Ackerman Family: June 2013

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Thanksgiving Point

We got the Thanksgiving Point Membership back in May. It may have been our Best. Purchase. Ever.

We probably go three times a week. The amazing thing is you can spend all day there, or you can just stop by for a quick pony ride or a quick dig for dinosaur bones. The girls love it. We all love. Even Pete and I have taken advantage of it for date nights alone.

Gardens- Tulip Festival

Children's Garden and Splash Pad

Dinosaur Museum

Farm Country

And there are always other fun events we stumble on- like this car show where we found the Bat-mobile.

May

May Highlights

Our neighborhood had a "Welcome Summer" party

I love May- it seems like everybody comes out of hiding and our streets come alive again.

For Memorial Day weekend we went down to Manti for the Scandinavian Festival

Pete and I did the 5k that morning and we both P.R'd at 21:30....but we found out later it was two blocks short of a real 5k.. so we'll call it 22 and change ;)

Karen and I showed up in Manti wearing the exact outfit to run in....not planned.

That night we went up the canyon for Hotdogs and Smores

One night for family night we taught Adaliah about Alma and planting the seed of faith. Adaliah covered her water bottle with pictures of things that will help her testimony to grow. Every morning she would remind me.. "Mom! I need to water my testimony!" I would pull her plant down and help her water her flowers.

Right now Pete and I get to teach Adaliah all about the gospel- and she believes every word we say. She has perfect faith. But someday she'll have to decide for herself. She'll have to water that testimony on her own... it's a crazy thought but a good reminder to always be looking for those teaching moments every day. Now is the time to feel her heart with a love of the gospel and pray that it stays.

And now here a just a few favorite pics from May

Triathlon

Woman of Steel Triathlon 2013

When I did my first tri in 2011- I trained with some friends from my neighborhood. This time I couldn't find anyone to train with me so I was on my own.

I learned a lot in my 5 months of training. There is something to be said about training alone. You get to decide how far you go, you decide the pace, you decide how hard you push. There is nobody to talk to... just time to think. I timed every run, every bike, and every swim and tracked it. Each time I went out I tried to do a little better than the time before. I learned a lot about endurance and self discipline. It was good for me. It was SO GOOD for me. It reminded me that "I can do hard things"- that's what my little neighbor Carson used to always say.

My Carson Courage bracelet was my lucky charm during training and the race.

It was FREEZING COLD on race day

5 Mins before I jumped into the water to start the race- Pete showed up with Zizzy and asked if I could hurry and feed her before I started. Hilarious. You do what you gatta do I guess.

It started raining during the bike....brrr...

Pete and the girls are always the highlight of my races. Pete moves around so they can cheer me on during each portion of the race. It always motivates to push a little harder when I see them cheering.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Sister Trip

One day in April- Karen and I were talking about how bad we both needed a break from the every day grind. So we booked a trip that night... and a few weeks later we were on a plane to California.

We booked a compact car- but the man at the car rental place gave us a major free up-grade after we told him "we didn't have plans yet- we were just here to have fun!". It set the tone for our amazing weekend of bliss.

Pete, Grandmother, and Grams were so great to tag team the girls over the weekend. I sure missed them but I knew they were in good hands. The trip was so rejuvenating- spiritually and emotionally. It's crazy what a weekend of good talks, lots of laughs, a few tears, great food, and a LOT of sunshine can do for you. I came back ready to be a better mother and a better wife.