Jason's Journeys

I'm missing my hubby.  While he flew out to New York and joined us for a chunk of the Lake George fun, work and church responsibilities called him back to Salt Lake. While it's hard being apart (I feel like I'm a better person when we are together), I'm grateful for technology that still lets us talk face to face.

Since I'm thinking of Jason, here are some photos from some of his work trips this spring.  His office traveled down to a small town near Capitol Reef to build a ramp, making their stage more accessible to the aging band that regularly performs here.

Everyone pitched in, including Heather who is the accessibility expert as a wheelchair user herself.

I'm not sure, but this may have been Zizheng's first experience mixing concrete.

Originally from China, Zizheng was thrilled to don a cowboy hat and spend some time in the country.

Here's Jen with Marcie, the woman who invited ASSIST to come down.  The crew stayed in her lovely home.

Between ASSIST's work and that of some AmeriCrop volunteers, they got the whole project done.  Well-done!

The ASSIST crew from left to right: Heather, Andres, Zizheng, Jen, Sam, and Jason.

Their living quarters.

As you can imagine, as an architect Jason was pretty enthralled with the property and came home dreaming of acquiring a lot.  You'd certainly have some great views!

Before leaving town, the crew took a drive through Capitol Reef.  Since they couldn't fit everyone in the work car, they drove a UHaul as well since that's what they'd rented to haul construction materials.  It must have made a pretty funny sight.

Capitol Reef isn't the only pretty area Jason gets to travel for work.  I joined him for a very brief measure up to make a bed and breakfast in Moab more accessible.  The owner, Emily Niehaus, dreams of converting it into a boarding school for those with autism.

We went with our friends/coworkers the Schreiters, arriving in the afternoon and leaving early the next morning.  Most of the time was spent working in pairs, feverishly measuring each dimension.  Still, it was fun being together.

When it was time for dinner, we enjoyed some Thai Bella.  The food was tasty, even if our waiter was quite concerned that we hadn't ordered a separate entree for each person.

Jason and I beat the sun out of bed the next morning so that we could take a run out to Morning Glory arch.

The desert is so lovely!  Almost as lovely as my husband.

We made it back just in time to enjoy our mason jar breakfast.  I particularly enjoyed my bagel with cream cheese, lox, pickled onions, and capers.

In a dramatic change of scenery, Jason took a different trip to Kentucky to scout out a company that builds modular homes.

This time he was joined by our friend, neighbor, and fellow designer Stephen James.

I can't recall which Main Street this is, but it's cute.

Flying out of Cincinnati.

When it comes to work, Jason is tremendously busy.  He is involved in so many amazing projects that it is pretty much impossible keep up.  Even so, Jason does a tremendous job.  Instead of buckling under the pressure, he thrives.  He keeps his composure and a positive attitude, changing the world for the better one interaction at a time.

We love you, Jason Wayne Wheeler!  I love you.  Thank you for sharing your journey.

Wrapping up the School Year

Okay, so that was an epic fail.  (The blogging every day from my cell phone while on vacation thing.)  Bet no one saw that coming.

The good news is that we made it all the way to New York and back to Omaha.  The trip was a-MA-zing, mostly because the people are so amazing.  (Thank you Wells clan!)  But let's face it--it was also a bit exhausting.  So much so that I'm going to pause a bit before blogging about it and switch to catch-up phase instead.  Because really, who wants to talk about the end of the school year when the next one has already begun?    

Woods Cross Elementary.  Eli had a great fifth grade year with Ms. Callahan, supplemented by SEM with Ms. McNair.  He especially loved competing in District-wide Math and Science Olympiads with his friend Alex.  Alex and Eli competed in Soma cubes, logic grid puzzles, rockets, and circuits.

They were super pumped about their silver in circuits.

Happy Woods Cross Wolverines.

On the last day of school, our Woods Cross carpool celebrated with some yummy Dairy Queen treats and playtime at Creekside park.

Eli and Clarissa.  For Clarissa, a sixth grader, this was her very last day of elementary school.

Now for our second graders, Annika and Jefferson, both in Ms. Bolinder's class.  I will miss hearing this crew chatter!

Here's Annika again at her year-end Brownie celebration.  We feel so fortunate to have a great troop with caring leaders, Amanda and Jessica.

This was a big year for our Talia Lily as well, who graduated 8th grade from the Extended Learning Program at West High.  This girl is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

Talia and a few friends worked so hard to create a lovely art show to celebrate their classmates.  Middle school is never easy, but these kids conquered middle school dominated by a pandemic.  Well-done!

Talia has amazing friends!  From left to right, we have Clara, Danyn, Beyah, and Talia.  There girls are so supportive of one another--and creative too!

Last but not least, our tenth grader Brooklyn with her friend Dora.  Wrapping up sophomore year was intense, filled with lots of homework and three AP tests: physics, computer science, and US History.  In the end, she survived and did great.

Congratulations all ye Wheeler munchkins on thriving during the craziest year!  Enjoy the last weeks of summer because like it or not, school is right around the corner.