Missionaries...

OUR MISSIONARIES!!!  Derrek and my parents (Dan and Miriam) are in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT.  My parents arrived there on the 17th of September and Derrek made it there on the 19th.  It is fun because I have an inside source telling me how he's really doing.  My mom said that the MTC doesn't give the Elders/Sisters time to think...they are going-going-going all day long and then they welcome bed time.  My mom said that Derrek mentioned on Friday (he'd been there two days) that he was still a bit overwhelmed, but in a week or so, I know he will feel right at home.  My parents get to do whatever they want/need.  My mom said that she needed to mail a package and they were going to walk down to BYU.  None of that for the Elders!  They also got to attend my Cousin, Mike's wedding in SLC.  We are excited for Mike.  My parents also Skyped me today.  My mom said that she was really sick this last week because they had her get the flu shot and influenza?!? shot (I can't remember the other one), but after that, she was really sick with a fever and such.  Glad she's feeling better.  We wrote Derrek a letter and you can to at "dearelder.com".  Just type in his mission (Columbus Ohio).  I'm not sure his box number, yet.  We haven't heard from him.  I don't even think he knows our address!  I guess he'll figure it out, or ask my parents!  Sending him off was way harder than I thought it would be.  I was fine until that morning and I realized I wouldn't be able to see him for two years and that I wouldn't be able to call or talk to him to see how he was doing whenever I wanted or felt the need to.  Then, as we were saying goodbye, Alec said "see you in three years" and I lost it even more.  I cried the whole morning.  By noon, I was settled down and doing ok.  All the boys were looking at me like I was a freak of nature.  Ashton lost it, too which made Scott tear up.  Ashton loves his brother, Derrek.  But, I know he is in better hands and the Lord can do more with him than any other experience at this time in his life could offer him.  Things are definitely more quiet around here.

Other things that we have been doing...CANNING, CANNING, CANNING!  Sister Rowley, in our ward, has a huge garden and asked if I would like to come raid it because there is no possible way she could do anything with all the food.  So, we went and picked green beans, lots of apples, and tomatoes.  I have made a lot of applesauce, green beans, and spaghetti sauce.  Then my friend, Donna, asked if I would come help her do hers because she just doesn't have time like she used to.  So, I went to her house and did apples (for pies and such), and applesauce.  Then she invited her family over for family night and we canned the rest of my applesauce and worked on her tomatoes to get them ready to be jarred.  It was a fun time and we really like being with the Larson family.  You can see we had quite the production going!

I just got a call from a sister in our ward who said she had a 5-gallon bucket of tomatoes for me, if I wanted them...um, YES!  That's like gold for me.  I think I will do salsa this time.

The boys have been learning how to work hard and serve.  They have been helping a member in our Stake to bail hay.  They didn't realize how hard it really is, and poor Calvin had some fun allergies to go with it.  Luckily there is medicine for that!  They also chopped some wood and I am grateful to these men who are teaching them how to work hard and that it isn't just their parents that do it...it is just a requirement when you live out here.  Ashton got to drive the hay truck and it was a stick-shift!  He was jerking it all around at first (his first time driving...ever!).  He did good by the the end.  Every night they would come home and the boys would say "I'm not going tomorrow" and then they would end up going the next day.  Then the last day they were going to go, the guy borrowed his neighbor's stacker and did 800 bails in a day and got it all done.  He had 2000 to start, so the boys were glad he was able to do that.

I did my first run for the mortuary this last week.  You know they are desperate when they are calling to ask me if I would do a run for them.  It was nice to drive and hang out in Payson and all that.  It is weird, though, that this is just how life is, now and that's ok.

Sending my parents off at the airport on their way to the MTC

We got to go to St. George last weekend for Derrek's farewell talk in the Red Cliff's 6th ward.  It was so good to see all our old friends and there was so much love and support for Derrek and we were really grateful that he was able to go and do that.  I really had a hard time with him demanding that he do a farewell in St. George because of the time and money he was asking us to spend.  We weren't going to be able to go because of finances, but we are very blessed with family that helped us get there.   I felt it was selfish, but in the end I realized why he needed it and I am glad he was able to do it.  It was my parent's farewell also and it was good to be with family.  The kids really wanted to say goodbye to their Nana and Papa, and I am glad we were able to do that.  My sister and sister-in-laws put together a really cute family dinner with my side of the family.  They did decorations for Italy and Ohio and missionary stuff all over the tables.  Then they had an Italian type meal and and ice cream bar.  It was perfect.  Dallen and Ashton, the night before, got to go see Les Miserables in Cedar City with Kent/Amy, Kathie/Paul and their families.  We had a fun time riding to and from St. George with Kathie and Paul and their family.  On the way up, Kathie and I got to ride together and chat the whole way, while Paul and Scott were in the other car.  Then on the way home, the adults (and Jack) were in one van, Calvin and kids in the other, and Derrek and Alec in the car.  It was fun.  Definitely made the trip go faster.

 I almost forgot!!!  Alec, Scott, and Derrek all had birthdays!  Alec turned 18, Scott turned 41, and Derrek turned 19.  It was hard this year because we literally have no money and so the birthdays were kind of lame. Alec and Scott are great because they really don't care (or show that they care).  Derrek is a little different.  He likes the attention and I tried to do my best, but I'll admit, according to his standards, it was lame (sorry Derrek, I tried).  Anyway, we got Alec a didgeridoo.  He has been playing it non-stop...he even brought it to St. George!  It drives Shep nuts, but it is so Alec and I am glad I got it for him.  

Derrek got money to help him go to St. George, and I got Scott a shirt from "Kid History" that says "I've got one minute left in my brain".  It's a quote Scott says all the time and to me it fit perfect.  After their birthdays, Scott mentioned he wanted a cowboy hat!  Now that's something I have to see...and I am not picking that out.  There is no way I would want that responsibility :).

Everything else is going good.  We are healthy and the kids are doing good in school and still adjusting, but they are doing very well.  There are still days that are hard for me.  I like to stay busy and moving to a new place takes all that away and it's hard to have the energy to start up again.  Most days are good, though, and like with everything else, you just gotta keep on going.

Settled in...

I just saw that it's been 6 weeks since I posted!  First of all...Derrek received his mission call to COLUMBUS, OHIO!  He leaves September 19th, which is a huge blessing, considering other young men that we know who have received their calls are going 4 months later and Derrek will have only had to wait a month and a half.  And other awesome news...he'll be at the Missionary Training Center when my parents are there!  Have you ever known a missionary to get to be in the MTC with his grandparents?!?  Amazing and I can't wait to see that picture!  Derrek is ready to go.  Living here is driving him crazy.  The pace of life in Snowflake, AZ is SO much slower than in St. George and especially slower than Mesa.  I will admit that I have broken down a few times (okay, maybe more) because I feel like I have moved to a foreign country.  It isn't that foreign, though, really...I have just forgotten how it goes.  Oklahoma was a lot like it is here.  No one is in a hurry, everyone looks out for each other (or they gossip about them!), and there are just good, humble, people trying to do their best...what can be so bad about that?!?  The night Derrek moved here, we literally rolled into town, dropped off his stuff at the house, and took him to a rodeo.  That takes me to my next event...

Scott was in a rodeo!  It was fun to watch.  His boss, Jason, had signed them up for the "Calf dressing" competition.  They had to put a pair of bloomers on a calf.  It was a three-man team and Scott, Zach (a kid that worked at the Mortuary and is now on a mission to Nebraska), and Jason were the team for Silver Creek Mortuary.  It was really good advertising...especially because THEY WON!  Here's the video..
July 2012 - Pioneer Day Rodeo and other 010 from Amy Bowler on Vimeo.

Scott and Zach are the ones you see at the front of the arena.  Jason got lost with the rest of the crowd on the side and then comes running toward Zach and Scott just as they are finishing putting on the bloomers.  My favorite part of the video is seeing the calf in the yellow bloomers trotting across the screen at the end.  So funny!  It was fun to watch and they did all sorts of other fun competitions.  It was also fun because we knew some of the people participating.  Here is a picture of the three of them the next day showing their buckles off and the other picture is of the buckle.  Scott told me that at church a guy in our ward came up to him and said "yours is pretty nice, but I'll still take mine".  We found out that his was from a WORLD CHAMPION Bucking Brono.  His name is Craig Click and then we also found out that Cody Hancock, WORLD CHAMPION Bull Rider is also in our ward!  I've seen Cody ride in Vegas a couple of times.  Very weird that he is in our Ward!  I serve in the Primary with his wife.  She's great.  Scott is still proud of his buckle and so happy to give Silver Creek Mortuary a little more advertising.  Scott and Zach didn't think they had a chance because there were some real cowboys in the competition that handle calves all the time, but it came down to not being tricked by the announcer and seeing the calves coming out and Zach literally diving for the tail of the calf they caught.

I love going to the rodeos here (and other events for that matter).  I think it is because there is a huge sense of patriotism that seems lost, especially living in the Phoenix area.  Prayers are said at public events, the flag is pledged to, and there is a sense of gratefulness to be in this great country and for those who serve us to keep it free.  I am really glad my boys get to have a sense of that.  It seems rare these days with everyone trying to be "politically correct" and not offend those that don't believe in God.  I am grateful to be surrounded by others who have a sense of gratefulness to God (no matter what religion they belong to) and are thankful for this country and what it stands for.  Such a blessing.

Other news...we were able to go to a Steurer family reunion at Bear Lake, ID.  For one afternoon we were all able to be there.  We weren't sure everyone was going to be able to be there because my brother, Geoff, had to have surgery to have a mass removed (turned out to be infected stitches that didn't dissolve from a surgery 20 years ago!).  Andy was at Lacrosse camp, Chad had work meetings, Craig couldn't take very much time off, etc.  So, we were able to take pictures the afternoon everyone was here...


We did tons of fun things besides waterskiing.  We played a live version of angry birds, scavenger hunt, two birthdays, giant bubbles, lots of ipad (we counted at least 8 ipads at the cabin and at least 14 iphones! SAD!), games, pool, air hockey, and movies.  I was so grateful Scott had a week off from work, especially since he had just started at this job.  My parents really wanted everyone to come because it was our last hoorah before everyone starts going different directions.  My parents are headed to Rome, Italy for their mission, Derrek is leaving on his, and then my boys start graduating and moving on in the next couple of years.  It was good to be together.  Dallen also got to see a really good friend of his when we lived in St. George, Ashton Loosli.

  Ashton's family goes to Bear Lake every July and we were literally just a mile south of them in another cabin.  Saren was so nice to go and pick up Ashton from Scout camp early so that he and Dallen could spend a little time together.  There was a huge storm and they were out on the lake paddle-boarding and got swept out to the middle of the lake because of the wind...and they weren't wearing life jackets.  Poor Saren was freaking out, especially since Ashton knew they needed to have life jackets on.  Someone on a jet ski was nice and pulled them back to shore.  Whew!  Saren kept telling me, "not on my watch!".  It was scary.  But, they had fun and it was just like old times.  We miss them.  We also did family Olympics.  Here is our family flag that we made for it.  Actually the boys made the flag.  Scott and I were too tired and it was 10:30pm and the boys stayed up and worked on it...it turned out great!

Do you see the SADACAD?  Stands for "Scott, Amy, Derrek, Alec, Calvin, Ashton, Dallen"  The "S" and the "A" are in the torch.  Calvin said he worked the whole time on the flames.  They did great.  The kids said that one of their favorite things at Bear Lake was using Uncle Mike's helmet camera.  They loved being able to video their "run".  They also loved trying out grandpa's surfboard so they could try wake surfing.  I think, of the boys, Derrek was the only one that finally got the hang of it.  We got lots of sun and toward the end of the week we stayed inside more than we were outside.  My kids that would say they didn't need sunscreen were lathering on 50 by the end of the week!  It was a good time, and glad for those memories.

The boys started school on August 9th, just to be home on August 10th!  We started school on a Thursday and then this year the high school doesn't have school on Fridays unless you have below a "C" in any class, then you go and get help in that class on Fridays to get your grade up.  So, they started on Thursday, and were home on Friday.  Dallen has to go on Fridays, but only for 1/2 a day.  It's a crazy schedule.  No one could figure out why they didn't just start that next Monday.  In a way it was good because it got the jitters out and come Monday, they all knew where to go and what to do.  It was almost like Thursday was a trial run.  We just measured Calvin the other day because he was just sure he was taller than Scott...Scott is still 1/4" taller than Calvin!  That means Calvin is 6'4 1/2"...Scott is 6'4 3/4".  I am sure, though, that Calvin is not done growing.  Alec is a good 6'3" and Ashton is catching up fast.  He's taller than me and I'm 5'8".  Dallen is getting close to passing me up, too.  Alec is a Senior this year, Calvin is a Junior, Ashton is a Freshman, and Dallen is in 7th. They are doing well in adjusting.  Calvin had a breakdown once, but he still keeps going and tries to keep positive.  This is their third school in three years.  I can't imagine how hard that is.  I would hate it and probably not handle it as well as they have.  It helps that it is a small school and they already knew a few kids from church.  Calvin has already been asked if he does drugs (smokes weed) or drinks and I just told Calvin "see, it's like every other school!".  For some reason, he's the one that gets asked that.  Good thing he's a good kid and doesn't care about that stuff.

Alec is working at the Mortuary with Scott.  He works on Fridays and after school a couple days a week.  Calvin is still looking for a job and has been taking yard work jobs to earn some money.  Of course, he didn't realize that yard work here is much different than in Mesa or St. George...yard work consists of 2-3 acres of mowing and weeding!  He spent 8 hours (5 hours Dallen helped) at one house.  The couple he helped, the Rowleys, are a couple in our ward.  They are retired school teachers and you can tell.  They were very patient with the boys who didn't know how to use a hoe, and taught them some good skills.  Brother Rowley was a shop teacher and has some great woodworking pieces and showed his treasures to the boys.  Sister Rowley was a reading teacher and she is fiesty!  I love her to death.  She's great and whips the boys into shape real fast!

As you can see, we have obviously been able to move into the house in Taylor, thanks to my parents who actually own the house.  It is so nice to be able to put things in a place and not live out of a cooler for a fridge and boxes for cupboards (thank you mom and dad!).  We are really liking it here.  The boys especially love all the critters we seem to keep finding.  The boys have brought home 4 tarantulas (that I can remember), a couple snakes (one was lost in the house for a day...found this morning!), caterpillars...at least 40 or more hoping to see them cocoon and turn into butterflies, and bats!  Here is a picture of Calvin playing with one that came in the house...

It was almost as if we have been invading their space.  The house has been empty for a year and so it is to be expected that there have been some critters that call this home!  Dallen has caught MANY lizards and is so happy to explore...just hope the rattlesnakes stay away.  We have been told by several ward members that we need to get at least one "fixed" cat to keep the mice away so that the snakes stay away.  We were also warned that we shouldn't get too attached to the cat just in case the owls come and take it!  Circle of life around here!  Someone in our ward has kittens that have been raised outside and when I think we can get the thing fixed, we'll see if we can take one of hers.  We'll see...the more critters the better, I guess!

Just had to show a picture of our backyard!  We do have neighbors right next door.  They are nice and they have an Australian Shepherd, too...but we aren't supposed to interact with it because he's training it for something (I got my info from the kids).  But, every now and then Shep and their dog are able to converse at the fence :).

Scott got called as Young Men's president.  He is excited about serving with the youth.  It's good for the boys, too.  We have a really good group of kids.  They are all hard working and love to serve.  Their parents are the same.  I got called to be Primary Pianist.  Of all the callings, this one is hard for me.  I don't enjoy playing the piano.  I get stage fright and I am a perfectionist and it doesn't matter how much I practice, when it comes to performance time...I screw it up and can't do it perfect and get frustrated!  But, it humbles me and makes me work hard at getting better and for that I'm grateful.  Plus, I love the Primary songs and have them stuck in my head all the time (as well as my family, too!).  We are always humming Primary songs because I have to practice a lot and it's always in our heads...how can that be bad?

I think that is all for the past six weeks.  It rains every day here, which is good.  We have some wicked lightning and thunder.  It's freaked out the boys (especially Alec) a few times.  But, it passes quickly and life goes on.  We love having a temple close by and are grateful to be here.  I really haven't seen the boys this happy for a few years.  They are really taking to the small town.  Who would have thought?!?  The Lord knows :)

Snowflake, AZ!

First of all, I needed to post this, because I think he is so handsome! Derrek just cut all his hair off!  Whoot-woo is all I could say!   

Here is a picture of him a month ago and the other one is how he looks this week.  I guess he's really serious about sending in his mission papers :).  We are excited for him and know what a huge and scary step it is for him to take in his life.  He will not regret it, though, and will learn more about himself and the Lord through this experience. 

Okay, now onto Snowflake...

We moved, actually, to Show Low, AZ, which is about 20 minutes from Taylor/Snowflake.  We found a house, but it was to buy only, and my parents are so helpful because they are helping us to purchase it and we will rent from them, basically.  We are in a little house in Show Low for the time being and are grateful that we could move into this until we find what we need, especially since the rent is only $500 and it will help us get back on our feet.  When we moved in, all the utilities were shut off, and wouldn't be turned on until Monday (we moved there on a Saturday).  So, Scott's boss and is family (The Brubakers) took us into their home for a few days until it all worked out.  They have just been so amazing and kindred spirits.  There was absolutely nothing to rent in Taylor/Snowflake, but tons to buy. A lot of it, we found, was just junk, but we think we found a decent home that is well built.  We really hope it all works out because we have already started going to that ward.  It is actually in the ward of Scott's new boss.  I had a hard time with that, at first, because I didn't want to mix the two, but they are so friendly and we feel like we have known them for awhile and I am finding that there really is no way to escape always being around people in a small town :).  Every event and every thing that happens, everyone is there.  I forgot that is how it is in a small town, but I also forgot how much I love it.  After moving in, I had the pleasure of driving the rental truck back to Mesa.  We saved $200 by doing that.  I was so freaked out and then once I got on the road, I was almost embarrassed with myself on how much I freaked out.  I really didn't want to have to drive it, especially in the city, but by the time I got to Mesa, I was so comfortable with it, that I pulled it up to the pump at the gas station before turning it in.  I got to spend the day with Jennie and Heidi and so it made the trip totally worth all the stress!  

Scott LOVES his job.  He has had to learn some things that he hadn't learned from Bunker, but other than that, it is going really well.  He's working at Silver Creek Mortuary with Jason Brubaker.  There are others we have met through them and through the ward that have made us feel like we were long lost friends!  The kids even noticed how friendly and helpful people are around here.  If you  need something, a person will contact everyone he/she knows to help you get what you need.  I heard that the only animosity that goes on around here is whether or not you live in Taylor or Snowflake.  If you move to the other, supposedly you are a "traitor" which is funny to me because the kids all go to the same Junior High and High School.  

Alec and Calvin get asked EVERYWHERE we go, "Do you play football?".  It's almost becoming funny.  Alec is actually thinking about doing it and I am not sure about Calvin.  I really want him too because I think it would really be good for him, but I don't know.  Our family met the coach's father-in-law at one of the restaurants in town and he wanted to know if the boys played.  Then I was able to get the football coach's phone number from him and this last week I called the coach.  I keep hearing that this is not a normal football team and from talking with the coach, it seemed that, yes, they played football, but that it was more than that to them.  That's why I want Calvin to try it.  Anyway, who knows what will happen with that.  Tomorrow the boys were invited to come weight-train with them, so we'll see if they go.  

The boys are in heaven here.  They really love the slower pace and nature.  They have bought a pellet gun, for starters, and have been out every day trying it out.  We went to the 4th of July Rodeo (on the 30th of June!), and had a blast.  All the wards in Taylor are assigned to work food booths as service to the town.  Our ward was assigned to work the Navajo Taco Booth and our family signed up to do it from 5-7pm...probably the busiest time, but we got to meet a lot of people and had a great time doing it.  Scott kept saying, "that was really fun".  The boys all helped and had a good time doing it, too.  I felt that I was finally starting to feel like I belonged there.  I'm the one that's been struggling, but I think it's because I feel I can't settle yet because of all the house stuff.  I want this job to last forever and I have a hard time wanting to attach because it hurts to leave.  I'll work it out and I'm sure I will jump in, just like I always do.  It's just taking me a little longer this time.  Anyway, I played softball with the ward this week and was glad they called and asked if I was going to come and play.  It was fun.  We have all been able to go to the temple and love that you can go to any temple and have the same blessings and Spirit and guidance/comfort.  I love that I have kids that allow me to go and actually love it when I do.  

While at the Rodeo, we sat next to the Larson family (in our ward...we are loving their family).  They have lived here all their lives and are just great.  They have one son married, one on a mission, and then Katie (17), and Nick (13) who have befriended our kids (and four other kids, I can't remember their names!).  Katie asked Alec and Calvin over to their house for movie night after the rodeo.  I am so grateful for other kids that welcome my kids in.  They will never know or understand what a blessing they are.  So, Alec and Calvin went and had a great time.  Donna, Katie's mom, told me today, "I asked Katie what she thinks about the Bowler boys and if they are good boys and she said "Mom, they are good boys and fun to be around"".  I just thought that was great and a compliment.  Anyway, the story I wanted to get to is that on the way home, Alec hit a rabbit and what did he do?!?!?  He turned around and picked it up and brought it home!  So, this morning, I woke up to the boys skinning it and gutting it!  Then, Dallen wanted to eat the meat, but that was a big "NO!", and then we found out at church that the wild rabbits during the summer have worms in their insides and are not good to eat.  The boys are truly loving the country and I want to know why it's okay to do this in the country and not in the city, as much?!?  Oh well... 

I think that is all that has happened.  We haven't been able to move Derrek here yet.  There is no room for him, so he will stay with my parents for a week or so before our Bear Lake family reunion, and then one week after and then we will move him here at the end of July.  Hopefully the house will close by then and we can move into it.  We are all wanting to feel settled.  Oh...here is a picture of my kitchen (and pretty much the rest of the house looks this way).  I just had to document it, for memory sake :)

I have left everything in boxes, we have sheets and push pins for draperies, and a cooler for a fridge.  I think with the amount we will spend on ice, we should have just bought a fridge!  Oh well, too late now.

Some days it feels like it is all closing in on us, but we are quick to remember that it is a blessing and it makes it better. We could really be homeless and or living in a tent or something like that.  I am just grateful we aren't!  We love living here.