I like them here

Braeden and Anna are flying to Virginia today to spend time with her family and then they're going to the part of Virginia that was in Braeden's mission and he will reconnect with his people there.

I'll miss having Braeden around.

He's easy to get used to.  He bounces around spreading sunshine and empties the dishwasher in clamorous ways and gives me hugs and encouragement whenever I need it.

Speaking of hugs, I sure am enjoying having Emma here.  She gives the best hugs in the world which is a little ironic because I've almost bought this shirt for her a few times.

It reminds me of her because she isn't going to be giving hugs out willy nilly.  Not that girl.  I'm grateful to be one of the people that can get one on demand.

I love that Emma keeps sitting down at the piano to play songs she knows or songs she's written and then sings along with her lovely voice.

Why did I ever let these kids go to college in the first place?  I like them here.

Everything is awesome

If you tell yourself that enough is it true?

These two memes sum up my weekend.

Sometimes good things come out of tough weekends.  Progress and whatnot.  We got our kids' stuff all settled.  We cleaned Emma's apartment.  We finally found drip pans to replace the ones in the ancient stove in her ancient apartment.  We talked about big things and little things and I felt buoyed and lifted just having those kids around.  Sometimes they're a hot mess but they're my circus and my monkeys.  I love them and I love the time we have together.

Anna spent Sunday with us and she is a delight.  We all love her and feel so fortunate to have her joining our family.

And I may resemble Jessica, age 27, but hey.  She's smiling.

Grateful Friday

My college kids are home!  Also, it was an ordeal.  We were a car down because Adam's is at the airport and he's in Indianapolis but Braeden was a champion and brought Loki here so Mark could use that and he drove the van to Provo and I drove Joan.

Braeden and Anna were further champions by loading all of Emma's stuff in the cars and then helping clean.

Emma only had one roommate because one of them went home early so they divided up the cleaning jobs and Emma got the laundry room and kitchen.  She cleaned her room and the laundry room and Anna and Braeden and I tackled the kitchen.

The oven/stove are probably older than me and seemed like they hadn't been cleaned since the 70s.  Yikes.

I snapped a picture of Anna at the helm because she was amazing.  She took off years of grime with a Brillo pad.  We all took a turn and tried to channel Anna.

Clean a kitchen with your future daughter in law and fall in love all over again.  I love that girl!  She is moving out of her apartment in June and I told her WE OWE YOU.  We are going to show up and clean!

Braeden tackled a stain on the ancient linoleum with a Mr. Clean Eraser and started making a hole in the linoleum!  Stop!  Leave it!

College apartments are such a sham.  They are so overpriced for what you get.  And I'm pretty sure when people don't pass their cleaning checks, they charge them and then don't get it cleaned and it just builds up until someone like Anna comes along.

We finally finished and I told Braeden and Anna to pick where we went for dinner.  We landed at Sam Hawk which is delicious but was slow and I was so hungry bordering on whiny.

We got home late enough that there is still stuff piled around but they are home!  It's a nice feeling to know they're here under our roof.  For now.  It's all fleeting.  Having kids in college is a messy revolving door (seriously, you should see downstairs) but it is wonderful too.  They are learning hard lessons of adulthood.  They are endlessly entertaining and kind and buoy me up.

I like it here.

(And Adam will be home tonight!)

The playground ecosystem

At recess, I have time on my hands to people watch.  Granted, the people are all little ones but they are still interesting and have lessons to teach.

Soccer is popular and so are the swings.  Athletic boys kick a soccer ball and dive and argue and finally defer to the tallest boy who settles all disagreements.

(You know how lots of CEOs are tall?  That starts in elementary school apparently.)

Boys and girls race to the swings and arc their bodies to get higher and higher and then they jump recklessly from the swings and sometimes land flat on their backs in the forgiving bark.  Then they jump up and try again.

More timid kids walk the perimeter of the playground or toss a ball half-heartedly at the basketball hoop.  Some of the girls swing on the monkey bars and gossip.

A few girls cluster around the soccer game, watching the boys and shoving each other forward and then running away embarrassed and the boys are completely oblivious of their admirers.

Some of the sort of weird kids walk around alone, talking to themselves.  Occasionally they will intersect but usually if someone talks to them, they look startled because they are so deeply engrossed in their own inner lives.  They come across as quirky, but I think those kids are probably the most interesting if you could just crack the code of what they're imagining.

Hardly a recess goes by when someone doesn't get hurt and cry.   If a girl gets hurt, she almost always wants a hug and words of comfort.  Her friends run to alert me, then gather around and wrap arms around her and kind of enjoy the drama.  If a boy gets hurt, especially one of the soccer players, they try desperately not to cry and their friends stand around awkwardly and look to me for guidance.  I usually cross the soccer field and pick the hurt boy up and say, "Are you all right?  Want to sit out for awhile?"

They almost always quickly swipe away their tears with the backs of their hands and say, "No.  I'm OK."

Yesterday a group was playing four square.  One of the boys was wearing sunglasses and was hit in the face with the ball.  He started to cry.  Immediately a small crowd surrounded him.  It is sort of exciting when someone's hurt.  Are they bleeding?!?  The other teacher on recess duty was closer to the action and headed that way.  I noticed a boy named Blake across the playground.  He saw what was happening and that someone was crying and sprinted over.  I've never noticed these two boys being particularly friendly.  They're in two different third grade classes.  But Blake hurried to his side.  He put a hand on the hurt boy's shoulder and spoke something to him.  The teacher checked in and the crowd dispersed because the excitement was over.

But it wasn't.

The boy who was hurt went over to sit on a bench and Blake went with him.  They sat side by side, talking a little bit, but not really.  Blake was just sitting with him.  After awhile they got up and ran over to the slide and started climbing together.

Just a recess with nothing too earth shattering, but don't you just love Blake?  Sometimes all we need is someone to sit by us, you know?  Sometimes we need someone who is there not because of the drama or duty, but just because we are in distress.

I want to be like Blake.

Slow progress is still progress

Adam's been sick.  I felt terrible leaving for work yesterday morning because he was feverish and when he gets like that, he's not fabulous at taking care of himself.  I did the reasonable thing and texted my big kids.  They're on the tail end of finals and I thought there may be a chance one of them could come home and take care of him/drag him to the doctor (because dragging is involved).

Braeden answered immediately that he had just finished his last final and he was at my disposal.  (He's the kind of kid that just finished his last final before 8:00 AM.)  Braeden drove home and gave his dad a priesthood blessing and tried unsuccessfully to get him to the doctor.  (You've never met such a stubborn man...oh wait, you've met Emma and Mark?  They got it from somewhere....)

Braeden texted, "Should I push him?  Do you wanna push him?"

Now Braeden is a world champion persistent talk-you-into-anything sort.  I called him on my lunch break.  We discussed.  I knew Braeden could wear Adam down with entreaties to go to the doctor but Adam was sleeping so I called off the hounds and Braeden went back to Provo.

I was so grateful for that kid.  For showing up.  For serving his dad (and me).

**

*

At the school where I work, they are doing construction.  They are building an addition in the front of the school that will be the new office.  They have cordoned off the inside with plywood and an opaque fence surrounds the outside.  The other day, some of the fencing was opened and I peeked inside.  What I saw was a lot of nothing.  They've made a tremendous amount of noise and they've been working every day for over a month but what they've been doing is foundation type stuff.  I don't know what exactly, I'm not really that good at construction.

**

*

In parenting, some days are super hard.  Sometimes you're just physically spent and sometimes the emotional toll exhausts you.  Sometimes you look around and think, besides the fact that everyone is still alive, that you don't really have much to show for your work.

Sometimes though, you need one of your kids.  You send up a distress call and they are there.  You realize they are your ride or die people and that parenting must have meant something because these kids are spectacular.

So if you're in the stage of parenting that feels like the construction at the school, (and some days I feel like I am still at that stage as big as these people are), take heart.  All that daily-ness adds up.

And this morning at 6:34, I got a text from Braeden asking me how his dad is feeling.  He's done with finals and he was up texting at that hour.  I love that early bird!

More than just a theory

Mark came home from school yesterday with a particular slump to his shoulders.  He looked sad.  He said, "School was hard today."

And I knew why.

Sunday night we got an email that there had been a student at his school who committed suicide.  Mark didn't know the student.  But yesterday afternoon, he said, "School felt different today."  I asked him if lots of people were talking about it (I had already advised him the night before that if he heard any rumors, to let them die with him).  Mark said, "Not really, but everyone was sad.  It just felt sad."

He didn't know how to express it any differently than that and I guess I wouldn't either.

I hadn't had lunch yet and Mark is always up for second lunch so I took him to Costa Vida.  We talked about his day.  He told me about different teachers and what they had said.  He told me with a small smile about what his friend had said in seminary.  His friend has autism and makes seminary interesting some days.  But yesterday, referring to the student who died, he said simply, "He's in heaven now."

Mark's seminary teacher said, "Yes, he is."

And they talked about it, which made me grateful for his seminary teacher.

I talked to Mark about the Resurrection and the power of Jesus Christ that allows us strength and the Holy Ghost that gives us comfort.  I hope and pray that the family of the boy who died can feel comfort from those sources.

Yesterday morning I talked to my mom who is having her own different kinds of struggles, health struggles.  We talked about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the way we truly learn to access that power when we have no where else to turn.

"Otherwise, it would just be a nice theory," I said.

Life can be hard and hard to understand though.  There's nothing nice about suffering.  I'm so grateful for help that reaches for us when we can't quite reach for ourselves.

Easter part II.  That was yesterday.

Easter

Saturday we went to Trader Joe's for flowers.  They were almost gone.  The lady working there said, "Isn't that sad looking?  I didn't order enough."

Trader Joe flowers for Easter = not an original idea.

They're so pretty though, that's why everyone wants some.  I came home and made three bouquets with the flowers I got.  Then I started taking pictures of all the Easter cheer because I like holidays and holiday decorations.

In lieu of Easter baskets, I assembled these little bags for my Sunday kids (a slightly bigger group than my actual kids.)

the ones with ribbons are for the boys

Someone gave me these blue goblets and Adam said they don't go with anything so now I'm determined to use them ALL THE TIME.  (I like them.)

I made a lemon cake and decorated it with rosemary and  candied oranges (also from Trader Joe's).  I thought maybe it looked more like Christmas than Easter but at least I didn't smash this one with the cake cover.

I read an article in the New York Times that was sort of shocking to me.  Granted, I don't get out much.  It was an interview between the author and a Christian minister.  The minister said she didn't believe that Christ was born of a virgin, nor did she believe in the Resurrection.  When the author countered, "But you call yourself a Christian?" she said what she believes in is love.

It gave me pause.

Because what I believe in is miracles.

The miracles of Christ's birth and of His great atoning sacrifice really happened.  I wasn't witness to either of them but I have felt the Holy Ghost confirm their reality to me.  Also, I have been forgiven and I have found the power to forgive.  Those feel like miracles.  I have been strengthened in my darkest hours.  I have found the strength to go on and I have found that strength through Jesus Christ's grace.  Miracles.

Braeden taught our gospel discussion Sunday.  Beforehand, he asked us to come prepared to talk about which of the many witnesses of the Resurrection was most meaningful to us.  I couldn't decide. I loved different things about all of them.  Mostly, I loved the way they made me feel.  I loved the reminders of what I know and what I believe.  Ours is a God of miracles.  He sent His Son to earth to teach us and lead us by His example.  Then, incomprehensibly (so maybe that's why the minister in the article doesn't buy it) He somehow suffered for all of our pains and sins.  He died for us and on the third day, He rose again.  He conquered both sin and death for you and for me.

I believe in miracles.

Grateful Friday

What's NOT to love?

Here's what has been making me happy + grateful lately:

1) The weather.  Sunshine and lots of it.  It's been warm, not just warmish, but warm.  I love it.

2) Mark took a walk with me.  No one loves taking walks with me (I miss my walking buddies--it's one of the things I miss most about Washington), but Mark will walk with me occasionally and I am grateful.

3) The funny and completely random things schoolchildren say.  They delight me.

4) The sound of a lawnmower and smell of cut grass.

5) We have a venue all decided upon and reserved for the wedding reception.  And I love it.

6) Our BYU kids will be home next week!  Braeden will be in and out all summer (mostly out) and then married (!) but I'll enjoy him while I've got him.

7) I had book club last night.  Book club makes me think and makes me laugh and makes me feel like I belong.  Also we had a s'mores bar.  So there's that.

8)  It's Easter this Sunday.  I love Easter.  I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for the times and ways I have been buoyed by His grace.

Adulting

those striving climbing kids....

Lately our kids have felt really grown up.  I don't even have any funny memes or text conversations on my phone from them.  I think everyone's been too busy.  Braeden and Emma are in the throes of the end of year and finals and just trying to survive.  Emma texted the other night requesting advice because she strongly suspected a student had plagiarized a paper she was correcting.  Braeden texted a few nights ago wondering if he and Anna bought a mattress, they could store it here until they get married.

These seem like pretty adult things to be texting your mom about.

Mark helped plan and prepare for a priest-laurel activity they had at our house last night.  They had an Easter egg hunt with get to know you questions tucked inside the eggs (along with candy).

Mark was lying on the couch afterward like a damp rag.  "That was exhausting," he said.

I asked him how he thought it went.  He leaned up on an elbow and said, "I think it went well.  Everyone was talking and being social and that's what we wanted to happen."

They're definitely growing up.

Rain washed

I lived in the Pacific Northwest long enough to give rain the side eye.  Give me sun, lots of sun.  And blue skies.

But.

I've lived in the high desert long enough to know that rain is a welcome guest.

And it does make the world lovely and fresh.

I love the barely there spring green leaves clinging to the trees and a sprinkling of blossoms just starting.

Daffodils shining among the dead stuff from last year I should get rid of but haven't.

green green grass--and a niece sized hole in the trampoline reminiscent of the time she didn't sue us for damages and emotional suffering when our trampoline failed

Here are things I'm ready for:

sitting on the deck

complaining about how hot it is

barefoot evenings on the grass

watering flowers in pots

the night sounds of sprinklers

more BBQ and less oven

picking fresh tomatoes for dinner



It's coming!  And all the green is the first sign.  It's coming!

Sad

Yesterday Emma texted that Notre Dame was on fire.  It took a minute for me to even process what she was saying.  I googled it and then my heart was broken.

This picture wrecked me a little:

It's one of the loveliest places I've ever been.

I have such wonderful memories of being there with my girl and her best friends.  I don't have the words to explain how it felt to be in that beautiful place and to feel the centuries of prayers uttered there by faithful churchgoers.

So I'll just leave some pictures here.

Sunday

It was a delight.

I almost always feel like lying down afterward because I'm exhausted but it also is a highlight of my week.

We celebrated Anna's birthday, which is on Thursday.  (I should have taken some pictures of the celebration/group.)

Here are some of the things that delighted me:

Anna's sister Natalie came.  I hadn't met her before and really liked her (not surprisingly).

Leif and Freja arrived and Leif had apparently not believed Braeden when he told him he and Anna were engaged because he had told him on April 1 and Leif thought it was "the perfect setup."

"What?!?" Freja said.  "You're engaged!  I had no idea!"  She hugged them both with tears in her eyes.  Then she told Braeden she would have been upset with him if it hadn't happened. That is how much everyone loves Anna.

Earlier in the day, I had shown Adam a suspiciously still clump of animal fur in the front flower bed.  Was it dead?  No one in our family is tough enough to willingly approach and deal with a potentially dead animal.  Then I remembered Desi and Liberty would be up to the challenge.

It turned out to be a cat and it left so crisis averted.

But Desi and Liberty said they would have been happy to deal with it.  These are the kinds of people I need in my life!

We had a really great gospel discussion led by Adam.  Those kids have good insights.

Despite being too tall for the cover (which I discovered only when I placed the cover on so I knew the top frosting would stick), the cake turned out OK.  Anna's favorite is red velvet and I was going to buy a cake because I hadn't ever made a red velvet cake that didn't taste like food coloring.  Emma told me that a homemade cake would be much more meaningful.  So I did it.  And it tasted pretty good.  I scooped the frosting off the inside of the cake cover and patched the frosting.  (So it tasted better than it looked.)

When we gave Anna her presents, someone said, "Is it time for gifts or gifs?"

So then everyone pulled out their phone and sent her a gif prior to her opening her gifts.  I think it should be a new tradition.

There was a little bit of time before they needed to head back.  We decided not enough time for The Great British Baking Show (which every one of us loves) but enough time for a game.

We played After the Manner of the Adverb.  Mark said he didn't know what an adverb was.  I said, "I taught you that!"

He said, "Apparently not."

Desi said, "The same kids can learn different things from the same homeschool."

I said, "Yeah, Mark.  Emma knows what adverbs are."

(Although to be fair she was probably born knowing what adverbs are.)

It is a recipe for success to play After the Manner of the Adverb with uninhibited and theatrical college students with big vocabularies.  (And an uninhibited and theatrical 16 year old with a big vocabulary even though he had to be reminded what an adverb is.)

Grateful Friday

Two things happened yesterday:

1) I got an email informing me that it is official and I am now a licensed teacher.  It wasn't exactly a surprise because I had turned in all the necessary documentation and requirements but still, it feels really nice to have that all done!

2) I realized I wouldn't change a thing.

I have had a few interviews (that didn't result in jobs) and I've received other rejection emails without even getting an interview (I think they're mostly shifting teachers around in house at this point).  It has been a little discouraging.  At one interview I was asked about my experience with RTI.  I had no idea what that was.  Education is one of those places that loves a good acronym.  I don't know all the acronyms though because I've been out of the game.

I have since learned that RTI is response to intervention.  That is literally all I do at my job now.  I absolutely know what it is.  I just didn't know that I knew what it was....

Back to I realized I wouldn't change a thing, I wouldn't.

I am not always in the know or familiar with the acronyms and current jargon because I chose to stay home with my kids.  I had the luxury and complete blessing to be a full time mother (and to homeschool).  If that makes it harder for me to get a job now, I will accept that as a consequence of my choice.

It was worth it.

Believe me, I know

Since we know how to party and by party I mean have radon mitigation done in our home, we had the installation guy here.

He saw the (impossibly tiny and cute) Mariners jersey that Braeden and Mark wore when they were preschoolers.

I tacked it onto the wall because it is that tiny and cute.

The guy asked, "So you're Mariners fans?"

I said yes.  Because Adam.  Seriously.

I told him we used to live in Seattle and he said he used to live in Oregon so we had a little Pacific Northwest bond.

Then he said, "You know the Mariners are number one in the league right now? Did you know that!?!"

And I did.  Because Adam.  Seriously.

Be still

I read a poem by Mary Oliver recently that has been rolling around my mind.

Wild Geese

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees 

for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

     love what it loves.                         

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting—

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things.

First of all, I don't totally agree with the first part of the poem.  I think you should try your best to be good and if I let the soft animal of my body love what it loves, I would only eat brownies so that's not a great plan.

I do love the rest of the poem though.

I thought about it when I was pulling the dead leaves off of one of my plants.  The rhythms of nature, the sheer predictability and unpredictability can be soothing.  In a world where I can't always control what I want to control-- people, outcomes, diagnoses, wellness, results, did I mention people?-- it is nice to be reminded by nature that we can't control it either.

While I write this, rain is pelting my house.  It doesn't matter whether I want rain or not.  It doesn't matter how I feel about it in the least.  It's happening.

There's something consoling about that.

I think the world with its seasons that unfold on their own timetable without any vote, approval or control by us, is instructive.  I think Heavenly Father made a beautiful, wild and out of our control world to remind us every day, "Be still and know that I am God."

Conference weekend

I love it.

I loved listening to the Saturday sessions in the car and it certainly made the time speed by.

I loved watching the Sunday sessions here with my people.

We had our kids and Anna who kind of feels like one of our kids now and Desi and Liberty and Zack who are really sort of our kids too.

We had a weird lunch of leftovers from our snack stash of our trip.  Mark was a little nonplussed because he'd been looking at the food all week.

(He didn't starve though, in case any of you were worried.)

Tears sprang to my eyes a few times as I listened to our inspired leaders and felt like what they were saying was a direct answer to something in my soul.  It is amazing how the Spirit teaches us each individually and minsters to our specific lives while we all listen to the same messages.

We took a walk after the last session on our glorious mountain trail (which isn't ours but we've claimed by proximity).  It was a lovely lovely day.

Desi and Liberty and Mark and Zack enthusiastically took to the trampoline and were jumping acrobatically and athletically and a hole popped right in the middle of it!  Luckily no one was hurt.  Because no one was hurt, it was funny and every time I look out the window and see the gaping hole, it makes me giggle a little.

Also, Desi stirred up excitement (which is one of her many talents) and got us all on Pinterest looking at wedding colors.

Planning a wedding with the women in my life feels like a fun adventure and I feel like I pretty much have the dream team on my side.  And Anna?  She's the best.  The best.

I feel like such a lucky duck.

Emma's 15 seconds of fame

Saturday we drove from Denver to home and listened to General Conference while we drove.

Because of that, we weren't able to watch the Saturday afternoon session and Emma sang at it!

Adam and I both cried during each song they sang because it sounded amazing and we were grateful that Emma had the great opportunity to sing at General Conference and we felt the Spirit and we are crying weirdos.

Braeden and Anna were able to go to the Conference Center and watch and I'm glad they were there.

While we were driving, our phones lit up, "Is that Emma?" texts came in from right and left (or, you know...Washington and Utah at least) including one from our bishop and a high councilor who used to be assigned to our ward.

I've since gone back and watched her and took a screen shot:

My little songbird.  She loves to sing and I love to hear her sing.

I also loved hearing about her experience.  She loved that every song they sang was about Jesus Christ.  She loved the greetings they got from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.  She loved the boxed lunch they provided.  She said she heard one of the boys say that the lunch tipped the scales and he now wanted to join the Tabernacle Choir some day.

She added another chapter to her hydro flask saga.  She maybe loves that thing.

They wouldn't let her take it in the Conference Center and she tried to put it back on one of the seven chartered buses that took them to SLC.  She said she was walking back toward the buses and instead of being parked at the curb like she thought, they were actually in a lane and when the light changed, they all pulled away.  She said, "It was very cinematic."

She went back to the Conference Center unsure of what to do.  She saw a kindly usher, wearing a gray top hat (is this starting to sound like someone describing a dream?).  She said she didn't know where to put her water bottle.  He sympathized and said, "You can't just stash it on the grounds because if it's found, it will get thrown away.  And I know those things are expensive."

He sensed that Emma was distraught.  (She has the disposition of a temperamental creative genius...because she sort of is one.)  He asked, "Will you remember how I look?"

She didn't know what to say.

He pointed to his head and said, "I'm wearing a top hat.  Will you remember that?"

She said yes.

He took the water bottle and slid it inside his coat and said, "I'll be at door 16 after the session."

I LOVE THAT GUY.

After they sang (and Emma said no one tells you how hard it will be to sing after Elder Holland gives an amazing talk--she said she was crying and trying not to cry because who knew if the camera was on her), President Worthen and his wife greeted them. (He's the president of BYU.)  With tears in his eyes, he told them hearing them was the highlight of conference for him.  He hugged their directors and then shook each of their hands.

Grateful Friday

Blogging time and opportunity are elusive but I will try to record some things.  Santa Fe was beautiful.  So many towns look like each other but Santa Fe has its own thing going for it.  The weather was bright and sunny but chiiiiiilly.

We walked around looking at sights and went into a beautiful cathedral.

Also, I bought some turquoise and silver earrings.

Then we headed to Oklahoma City.

Indian reservations and high desert changed to cattle country.  It’s a lovely and varied country out there.

The next morning we went to the Oklahoma City National Memorial.  It is sad and maybe a lot for Mark but I also think in our culture of violent video games and body count movies, it is good to appreciate what the horrors of actual violence are.  Some things are worth remembering and heroes are worth celebrating.

In the afternoon we went to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.  My mom—who has logged plenty of time there—just calls it The Hall.  It is where the Tradional Cowboy Artist Association (of which my dad is a member) has their annual exhibit and sale.  We knew that the museum had purchased some of my dad’s work in the past but my parents didn’t think it was on display.

Well it was!

Not every day you see some of your grandpa's work in a museum.

That night we headed to Ponca City.  I don't know what I was expecting but it was a lovely little town.  

Wednesday we met Katie and her girls in Pawhuska.

I've read the Pioneer Woman't blog for awhile and it was fun to go to Pawhuska and see the Mercantile.

It was even more fun to have lunch and spend time with these lovely ladies.

Charlotte 

Katie and Olivia--I wish I had a better picture of Katie but this is pretty representative of her taking care of her girls.

Ruby

We visited a few stores and went to the swinging bridge.

It was freaky and as predicted by his cousins, Mark ran across it.

We visited a museum devoted to Pawhuska history.  They boast of having the first ever American Boy Scout troop, so the kids memorialized that achievement with this picture:

In other news, if you need a gallon can of vanilla pudding, you can pick one up at Pawhuska Hometown Foods.

No, Pawhuska.  Thank YOU.

We spent that evening and yesterday with Tabor and Katie and girls.  I read the girls a story and they led me in "Primary Yoga."  

They hid eggs so Mark and I had an Easter egg hunt and we ate delicious food prepared by Katie.

Tabor asked Adam and Mark to help him with an adventure.  He was moving three calves to another pen (which is what they call corrals there).  Tabor said he needed big strong boys to help him and Adam and Mark signed right up.  He roped the calves and they were each going to "lead" one down the way.  I thought it seemed like a disaster waiting to happen but they actually did it.  (Katie and I opened the gate, actually we opened two gates because we got the wrong one the first time.)

Yesterday Adam and Mark and I went on a feeding expedition with Tabor.  It had rained all night and the fields were supremely muddy.

Imagine us slipping and sliding and drifting sideways in the mud in an enormous truck pulling a heavy trailer.

It was a wild ride.

Initially I had cheekily asked Tabor if he was ever tempted to clean his truck but then I understood.

Cleaning is futile.

We even got a big splotch of mud right in the middle of the windshield.

Also, the cattle didn't seem to mind the dirty truck.  They came running.

I snapped a selfie of me with my little brother. My face looks a bit distorted, but you get the idea.  We were together in an astonishingly dirty truck in deep mud.

I'm so glad we got to see them and spend a little time, however short.

It's always nice to be around someone who knows your story.

Spring break

We have been having a wonderful time.

Mark and Adam are great travel companions.  Adam has taken on most of the driving and entertaining.  He created the game M&M roulette.  Will you get the jalapeño?  

I surveyed his offerings and said, “No peanut?”  (Because those are the best.).

Adam said, “I didn’t want to be excessive.”

Mark has been the keeper of snacks and the valet driver (he goes to park at every hotel) and he keeps me laughing.

At the Grand Canyon, on top of a lookout tower, he said, “You can see Utah from here!”

You could also see this:

Believe the hype about the Grand Canyon.  It's pretty grand.

So are these two:

I love deserts.

We stayed in Flagstaff that night and the next morning drove to Santa Fe.

I talked to Olivia that morning from Flagstaff and she asked, "Is that on the way to Oklahoma?!?"

I said, "Everything is on the way to Oklahoma if you try hard enough."

We stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park.

We didn't take much time to explore it but were fascinated by an old inn that was built by the CCC.

In Gallup, NM, we saw a store called First American Trader.

Mark said, slightly disgusted, "The first American traitor was Benedict Arnold."

Pretty much from the time we hit New Mexico, we were in a snowstorm.  It snowed all the way to Santa Fe and we happily tucked into our warm hotel room, awaiting new adventures.