find me in the river

I recently heard the song "Find Me in the River." I love the version from the "I Still Believe" movie soundtrack. I think it's so pretty. And I think it's an expression of humility, surrender, and trust in God. 

"Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the water
Now I'm waiting if you please
We've longed to see the roses
But never felt the thorns
And bought our pretty crowns
But never paid the price

Find me in the river
Find me there
Find me on my knees with my soul laid bare
Even though you're gone
And I'm cracked and dry
Find me in the river
I'm waiting here

Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the water
Now I'm waiting if you please
We didn't count on suffering
We didn't count on pain
But if there are blessings in the valley
Then in the river I will wait

Find me in the river
Find me there
Find me on my knees with my soul laid bare
Even though you're gone
And I'm…"

I have spent so much time "in the river" this summer, literally and spiritually, so this song has become an anthem. The river has been a place for me to “lay my soul out bare”—to heal, to surrender my will and my problems, to draw closer to a Heavenly Father who has created such beauty for us, and to feel peace. I feel my soul healing every time I go. 

Part of that healing has been the strength I get from the people I spend time with. 

Thank goodness for friends who are patient with me, understanding, and inspiring. I think we all help each other grow in different ways. 

These ladies actually went out with me just a few days before my big lung biopsy. Some of my worries and concerns were released on the river that night.

Look at this view at the end of our river run! I just took a big breath in when I saw this. God gives us so much peace in nature.

Not too long after that, a big group of us went to the river for an evening paddle. Each of these women are so unique. Yet each one has taught me or served me in a different way. Oh how we need each other! 




And they are fun.

Eric and I went out on the kayak on the most perfect there could be. The water was high and the weather was divine and so we spent 2 hours and ten minutes kayaking from water users to granite reef (about 10 miles).


How gorgeous was this spot that evening with all of the horses around!

We've been doing some hard work on our marriage and I'm grateful that because of that we get out and do things together that we love. 

How fun to be married to your best friend--someone I can talk to about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING as we paddle along.

A little self timer photo shoot to capture the peace of the evening.

The weather is starting to change and the flow of the river will be cut off soon. But it has been quite often, that you could find me in the river this year. It feeds my soul.

Perry is TEN

 Happy, happy birthday to my little guy who is now in double digits!!

TEN years old!! I can not believe it. This little man is remarkable. I love him dearly.


As do his sisters and brothers, as well. The girls worked hard to make him a minecraft birthday sign.

Kyler decorated a minecraft cake for him


Perry was looking forward to this day for months. He was super excited to have his friends come over. 

And maybe really, really excited for presents. Ha! This kid's love language is one hundred percent gifts. You give him a gift and you will forever have a piece of his heart. And he will never forget it either.

Perry had a group of friends come over to swim, eat pizza, and have cake.

Perry loves legos, video games, minecraft, "boy" shows and movies, listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks, swimming, and riding his bike. Some of his favorite foods right now are pineapple soda, chocolate milk, taco bell crunchy tacos, and pita bread pizzas.

Perry feels emotions with his whole body and heart and we love him for that. He loves wrestling with all the boys in the house and reading books with all of us girls.


We all love his cuddles! And the ways that he teaches us to focus on what's most important, appreciate the simple things, show compassion, and be patient. He is such an important part of our family!!

We love him with all of our hearts. 

We are so glad he is ten years old and he is ours.

best Dairy Queen employees

Kacin followed in Kyler's footsteps and got his first real job at Dairy Queen. 

I think he will love the perks of working at a place that makes blizzards just as much as Kyler did. :)

Kyler made the decision to make his exit from Dairy Queen and head to a new place of employment in order to gain some new skills and avoid working weekend nights. When he told his employer he would be leaving, he put in a good word for Kacin. Lucky Kacin got a job without even an interview because any brother of Kyler is for sure amazing and will make a great employee. (I think so, too--both these guys are pretty incredible people).

Kyler got to work with Kacin twice before his last day. On Kyler's last day we stopped in to visit our boys. Kyler was on a break when we got there and he welcomed us warmly.

Kyler took our order and Kacin worked hard back there. We loved seeing them working so responsibly at their first jobs. They love the people they work with and have had such great experiences there.

The last time he will serve us our blizzards...