Snowboarding...Sledding

Friday night Nate and I attended a skiing activity at Powder Mountain with some people from our ward. Nate wanted to try snowboarding and I had some friends going who would be snowboarding to so I decided to give it a try too. We got up there later than everyone else and after asking Christie and Mindy a couple questions about how to move around with the snowboard on and a general idea of how to get down the mountain, Nate and I headed up to the top.
My first challenge: Getting on the ski lift. I seriously could not balance while only having ONE foot in the board. How I longed for my skis while trying to get on the lift. Nate helped me on and even motioned to the guy at the top to slow it down so we could get off okay. That didn't help. I fell getting off and took Nate down with me.
Second challenge: Getting down the mountain. I didn't go very far before I fell down more times than I can count. Nate was falling too, but doing better than me. Oh, how my muscles ached. At one point, Nate said I could always sit on my board and go down like it was a sled. We kept going and before long my friends caught up with us. They again gave a few more instructions and I did a little better.
I convinced Nate to go with Mindy and I would hang back with Christie.
After a few more falls, Christie and I decided to take Nate's suggestion and sit on our boards to get down the mountain. I laughed the entire way. However, using my feet as breaks did make things cold with the snow spraying up in my face. People looked and some made comments, but Christie and I didn't care. We had fun. So much fun we decided to head back up to the top and do it again.
We headed over to the lift and were promptly told we'd need to put our boards on before getting on the lift. I was a little nervous because of my first experience and I was pretty sure Christie couldn't practically carry me on like Nate had the first time. It actually was much easier that time. Getting off, however, was a lot like the last time except I took Christie down instead of Nate.
We undid the bindings on our boards and walked over to the top of the hill to sit down and go again. Again, much fun and laughing. Maybe half-way down or so I spun out and my board got away from me. So, there I was without a board and Christie couldn't catch it. She waited for me and I climbed on the back of her board. With two of us on there we went even faster down the mountain. I felt bad for Christie because since she was in front, she got most of the snow spray.
Once we got to the bottom somebody told me where to find my board (which was back up the mountain) and another guy asked if I wanted him to pick it up on his way down the next time. I opted for that.
That was the end of my snowboard experience. I had a lot of fun. I think I'll even try it again. After all, I do know a couple ways to get down the mountain.

Greater Appreciation

There are many people in my life whom I appreciate. I am grateful to them for the things they do and who they are. However, I must say, there are also people I take for granted. Not purposely, but I get caught up in day to day stuff and know certain people will be there to do the things they have always done.
Every once in a while, I am blessed with the opportunity to see just how much someone in my life truly means to me. It is usually when I am put into a similar position that other person has experienced. For example, my Mom. I love her so much-always have. However, I didn't fully appreciate all that she is or all that she does until I was blessed to have my first son, Jacob. When he was born, I started to comprehend all the emotions, effort, and sacrifice that come with being a parent. Notice that I said, "started," because I learn more each day as my family grows. I really love my Mom. More and more everyday.
Another example, I was given the call to serve as Primary president in our current ward. I had done it before in the ward we moved from and I was serving as 2nd counselor in this ward, so I thought, "yeah, I can do that." I always thought Mindy was awesome and I want to be like her when I grow up. However, I don't think I fully understood all the responsibility and hard work that was part of the calling. Maybe I still don't, but I am grateful to her. She still helps me today.
There are many men and women that help me so much and set a great example that I couldn't possibly list them all. I am grateful to them all.