Not smiling so much today

Robbie crashed on his snowboard yesterday.

On his last run of the day.

(intended or not)

He was going down a pipe backwards and caught the back edge of his snowboard.

He fell on the pipe, perpendicular to it and landed on his lower back.

(and you thought you'd never use geometry)

It doesn't look like anything is broken but he's in quite a bit of pain and his back is spasming. 

He's home to recooperate. 

He slept well last night thanks to ibuprofen, muscle relaxants and pain medicine.

Hopefully he will heal quickly.

I'm glad he's nearby so I can mother him a bit.

We feel very blessed that it wasn't any worse. 

I'm thankful that his friend was able to drive him home from Park City

and that the doctor's office was able to get us in yesterday evening.

Many things to be thankful for.

Submitted

Christian's mission application was submitted this week.

He made his own appointments and got most everything done with little help from me.

I was actually out of town for much of it.

It seems unreal to me.

Is he really this old?

He doesn't actually turn 19 until June 3rd.

His availability date it June 17, last day of Spring semester at BYU.

February 17th was the earliest he could turn in his papers, and that's when they went in.

Because Aaron is the oldest I saw it coming and prepared myself for it.

I was also more prepared for Robbie to go

but it seemed I would have more time...

more time to think about it?

more time to help him get his stuff done?

I don't know what or why I thought that...

It just seemed getting the paperwork done for the other boys took longer and I prepared myself a little more as we were going through the process. 

But the application has been submitted and we begin the waiting game. 

Were and when?

I have tried to imagine what it must be like...

Waiting for an envelope to come in the mail telling you where you will spend two years of your life...what language you will be speaking, the climate you will be living in and the culture you will be immersed in... the people you will come to love.

I do know that where ever he goes it will be by divine design and not by chance.

And were ever he goes the people will be blessed by a wonderful, kind, spiritual young man.

**I got a call yesterday that the doctor forgot to check a box on the application, 

looks like the call may take an extra week**

I'm not sure if the guessing and speculating about where he will be going is helpful but it's something to do...

Any thoughts?

Becoming

I've come a long way since meeting my sweetheart. 

My 30th high school reunion is this summer.

As people prepare and plan for this event I have come in contact with many people that I haven't seen in a very long time. It's interesting to get a glimpse into where choices and circumstances have taken them over the years.

I've also thought about where I was when I graduated from high school and where I am now. Many people have influenced my life but none so great as my wonderful husband. While both of us are far from perfect he really does bring out the best in me.

I believe more in my abilities and my capabilities.

I have done things and accomplished things I wasn't sure I could do.

I have learned things about the world, the gospel and myself that I'm not sure I would have learned without his love, example and encouragement. He is always there offering support when I was discouraged or frustrated. He has helped me see things more clearly, be more practical and not try to do everything. He has made me laugh, worked knots out of my back until his hands ached, and held me close when I've been sad.

I still have a lot to learn but I'm glad I don't have to do it alone.

I love you sweetie!

 

Being Missed

When we arrived home from Sacramento late Monday night I walked into the house

and found it immaculately clean. 

WOW.

Every surface had been cleaned or vacuumed.  No dishes... not even clean ones in the dishwasher. No laundry waiting to be washed except for what we brought in our suitcases. 

I have heard tales of other Moms leaving their families for a time and coming home to near disasters. They seem to take it all in stride as part of the cost of a trip. I didn't realized how blessed I am to have such an on the ball family. Actually I suspect that the house stays cleaner when I'm gone then when I'm home - I like to think it's because there's not a lot of cooking prep work to do or other creative messes being made. 

I also try to make my absence as painless as possible.

To some it may seem that they did just fine without me.

And they did

But it's not that I wasn't missed.

Hugs on my return were a little tighter.

Time spend talking a little more valued.

Snuggling with my hubby a little more sweeter.

Abscence does make the heart grow fonder

and coming home to a clean house makes me feel more appreciated.

I know they love me for more than my ability to cook and clean house.

thank goodness

A dream...

I awoke this morning to the sound of Marks alarm...

I had slept through mine. 

I put on my robe and made my way through the dark hall and down the stairs.

  A blanket of fresh snow covered the yard and seemed to glow in the predawn light.

This night time snowfall was no surprise as we had driven home from the airport in it last night.

I went about my morning on autopilot and for a moment it seemed as though the last 10 days were only a dream. The lingering images of a sweet and wonderful experience that I didn't want to end. 

When Amy picked me up from the airport on Friday, January 28, she was having contractions...

Wow! what perfect timing we thought. But, they soon stopped and we resigned ourselves to the fact that the baby would not be coming tonight.

Saturday was cold and rainy.

I watched and learned Ruby's routine, sent Jordan and Amy out to dinner

and spent countless hours in the magical world of a toddler about to turn three. 

Sunday morning about 5:30 Amy quietly went into the kitchen to get a drink and then back to her room. Around 7:00 she came out again and told me they were going to the hospital.

It was January 30, her due date.

Peter Bevan Wright 

was born around 11:15am.

7 lbs. 3 oz 

19 1/2 inches

That afternoon Ruby met her new brother...

and I met my first grandson.

The time that followed is a glorious blur. Sleepy morning smiles, playing in the bath, reading books, singing songs, playing in the dark, chasing and being chased, running in the grass, racing down slides, watching the expressions of a sweet newborn, fixing meals, talking with my sweet daughter and her hubby about the experiences they were in the middle of and were yet to come.

But especially at night, I missed my companion and family I had left behind and knew this daydream would soon be ending...

and my heart ached in both directions.

Missing home and knowing I would miss this sweet family too.

It feels good to be home, even with the snow... 

but I wonder if Ruby got up this morning and wondered where I was...