Vacation here I come and random pics of the Canyon

I am leaving for vacation on Monday for 11 days. I can't wait. I am going on my annual girls cruise Monday through Friday. I get off the ship then stay in California until Thursday. Ryan is meeting me in Cali on Saturday. We will go do Disneyland and hang out at the beach. It will be a nice vacation. But there is a lot of work leading up to going. I will be busy folding laundry during conference. I can't wait to watch conference. I'm always uplifted by the speakers. I swear sometimes they are talking just to me. Can't wait and I should get packing.

Here are some random pictures of the Grand Canyon.
The entire crew on the North Rim before we started out. It was the only time Luke was seen until the South Rim.
The group: Uncle Jim, Penny Bauer, Cami Hunt, Kourtner Garner, Pam Sarbo, Katy Vermilllion, Dad, Dyan, Karynn and Billy Rowley, Duane and Royann DeSpain, Ryan and Kelli Brown, Matt, Jodi, Jeremy, Chuck Melser, Steve Patience, Richard Garner, Ryan Alder, Craig and Nick Willis, Luke, Sherry. 25 crazy hikers

My dad coming out of the canyon, Jake hiked down a little and carried his pack out and now Jake had the itch to go.

Karrie high fivin me, I am done and it is the best feeling in the world.

Me, Kelli and Penny. Funny story I asked Kelli if there was room for my friend Penny and there was only to find out about 3 months later that Kelli and Penny are good friends and there girls play ball together. We had no idea we were all friends.

The view of the Canyon. If you look close you can see the trail. It's nice to look back and see how far you have gone.

The Grandest of the Grand

I did it!!! After taking a year off I returned to the Grand Canyon to hike from the North Rim to the South Rim in 12 hours. It is such a great feeling of accomplishment for me. I love knowing that I can do hard things and that I want to do them. We had a incredibly large group with an incredible planner behind it all. There was a total of 25 hikers and 3 drivers. And my cousin Kelli kept track of everything from who rode in what car and where we slept. Thank you Kelli for doing that. We got to the North Rim on Friday night had a great dinner and an okay folk singer entertainer. Then off to sleep to start the hike at 5:15am. To be completed by 5:15pm. It was so nice to hang with my dad for a day. Being one of eight kids I don't get a lot of one on one time with my dad but I had an entire day. I loved it. It was his 65th birthday and he spent it hiking the Grand Canyon. Incredible. I think my favorite part though was coming out and trying to race Abby. Karrie had made the trip up and Jake and Abby hiked down about a half mile. Abby had way too much energy and kept saying she was going to beat me. I tried running with her for about 30 seconds and then decided yep, she is going to win and beat me out. I also loved having everyone at the top cheering for me as I came up. I felt like a champion. I had such a great time even though as I type this the bottoms of my feet hurt, my calves ache and I will have trouble standing up. I will go back next year and push myself. I want to go in under 10 hours.

Random pictures from the trip. I tried to put them in order and it wasn't working.
The Goodman hikers: Aunt Diane (driver), me, Matt, Luke (he finished in 5 hours 48 minutes, wow!!), Craig, Dale (my dad), Jodi, Kelli, Ryan (who hiked about 17 miles on a broken foot, once you are in the canyon there is only one way out and that's up, he is amazing), Uncle Jim, Nick and Jeremy.

Most of the hikers: Steve, dad, Katy, Jodi, Matt, Jeremy, Luke, Nick, Craig, Ryan, Pam, Kelli, Richard, Cami, Kourney, Chuck, Dyan, Ryan, Uncle Jim. We are only missing, Billy and Karynn, Sherry, Penny, and Duane and Royann



The North Rim of the Grand Canyon with my dad, Jeremy and Matt. It is one of my favorite places in the world. It is so incredibly beautiful and peaceful. I love it.


The bridge over the Colorado River, the bottom of the Canyon. Me, dad, Penny and Jeremy.

Matt and Katy left a birthday message for my dad. It either says Dale, Happy birthday to you or Dale, How bout them Yankees. Not sure which one it is.

Temple blessings

I have been thinking lately about how truly blessed I am. This past weekend and then yesterday I got to go to the temple with people who were going through for the first time. On Saturday there was a missionary from my ward going through and on Tuesday Karrie's old roommate, Cheramie, went through. I love going and witnessing what the temple means to others. I love being in the celestial room with people from my ward and family members and thinking to myself this is truly heaven. I want to be with these people forever. I like them. I loved, loved, loved, watching Cheramie be sealed to her husband Cory and then to their little boy. What a true blessing it is to have the sealing power here on earth. I know that if we live the way we are supposed I can have my family with me forever. I take great comfort in that. I am glad I have a temple close by and can go. When I got home last night, Jack was awake and asked "how was it mom." I told him there is no greater place than the temple and I hope he always strives to go there someday to be married. I told him that to be sealed to your wife is the greatest thing he can have. I hope he remembers this and makes it to the temple. I really do "Love to see the Temple" and know I can go inside and take advantage of all the temple has to offer me.

newest nephew

Congrats to Mark and Kristin on their new baby boy. Benjamin Mark Louis Goodman born August 31, 2011. He he so cute and I can't wait to see him grow up.

Quick trip to Prescott Valley

We headed up to Prescott Valley this past weekend to see Karrie's new place. My parents were heading up and wanted to bring Jack and Jay but Jack was in Utah with Ryan so it was just going to be Jay. Then I thought why can't I go, why does Jay get to have all of the fun. So I headed up and talked Joe and Cassie into coming since I had enough room in my car. We had a great time seeing Karrie's new house. It is beautiful. I love the floor plan and the basement. It was so fun to see Jeremy, Jacob, Abby, Hannah, and Annie. They are such a fun family. After lunch of Panda Express, my parents left after staying about 2 1/2 hours, almost a record. The rest of us headed out for an adventure. We went to Watson Lake, and hiked around. It was beautiful except the millions of ants that swarmed all over my feet if I stood still for too long. We had a great time and look forward to many more trips up to Prescott Valley. In fact Kate is already asking when we can go back and saying she misses Annis in Prescott.

Jake, Jay, Hadlie, Joe, Cassie, Abby, Jeremy, Hannah, Kate, Karrie, Keelie, Dyan and Annie

Summer lessons learned

My summer was eventful and as I was thinking back on it I learned a lot of lessons so I thought I would blog about them so I will remember them when I am old, or even just next week.
*The summer started with us being called home early from a vacation in Show Low so Ryan could be called as second counselor in the bishopric. At the time I was mad. I didn't want to leave Show Low. It is one of my favorite trips, softball over Memorial Day. But we knew we needed to go so we went. When I think about that decision I am glad we went. Yes, I was angry but in the big picture what is one day of my life. I learned I need to be obedient and have faith. Even when I don't know why I am being asked something or it may be hard. If I can always be obedient when asked to do something in the church I know I will be blessed. I am grateful to a stake president who asked us to come home early from vacation so I could learn this lesson.
*Jay's ruptured appendix happened right after Ryan was called to the bishopric. When I think about his illness I am amazed at how fast it came on. One day we were shoveling dirt in my parents back yard and the next day Jay is sick and sick for three weeks. I learned to speak up for my children. Even when the doctor says nothing is wrong. I didn't feel good about what the doctor said but I also didn't know what else it could be. Now I will speak up and make sure my child is treated properly. I also learned that I can deal with illness. Before this happened the thought of one of my children getting really sick did me in. I am not the mom who is kind and patient with sick kids. Usually I just tell them to suck it up and go lay down. But I was able to take care of Jay and I developed some patience sitting in the hospital day in and day out. I also learned that accepting service is hard but necessary. I could not have had a child in the hospital without all of the people who helped. Jay went into the hospital on a Thursday, on Sunday when my ward heard, I got so many texts asking me what they could do to help. Before my ward helped out my family stepped up. They spent the night at my parents, Karrie's and the Ricedorff's. How grateful I am to the many people who helped me and I hope someday I can repay them.
*Finally after Jay got better we were able to take many vacations, Show Low, Lake Powell, Christopher Creek and California all in July. I love traveling with my family. My kids are so much fun and love to play. I enjoy watching them interact with their cousins and play outside. I am also grateful to Ryan for supporting us. We have been blessed with a good job that allows us to travel. I know we are making memories with my kids. I hope and pray that we can always travel together and enjoy each other's company.
*Rathen left on his mission. The night before he left the Ricedorff's all bore their testimonies. I was so impressed with my in-laws. They each have such sweet and strong testimonies. I know it has been hard on Randy and Rebecca to have Rathen on a mission but they have such strong faith to let him go. They know that the Lord wants Rathen on a mission so they let him go even though it was so hard. I also learned that I need to be a better missionary. I am a ward missionary and I need to not be afraid to speak about the gospel. When I get scared I think of Rathen out in North Carolina all by himself and it gives me strength. I am nowhere where I need to be but I am working on it.
*My Grandpa passed away at 95 years old. He lived such a good life and I learned a lot from his funeral. He was a hard worker and taught my dad how to work. My dad in turn taught me, if I can be half the worker my grandpa was and my dad is I should be good. My grandpa also loved his family. When my dad was talking he told the story about riding to and home from school with his dad and how much he loved that time with his dad. I know I need to spend more time with my kids. My grandpa taught me to spend time with my children. I know my kids are growing fast so I need to teach them now, and the best way to do this is by spending time with them. His passing also reinforced in me the plan of salvation. I know that families can be together forever. I know if I live my life right I will see my grandpa again and will be with Ryan and my kids after we have died. I am so happy I have this knowledge. It made my grandpa's death so much easier.
*The summer ended with Karrie moving away. It has not been easy but it has forced me to step outside my comfort zone and make new friends and ask others for help. When Karrie lived close it was easy to use her, she is my sister and I know I took advantage of her, and didn't appreciate all she did. It has taught me to appreciate what I have now. I know I have a great life and many blessings. I only hope I can continue to appreciate all that I have.
I know I learned more lessons from the summer but these are the big ones.
-be obedient, have faith, more patience, let others serve me, family is important, be a better missionary, work hard, spend time and teach my children, families are forever, move out of my comfort zone, and be more grateful

First day of school

School has started. I have counted down to this day all summer and now that it is here I am not sure how I feel about it. My boys are growing up so fast. Watching them walk into the school made me want to cry. They didn't want me to walk them to their classes. They could do it themselves. I made sure Jack knew to take care of Jay and where to meet after school so I could pick them up and then they were off. I hope and pray that they will have a good year. That they will make good friends and make good choices. Ryan gave them great blessings yesterday which I am so grateful that Ryan honors his priesthood. I know they will do good but I miss them already. Now it is just me and Kate home. I hope I can enjoy her and teach her.

Jack's favorites:

Color: Blue. Animal: python. Food: Pizza. Best Friend: Jake Platt. Book: Ramona and Beezus. Activity: Going to the beach. Toy: silver race car. Movie: Ramona and Beezus. What do you want to be when you grow up? a singer and a dancer.

Jay's favorites:

Color: Green. Animal: Shark. Food: fruit cups. Best Friend: Wilson Kerr. Book: 100 day worries. Activity: science projects. Toy: power rangers and transformers. Movie: Transformers

What do you want to be when yo grow up? make movies.