Project #11 Grow Boxes and FirePit

This is just the beginning...

Grow boxes:

As you can see from the pictures, I have been busy in the yard.  I've seen so many grow boxes around Pinterest, including some in my childhood home, and wanted to try some myself.  I'm going to skip the instructions on how they were build, not because I'm lazy and don't want to include them, but because I feel that you really can't go wrong making them.  If you want them to look good in the end, make sure you sturdy wood, a level to make all the boards even, and lot's of patience. 

I applied to layers of wood: one that was sturdy and will last until the end of the vegetable world and the other was from on old barn next to our house...to add to the ambiance of the garden.   I love the way the old wood makes it look and feel, while also preserving the surroundings of our home.

Fire-pit

No words...just straight up balling.  This was fun to make, but even more fun to use!  There are hundreds of tutorials on Pinterest, but I found that the best thing was to read through them, and then improvise as I made my own.  All brick was taken from the barn next to our house, over 100 years old.  The base of the fire pit is about 1' deep and has plenty of air flow to keep the fire with oxygen.  We added new logs to use as seats...but will post pictures soon!

Project #11 Mother's Day

A letter to my Mom

Dearest Mother, 

At a tiny computer, in the pleasant town of Pleasant Grove, I sit and think back of you.  The fond memories of yesteryear where as a child I would read your notes on napkin, enjoying the lunch that was always made with love.  Coming home to warm chocolate chip cookies, a glass of cold milk and you at the table with a smile so big, would turn any cloudy day into full sunshine.  You talked with me about my sorrows and my joys.  You were quick to lend a listening ear, and speak words that touched my heart.  Never, no not once, did I feel my words and feeling went unheard and un felt, for you were filled with motherly love.  

Now as I sit at this same computer, in the pleasant town of Pleasant Grove, I look out at the beauty around me; tall billowing clouds, dancing with rays of sun, adorn the skies above and the tall mountains to the East are equally magnificent as they provide a perfect backdrop to the rustic homes and pleasant landscape.  I know that you would enjoy this view too, for you love the natural beauty of the God's creations. You love the blossoming flowers, the green grass, the contour of the hills and valleys, and the sounds of calm, running water.  You love the wonderful and beautiful things of the world because you are so close to the Spirit.  Your closeness and love for all good things is contagious and truly you make other feels so loved.  

Mom, it would be hard to serve another mission after knowing all that it entails, but if i knew that you were going be my mission mom, I would go in a heart beat. No questions asked.  I love you mom.  I love everything that you have taught me and the person you are shaping me to be and have helped me become.  

Have a wonderful Mother's day!

much love, 

Taylor James 

Post #10 Tough Mudder

The Unexpected Text

Just after saying my prayers and telling my wife how much I love her, my cell phone vibrated, shaking the pillow it was resting on. I knew it was a text message, but nothing was going to keep me from falling asleep as fast as I could, not even one of the biggest and sweetest challenges this year.  

Now, 'biggest and sweetest challenge of the year' is a very loose term considering that this year includes several other 'challenges': graduating college, staring my first full-time job ever and not to forget, getting married.  Those are all challenges in their own regard, but they are the type of challenge that I knew was coming, something that I had seen coming down the road a few months in advance.  But this? No way...never thought I would ever set off to embark in a challenge like this...not ever. I mean seriously, a 12 mile run through mud, climbing walls, crawls through irrigation tubes and a finishing line that pulsates with electricity, a warm way to welcome runners to the end.  Yeah, never thought I would consider such a race...

Those who know me understand that fitness is a big part of my life.  I've completed two marathons, biked thousands of miles through the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, love to boulder with my wife and enjoy my time in the gym. I enjoy staying healthy and recommend it to anyone.  I guess my friend who text me also thought he could recommend some new ways to stay healthy by asking me to join him in the 'Tough Mudder.'  What is the Tough Mudder you ask?  Indulge yourself in the pictures below and we'll continue our conversation after your mind has been completely blown. 

Looks like a blast right?  Yeah....not your typical 10k that you could finish with only a single day of training.  I've seen this race before, read about in a fairy tale when I was younger, but never did I think that I was going to actually participate in one. Maybe after I finish this thing, my pops will consider me a man, maybe.  

So, I'm in 100%. I have already found a training program to help avoid a tragic death during this race, not even kidding.  My goal is to first and foremost complete the race and secondly, make some great memories in the process.  I will post my progress here on my blog and hopefully inspire someone out there to work for something they never thought possible. 

I know that I have a million viewers following me on my blog (my incredible wife and another random person), but I hope you will enjoy this new adventure during the next 4 months.  

#heGOfit