Behind the Scenes - AnnMarie

This year is like living in a dream that used to sweep across my mind in the midst of survival mode. It's strange how you find yourself in certain stages of life that seemed so far away. We moved into our new house last August, and even though parts of it feel like home, I find myself missing the familiarity of houses past. Memories from Tri-Cities and Argentina have been more clear than ever before. 

I love the incredible excitement of every day. AnnMarie is one in a million- and it's truly a gift to live with her. I feel that way about each of my kids, but as I'm experiencing a sence of departure, my heart recognizes all things uniquely AnnMarie, as I consider how different life will feel in her absence. On Valentine's Day she woke up at 5:30 am in eager anticipation of her favorite day of the year- but it seems like she has more than a dozen favorite days. Every day is the best day ever, and she's been saying that since she could talk. 

Last September she came home from school- so over the moon excited about a scholarship opportunity that included a trip to Washington D.C. It was through the United States Senate Youth Program, which selects two youth delegates from each state to receive a $10,000 schloarship and a one-week trip in Washington D.C. to experience the government in action. She poured over the essays and spent every spare moment she had on perfectly preparing the application. 

We were so blessed to have Steve Faulkner in our corner- the two of us have such a rare relationship. He is the Commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post, and ever since being a jury member in the trial on behalf of my dad, he has a deep and abiding love for our family. I'm so grateful for everything he's done for the girls- and for giving AnnMarie the opportunity to be the Youth Representative for the VFW, a leadership role that proved to be crucial in the application process. 

After receiving word that she was a Top 10 Finalist, we began making plans to take her to the Capitol Building for a day of interviews and small panel discussions. She surprised people in her soft mint green suit and was given a hot pink pen for notetaking and response preparation. I knew her word choice and charm would work its magic, and boy was I right. Fast forward one month later, while I was in Las Vegas with Jared, when I received an email asking for AnnMarie to call Leslie Younger as soon as possible. I thought- could it be? Could she really be the chosen delegate? I was shopping in the basement of Marshalls with Cindy Grauberger- and I literally melted into a puddle of tears. It was a beautiful moment that I will never forget. This opportunity will prove to write her ticket to the university of her dreams, and I feel a rush of awe when I consider Heavenly Father's majestic plans for her future.  

Speech & Debate is a world of its own that has been a platform of huge success. Last year she was chosen as an alternate for Nationals in Congressional Debate and was able to go to Arizona with Josh Williams and several other qualifiers from Madison, which was the first time in many years that Snake River was able to send students to Nationals. It was a big deal for our school district, especially since they were both sophomores! She wasn't able to compete in Congress, but as an alternate, she was allotted entrance into supplementals, so she chose expository speaking and wrote and delivered a speech entitled "July 11th" - all about medical malpractice and the excessive misuse of anti-depressants. She has used that speech at many tournaments this year and ended up placing every time- not to mention her many trophies and wins in Communication Analysis and Congress. 

I'm totally in awe of her life when I reflect on her childhood and the experiences that have prepared her for her life ahead. I think about the courage it took to go to school in Argentina and move around- oh, the many moves. She's always been an absolute light, and anytime we've moved, it's left a huge void in her grade and social circles. Here we are living in a big house with empty walls, and all I want to do is cover them with pictures of my children and the moments they've etched into my heart. 

Last summer she got her driver's license, and I was so overwhelmed with emotion sitting in the park, impatiently waiting for her to come around the bend of Airport Park from her driver's test. The instructor just got out of the passenger side of the silver Chevy Cruz and gave me a big nod with a thumbs up. I was so proud and so happy- it just took my breath away. I knew how hard she had worked and how cautious she had been, and she did it. I love the moments we've shared. 

Just last week I watched her during a Congress round in the old Pocatello High School. She truly commanded the room! It was unbelievable listening to her defend and oppose bills, one of which she had authored. Now we're working through Distinguished Young Women (DYW) together, and this morning was the talent review. For the past five years I've sat in talent reviews thinking about the day I'd be there as a mother, and there it was- definitely a surreal moment. I'm so grateful for my beautiful daughter and her testimony. Families are eternal and the greatest blessing I could ever receive. I'm not sure what I ever did to deserve her, but I know I'll do everything I can to keep up with her. 

Becoming a Sister Again

 In the midst of chaos, we've been exploring how to grow older without growing up. Or worse, growing apart. It's easy to get sidetracked by all the things that have become a part of our lives in recent times: completing a first semester of grad school, making new friends, taking gym class, and trying to find our new normal. After all, this is a new community, yet not. Because this is a place that should be familiar, but people can change so quickly in such little time. We are proof of that. One thing has always remained unchanging though -- family. Becoming a sister again has helped me rediscover what is really the most important part of our lives. Our family is what links all of these little moments in our lives together, and gives us a piece of our childhood we will always remember. 

AnnMarie Juliet

(a reflection of November 2018 -- a feeling of becoming)

Moroni's Quest

This past summer, June 20th-23rd, Jared and I had the awesome opportunity to be Tribal Leaders at a youth camp called, "Moroni's Quest." We had the privilege of camping and working with a tribe of 10 different youth, ages 14-18 yrs. old.

In preparation for the Quest, we had numerous meetings (starting in March) with various stake and ward leaders in order to get to know the youth, become familiar with the purposes of "Moroni's Quest," and understand all of our specific responsibilities as tribal leaders. We had several "Get to Know You" activities on a ward level, but since we had over 40 youth in our ward, we didn't really know who would be in our tribe until a few weeks before the Quest.

Basically, our main objective was to help the youth draw nearer to the Savior by increasing their understanding of the events that took place in the Book of Mormon. We led 8 different discussions with our tribe up at Helaman's Camp - each lasting about 30-45 minutes long - all related to the numerous reenactments we'd watch on an outdoor stage.

Jared was committed to studying the Book of Mormon from start to finish leading up to the Quest, which was such an inspiration to me! He labeled the various topics of the discussions very specifically with notes alongside the margins, including colored tabs to facilitate efficient discussions. I, on the other hand, did my very best to just have energy and seek inspiration related to my desire to personally connect with each of the youth (since I was 16 weeks pregnant at the time of the Quest).

Jared was absolutely amazing to make sure I had a nice air mattress along with a cooler of snacks and drinks in our tent (including cereal and milk) for my own personal use whenever necessary! We had to wear two authentic costumes large enough to wear over our own clothes, reminiscent of Biblical times.

I saved a file of all the details surrounding the numerous events of the camp, but aside from the reenactments and discussions, our schedule consisted of other activities including meals, tower building, war training with subsequent wars, and a sacred "Savior" experience that ended up being my most favorite part of the whole Quest! I'm so grateful that we made the effort to participate in this opportunity when called to do so, and I hope that our own kids will have the chance to do something similar someday.

These are just a few of my favorite pictures -- along with a VIDEO that was created and shared at a special fireside in August for all the participants.