Mautz Memories

Chloe Davis Mautz and her family live near Salt Lake and they invited Elishann and I to go up to the mountains and enjoy the fourth of July holiday with her husbands family. Her family is so much fun. Andrew her husband is one of the finest men to ever pull on a pair pants. He is extremely crafty and can make and or fix anything that has ever been put in front of him. He is so kind and diligent. He loves Chloe and their kids so much. I know this not just by hearing it said but also from the way he is with them. You can just tell by the way he walks in the door after a long day at work just how much he really loves them. As he is being overrun with babies so happy to have their daddy back with them, amongst all the kisses and stories of the day he laughs and hugs and pats them, all while looking for Chloe. That's the stuff fairy tales are made of and I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to watch them live thier very own version. Chloe is one of those people that just make you stare and wonder how in the world she gets it all done AND stays sane. She takes on a day at the indoor play ground with 4 children like a pro. She is helping out with Tate's soccer team, organizes her schedule to fit all the visitors in AND cooks dinner. Can you imagine? One word. Amazing. Tate is the oldest and quite the leading lady in her own right. Very talented and smart, she knows how to help her mama and is the best hula hooper I've ever seen. Kaleb is the love bird of the family. He gives kisses and hugs freely without even being asked and he makes sure everybody is ok. He is a big boy who just absolutely adores his daddy and cuddles his mama on a reagular basis. Who wouldn't love kids like that? Then we have Eli. Strong build, strong ideas. He usually takes a minute to warm up to people but oh is he the charmer. He tells stories and like to play outside. His favorite thing is to stay up late with mama and snuggle on the couch. Then of course the baby of the family. Miss Tessa Jean Mautz. She is learning to talk, but dont dispair she is the most vocal non verbal child I have ever met. She has beautiful ringlets at the base of her neck and the chubbiest little cheeks. She will tell you no or bad if she thinks the situation permits it. She likes to be included but will not be run over. She can handle her own against every single one of her siblings and even me. She hates to be put to bed but loves her blanket. Together this crew makes up the Mautz family. Crazy at times, calm at others, full of love and understanding. Sounds like my kinda people. From jumping on the trampoline, to gardening, playing in the basement to watching movies, they dont always have everything together, but I can assure you that together they have it all.

-AzK-

Stewart Falls

While out in Utah I made it a goal to get back in touch with some of my friends from the mission. One of those was my former MTC teacher, sister Amanda Hawkes. She was brand new when she was assigned to my district. We were her first district and she was one of 3 teachers for us. She replaced our sweet Brother Bird after he was assigned to a new district. She gathered a few of her friends and we took a hike. Literally. We hiked up to Stewart Falls in the Provo Canyon. It was beautiful. The weather was bright and clear and there was a nice breeze. We came home filthy with dust and sweat but enjoyed our time together. We talked and played games as we walked and it was just a good girls day in the mountains. Amanda actually went to the bottom of the falls and played but I knew that what goes down must come up so me and the load that my feet carry stayed at the top. I enjoyed the scenery but most of all I enjoyed getting to spend time with a woman who shaped how my mission began and who started my learning process. She taught me then and continues to now, even without a nametag on. The name that is written on her heart is evident in the life she leads. Thanks Amanda, for helping me find that name on my own heart. Mahal Kita.

Idaho

I spent the 24th of July weekend in Idaho with Kendall Beckstead a very dear friend. We both had a no plans for Pioneer day so I drove up to Idaho and spent that Friday playing with him and his friends and toured the campus of BYU-I. With Kendall as my willing and able, not to mention oh so talented personal guide, I saw some amazing things on campus. We went to the nurseries full of beautiful green plants and flowers galore. Every color under the sun! The water features were quiet and beautiful and they even have a porch swing hung up that we were able to take a rest in and enjoy the afternoon breeze. My absolute favorite thing is at the very end of campus. Breath taking, majestic, peaceful, and serene are words that come to mind when I think of it. The Idaho Rexburg Temple is sweeter than any cherry on top. The windows have a wheat motive etched in them and the flowers that surround it are so simple and beautiful. I was unprepared to do a session since I didnt think to bring a skirt with me so Kendall and I decided to go at night to enjoy the splendor. The lights that gleam off the sides of the temple hightlight everything beautiful, all the way up to the angel Moroni. Children played on the lawns, an old couple walked hand in hand around the perimeter just talking quietly with one another, and we sat on a bench and enjoyed the spirit that is so abundant there. I learned the importance of common goals and standards and was able to experience the peace of mind that comes knowing that the person sitting next to me was worthy and able to go inside. The greatest blessings any one of us can hope to obtain lay within the walls of the temple, but the journey of actually obtaining them begins before we ever reach the front door.

The Temple as we saw it and Kendall and I on a bench at the back of the temple.

Tree + Rope

Troping seems to be one of the many fun ways to spend a summers afternoon for some of BYU's finest. For those of you around home troping is just swinging from a rope that is tied in a tree out into the water with the added attraction of flips and tricks that usually accompany high spirited youth. Growing up where I did I consider myself a water baby. I am never very far from the lake, the beach, one of many rivers or if all else fails I can get my fix from the fish pond in the backyard. So needless to say I was excited when Lexie called with an invitation to go troping. Lexie took Elishann and I with her on one such occasion out to Lake Mona with her cohort from school. I was the photographer and they were both active participants. After many trips with her friends Lexie is the only one of us who actually got good at it. She is so diligent! We enjoyed the sun, the view of the mountains and the time spent together. Water with 2 of my favorite women on a warm summer afternoon. Bliss.

Like your worst nightmare, I'm back!

So I've been home for one week today and just got around to this whole blog thing again. I realized that I had several unpublished posts and that I hadnt updated since my adventures in Utah. Today I published the older saved posts and am now going to attempt to publish new ones with the details of my semester out in Utah and all the wonderful characters that have become a part of my heart as a result. From "the Family" to the "A-Team", temple trips to hiking trips, service to singing, and every adventure in between, I promise to tell it like it really was, or as I really saw it. Hope yall enjoy it as much as I did. It's good to be back but it's great to be home.