and cake. 

We had a BBQ and watched the fireworks from Aaron & Kim's backyard. The city decided to light the fireworks from Lyman's field right behind their house so we had the best seats ever! Kaylyn woke up to see her first fireworks. She was tired, but captivated during the whole show. It was a non-stop fun day!

Spit Bubbles

Kaylyn has a great new trick that she came up with all on her own: blowing big spit bubbles. It is often accompanied by the sound of "mamamamama" and a whole lotta drool. We couldn't be prouder parents! :)

Micah sometimes does his own spit bubbles to mimic our little Chancha, but I told him that for some reason he just doesn't look as cute as she does;) For those who would like to see it live here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g67fjW4Bwc

First Father's Day

For Micah's first Father's Day I made him a special brunch of fried eggs with ham and cheese on an english muffin, potato cakes, and OJ (sounds a lot like homemade McDonald's breakfast:). After church we had a little nap then Micah got to go on a "hunt" for his presents. 

Happy Father's Day to the best dad!

This Father's Day had a BBQ theme - grill tool set and a grill cleaner. Aluminum foil was the wrapping paper of choice - very manly and practical;)

Kaylyn and I also got Dad some BBQ sauce shipped in from Texas. We tried this sauce at Seth's house in Seattle months ago and Micah hasn't stopped talking about it. http://www.rudysbbq.com/store/c-2-sause.aspx

Since it is Father's Day I told him that we could do whatever he wanted. He said he just wanted to hang out with me and Kaylyn and maybe go on a drive. I packed a little picnic and we drove up to Sundance. It was a perfect day. 

My two favorite people on Earth.

Licorice lovers.

Classic Chancha food face

   

Happy Father's Day! We love you!