Being a Ma and Pa

Jon and I had the privilege of being asked to be a Ma and Pa at Youth Conference.  Caleb was put in another family and it was great to see him there doing different things.  We really became close to our "children" and had some amazing experiences like grilled cheese and cobblers with our little mini cast iron cookers around the fire each night, a daughter passed out from heat exhaustion on the trek which was scary, watching a horse shoe be made by hand, the women's pull up a steep hill that about took the life out of me, and more!

It was really interesting to see a horse shoe be hand crafted.  Amazing that that's how it use to be done!

Caleb's cousin Madalyn was there too and it was fun to be with her too. (She's on the right.)

They had square dancing that was called out by Boyd Murdock and that was great to watch. Jon had fun with that!

We had amazing sunsets up there at McKee's land!

This is when we first started heading out.  Caleb's "Ma" was encouraging Caleb along.

We were attacked by Indians!

We had a station we went to and learned about trapping.  It was our Stake President, President Gunter who did the presentation.  Caleb of course had to try opening a trap.  So glad he didn't lose a finger!

The things that were found on the trail....

The men were taken away with an army to form the Mormon Battalion.  The women were left behind to pull the carts.  One of the hardest things I've ever done!  The men were so amazingly supportive after we were done.  They had to just stand and watch, which Jon and our boys said was so difficult.  

We were almost done trekking and a handcart lost a wheel.  We could see camp even from that  point.  The luck of things.

What a great experience this all was.  I was hesitant at first because I was already so overwhelmed with life but I don't regret one bit doing it.  There were definitely some trials but I gained a new respect for the pioneers in my tiny little experience.