Bear Lake

     Bear Lake was all up in the air this year. At first we didn't commit to going because we weren't sure how Brewer would be recovering from his surgery. Then after it was postponed, I didn't want to commit to going because I wasn't sure how I could leave Phil. There was still so much that I was doing for him and it caused me some anxiety just thinking about being apart. But after much debate and after Phil told me he could do a lot more we decided that I should take the boys for a few days. We left Tuesday afternoon, enough time to catch dinner and see everyone. Wednesday we went to the park in the morning and the beach in the afternoon. Unfortunately a storm blew in so the beach didn't last too long and we popped over to the pool instead. 

     After the pool it was time for dinner and a little program put on by Geri and Steve. They had been working hard at genealogy for their family and getting temple work done. They presented the family and their history and thanked everyone who was able to help in one way or another to getting the temple work done. Phil and I had the awesome opportunity to go to the Idaho Falls temple at the end of February and participate in sealing some of those people together, finishing up their ordinances. It was very neat to be able to be with so many members of Phil's family in the temple, in the same sealing room that many of them were sealed in and with his Grandpa Monson as the sealer. I was also just a couple months pregnant. Geri made a comment towards the end about some of the promises we receive from helping with furthering the work and helping with the work of those who have passed on and cannot preform the ordinances on their own. She quoted different prophets and/or apostles. One said something to the effect of, that as we help them do the work they cannot, they are willing and eager to help us. After she read that I immediately thought of Phil's accident, which just a few weeks after we helped with the dealings, and thought that maybe some of those individuals were the ones who helped with the many miracles that were necessary to preserve Phil's life. One day we'll know for sure. And one day we'll get to meet both those people we helped and the people that helped us. That will be one very glorious day.

     While we were eating dessert in walked Phil and Nate. They surprised everyone and it was so great for our family to be reunited!! The rest of Bear Lake was time well spent with family and as always, Phil pushed himself to do things he may not have been too comfortable with and pushed himself to do things that were more normal. He got in the swimming pool and then the hot tub, which was so great. The kids had a blast swimming with him!! The thought always pops in my head any time we are out in public how crazy we must look. I mean Phil's weight isn't coming back on, he's still so skinny, he's on crutches, and I'm bald and pregnant. I'm just glad Brewer's zipper is so faded. I try to ignore all the looks we seem to get, and I'm slowly getting better at it. But sometimes I just wish that I could wear a sign that explained, yeah we might look crazy, but he's our issues and we're working through them the best we can. 

     The kids did great and had a blast playing with all their immediate cousins, Emmett, Caroline, Claire and Brisbane, as well as their older "cousins". Nearly all of Phil's family was together at Bear Lake, which is such a rare occasion. We were only missing Clark, Emilie and Quinton. Phil's extended family is just as wonderful. Boyd has great examples and buddies that play with him and enjoy his company. It's such a great time with so many wonderful people. I was so glad that we were able to go and that Phil was able to come too!!