Yesterday was a Utah holiday we call Pioneer Day.  It celebrates the anniversary of the day the pioneers settled Utah.  My ancestors on both sides were Mormon handcart pioneers, who made the trek from Iowa or Nebraska to Utah, starting in 1856.  To be honest, I’ve never thought much about this holiday in my life before other than a little re-do of the 4th of July, just 20 days later.  It’s always a fun holiday that is majorly celebrated in Utah.  This year though, all year, I’ve thought a lot about my ancestors and the huge sacrifice they made to get here.  Some of the stories of suffering are so horrific, you can’t even imagine.  Mothers burying their husbands and children to cruel temperatures and starvation, struggles beyond our comprehension.  Families reaching their destination with sometimes less than half of their members.  It was a long and hard journey, but the faith of these Mormon pioneers was truly something to be admired.

In this last year, I’ve really come to love Utah.  I think it’s easy to take the place you’re from for granted, and I definitely have.  But there’s just something about Utah.  Something safe and charming in it’s own little way.  I’m really proud to be from here, and I’m proud of my ancestors and their faith to get here.  I’m proud to be raising my own family here on the beautiful land that was settled by these pioneers.  So this Pioneer Day was special for me.  I appreciated it in a way I haven’t ever before.  I hope to teach my children about their ancestors and the sacrifices they made to create this life we enjoy.  It really is something special.

We celebrated by putting our own hands to hard work and completely cleaning our house from head-to-toe.  I cleaned out the girls closet and bedroom, Brady cleaned the kitchen and we both tackled the huge job that was our office.  It feels SOOOO good to have our house de-cluttered.  I’ve been itching for some home projects lately, but getting our house in order was a first priority.  I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful thing!  😀

It wasn’t all work though, we ended the day with a BBQ at Grammy’s and enjoyed the neighbors fireworks.  All in all, it was a great day.