Tour de South: Part 1: The Back Story

Back in January, we FINALLY bought tickets to go see my mission--something we've been talking about doing since before we got married. The plan was to fly to Georgia to visit Lara and Greg, then drive to Tennessee to see Ben and Jenny, drive to Alabama to see my two areas there, drive to Panama City Beach, FL to spend some time on the beach and see my mission peeps, and then drive back to Georgia and fly home. Total time we would be gone: 2 weeks. 

I spent a month getting ready. I wanted to figure out ways to keep the kiddos entertained through the flights and all that driving. I was particularly worried about Rachel, who can barely handle the drive to Idaho. How was I going to keep this "lap infant" happy on the plane when she doesn't like being held for very long? So, I asked Google that question and came up with a few things. One person mentioned this Baby B'air flight vest. (You should google them and check out their product video. It is unintentionally hilarious!). Basically, it is a harness that your child wears and that you clip your seat belt through so that you can be hands free. Sounded like it would work. Unfortunately, it was about $30 on Amazon, and we weren't completely convinced. After mulling it over for a few weeks, I decided that it wouldn't be that hard to make one. Rachel was excited to wear it when I was trying it on her.

 

I made two window I spy bags; a bag for Michael for his coloring books, which included a spot for all his crayons; a bag for Rachel to hold magnets, a book, her Color Wonder drawing pad, and a spot for her Color Wonder Markers; a game for Rachel (an empty spice container and pipe cleaners--you give her the container and the pile of pipe cleaners, and one by one, she puts them into the holes in the spice jar. Thanks, Zak, for the great idea). 

I also made magnets, a coloring book about all the states we were going to visit, Rachel's Easter dress, and a skirt for me. Oh! And in the middle of that, my sister called and asked if I could make a costume for my niece for her school play:

It was too big. Oh well.  She loved it. 

And since Lara was going to have twins, I HAD to make something for them, so I finally sewed up the alligator taggie blanket I cut out last summer for our new nephew and then made a coordinating kitty cat for our new niece. I hope they like them:

Towards the beginning of March, we bought a car. We'd  been looking for a month or more and decided to buy one through an online broker. He looked at cars for us and then bid on them at an auction. We told him the kind of car we wanted, color preferences, price range, and year. He sent us pictures of ones that fit the bill. He bid on it, we won, and then we started all the paper work to get it to us. As part of the deal, our broker was going to handle getting it shipped to us in Utah. We bought the car on March 12. And two to three weeks after that, we still didn't have our car. No one wanted to ship it for the price he said he could ship it. We got angry and frustrated. We looked into finding our own carrier. Meanwhile, our trip was coming up, and that added to the stress. If we didn't have our car before we left, how would we get it? Long story shorter, we had our broker ship it to Georgia so we could just drive it home. I made arrangements at the DMV to extend our temporary Georgia permit (since it was going to expire on April 11). I added states to Michael's coloring book, bought a kids atlas, and then bit the bullet and bought DVD players for the car. We decided that no matter how bad it got, we were going to laugh all the way home! We would leave from Panama City Beach and head home through Texas so we could stop by to see Adam and Sarah (and hopefully T.J. and Lacey) and see tons of new states in the process. The day before we left, I made another bag for our pack and play to help protect it on the flight (before the car thing, we were just going to borrow Lara's). I also did laundry and packed. Miraculously, for the first time ever, I didn't stay up really late getting things ready. 

The day finally arrived, and on April 8, we left our house at 6 a.m. to catch our 7:50 a.m. flight to Atlanta. 

We've Got a Walker

Rachel has had the ability to walk for a couple of months now. She's had the balance, the ability to stand up on her own, and even took 6 or 8 steps at a time back in the beginning of March. But, we could never get her to do it. We borrowed a walker from the neighbors; she never used it. She just refused to do it. I knew that once SHE decided she was going to walk, she would walk. No one was going to convince her to do it until she was ready.

And that proved to be correct. About three weeks ago, during General Conference, she finally decided to do it. And now, we have a walker. A full on, barely will let you hold her hand, walker. And she is loving it.



(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsf_--Qqgss)

Right time, surprisingly right place

Last Sunday, my parents stayed at our house on their way home from visiting Taryn in Southern Utah. The next day (March 31), after having lunch with them and sending them on their way North, I felt an urge to head into Provo to the DMV to register our new car. I had things going on the other days last week, and so it made sense to just go and take care of it.

We drove into the parking garage, and I read a sign that said public parking was on the first and sixth levels. None of the ones we saw in level 1 looked good, so I asked Michael if he wanted to go all the way to the top. He thought that sounded cool. We parked on the top level, took the elevator down, and headed into the county building. I immediately noticed a sign that said the DMV was in the other building. (It had been a couple of years since I'd visited the DMV). As we were heading to the other building, I had this feeling that I should move my car. I was worried I'd parked in a bad spot since the spots on Level 1 were labeled "PUBLIC" and I didn't see a label on that level. I tried to dismiss the feeling, but thinking it might be from the Lord, I headed back up to the top of the garage, loaded my kids, and drove the car all the way back down. We unloaded again, walked into the correct building, took a number, and WAITED.

I really don't like going to the DMV. Add two kids, and well, you can imagine how it went.

I was feeling a little frustrated by the time we walked out of there and headed to back to the car. We pulled out of the garage and started heading to Brian's work to pay him a visit. As I pulled out of the parking garage and headed to University Ave (one of the main streets in Provo), I noticed people gathered on both sides of the street. I was stopped at the light, getting ready to turn onto University. Right in front of me was the Provo Tabernacle that had burned a few years ago. Construction crews have been working on it, restoring it and renovating it to be a temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Clearly, something was happening at the temple today to draw the crowds. Then I noticed a gold statue of the Angel Moroni attached to a crane, standing on the ground in front of the temple. By then, the light was green.

I call Brian after turning onto University. "I think they're putting the Angel Moroni on the temple today," I told him. "I think I'm going to turn around and go watch." So, we turned around and found a place to park and watch. I was so excited. I have never seen this before. A statue of the Angel Moroni sits on the top of most of the temples. He holds a trumpet, representing his call to the world that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. There is a movie called "Legacy" that portrays events from the early history of our church. The opening scene shows a boy watching as the Angel Moroni was lifted by crane to the top of the Salt Lake Temple. After watching it go up, he runs excitedly to tell his grandma about it. I felt like that boy in Legacy. I kept thinking, "History is being made today! And I'm here to see it."

 After they placed Moroni, we once again headed to Brian's work. When we stopped at a light, I hurriedly took a picture of these kids with the new temple in the background, so I had proof that we were all there.

I tried to tell Michael how cool it was. He agreed, but I think he was more excited to see such a large crane being used.

When I reflected on this experience later that night, I realized that the Lord had carefully made sure I was there that day. I didn't know what was going on, and I wouldn't have known what I had missed by not being there. But, He knew what I didn't know, and He helped me be there. I hadn't planned on going to the DMV that day. And if I hadn't gone into the wrong building and then gone and moved the car, I would have completely missed it. I'm so glad He knows me so well and is so aware of me and my desires. He knows how much I love His temples, and how excited I've been about this new one. He is so good!

You can check out the news report here or read about it here.

The Good Life

I love days like this one where there isn't anything really noteworthy (or blog-worthy) going on, but there is just this overall feeling of joy. It's a simple thing. I was feeding my kiddos snacks, and I was just looking at their cute faces and I was just really happy, knowing that I was exactly where I wanted to be. 

True, as a mom, I don't get a monetary paycheck, but I'm the one that gets more of these from her than anybody else:

 And I was there when Michael drove his first car:

 Amazingly, he did amazingly well.

It made it so I could reconnect with an old friend from high school and get to introduce her to fun things in Utah County. And remember why I admired her so much way back then. And fall in love with her kiddos. And miss her like crazy when we get too busy to get together.

I can't help but feel that despite the frustrations that come from being alone all day with these beautiful crazies, my life is extremely rich. I get a front row seat to the lives of these amazing, independent, smart, endearing souls that I get to call my kids.

And I get to rescue Rachel when her legs get stuck in those bars and she can't get them out.

No matter how many times I get after Michael for this or that, I remain his preferred choice for who tucks him in at night.

I'm the one who Monkey thanks for making a paper airplane (and when I say Monkey, I mean that purple striped sock monkey, voiced by Michael). 

 I have the best person by my side, keeping me going when I want to quit. Without him, oh goodness, I don't even want to think about that. I get to see the very best of him daily. 

Today, during the morning session of General Conference, Pres. Uchtdorf gave a talk about being grateful--not just about counting your blessings, but being grateful to the Lord for all that He does for us and gives us-- no matter what. We've definitely had our struggles together. We've had disappointments, frustrations, sorrows--but I wouldn't trade a single bit of it. I'm so grateful to the Lord for this wonderful life I have. I stand in awe of all that He has given me. He has blessed me with such a good life.

Sunday Best

Rachel likes to pull her bows out of her hair. She likes pulling her elastic ponytails out of her hair. Basically, she likes messing up her hair. She'll get bored in the car and pull out her hair. If she remembers there might be a bow in her hair, she has to pull it out. She DOES enjoy it when I do her hair, and I think she likes having bows in her hair. I think she just has this need to "see" it with her hands, if that makes sense. So, usually, the only day I really try is on Sundays. Most of the time, she pulls the bow out before the deacons even administer the sacrament. But I keep trying, because when she leaves it alone, she is adorable!

This Sunday, she was satisfied with taking the bow out and left the pony tail in. She is sporting a new dress that I had just sewn for her. This is from the end of February. 

I couldn't get a good angle on this hair. I put mousse in her hair and got the curls in her hair to stand out. She was SO cute. And I love this pink flower. So, I had to take a picture before church because I knew it wouldn't last long. 

 I know I'm biased, but I think my kids are so cute, especially in their Sunday best!

 Here's from a week ago:

 Most of the time, her hair looks like this:

 Because some days--most days-- it just isn't worth the effort fighting her to leave her hair alone. (Side note: she climbed up there all on her own. That smile says, "Look what I did").

Idaho Road Trip

On March 21, we loaded into our little car and headed up to Idaho. Some of us may or may not have sucked our toes for quite a bit of the way. 

 Some of us were a little squished. Us grown-ups weren't excited about the drive in the cramped quarters, but we sang Disney songs at the tops of our lungs and made the most of it. (Shout out to Ethan for being so awesome back there with the kiddos!)

 But, we were pretty excited to hang out at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Some of us caught up on some reading.

Some of us had so much fun playing with cousins that we weren't around for anyone to take pictures of us. 

Saturday, all of us went to the baptism of Wyatt by his father. As always, it was a very spiritual experience. I love it when ordinances are performed. You can always feel the spirit of the Lord in such abundance.

 My dad performed the confirmation.

 Ethan carried all the bags.

  After the baptism, one of us disappeared to play with Wyatt some more. We were all happily chatting in the house when we heard screaming approaching. Michael came in. Brian saw his face and said, "Holy Cow!" To which Michael, though his screams, sobbed, "Can I see it in the mirror?" 

 Michael walked into Wyatt's swing of the baseball bat. This picture doesn't even do it justice.

After all that, we decided that making dinner was for the birds. There is a pizzeria in Ririe that is fairly new, and they offer a 32" pizza. We decided that we needed to try that out. It was pretty big!

And fairly good. I'm still a Pizza Hut gal. 

 We went to church the next day, ate dinner, and then hit the road again. Rachel didn't even make it to Ririe before she fell asleep. Michael made it to almost Pocatello.

I wish I could say that they slept the whole way, but that didn't happen. We had a great short trip, despite the cramped car. When we got home, Michael said, "I wish we lived with Grandma and Grandpa." "Why?" I asked, thinking "be careful what you wish for". He said, "Because Grandpa always gets me donuts." There it is everyone--the secret to really winning Michael over!

St. Patrick's Day

On St. Patrick's Day, we woke up to this:

  A leprechaun came in the middle of the night and messed up our living room! He left us a note:

 Michael thought it was pretty cool. He needed a little help figuring out the map that the little man left. But eventually, he found the pot of gold. It had another note inside:

 Michael ate all those coins by the time the day was out. 

 For dinner, we had green eggs, potatoes O'Brien, green pancakes, and bottle creme soda, because when else do you have an excuse to buy bottled soda?

Luck O' the Irish be upon you all!

Itty-Bitty Ball

For six mornings in the beginning of March, Michael went to Itty Bitty Ball in Lehi. He learned about five sports: baseball, volleyball, football, basketball, and soccer. He had a blast going to "bitty-bitty ball". 

 Rachel was a trooper through each hour session. She clapped with me for her brother and enjoyed lots of crackers. 

 I only took my nice camera one day, because I'm awesome. It was their picture day. It was also the day they learned about volleyball. 

Side note: I had to laugh that they were having "team pictures" for this. I'd be surprised if Michael knew any of the other kids' names, let alone his coach. Oh well. I didn't pay for it; just took one with my camera :)

The last day they just played the whole time. In addition to the sports they learned, they got to play with this huge parachute. It was pretty awesome. 

At the beginning of each day, the lady in charge led them all in stretches and then some sit-ups, push-ups, and jumping jacks. There is nothing like watching a bunch of preschoolers to appreciate how much coordination it takes to do those things. It was so cute watching them try to do the push-ups and especially the jumping jacks. Let the soccer mom years begin!