The Storyteller and Trial #3

We've had a wonderful start to our summer! The first day we pulled out the splash pad and celebrated!

Later that evening I took the kids to the food truck roundup while Loren was prepping for trial. They loved sitting in all the different trucks and tractors. We ended the evening with a snow cone which felt great on a hot day.

Lydia's recent lego creation. I love the little horses.

I've missed this. The kids play with the toys a lot more during the summer during quiet time.

Picasso tiles on the garage door is a fun new activity.

Grandma and Grandpa Peck got a new hot tub. The kids love it!

Grandma Peck took this photo while watching the kids for me during Loren's trial.

Oh the trial. This marks three trials Loren has done in six months. It's been a LOT. He did this one with Brandon so thankfully it wasn't all up to him but both of them kept long hours, lost weight and didn't sleep well. They tried to settle this case for $80,000 the week before but to no avail. It was a tricky case and Loren honestly had no idea which way it was going to go, but he believed in it and so we prayed that things would work out the way they needed to.

Loren did amazing with his cross examinations and one of my favorite moments was when he said, "Millie, Joe is from Salt Lake. How do you get your news in Lewiston?" Joe was one of the three attorneys on the other side and had been incredibly rude to a sweet store clerk being questioned. The jury was totally nodding along with Loren and it was a great bonding moment.

Brandon was set to give closing arguments on the last day but Loren woke up that morning with a strong feeling that he should do it. So he asked Brandon and started prepping for an hour before trial started. Mom Peck was so nice in coming to watch the kids for me so I could hear Loren's closing and stay with him for a while during jury deliberations. Loren did such an amazing job with closing, it was the best he's ever done. He was so vulnerable and personable and went over very well I thought. We went to a park while we were waiting for the jury and Loren started to spiral. He wondered if what he felt this morning wasn't a prompting and was worried he'd just lost the case because of his decision. He was prepared for the worst and as he and Brandon drove to the courthouse to hear the verdict, they were ready to take the loss. But wonder of wonders, they ended up winning with an incredible $670,000 verdict. So much more than we ever thought possible. We learned a valuable lesson through this trial. When we listen to promptings of the Sprit, we are blessed and magnified in ways that we can't be on our own. It was a powerful reminder that when we keep the Lord close and pray for his help, He will always be there to guide and direct us. We are so incredible grateful for his mercy and help during that crazy week.

The best thing about Loren winning a trial is eating at Center Street Grill, so say the kids. We had a fun day celebrating all of dad's hard work paying off.

My sweet grandma was named Nibley City's Citizen of the Year. We went to the city office to watch as she was awarded. Nibley definitely got this one right, we love our selfless, giving and classy grandma.

Grandma with members of the city council.

Grandma with her best friend Sharon, on the right.

My mom went with my dad to work in Wyoming for the first time. They had a lot of fun and I'm glad they got to spend that time together. It's hard having my dad gone so much. Maybe my mom will start going with him more.

Jace lining his cars up meticulously is my favorite thing.

We've been having a lot of fun at our running club, Rod's Hero's. The money we raise goes to couples hoping to adopt teenagers with Down Syndrome. The kids try and run as many laps as they can in thirty minutes. Lydia and Allie have run 18 miles, Hudson has run 14 and Jace has run 8 miles so far. Jace loves running with all the kids, it's too cute to watch.

Grandma always finds amazing things at the DI.

With June comes Heritage Days and the Children's Theatre. This year's play was called The Storyteller. Lydia had a solo part and a few speaking parts as well. Both the girls did so well and had a lot of fun. I signed Hudson up but he ended up getting sick so we'll try again next year for him.

Tuesday night was Bike Night Out and we biked to four different parks to participate in small activities and have a treat.

Wednesday was Chalk the Walk and it was amazing to see all the impressive art work. I decided to try one this year too.

Nothing fills me with more joy than seeing all my kids having fun together.

This was Lydia's costume this year, she was a hummingbird.

Allie was the cutest farm cat.

Grandma riding in the Heritage Parade!

I took the kids to the activities at the park after the parade. We loved petting the animals, the kangaroo was a favorite.

Whenever we go to Ryan's Place Park the kids always beg to come to this dinky little park close by instead. It's so funny to me.

"Mom, take a picture of my butterfly!"

"Mom, take a picture of my chair!"

We had some Utah State football players come talk about inclusion after our run one morning.

I signed up for the Millville food co-op and got some yummy produce for a great price!

A mamma dove and her babies came venturing in our yard. They were adorable.

We love time with cousins! Allie and Livy.

Mom Peck planned a fun family history tour. We went to Banida and Treasureton, Idaho to see where Margaret Griffiths was born and where she homesteaded. Seeing it in person definitely brought it more to life. It was such a fun evening!