Pictures from Todd's Camera of the Monster vs. Machine show down

Aaah! My Summer is Vanishing! July...

July brought quite a crescendo to the whole summer.  Sandra rode on the back of Keith's motorcycle for the annual trip to Evanston for a year's supply of fireworks.  She had been looking forward to that for a long time and her daddy was thrilled to have her along.

On July 2 Seth and Jared took a road trip down to scout out a 50 mile hiking trail for Jared's scouts to enjoy.  Seth had such a nice time and was glad to be invited.  He saw some beautiful scenery and digs hangin' with his cool uncle. 

They went from there to Dad's house and we and the rest of the Schauers clan (including the adopted portion) met them there around dinner time.  We celebrated our wonderful countries birth with a spectacular party down as Dad's with all the Gunnison festivities and a new element of a yummy Mexican feast put on by Dad's friend, Lupe.  I had a few emotions well up throughout the weekend.  I miss Mom terribly but I was soothed by my family as usual.  We just know how to party and get the laughter going.  I am sure every one of us were feeling the hole where mom used to stand and put out table cloths and wonderful food and enjoy the jokes and games of the rowdy crowd that we are- but gathering really helped me, at least.  Therapeutic jogs, darling young ones (both little and big) running around, good food, goofy parades, a rowdy volley ball tournament...what a treasure.

On Tuesday, July 6th Biology 6961(Genetics) and Human Genetics 6092 (Human Genome) became all-consuming for me.  I got on the bus at 6am, studied until I arrived at UofU almost 2 hours later (I switched to the train half way through), tried to grab on to a run-a-way-train of a class until 12:30 or 4:30 then got on the train/bus and studied until I arrived home at 3 or 7.   Then I sat down and finished what I couldn't on the bus.  I earned 7 credits in the space of 4 weeks.  PHEW!  I learned so much.  I had to do some background studying since I am in this class with a bunch of biology people and I have no biology education at all but it was so interesting.  I just had no idea how much I like the subject of Genetics.  It is so much more than cell division and DNA replication.  AND there is quite a bit of math that I didn't know was there so I got a turn being the smart one because I got that without a lot of background study and the others were wailing and gnashing their teeth over it.  Math is a beautiful thing.  I met some really nice people that rode the train to class too.  We ended up doing the group project together and we didn't have to stay after class like the other groups because we worked on it on the train.  They are going to be in all my classes for the next two years and I think that will be fun.  Some interesting personalities and stories.  You know how I like to learn a new story.

While I was in school the kids had to monitor themselves.  Sandra was taxi for Ashlyn as she had dance camp from 8:30 to 11:30 and 2:30 to 6:30 every day.  Austin arranged for someone to take him to football every morning and then comes home to mow lawns or work for Aaron and Chris when he can.  Seth has been trying to get these last three classes finished up and juggle mowing in with it. 

On July 20 the girls left for girls camp at MIA Shalome down in Fairview Canyon.  This is always a highlight for the girls.  Sandra was a Youth Camp Leader so she stayed in the Stake Cabins but she still got to spend a lot of time with Ashlyn and the rest of our ward.  They were gone Tuesday through Friday and I missed them a bunch even though I was gone all day.  There was entirely too much testosterone around here. 

During the week we prepared for our family reunion in honor of Miles Baptism up in Bozeman, Montana.  Robin had been preparing for it for months so comparitively we did nothing.  Jared came into Keith's office one day and had the idea that we should split our family up among the big cars that Justin and Jared were bringing then Keith could come up with the girls in my car which gets WAY better gas mileage.   Keith is always looking for opportunities to drive my car.  It is the cutest, most wonderful car and I love it very much.  I haven't had it very long but I have already bonded deeply with it and feel like it is one of my kids. I thought it was a pretty good idea to show my car Montana since it had never been up there so we sent Austin up with Justin's family on Thursday then Seth and I went with Jared's family on Friday morning.  We got to Chad's around 3 and were immediately fed yummy sloppy joes and coleslaw.  Chad and Robin had a trampoline and a big pool set up.  They had a fire pit and all sorts of outdoor seating and dining.  What a fun retreat!  I enjoyed sitting on their porch talking with Dad and whoever else wandered over.  The kids laughed and splashed in the back.  Those little cousins sure get a long well.  Sandra and Ashlyn got home to Orem at 3:30ish on Friday and they wanted to shower and re-pack then Keith swung by Todd's house and the four of them were on the road about 6ish.   We had Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner.  The ladies went for a jog a little while after dinner -- I felt like I had a brick in my stomache but I needed that jog.  It was nice to come home and sit in the hot tub after.  

After the hot tub and a family prayer where we again asked for blessings on Keith and the crew he was driving up with, Chad took me over to neighbors where we had a King size bed and bathroom available.  What nice neighbors!  I showered and tried to study while I waited up for Keith.  I had spoken with him just before I got in the shower and told him to call me so I could meet him and show him into our room.  I had just dozed off with my phone on my chest when the phone finally rang.  I answered it with sleep haze fogging up my brain and was greeted with, "Wendy, no one is hurt, but I need you have someone come get us."  "What!?"  "Wendy, no one is hurt.  We hit an elk and the car is messed up."  "What?!"  "Wendy, no one is hurt.  We're okay. Everyone is fine. You don't have to hurry."  Finally it registered exactly what he was saying:

1. my family is not harmed

2. My husband and my daughters and my brother are OKAY! they were almost killed but they are OKAY!

3.my car is messed up....MY CAR is MESSED UP!

I was pulling on my pants as I ran up the stairs and over to Chad's house where,luckily, most of the adults were still sitting around gabbing.  I came in and babbled something about Keith hitting an elk but no one is hurt.  Of course everyone is wide eyed at this point and Chad had the sense to come over and cup my face and get me to focus on what I was saying and what needed to be done.  It worked and Chad and I were on the road thirty seconds later. 

Robin called us as we drove away and had the sense to tell us to make sure the highway patrol was called.  I called Keith and delegated that to him.   My precious car had taken on a 5-point bull elk on the road between Enness and Norris.  My precious car had taken such good care of its priceless cargo that they only had little tiny scratches where glass flakes had rained down on them from the sun roof and front winshield.  What a miraculous blessing.

Here is the story of the crash as I understand it:  Keith was driving out in the middle of nowhere so he was running with his brights on.  He spotted an on-coming car so he turning down his lights and began focusing on the white line to the right in order to avoid being blinded by the headlights of that car.  As the on-coming car was about to pass, a HUMONGOUS bull elk darted out from the left side of the street and ran into my car.  Keith said he remembers seeing a huge head then it went blank.  The airbags deployed fast enough to deflect the beast as it rolled up and over the car preventing Keith and Todd from being impaled or decapitated. There was carnage on the roof and along the driver's side of the car.  Sandra and Ashlyn were sleeping pretty soundly.  Sandra was leaning against the window behind Keith but all she remembers is waking and sitting up.  We think the airbag pushed her over then the stopping car made her come forward.  Most of her scratches were on her face.  The blood welled up and she smeared it so she looked a bit scary at first but when she was wiped off you could barely see any of the nicks.  Ashlyn had a couple of nicks on her arm but that was all.  Todd didn't have much either.  He said that between the airbag and his seatbelt he didn't move.  He was snuggly pinned in place.  He had been dozing too so he didn't even have the delight of seeing the head.  It happened so fast.  Keith was holding his standard cup of slobbery sunflower seed shells in front of his chest when the airbag deployed.  So, his hand had quite a few nicks and the slimey shells went every where.   Apparently when he stood up after climbing out of the back seat (his door was crushed by the monster elk so that it couldn't open) he was sparkling from all the glass shards and had shells all over him.  Someone that came a long behind them stopped and helped Todd pull the fiendish, car-killing monster off the road.

taken Sunday on the way home-
antlers were already removed

 We got to the scene just a couple of minutes after the fire truck and the emt's.  I was shaking.  It was cold outside but that whole scene was terrifying and the shock of it was unbelievable.  I almost lost half of my family and my baby brother.  We waited more than an hour before the highway patrol guy showed up and then he wouldn't let us go for another hour or so after that.  The tow truck came and took my little car away.  Chad was so patient.  He finally brought us back home at around 3:30am.  The girls were too tired to shower but Keith had a lot of glass still glittering on him so he had to.  I couldn't stay awake any longer.  I was so relieved to have my family intact.  Heavenly Father loves us.

We had to be up and ready to go to Mile's baptism by 9ish.   Keith and I were worried that this whole ordeal might put a blight on the special day but I tell you what, our Robin had prepared such a special day that the Spirit was strong and beautiful. Gratitude and relief buzzed a little bit below the surface but mostly we were so pleased, proud and touched as we watched Chad take his oldest son into the waters of baptism.  What a special service.  Dad was overcome with emotion as he felt that Mom was indeed  present.  Chad and Robin had already felt that she would be.  How could she not be there.  Mom never misses such events.

Later that day we celebrated the birthday of Alexis Kay.  What a sweet little person she is.  We are all so grateful for her.  Amy spent a lot of time makeing the most amazing cup cakes and a very special giant cupcake just for Lexi.  After a yummy barbeque complete with an amazing fruit salad, we let Miss Lexi dig into her cake.  I loved to see how our family were all gathered around this little child.  We love our children don't we?  I love how I am not alone in raising my children and I love that I am allowed to be a part of my neices and nephews lives.  Thank you all for including me and my family in these wonderful events.

Sunday morning we got dressed for church but headed up to the mountains first to catch what we could of the triathalon that Aaron, Todd, Chad and Trent were participating in.  We got to watch them come out of the water and take off on their bikes before we had to get to church.  Those boys did so well.  We were all impressed.  Aaron ended up taking 10th out of 71!

After church we had Lasagna and headed for home.  We divided up the Snow family.  Keith and I rode with Jared and Heather.  Seth, Austin and Ashlyn rode with Justin and Shawna and Sandra stayed a couple more nights and came home with grandpa.  She had a nice time.  It was a fast but wonderful weekend family reunion.

Aaah! Summer is Vanishing! June....

August is here and I haven't recorded a single thing since school got out. Ridiculous!

June: June was la-la month. I made a couple of costumes and read a bunch of fluff books and basically lazed about.

Sandra started her job as an assistant to a lady that has Alzheimers. This lady's daughter hired Sandra to go to her house in the mornings to get her up and ready for the day, make sure she eats and takes her medicine and take her for a walk.  Sandra was sharing the job with another girl but this lady didn't take to that other girl much and she just loves Sandra- of course.  Sandra passed the exams and received her CNA liscense so she is getting some great experience.

Seth began attending the Singles Ward at the beginning of June.  On Sunday, June 6th our wonderful family gathered at our house. The men encircled my Seth and Keith ordained him to the Melchezidek Priesthood.  There was a beautiful spirit there.  A lot of love surrounds my young ones and I can't tell you how much that means to me.  A few days later, Seth had a rare opportunity to go on splits with the missionaries.  He came home beaming.  He had a really neat experience and got to bear his testimony. 

The boys, including Keith, spent the week of Austin's 16th birthday down in Moab hiking and riding bikes all over the "slick rock" trails down there. They had an amazing adventure and Keith was so glad that he got to go. It was Seth's last scout camp.

When they got home they had one day in their own beds then they went to Youth Conference.   Keith got to go up there too (being in the bishopric has its perks).  They were up at the Heber Valley camp which, as I am told since I didn't get to go, is an amazing, beautiful place complete with ropes course and lake.  Austin and Sandra had a great time.  They signed up for all the same classes so were pretty much joined at the hip the whole time.  Austin thinks Sandra's friends are CUUUTE!

Ashlyn didn't go because she spent the week rehearsing 7 hours a day for her Ballet performances. She was in 5 shows over 2 days that weekend. She was exhausted and exhilerated. She is finally catching the spirit of being on stage and performing. She loves to dance but hasn't appreciated doing it in front of an audience much until this year. She really is talented.  Her Ballet company put on Copelia - a cute ballet about an engaged guy that winks at a doll in a window and his fiance gets all in a huff about it.  Ashlyn did a great job as a village girl or one of the dolls in the doll shop or a festival dancer.  This is a pic of Ash and her two best buds, Megan and McKenna.

On June 27 Austin was supported by all his family as he was ordained to the office of Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood.  We sure love all our family.  Two days later, Austin went on his first date.  He doubled with Seth and asked a very cute girl to go for snowcones and the movie Eclipse.

On June 30th I had a very interesting experience. I spent three hours in the county court. I have a friend that moved into the ward a few years ago. I think I was the first to meet them and soon I was assigned to be her visiting teacher and after about a year we got assigned as partners instead. My friend is very open and easy to get to know. She is kind and full of good intent for all she meets. However she suffers from Bi-Polar mental illness which causes her to go into a dark valley of depression and won’t get out of bed or even take a shower for 2-3 wks at a time then she will swing into a high where she can’t sit still (for example she almost painted her whole house in 3 days before she crashed and there is still masking tape all over the place 6 mos later). Her husband has been out of work for a long time so she can’t afford her medications ($450-500/month) lately. Well, a few months ago she tried to kill herself by overdose on some stuff she got from one of her son's friends. Her husband called the police to help and she was hospitalized for a few days then ordered by the courts to attend counseling and AA sessions 5 times a week. She went for a while but then slipped into the dark and stopped attending. This violated her parole and at 11 pm at night the police barged into her house. She apparently had obtained some morphine from her son’s friend and had tried again that day to die. They found a pill on her person and seemed delighted to have another charge to add. She went completely bazerko on that cop and he got mad and beat her to the ground and put those plastic zip cuffs on her so tight they bruised her wrists and she lost feeling to her hands. The paramedics arrived and finally convinced the cop to back off and let them get her to the hospital or she would die. My friend told me that she felt like she was outside of herself watching this whole incident and was just hoping to stall until she could die and then it wouldn’t matter anyway. The cop followed them to the hospital and insisted that she be strapped to the bed all night, then he arrived in the morning to take her to jail where she spent 7 days.

Her lawyer thought that was ridiculous. She told my friend to gather up some character references before her court appearances. My friend did call me and was mortified to tell me the story and ask me to be a witness. I had been so worried about her. One time I even barged into her room (luckily her kids like me and opened the door for me) and I jumped on her bed and put my arms around her and cried with her for an hour. I immediately wrote my letter but then she wouldn’t answer her phone or door and so about a week before the court date I walked over there and banged on the door until it was opened. She told me later that after she called me she didn’t call anyone else and just started planning to kill herself so she wouldn’t have to appear in court again. She had it all planned out for that day  that I showed up banging and wasn’t even scared anymore. When I came, the Spirit finally penetrated the darkness and told her that I was “a life-line sent by Heavenly Father who loves her.” She said that she realized that it was the adversary that was trying so hard to keep her in the dark.

Well, after several hours of tears and discussion, I sort of took over. I rounded up 7 letters and 3 other people willing to go to court on her behalf. I talked to Keith and he got permission to pay for her meds until she could get medicaid in place. I made excuses to go see her almost every day to check on her. Then on Wed I called her early in the morning to make sure she was out of bed and “prettying up” for court. I went around and picked up the “witness set” and we got to the court at 9:30 am. What chaos! My friend didn’t get called up for 3 hrs so we watched a parade of pathetic and tragic people stream past that judge. Some came from the “audience” section and some came from the jury box where all the chained-up offenders were sitting (one of which was so agitated that he constantly rattled his chains until the bailiff took him out). We live in such an amazing country. That judge was so patient as he was constantly making sure that the offender understood the charges/sentence and the rights they were giving up.

When my friend got up, her lawyer did a good job of explaining her situation and told the judge that my friend had obtained medicaid to pay for her meds. She also explained that a program that required regular meetings would be futile for my friend since she would likely miss and end up back in court. The judge asked if there was someone to speak for my friend before he made his judgement and I was called up. It was nerve racking. Way worse than bearing testimony in Church. I just told the judge how I knew this woman and in what capacity and that I knew she struggled but when she is in her good place she has so much light and potential for good. I told him that she was worth saving. Her home teacher also testified. After we sat down, the judge said that he had read every one of the letters and was very confused at why she was there in this mess. He said that he could see that further jail time would not serve any purpose. My friend was facing 30-60 days in jail and about $45,000 in fines. The judge declared “time served” and reduced the fine to $950 but he also put her under the care of Wasatch Mental Health where she will make regular reports and he sentenced her to 150 hours of community service (no time). He told her very sternly, "I never want to see you here in front of me again."  We were all elated.

I witnessed again that day that the Truth really does make you free. Some will say that the Church “tells you what to do” or “takes away our freedom to do what we want.” Those people in chains did not look free to me. The gospel of Jesus Christ does not limit our liberties it teaches us what choices will expand our freedom and make us happy. Not only were those people who had “done what they wanted” in physical chains they were bound with the cords of the adversary and were being led carefully down to hell. I have to admit that I shook my head at a few of the offenders because they were illegal and couldn’t even speak English and I wondered why they were being afforded any rights whatsoever but most of them I just felt sorry for and hoped that they would find their way to the Savior who will heal their wounded hearts and souls. I am so grateful for the Savior and His atonement which breaks our bonds and frees us from not only sin but our pains and afflictions.

Keith and I went to visit our dear friend Kerry yesterday. On April 16, Kerry and his boys were down in Moab playing on their 4-wheelers and he had a terrible accident that broke his neck and left him paralyzed. He had quite an ordeal just getting to the hospital in Grand Junction and then a couple of weeks later they moved him to University of Utah hospital. He is now able to move his arms but not his fingers. He has no feeling whatsoever from the chest down. He spends hours a day in therapy. He has lost 60 pounds. What is the most remarkable thing is that he has such a positive attitude and he told us that his faith in the Lord has been strengthened more than tested by this. He even stated that he actually feels so blessed through all of this. He is determined to walk again. His son Tyler had a very hard time leaving for his mission just a few days after the accident but he did and he is strong and dedicated. Kerry's other son Derek is also out on his mission. I have heard that Jean and Kerry's ward are going to be helping to remodel their home so that it is accessible for Kerry. He is slated to be coming home at the end of June. If there are any of you that would like to help or donate I am sure it would be appreciated.

Graduation

I just want to say that my family is AMAZING! My Seth graduated this past weekend and just about every member of my family made an appearance at the festivities. My family took up two rows in the Marriot Center to sit through a 2.5 hour ceremony (!). I was especially proud of my little friends-Savanna, Fiora, Weston, Kayden, Trace, Brooks,and Bailey. They (well, their parents) were especially nice to come. Then we went to the buffet and stuffed ourselves. On Sunday we had a family dinner (complete with Heather's peanut butter bars) and even Chad and his wonderful family came down for that. I am so grateful for my best friends that happen to be related to me (even my sister-from-another-mister). You people rock!

I took mostly video but here are a few pictures that I took. I wish I had a pic of the crowd that made Seth smile with all the noise we made.








This is how I still see my little Seth...why do they have to grow up?! My Weston and Kayden graduated from Kindergarten on the same day that Seth graduated.

Bio for Ward Newsletter. I thought I would post it.

The Snow family was established on May 13, 1989 in the Los Angeles temple. During the amazing two decades that have followed, Keith and I both have graduated from BYU, brought the four most beautiful children into the world, owned a computer company, dissolved a computer company, purchased two homes and a 4-plex, held various church callings in every organization of the church, learned to ski, scuba dive, and get a teenage boy to cut his hair. We’ve traveled to the Bahamas, Mexico (3 times), Canada, Aruba, and other lovely places in the US including a 6138 mile RV trip touring Church History and American Heritage sites. As parents, we have survived countless poopy diapers, potty training (which, to me, is the real miracle), various broken bones, appendicitis, hernias, stitches, and sports injuries (Austin put us through most of those) and are now in the middle of the truly glorious teenage years. We absolutely love having a house full of teenagers every weekend. Here is a brief bio on each member of the Snow Family.

Keith was born and raised in Fresno, California. He came to BYU to play soccer but sprained his ankle just before tryouts and played volleyball instead. He served a mission in Haiti (which was the last time he was without facial hair until this year). He graduated from BYU in finance and is currently employed at Security Home Mortgage as a loan officer. He loves all things competitive including every sport that involves a ball, chess, cribbage and weight loss competitions (yes, he lost 65 pounds to win a “Biggest Loser” competition recently)

I, Wendy, was born in American Fork, Utah but was raised all over the Midwest. My family moved 11 times before settling down in Great Falls, Montana for my high school years. I came out to BYU determined to get a graduate degree in chemistry before I got married but fell for beautiful green eyes and priorities changed. I have been teaching chemistry to Pleasant Grove High school students for 18 years and still think teenagers are the most interesting creatures on the planet. I am a voracious reader and read about every genre out there. I consider my camera to be my journal, taking pictures of all things Snow Family. I have attempted more than once to follow my kids around on their dates just to take video and pictures. They won’t let me for some reason.

Seth was born October 7, 1991. His blue eyes caused quite a stir. I was even asked by a gentleman in the grocery checkout line if “I had to pay extra for those eyes”? Seth followed his father’s footsteps early and proved to love and excel in all sports. Seth graduates from high school and seminary this year. He earned an Associates degree from UVU and Varsity Athletic Letters in football, wrestling and soccer. He plays the string bass and loves to long board down the canyon and hang with his friends.

Sandra was born on October 31, 1992 with lots of hair and chocolate eyes. I was French braiding her hair when she was six months old. Sandra has always had extra energy and seems to dash through life trying to get the most life squeezed into the least time. She learned to walk, talk, climb fences, read, do math, and make origami creatures earlier than most her age. Sandra is also working on getting her Associates degree and has already earned her Certified Nursing Assistant certificate as a step toward becoming a physician. Sandra reads like her mom and plays volleyball like her dad. Sandra will try anything and never misses an opportunity to learn or do something new.

Austin was born June 16, 1994 and has kept us laughing, rolling our eyes and catching our breath ever since. He is athletic like his dad and cerebral like his mom and more social than all of us. Austin can always find a reason for getting a crowd gathered and a party started. He is fierce in so many ways: fiercely competitive, loyal, protective, compassionate, determined and stubborn. He is the reason we have an Aflac accident policy. He works hard and plays hard and has many scars and broken bones to prove it. He completed 18 college credits this year during his Sophomore year and will complete another 11 by the end of the summer.

Ashlyn was born December 8, 1995 with lots of hair, smokey blue eyes and a faerie ear. As soon as she found her voice she began crooning to herself. I always know when she is content because she will be humming or dancing to music that only she can hear. She is our artist and sees beauty in all of Heavenly Father’s creations. She gives her tender heart readily and finds something to like about everyone. She is a beautiful ballerina and is a company dancer for Academy of Ballet. Ashlyn is also a voracious reader and sometimes needs to be limited in her reading time because it consumes much of her time and attention. She laughs much and loves and enjoys life.

A team effort

I have an amazing family! My Seth is graduating in 2 weeks...yes that is enough to choke me but what was beginning to really choke me was that I had not had his senior pictures taken and I didn't order announcements. I started checking around and prices for either of those two things were outrageous- especially since I need to be saving for our family trip. Well, I called up Gary and he was so willing and generous to come down and spend a Saturday afternoon photographing Seth. He did a phenomenal job (with Todd as his key grip). Then I asked my wonderfully talented sister Amy to put those photos into some sort of a graduation announcement. Can I just say that I am so much more pleased with the result of the efforts of these two individuals than I would have been with the generic Jostens announcements! And, the price was perfect! FREE! (well except for printing and postage) yea!