SLOW DOWN...BE GLAD OF LIFE

When I was younger I loved summer...and it seemed to last forever. I have some great childhood memories of camping, riding horses, playing werewolf, swimming in Taylor dam, and spending hours catching crawdads and criss-crossing in the old cement irrigation ditch. I spent all day out playing with my neighborhood friends. It was such the 'Mayberry' life! But it seems that life has gotten so crazy. I told my sister that this summer has been so crazy and she replied, "summer is always crazy for everyone". I'm sure she is right. But this summer was by far the busiest for me...we had something big going on every weekend, and somethings even during the week. And now fall has hit and I AM NOT ready for it. But...ready or not, it is here. I was thinking about all that we had going on and thought I would give a little run down of what we did. We started working in our yard in the Spring. I was bound and determined that we were going to plant grass this year. But before that could happen we had to haul in a bunch of rocks to build a retaining wall. So we got the kids to help and we hauled...and hauled...and hauled a bunch of rocks. Then we got some dirt hauled in (which we got a smokin' deal on) to help build up and level out for the grass. I am really happy with the way it has turned out, and I love my Flowers, we just still have more to do...next year!

We also worked hard to get our garden in. I am always wanting to make it bigger and Saul is always wanting to keep it smaller...that's because he does most of the weeding. After hauling new soil and a bunch of manure, Dad came and helped us get it all ready to start planting. I think this was one of the biggest and best gardens we have grown yet. It was also a lot of work...but that's what it's all about.
We had our Ben Lewis family reunion at Sharp Springs this year. Almost all of us made it and we had a great time. Good food, campfire songs, great visiting, and fun games! I love that about my family. There is a lot of us, and I know that we can sometimes be intimidating to some. But we love each other and we have a lot of fun when we get together. Our kids are close and seem to have so much fun with the cousins. That's what life is really all about...FAMILY. My parents have been such good examples and have instilled that in us all. I don't know what I would do without my family. When life gets rough, it is my sisters that I call to cry to. When something wonderful happens...it is the same. I call my brothers for help and they come running. (OK, yes I am crying just writing this). I LOVE my nieces and nephews and enjoy all of them. I am so proud and thankful that I have a big family and would not trade it for anything.

As I said earlier, I really enjoy my nieces and nephews. After the family reunion, some of the girls came to stay with me. We watched movies, talked about the Jonas Brothers, played games, talked about the Jonas Brothers, giggled, talked about the Jonas Brothers, ate, Jonas Bro's, slept, Jonas Bro's...oh, and did I mention, we talked about the Jonas Brothers! It was really a lot of fun though. They got along so well and just hung out. One day Ariel got them all dolled up and had a big photo shoot with them. I wish I could post all of their pics on here, they were really fun. She pulled out her hats and jackets and they had a ball. They are all such cute, fun girls.

In the middle of everything, we had church softball. I would go and help coach the YW and then stay and play with the women. I love softball. I used to play much better and could get around the bases a little easier, but I still love playing. At first our YW didn't want to play. But with a little coaxing, bribing, threatening and a wee bit of force, we got them to play. They weren't all stars, but I am really proud of them for participating and giving it a try. And even though they didn't want to play, I think that they really did have a good time. At first there was a lot of grumbling and complaining, but in the end there were a lot of cheers and giggles. They found out that they can catch and throw a ball, get a hit and make it on base. I think that a lot of time we are afraid to try something new for fear that we can't do well at it. But it is good to try and learn new things. I was really proud of them.
You can't have summer in Taylor without celebrating the 4th of July. It is the celebration that beats all celebrations! You cannot participate without having your heart stirred, pride swell and give thanks to be an American. I remember as a little girl, 4th of July was right there next to Christmas. I talked to a few friends who expressed that they didn't see what was so great about getting up early and following the band...I couldn't believe it. Lighting the anvil and listening to the band is the most awesome thing. But maybe it comes from the traditions of growing up here...listening to my Grandpa Rogers announce on the PA system from the ambulance, riding in the back of Shumway's truck and ringing the bell along with the sirens and horns after the anvil went off, and yes...I even played with the band a few times. Seeing Uncle Lenn up there still leading the band...all of his kids and grandkids, the Coles, and all the other longtime friends just starts the day off for me. Then the Patriotic Program, BBQ and Rodeo just tops it off. I am proud to have grown up here in Taylor, for my heritage and to live in the Good Ole' USA!
We had Girls Camp at Roosevelt Lake this year. I had never been there and it was quite pretty. Our biggest mistake was that we went in July! It was so hot! We all just laid there and sweated all night long. The water was so warm that it felt like bath water. Sister Terra Hensley brought her dad's boat for one of the days and the girls got to tube and wake board...they had a lot of fun. And even though it was hot, at least we had the water to play in. We had a few sunburns, but mostly it was just a good time.
I got back from girl's camp and headed to Ramah for a Lewis Reunion. Justin had gone earlier with Mom & Dad and they stayed out at Uncle Evan's cabin. It is a neat little cabin and he built himself, with the help of his kids. But they cut, stripped, and formed the logs to fit into place. It is very rustic and peaceful place to go. This was the first time Saul had been there and he loved it! After a visit to the cabin we headed into town for the Samuel E. Lewis reunion. It was fun to see a lot of my cousins and to visit with them. We also made a trip out to the old family ranch...a lot of memories there!

One thing that my kids look forward to every summer is going to Lake Powell with Aunt Megan and Aunt Karlie, and anyone else that wants to join in. We just camp down on the beach and spend all day in the water. I didn't get to stay long, but I took the kids and stayed a couple of days. The kids stayed the whole time and had a great time. They love the water, boat, wave runners, wake board, cliff jumping, and camping on the beach.
One of the best, most special events of the summer was MY SISTER SUE'S WEDDING!!! We are all so happy for her! She met a great guy that treats her so good. For years now she has teased and made fun of us for doting on our hubbies and being foolishly in love. It has been so funny to see her the same way. Ivy did a fabulous job making her dress and decorating for it. It is going to be a big adjustment for all of the nieces and nephews to not have their Aunt Sue at their every beck-and-call. But we are truly happy for her. Salim is so good to her and he has a great little boy. His name is Salim, but with his dad being Salim they have called him Su Su. That is a little difficult now that his new mom's name is Sue. We still call him Su Su, and he just fits right in with all the little boys in the family. We are glad to have them both and we are so happy for Sue.

School started way to early this year. I feel that every year they steal more and more of my time with my kids. When the kids were younger, we were all ready for school to start when the time came. But they keep moving the date up and I just was not ready to send them yet this year. Ariel is a Senior and Justin a Sophomore. They are getting so big...where did the time go.

With summer coming to an end and fall coming soon it means one thing...the garden is ready to harvest. I also knew that Dad's corn would soon be ready to pick and I would need to help him sell it. So I started my canning and trying to harvest what I could before things got really crazy. I was thrilled with all that I got from my garden and it was fun to share with the neighbors. I was spoiled growing up with all of the fresh veggies from the garden and still enjoy it. This year I bottled beets, green beans, salsa, peppers, peaches, and grape jelly. I have froze corn and peach jam. My shelves are filling up and it is a good feeling of accomplishment. I bottled not only for myself, but for mom also. Since she can't do it herself, I have tried to help her out...just a little pay back for all she did for us over the years.

Of course the corn got ripe and ready to pick and I spent 3 weeks helping dad sell it. It was a slower than usual year, but we still did alright. We got ready for the sweet corn festival...it's always a crazy day. This year we decided (with the help of Salim) to try grilling it also. It actually went well and we sold a lot of both kinds. Of course the slow economy played a part, but we still did well. And it is always fun to be there working together with the family. But I will admit that it was much harder this year. Just with trying to keep up with my family and gardening AND selling corn, I wasn't sure I was gonna make it. But we just do what we gotta do, right!

OK, I am tired now...no wait, we still have the fair! Both kids had show steers that they raised for 4-H this year. They are always a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. It is always fun to watch them grow...the steers too. Looking back over the years, it is amazing at how much my kids have learned and grown through their 4-H experiences. This year we didn't have the best calves, but my kids worked them and did real well with them. They did so much better to go take care of them and work them without nagging from mom. And when we got to the fair, they were proud of what they had. I didn't have to do near as much to help them...they did most of it themselves. Of course I'm not saying that I didn't stress and worry still...that's just my job. We borrowed dad's trailer again and just stayed down there for the whole fair. It was a lot of fun and I think that the kids enjoyed it also. Not only did Ariel have a steer this year, she also raised a heifer and tried a hand at horse 4-H. She ended up not riding as much as she wanted to at the fair...it just was a lot with the steer and heifer and all. But she learned a lot from her weekly rides. And she enjoyed showing her little heifer also. It's always a lot of work, but like I said earlier, it is fun to see the kids grow and progress along with their animals. They didn't win any big awards, but they are still winners in my book. And I felt that they did the best that they could with the animals that they had. As I said earlier, we knew going into it that we didn't have winning quality animals. And as my mom says...you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear! And they did get blue ribbons all the way around. Good job kids!

Well, fall is here and I have got most of my canning done. I still have a few potatoes and carrots to get in bottles and a little dehydrating that I want to get done. But things are slowing down and I am starting to relax a little now. I know it won't be for long though...but that's just the way life is. And as I set here and wrote this blog and posted pics, it was fun to reflect back on the past several months of all that we got to do. It reminds me of a saying that my sister, Megan, has on her wall..."be glad of life because it gives you the chance to LOVE, and to PLAY, and to look at the STARS.