Utah Family and THE CURSE

Another airport, another destination. This time we headed to Utah. There were some tricky unknowns like getting to our car from the airport. Flight was easy-thankfully since I was very tired after having to sleep with Elise in a bed-actually no sleeping really happened. She had some asthma suddenly the night before and didn't sleep well until I gave her a breathing treatment around 2:30am and it was too late for me. We had a 7:40am flight so a 4:30am wake up and for some reason I was really nervous about missing it. This photo Elise snapped is probably par for the course. I was tired, I was anxious, I was missing my home in Oman.

The flight wasn't the best sitting next to an Indian Grandma who clearly wasn't wanting to spend ANY time entertaining or comforting her grandson who was leaving his parents. He cried and she gave him a screen or shushed him. If he'd been sitting next to me instead of her I would've helped with the problem. I probably should've anyway.

Our first stop was the Rosenlunds. They were so kind to watch our car for us while Eli was with us. We sure missed our good friends from Houston recently moved to Utah. More girl time for Sennia and Elise and poor Brigham did his best to wait around.

After we left the Rosenlunds I got to drive a very dirty Molly. I pumped my own gas for the first time in a year, I took her through the car wash and I took this picture and asked Matt what the light was about. He said that it meant a headlight was out-no biggy. Well, that's true but it was the least of my worries. I had to go through the dreaded Parley's Canyon on the way to Ashley's house and poor Molly began overheating. I turned off the A/C and slowed down and we made it to Heber but turns out there was barely any coolant. Poor Molly. Car trouble is a huge stress trigger. So thankful we made it.

Since we arrived there has been soooo much fun cousin time. Beckett is a little more grown-up than Elise and he wants to be a teen-ager. Thankfully Elise is good going both ways though she does beg him to play pretend with her. They've played lots of card games and some imagination games. They've also gone to the park with older cousins.

So EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. we go to Utah, we have an emergency. Broken bone, lots of asthma and illness. Sure enough, Elise had Asthma, Sennia threw up, etc etc. it's the curse. I end up sleeplessly on the verge of losing it. Well, this time I really took things in stride. At least the first week.

This rainbow is really symbolic for me of this trip. Every time there has been a trial, it's been cushioned by silver linings-rainbows from the storm if you will.

We had a lake day which was a trial to me because my children, especially Brigham, wrestled with themselves trying to fit into this group of friends and yet not having quite enough courage to keep trying and trying and trying. For me to watch the huge gambit of emotions just made me frustrated and anxious for 3 hrs. I really wanted to pack them up and leave. Then, finally, after being there over 3 hrs, Brigham finally got into the fun. Alena and Sennia sort of paddled the perimeter and I think that was fine with them. They were all a lot older so it's understandable that Sennia was struggling and I think that's where Alena was comfortable considering it was a lake party. Both Brigham and Elise lost their goggles-Brigham's were brand-new and costly. He was pretty wrecked over that.

She and Beckett took turns paddling in this cute little Kayak. She loved it.

We had a great shopping afternoon. I have a lot I need to buy to get through the next year overseas and to get set up for Samuel. Having Ashley around helps me spend money and make decisions. It's not my favorite thing.

We went to church in a neighboring ward because Ezra, Enoch and their friends were singing. I requested staying and attending the other meetings because I was so excited about being in a real ward with lots of people. I wanted my kids to have a real Primary experience and a real youth exposure. Not that Oman Branch isn't real, but it is very unique and sometimes it's nice to have a larger population density to observe. We did a couple of fun things that day. We got the kids together and worked on a version of happy birthday for my Dad and videoed that for him. Brigham played the piano, Ezra and Ethne on violin, Enoch on the Uke, Elise with tambourine, Beckett on the spoons and Alena, Garrett, Ashley and myself singing. Then we went and sang to one of their friends for her birthday. I took this photo as we were all going back in. I think it captures a lot of reality.