I have never experienced a real tornado but whenever I visit family I feel like I am caught up in something so big. We rush around because we don't have enough time, we laugh til we cry, then we cry til we laugh. Then it all ends and everyone goes home, back to work..... family...... life.
I flew to Utah on Tuesday, it was a great flight. Definitely the way to travel, but I did miss going to the Gooch's Bed and Breakfast ;) One of my favorite destinations (maybe this summer). My Mom and Dad picked me up at the airport and we were off. Went to my awesome sister's (N) salon and got my hair done (I am blessed with the greatest family) my other awesome sister (J) came to visit and we had a good time laughing and visiting. Drove to Tooele and visited with my other awesome sister (H) (I know you are wondering how can they all be awesome, just believe me they are) played with her cutie pie kids and then we were off again. Went to my wonderful brothers (D) house, they are a house full of boys and lots and lots of friends. I don't know how they keep up with it all but they do and they are raising great kids. My nephew was doing his last minute things before he left for the MTC, so exciting and it was fun to visit with everyone. We went to my parents house and I fell asleep.
Wednesday: I woke up and realized I didn't have to do anything that day :) Always a nice feeling. Got ready and headed to my sisters (H) house. She got her kids ready and we headed into Salt Lake. Three of us were heading to Womens Conference and my Mom and other sisters (N) and sister-in-law (J) were meeting us at the hotel. With kids and many schedules and things that needed to be done we didn't make it to the hotel until 5 ish. Met up with my other, yes you guessed it, awesome sister (R). We went to eat and then to the hotel to spend some time in the hot tub (my stupid back). It was great, everyone kept coming and then I went and spent the night with my sister-in-law at her parents house to save some moolah (Thank you!). We had a great time catching up on everything. It was nice to have some one on one time.
Thursday & Friday: The sun is shining! Yay. Most WC we have rain or snow or something. We got to WC later than everyone else so we had to meet up with them after the opening. At WC every year we sometimes go to the same classes and sometimes we don't. I went to a great class on depression. For the first time in my life I have suffered with this and I have to say Depression is Depressing (I think I might have that printed on a shirt) It was a great class and gave me a lot to think about. The man who talked is a doctor and he said as a doctor there is rarely anything he can guarantee, but he guarantees that if you are suffering from depression, Exercise, Reading your scriptures, Prayer and of course following the Word of Wisdom you will see improvement. We went to other great classes, tons of choices and lots of topics. If you ever get a chance to go to WC, GO!! It is an amazing experience.
Friday night My Mom and my sister (R) and I went back to Tooele.
Saturday: Tried to sleep in (WC we always get a little behind on our sleep ;)) woke up with a raging headache, YUCK. Luckily it went away fast. Spent the day, helping each other. It was great, I am thankful for my sister (R) and all her wisdom. She is such a blessing to me and others. She headed to Salt Lake later in the day, and my Mom and I went to my sisters (H) to play with the kids again. Later we had a sibling dinner, I have missed out on all of them so far and so has my older sister so it was fun to get together and eat and have fun. Stayed up way late and then headed back to Tooele.
Sunday: So excited that I got to go to the baby blessing! Kate is such a doll, and it was great to see Mike use his priesthood to bless her. Later at their house, Mike actually went and got the baby from someone and brought her to me, almost made me cry. I got to hold and cuddle her and remember how precious we all are. Babies........ they are a true miracle.
Then I went to one of my Mom and Dads resorts with them. It is called Wolf Creek, up Ogden canyon. By the town of Eden (beautiful valley). While we were there we saw Geese and their babies, the house that David O Mckay(Huntsville) was born in and got to play lots of games and of course sit in a hot tub.
Monday: Woke up to birds chirping, I think it was a meadow lark. It was very quiet and then I heard a little whisper "everybody it's time to get up" isn't that cute! Got up went and sat in the hot tub again, played games and just enjoyed being together. My sister (H) went home and my other sister (J) and her husband came up for dinner. We had a good time.
Tuesday: Got up sat in the hot tub one last time. Went to the Ogden Temple, it was nice. Went back to my parents home, my sister (J) came out to visit. Mom and Dad went to see Kolten get set apart for his mission. Then we went out to eat with my Brother (D) and his family at a Thai restaurant. LOVE Thai. Had a good time getting reacquainted with everyone and getting to know those that I have never met. It was fun to see everyone and just be there for all the happenings.
Wednesday: Woke up missing my family, I have only talked to them a couple of times. I know they miss me too. Looking forward to going home.
Went to my Sisters (H) again, to say goodbye to everyone. Said Goodbye to my Dad, he had some work he needed to do and me my Mom and sister went into Salt Lake. While we were there we went over to visit my Aunt Norma, I haven't seen her in ages or Karen, it was nice to visit with them. Then we went out to eat and went to IKEA, my first time ever! Shocking I know! So I have that out of my system now. Check that off my bucket list, HA HA. Said Goodbye to some of my sisters (N)(J) and headed to the airport. Said Goodbye to my other sister (H) and my Mom.
It was a great week, so much fun to see everyone and just be together. I love my family!
Now that I have said that, let me tell you how much anxiety I feel for that week. I worry that my son is warm, well fed and not lost somewhere out in timbuktu. Every horror story we hear as mother's comes to haunt us while our sons are out in the wilderness.
I was so happy to see Tayler, walking and smiling. It is such a relief. Not that I don't trust Men or anything. I am almost certain though that had a woman been at camp my son's back wouldn't look like this.
Look at those berries! Emma wins the award for picking the biggest berries. We went with our good friends, Julie and Emilee. We went berry picking in the humid, sticky heat. But the berries were soooo worth it. YUM!
I love that we have all these great U-pick farms around. Hope and Jackie picked some raspberries on Monday and now we have blueberries and marionberries, we are looking forward to lots of yummy smoothies and shakes!
It's nice to feel loved and appreciated. Here are my surprises... flowers and perfume from George and the kids.
And this last one Hope earned in a Service Auction from seminary. This is part of it. Thanks Hope!
