Perfect Fall Afternoon

I love this time of year.  A few weeks ago, we came home from church to a crock pot full of cheddar broccoli soup and fresh hot rolls. To me, it was a delicious fall meal. After our dinner we took a drive into the mountains to see the foliage.  We found ourselves up East Canyon, a drive that we had taken two years ago and loved.  At the top of the canyon there is an area where you can pull over.  The view is spectacular.  We unloaded the boys from the van and found it nearly impossible to keep them from going up a nearby trail. 

So we hiked for awhile.  I love the mountains here in Utah.

 As I followed behind my men, I couldn't help but soak up their enthusiasm.

We have outdoor boys.  They thrive on being outside and exploring.They don't play many video games and watch little TV.  We are a play in the mud and dirt and soak up the sun kind of family and I love it.

The small hike filled me with gratitude.  I suppose this time of year brings that out in us, but I felt deep gratitude for the gift of my family. I am so blessed to have these men in my life. I am thankful for a husband who is my best friend.  And for these sweet, precious boys.

My hope is that I am doing my best to prepare them for life. To prepare them to be priesthood holders, missionaries, and fathers. As Carson gets older, I am finding that the time I have with them; to influence them, to teach them, and to guide them, really goes so fast. Sometimes I wonder if I am doing enough to teach them to love the Savior...to have that personal testimony of his divinity.  Am I working hard enough at teaching them proper character qualities like humility, honesty, patience, charity, and kindness? Am I doing all that I can now to prepare them for what is to come? I feel that in everyday life, sometimes the 'to do's' get in the way of the 'must do's'. It took this perfect fall afternoon to put it all back into perspective.