A mission farewell for Chaze

Last weekend we had the pleasure of throwing a farewell for our brother- Elder Chaze Palmer. We kicked off the weekend with a bonfire Friday night for the pit barbeque. The bonfire was a fun get together with friends and family. Of course, Mountain Dew was involved along with marsh mellows and starburst for roasting. We also had our good friend and cousin Parker Palmer playing the guitar as we were sitting by the fire. The purpose of the fire was to get enough coals for the pit barbeque. However, with Cam and Chaze there really doesn't ever need to be an excuse for a bonfire or burning anything to be honest. Needless to say, it was a wonderful evening with friends and family that shared it with us.

Not to mention, Cam and I haven't had a lot of alone time recently since we haven't been living in the same city. So when everyone had pretty much called it a night, Cam and I stayed out a little later and snuggled under the stars. Although the night was a little crazy and busy, it was really nice to take time for us and make it a little date.

As you can imagine, the next morning I wasn't nearly as motivated to get up as Cameron. He went out shed hunting with our friend Parker for a couple hours while I stayed in bed. We were able to catch up with Chaze in the late morning/ early afternoon. He was at the Ivin's field (the family that he had cowboyed for these last two years). Tiffni 's (Chaze's girlfriend) family had come down for the big events this weekend, so Chaze took them to the field to ride horses, ride four wheelers, and see a baby calf be born. All those things took place that afternoon, (pictures will come soon). Not to mention, I was on one of the horses for a quick ride... I should have know to wait for the other horses. However, I ventured off on my own for a quick ride. On my way back the horse started running and wouldn't listen to me. I pulled back the reins fairly tight but the horse kept on running. Not to mention, I'm never on a saddle that is the right size for me, so my feet are never in the stirrups, which is scary cause I was just hanging on to the saddle horn hoping I wouldn't fall off. Finally we were at the entrance of the corral when the horse slowed down on it's own. I hopped off and didn't get back on a horse the rest of that day. I'm not going to lie, it definitely scared me a little.

That late afternoon we adventured on a little hike in Comb (a well known name for an area near Blanding). We took the whole crew out to look at a couple Native American ruins. We had with us most of our family, (minus mom and dad- they were making dinner), Adam Rigby's family (A cousin from Cam's mom side), Tiffni's mom's family, and Tiffni's dad's family. We had about 27 of us on our hike. It was a neat little hike that took us about an hour to get everyone down there, but the families that haven't been to Blanding before really loved seeing the ruins.

Dinner time came and it was time for our pit barbeque. The prepared meat and dutch oven potatoes were totally against my diet, but I ate them anyway. Cam was my favorite at dinner. He grabbed one paper plate for his meat and another paper plate for his potatoes. Oh how I love that man. We were joined by many more friends and family to celebrate with Chaze the wonderful decisions he had made to serve the Lord.

Sunday

We had the pleasure to hear my mother-in-law, father-in-law, and Chaze speak in our Sunday service. Chaze gave a great talk about feeling the spirit and how he discovered for himself that he has heard the spirit and it prompted him to do things. The spirit isn't always that boisterous warning not to do something or to stop, but most often than not it is a still small voice.

Monday,

Chaze was set a part as a missionary. Cam was able to participate in the circle and be there for his little brother. I wasn't able to attend because I was on my way back to Provo. I know that the family that couldn't make it was there in spirit, because we all wanted to be.

Wednesday,

Chaze is going to the MTC today. He will be dropped off at 1pm in Provo. I am hoping that I will be able to catch up with him while I'm leaving one job and heading to another. Because I left early on Monday I wasn't able to give him a hug and properly say goodbye. I'm hoping I get that chance, but if I don't he will still get letters from us and know that we are praying for him.

What an eventful time for our little family, but oh the joys of having our first brother to serve a mission. Couldn't be more proud of him and his decision to serve for two years.

Saddle sore

Last weekend I (Liz) was able to go to Blanding to see my hubby. It is always a treat to see him, and truly I am happier around him. Not to mention, it was soo good to see the kids. I miss family dearly- since we spent the first 9 of our marriage living across the street from them. It has been really hard on me to not know what the girls are doing and go to their basketball, volleyball, and softball games. I do want to support them and be involved in their lives and moving away has made me feel so separated from them. However, I will say that all the support I have given and the constant efforts on my part have finally paid off with a sister of mine.

She's always been a more reserved person and doesn't aim to be the center of attention; which is odd for an late teen. I've tried to be involved in her life, but it seem the more I tried the more I pushed her away. On Saturday, she came down stairs to show me her new clothes and I even received texts and calls from her. I think moving away has actually helped our relationship grow, which is exactly what I've always wanted. At first I had no idea what i was doing wrong and why I didn't have a solid relationship with her, but now I realize that all we needed was time.

In my eyes Saturday was a very successful day. Not to mention, that my hubby took me on a horse ride. We were able to use the horse that are one the family field that belong to Uncle Tom. Needless to say, it was fun to ride along side with my hubby, even though all I did was walk the horse. (For those that know me and grew up with me, know that I'm not a super outdoorsy person. This is all new to me since I met my hubby.) Two hours out in the hills riding had me a little saddle sore.

The evening settled down with dinner with friends and family at Patio, and a watching the movie The Warrior with Chaze and his girly. This weekend was all about me and I enjoyed the time with my husband and getting to snuggle him at night. Life is short and I'm enjoying the time with my hubby!