St. George, Feb 2025: A Reminder of What Matters Most

This past weekend, we packed up the car, loaded the kids, and hit the road for a short but refreshing trip to St. George.

When we got there, we didn’t waste any time. If you know me, you know I like a plan. I like to schedule out my day and pack it full of things to do. So naturally, we hit the ground running. We toured the Parade of Homes, checking out some incredible houses and dreaming a little. We ate some good food, taking a break from our usual clean-eating routine—because that’s what trips are for. And we let the kids run wild, soaking up the warm weather and wide-open spaces.

But the real highlight of the trip — being together.

We spent time at the parks, took the kids to the red rock trails, and let them explore. They climbed, built things, played in the red dirt, and got covered in it—exactly what kids should do. There’s something about watching your kids experience nature that puts life into perspective.

You can be completely exhausted as a parent and still feel completely fulfilled. It’s this weird paradox, but it’s real. These are the moments that matter—laughing, exploring, and making memories.

It’s easy to get caught up in work, church responsibilities, and personal goals. But if you don’t intentionally make space for experiences like this, they just don’t happen. And years from now, I won’t remember the emails I sent or the projects I worked on. I’ll remember weekends like this.

One of my favorite moments was on the drive home. About 30 minutes in, our three-year-old woke up in a panic, crying uncontrollably because he wanted to go back to St. George. We just laughed; we felt the same way.

This weekend also reminded me how important it is to get outside and let our kids explore. We don’t need extravagant vacations. Sometimes, just stepping outside and giving them space to run is enough.

And lastly, seeing the homes in the Parade of Homes was inspiring. It got me thinking about the steps I should take now. I want to create a future where we can keep making memories together. I hope these moments become a regular part of our lives, not just something we do once in a while.

At the end of the day, life isn’t about money, success, or status. It’s about the relationships we have and the time we spend with the people we love. That’s what truly matters.

On the way home, Abbey and I talked about something else that stuck with me—how the biggest impact we have isn’t always in what we say, but in how we live. Our health and wellness choices have influenced our siblings and parents, not because we’ve tried to convince them, but because we’ve just lived it. That made me reflect on where I’m trying to have an impact. I often chase big accomplishments, but maybe the most meaningful impact I’ll ever have is within my own family.

So here’s my reminder to my future self: prioritize experiences. Make time for trips. Keep taking pictures and making memories. Because that’s what it’s all about.