After a long bike ride today, Grant and I stopped by Target to exchange something... Well, you know how that goes. I had to look at a few things. Then I had to buy a few things. An hour later, I had a few hundred dollars worth of treasures for the house and forgot all about getting home on ... THE BIKE!
It all fit: pillows, comforter, shelves and the library books from our first stop.
I have never posted about my experience at Anasazi Foundation: The Making of a Walking. Anasazi is a well-known wilderness program for teens who struggle with addictions, behavioral and academic issues, and family relationships. As a way of introduction, the sign above the door of the building reads: Inside each child lies a Seed of Greatness. Anasazi built their philosophy around helping the hearts of the children return to their parents. They do not believe in labels. So, family therapists are called Shadows. “Clients” are Young Walkers. The staff that walk with them are Trail Walkers. There are no hopeless families, “bad” or “sick” kids… just people who have not yet awakened to the gifts and the paths of the Creator.
Years ago, I walked the trail with these young walkers and fell in love with the Anasazi Way. It taught me to look to the Creator in all things and to be grateful for the ground beneath me and the sky above. It was there that I felt the desire to someday become a therapist, in order to not just help individuals, but families... the eternal unit that brings us the highest degree of joy in this life and the next. I worked a several seasons from 2001 to 2004 and just this summer I returned as a Shadow. I had an incredible experience working with amazing families. I saw the miracles take place as they learned to see one another as the Creator sees them. Though the schedule was crazy and the Tuesday treks to the trail were usually 18-hour days, I loved being back in the wilderness, where I felt at home.
Here are some pictures of the views I saw during my walks between the groups of young walkers. I only wish I had snuck my camera out every week!
A: Grant, I'm not gonna let you do that right now...
G: (real snotty) Well... I'm just going to another house to live then!
A: Need a ride?!
G: I'm still hungry...
A: Well, we have some cottage cheese you could have.
G: You mean from Owen's mouth?? Gross.
September 2011
W: Grant, hurry up in there; it's past your bedtime.
G: I'm trying but it's not coming out.
W: Well, tell your bottom to hurry up.
G: Dad, I can't... my bottom doesn't have any ears.
June 2011 While touring the birth center at the hospital
A: Ok, Grant it's time to go...
G: NOOO. We need to pick up baby brother!
A: I wish it were that easy. He's not coming til next week.
G: No, I want to get him right now!!
Previous day, Grant was scolded for losing his toy and wallet in the store
A: Ah, man. I can't find my ID.
G: Mom, you lose everything!! Your wallet, your ID... You need to be more careful!
March 2011
G: Dad, where's Mom?
W: She's at the gym.
G: Oh, we have to take care of ourselves now??
G: I wanna call Celia. (his little cousin)
W: Why? What do you need to ask her?
G: Umm. "Is Mike there?" (his uncle)
February 2011
G: Dad, I want a puppy.
W: What would you do with a puppy?
G: I would feed him and play with him...
W: And would you even clean up his poop?
G: Yes! I would be like a mom!
A: Grant, why did you wake up last night?
G: Because I think my armpits were hurting.
Dec 2010
G: Jesus is coming...
A: Really? When is He coming?
G: Ummm. Fast Friday.
October 2010 with cousin Rylee
G: (flipping through the scriptures) "and it came to pass... a car coming and Lehi and..."
R: My turn to read... "and the dinosaurs and all the monsters..."
G: Oh, and Jesus coming?
R: No, He's not in this one.
Jan 2011
A: Grant, I do not like cleaning out your underwear! You need to do this in the potty... this doesn't make me happy.
G: (long silence and sad face)... I just wanna make you happy again, ok, Mom?
Summer of 2010, while shopping at Sprouts
A: (putting a pint of blueberries in the cart)
G: I want some of those!!
A: We need to pay for them first.
G: I want some bluuubeees, pease! (getting louder)
A: Sorry, you'll have to wait.
G: (really loud) I want some BOOOBEEES!
Jan 2011
Will: Grant, I need my phone back now.
G: Just a minute. I gotta text some people.
Sept 2010
G: Get me down!
Will: Yes, sir
G: No, not sir, just son.
Dec 2010
G: Can I have some of your lip-ups? (lip stick or gloss)
April: No, it's just for mommies.
G: Oh, and sometimes Daddy?
April: Sure, I guess.
April: Grant, where did you get that gum?
G: From my mouth.
A: But where did it come from?
G: You purse. You want some?
