Timothy received his Bear at Pack Meeting. I couldn’t be there so Richard got his first Cub Scout Rank Advancement Hug.
I’m just really proud of this boy for being so focused on his goal. It was nice to have him earn his rank before our move.
Author: Angela
I write so my family will always have letters from home.
Goodbye Baseball
We have three new trophies in our house. Mark is very proud of his work in t-ball.
Daniel says farewell to little league. He’s all grown up now.
Timothy, fully decorated, listens to ANOTHER speech from his coach.
Timothy’s team won the tournament. They are the #1 Minors team from Copper Hills Little League!
Girls’ Camp: check.
Pioneer Trek and Girls’ Camp are finished. I am tired and there is dirt embedded in my nails, but it’s been a good few weeks with the youth.
The smell of an afternoon rain shower is so soothing. I feel relaxed and ready to take on the next hurdle: our move to Utah.
We’re leaving the desert after 7 years and these recent experiences with the youth don’t make it very easy to leave.
If I think, “Where will we be next month?” I just have a dark space which doesn’t include our house or our friends. It still doesn’t seem real, but as I take down our photos from the walls and we begin to fill in the trampoline hole in the back yard, I see that it is real and that our mark on this house is being carefully erased. I find myself growing less concerned about the house and more concerned about the impact we have made in our little community. I hope that we have made a difference.
Girls Camp!
I’m spending the week at Girls’ Camp. Yes, we all look this good at camp… under all that dirt.
Smile first.
Recently I watched a young child inch his way from the back of the room to the front to get closer to his mother during a meeting. He picked a spot on one of the front rows and gazed up at her, anticipating her return. As she walked to her seat, the child, obviously so anxious to be with his mother uttered a little, “Mama,” hoping for a hug and a joyful reunion. She was embarrassed and upset with him. As she picked him up, he read all of her signs and began to cry. She wasn’t happy to see him waiting for her on the front row, after all.
This person did something that is easy for us to do: we forget to smile first.
I’m feeling a bit forlorn today because I have to leave my boys for a few days. It makes me wish that I’d had more time to love them before I have to leave. I’ve spent the day folding their newly washed clothes and helping them plan a menu and shop for goodies. What I wish I could do is spend the day playing games with them. Circumstances have made that impossible. But maybe you could think of this mom today and remember to accept your children and not worry about things that don’t matter… especially what “other people might think” of your parenting if you decide to smile at them first and correct them later.
Ballet Recital 2012
Paige’s dance recital was a beautiful success. She received a trophy for dancing for 6 years with her studio. She joined the studio before they had a building of their own in which to meet. Over the years, she danced on wood, concrete, and carpet before her studio was able to build a facility with proper floors and mirrors. That’s what you do in a small town. You help build it and you always keep a dream of how it can be. I’m so thankful for Michele Igason, who took Paige under her care and helped her become a beautiful dancer. Her studio has not made a profit in the three years since her building was completed. Such sacrifice has blessed our life and we will never forget it.
The green costumes were for a number from The Incredible Hulk. Mark waited in great anticipation for this number, and when it turned out to be quite graceful, he turned to me and said, “This is NOT what I expected.”
Paige was in 7 numbers and the pink tutus were my favorite.
“Suits” looked like it was the most fun to dance. The girls had a great time.
Remembering
This was the Ross Pioneer Trek Family. Richard and I were Ma and Pa to 7 children, ages 14-18. We had a baby we carried made from a pillowcase and dry rice.
We worked hard and we were a great team. We worked to make our journey a reminder of the past and relevant to our current lives.
We grew close to each other and stayed with our family most of the time.
This was my last pull with my family. I got heat stroke and had to be taken away for medical help.
Richard carried on without me. He was much admired for his sacrifices on the trail.
I am so grateful that a photographer kept a record so I could see what happened after I left.
I like these photos of Richard. It’s my blog, so I can post as many as I like.
They went up this steep hill with a human chain to pull on either side of the handcarts.
This man helped me when I was ill.
At one point, I looked up and was amused to see this Amish-looking man kneeling beside me. He was a great help to me also and I smiled to think that our Brigham Young actor was also an experienced paramedic.
Although the Ross Pioneer Trek family was “orphaned” they were proud to have finished the trek first, and raced to the end. Richard was there to cheer them on.
Paige did a great job on Trek. She was strong and cheerful.
She was part of a different “family” but we watched her from a distance. She enjoyed carrying her family’s baby.
It was an experience not easily explained in words, but the memories are deep and our faith has increased. And I have a nifty bonnet to help me remember.
Photos by Mr. Zollinger and Kara Egbert
This is where we have been.
httpv://youtu.be/6SjMjflQQa8
Ma Ross, Pa Ross, and Paige Ross are recovering, happy, and so grateful for our Trek experiences.
Magnificent Paige
Paige worked hard this year studying Medieval classics, chemistry, advanced mathematics, German, and more.
She is a reader.
She practiced the piano faithfully and received the Outstanding Student Trophy from her piano studio.
She worked faithfully on Personal Progress and earned 3 ribbons this year.
She is loved by the children around her. She is patient, loving, and always has candy in her room.
She can leap quite high.
She was a glorious Snow Queen in the Nutcracker.
Her piano compositions earned high marks in the contest she entered.
She played to new heights of speed and excellence for the piano ensemble concert.
She passed me up in height.
She belongs more with the women now. She is learning to drive, too.
Dear Paige, You worked hard this year and grow more capable, independent, and lovey each day. I am proud of you and I love you. XOXOXOXOXOXOX -Mom
Daniel, you made it!
Dear Daniel,
You are officially finished with another year of school. It’s been a big year for you with many milestones and academic excellence.
I think your best subject this year was math. You read around 50 books, did research papers about George Washington and James Madison, and continued to volunteer at the community pond. You achieved the rank of First Class in Scouting, and your Lego engineering still amazes us. I know you’re growing up and you don’t want a lot of attention, but I hope you know that we are so proud of you. XOXOXOXOXOX -Mom