The Pursuit of Education!

Okay the question is, can an almost 52 year old survive the rigors of college life? Especially when she has to start all over???? I have felt a need for some time to pursue my education - the problem has been finances, time and what to pursue? Well I think I have solved the first two, but I am still questioning what to pursue! But I pretty much have to start from scratch - so back to those "General Studies" I have had a few people tell me you can petition for some "life experience" credits, - But Right now I am just trying to figure out what classes to take! And of course, trying to find all the math and English skills I once possessed! I must admit - I am extremely NERVOUS! yet very EXCITED! So Wish me luck! Or think of me in a prayer now and then!

YELLOWSTONE - It's beauty never ceases to Amaze me!

So we found this awesome deal for military families to stay at Flaggs Ranch just south of the South Entrance to Yellowstone. We rented a couple of trailers and tried to take the whole clan to Yellowstone. We planned a very bad time for Steve's business - so we didn't have the Hanson's with us. We did have Nathan and it has been a while since he has been with all of us. We traveled from the South End up to Mammoth Hot Springs in one day. We wanted to swim in the boiling river, but by the time we got there, we decided we better head back to camp. Long day - but I really enjoyed having the experience with the kids. It's such a beautiful place and it can't help but calm the soul. We saw moose, bear, elk and bison. Great fun! We hiked up and down some of the trails and tried to take pictures galore. Rylie called the mud pots the "smoking dragons" She was a little trooper and hiked with the best of them. When we got to Teton National Park, we took the boat across Jenny Lake and did the hike into hidden falls, she said, "I'm going to climb that mountain" And she did! If we tried to carry her she would say, "No, I'm fine!" Pretty cute!

All in all I think we all had a pretty good time! Brad said he thought we should make it a tradition - so at least we didn't scare off the one son-in-law we brought along! The older our children get and the more spirits that join us really help me understand "the measure of your creation" and finding "joy in your posterity." They truly are my joy. They can wear me out, but I wouldn't trade any one of these 13 spirits in our Lowe Trooper Clan!

WOW! Where does the time go!

Well I have been busy having a great summer and now I see I haven't even blogged for almost two months. Considering I am using this as a form of journaling, guess I better get on the ball! We enjoyed the peaches and grapes from our yard this year, but most everything else struggled. Way to many bugs! We need to figure out a way to control them next year. They even affected my rose bushes, despite my efforts to spray and fertilize. So...sure hope he have better luck next year. For the last four years Randy has missed going up to Idaho to pick huckleberries. This year we went twice. We took Em and her boys up the first day in our shorts and flip flops and decided we needed to go back a little better prepared! We recruited some more "pickers" and headed back up Mink Creek on Labor Day. In the end we had close to a gallon - and Alisa and Brandon were ready to keep their own. Randy felt a success because he had some of his kids and grandkids there so he was just like a kid in the candy store. I think the only thing that would have made him happier was to have Nathan and Rachel's family with us. I decided it's not the huckleberries he likes, but getting his family out and away from all the electronic gadgets and in the woods he loves - so thanks kids for humoring him! I wasn't smart enough to put on long pants - they are way too hot - so I still have scratches up and down my legs!