Pioneer Day/Pie and Beer Day

I am trying to post semi-often since we are not using Facebook much for baby pictures. We know there are a lot of wonderful people out there who love our baby and want to see her grow up but living far away makes it difficult.

Eating knuckles is her new thing

This past weekend was a big one for Utah. They go all out on celebrating the Mormon pioneer heritage. I have never lived in a state that is so into celebrating it's past. I mean, this stuff is as big or bigger than the 4th of July in most places. There are events periodically throughout the summer for "Days of '47" culminating with July 24, which is Pioneer Day. It marks the day Mormon Pioneers arrived here, July 24 1847. This year we checked out the local parade. I don't have a lot to compare it with, other than Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. It wasn't to that scale by any means (where is the giant floating snoopy?) but some people camped out for TWO nights to get front row seats. That evening there were lots of fireworks. We skipped out on that bit to go to bed. Most native Utahns really love all the celebrations and are so proud of this holiday. There is also the counter-cultural Utah holiday called "Pie and Beer Day" for those who aren't so into the pioneer spirit. We like the enjoy a little bit of both.

This year Davis got off work a little early and we went for a hike up in the Uintas. So our Pioneer/Pie-and-Beer day consisted of the parade (for me and Eden), a hike, and some delicious pies and beverages with friends. Perfect for us!

Fehr Lake

Adventure pup admiring flowers

Adventure babe resting by Shepherd Lake

Sunshine in our eyes!

On Saturday we ran errands and had a date night! A dear friend of ours watched Eden for a couple hours while we went for dinner. It's strange how just two and half months ago, we could go out for dinner whenever we pleased just the two of us. Life is more complicated with the added baby but we definitely would not change it. It has definitely expanded our joy, especially in the little mundane moments that once past unnoticed.

houses and hiking

I think every update starts with "we've been busy". I am beginning to wonder if I just exaggerate our actual busyness or if we really are busy. But, alas, we have been a bit busy. This time it's been looking at houses to buy. Can I just say, this whole idea of buying a house is quite scary to me? I know it's like renting from the bank and hopefully we can at least get some of the money back. It's hard for me to commit to any place and sign my name on any line. We've seen a handful of houses of varying quality. The housing market here, at least the area we want to live, is challenging. It's more expensive per square foot here than the southeast but it's cheap compared to California. But a lot of people in our buying range are trying to purchase here. We found a little house built in 1907 that is in good shape in the general area we want to be. Everything is walkable and there are plenty of parks and large old trees. I guess you could say the area we can afford is "in transition". It can be a little hit and miss in ascetics due age and growth of suburbs in the past. But as with most of Salt Lake City, it's pretty darn safe. As more young folks move back into the city, it definitely can get much better.  Overall, I want to feel confident and care-free about committing. We will be here for at least three to five more years due to work. I know other people do this sort of thing all the time. That is great for them. I am still scared. I realize I am asking my confidence to be based on knowing with certainty the future.

I'll update y'all on the final verdict on this matter in time. But what I am going towards is how desperately I think knowing the future will give me confidence and peace. I think it would be gracious of God to give me foreknowledge in all life matters. When I think about that, I realize knowing would really limit the present moment. Already, a struggle is to not look to the future calendar and count down to the next big thing planned. If I were to know all things, would I really embrace the grace, love, mercy, and joy provided in the moments of life? I doubt I would. I am hoping I can see this need to trust God as a form of mercy and grace in my life. That goes not just for home buying, but all the things I worry that could happen or desire to happen.

There are other things we are realizing that we thought or wish we could control and plan that is ultimately not up to us to make happen. This also is driving me back to Jesus. Trusting. Trusting in a constant, loving, covenant God who is present with us moment by moment.

We always talk about how much there is to do here daily. We often are worn out come Saturday, we rarely go out to enjoy it. Sundays have become with busy with a ton of church responsibilities. However, this Saturday after getting good sleep, we skipped the farmers market and headed for the mountains. We had a lovely hike in the Uintas trekking Lofty Lake loop. Below are a few of the sights.

meadows with streams flowing

 Ingrid is about to take off sniffing

snack break with a view

snow patch, Ingrid flipped out
she loves to run around in snow and stick her nose in it

wildflowers, glacial lake, and rocky mountains. incredible.

So, that is where we are currently. Hope everyone is having a lovely summer.

eric came to visit! (and other thoughts)

When I started this blog it was mostly because we have friends and family all over the world. Just in case people wanted to keep up with us, I decided to blog the highlights which can be checked at their (who ever they are) leisure.  I am finding that although I never really intended to go deeper than "We did this, saw that, ate there" I have gone deeper. Perhaps I shared more than you ever wanted to know about me/us and the struggles of my/our heart. I guess I can't separate my doings from my thinkings/feelings/struggles.  So here it goes, some more doings and thinkings...


We spend the weekend with on our of dearest friends from Fort Collins, Eric. When Davis and I consider the many relationships we've had over the years, we never had felt or been alone. The older I get, the more years I have to really look back and see the providential blessings of people, whether for a season or lifelong. Although a self-proclaimed super introverted  and shy person who often afraid of people, I cannot deny my love and need of fellowship with others. Eric is a friend who just meshes so well with both Davis and me. We had a fabulous weekend eating, drinking, laughing, sharing, and exploring. We are so very thankful for his friendship.

brunch brothers

utah mountain adventures

some autumn

and some winter

we are small in the vast world

Davis and Eric with Uintas behind

Davis borrowed my hat for part of the hike :)

Sundance, Utah

Sunday afternoon hymn enjoyment

We miss having Eric around on a regular basis but thankful he wanted to visit us.  I kept thinking this weekend how much joy we experienced. God is so good to use to give us so many beautiful, precious gifts to display his love for us. 

However, I typically have the shadows and doubt and fear that steal joy. Often times my cynicism, suspicions, anxiety, fear, unbelief, and distrust makes it hard to enjoy those gifts. I am terrified that they will be taken away or look to the future and dread the end. Or I feel too guilty or ungrateful to enjoy good things because I often compare blessings and either think  superior or inferior  thoughts depending on how I measure up. There is a complex entanglement in my heart of lies, fear, and doubt. I often see the entanglement grabbing hold in so many areas of my life. Often times it seems like the second I stop preaching the gospel to my heart, I slip into this darkness. This weekend, I noticed again how I go from joy to dread so quickly, falling prey to traps of sin in my heart.

Like I said, I never intended for this thing to get so much into the mucky muck of my heart, but I am certain I am not alone in these sorts of struggles.  How do we live in the present, keeping an eternal perspective, and have joy? Obviously I haven't conquered this nor will I be made perfect this side of heaven. I believe God and his reconciling work is the source and object of joy. If my life is missing joy or joy is stolen by cynicism, suspicions, anxiety, fear, unbelief, and distrust  it is because perhaps I am not living as though I believe this.

I am just beginning to wade through these thoughts, so they are very unpolished and under developed.