So I haven’t exactly been a consistent blogger this summer. And I’m sure, if asked, my children would tell you that I’ve laid around like a slug the past few months. But, in spite of the lack of writing and activity this past season, it was a great one. And many, many times I thought of coming downstairs to our computer, logging on, and sharing some of those moments. It was usually about then that I started feeling sick again and—well, enough about that. Here instead, is the highlight reel from summer of 2008.
In May, a few days before Mother’s Day, I found out I might get the opportunity to be a mother again. I was euphoric and teary and scared all at once, especially remembering last Mother’s Day when I was still devastated from our latest loss and could barely drag myself to church. But mostly this May I was hopeful and grateful, for the children already sitting beside me and the possibility of a new life.
Also in May my mother came for a two week visit. Two whole weeks–I can’t remember the last time we’ve had that much time together (maybe like 20 years ago, just before I got married), and I was in heaven. She came during some of the worst of my sickness and took care of me. She mothered me. And it had been a very long time since I’d had someone do that too. We had great conversations. She sewed American Girl clothes with my youngest, saw my girls dance for the first time, and imparted wisdom (similar to that which I attempt to dispense) to my teenagers. I cried when we took her to the airport to go home. Unfortunately, neither of us live in the financial realm where frequent cross country trips are a possibility. She has a husband, eight dogs, and a teaching job. My family keeps me close to home. We don’t have the same cell phone carriers, so we even have to watch our minutes when we call. But for those two weeks in May, it was wonderful to have her here and so much a part of our lives.
In June we heard the miraculous sound of a heartbeat—other than mine—beating strong inside me. And on a day I thought for sure that heartbeat had ceased, I saw the first images of our baby, alive and well. Ultrasounds have certainly improved in the last eight years, and it was amazing—at only eleven weeks—to see that little face, hand pressed next to it, as if deep in contemplation. Probably our baby was thinking hard—something along the lines of . . .What have I done? Agreeing to come to this crazy family?!
July was the month of our much-anticipated family vacation to Aspen Grove. I found myself rejoicing that the ride was short, not only because of gas prices, but because of my constant state of “car sickness.” Though it took us only thirty minutes to get there, Aspen Grove truly was like being in another world—an absolutely fantastic one.
The first afternoon our two teenagers were whining about having to take time off work and away from friends to go to “some stupid camp.” By the end of day two, they were asking if we could do this vacation again next year. Everyone in our family from our youngest on up had a great week. We played together, made new friends, ate way more than we should have, and truly had the “time of our lives.” Some highlights of our week included watching our youngest daughter decked out in a “fro” wig perform YMCA the last night of camp, seeing our son dancing with his sisters (and actually having fun) at the family dance night, watching our oldest daughter make it up to the top of the rope course—a huge feat for her, watching our middle daughter try three times and then successfully make it to the top of the rock wall, taking a wheel-thrown pottery class with my husband (Ghost anyone? Yeah right! I had clay everywhere—including a chunk I found in my ear later that night), taking second place in the Aspen family follies, and many, many more things. Over the years our family has has taken some amazing vacations, but we all agreed Aspen Grove was the best. Yes, it was even worth going without AC in our Suburban one more summer.
August too was full of fun. Our teenagers took off for Texas and California, leaving me some time alone with our two youngest girls. Two dollar Tuesdays at Thanksgiving Point turned out to be a great date for the three of us, and I spent a delightful day in their company. There was no fighting all day, and much gratitude on their part. It was one of those rare, perfect days of motherhood, when everyone got along, acted as if they were the other’s best friend, and appreciated everything they were able to do. From playing in the sand at the dinosaur museum, to wandering the gardens together, to the wagon ride in the rain, it was a delightful day, one that made me so grateful for my girls.
August also gave us one more big reason to be grateful—this time for the little boy that will be joining our family in a few months. What relief and gratitude we felt, seeing his picture again, and learning he was well and healthy. It’s been nearly eighteen years since we’ve had a baby boy, and we couldn’t be more delighted. If all goes well, we’ll be having his baby blessing the same weekend our son gets his Eagle. As someone said to us, “what wonderful bookends.”
Dixon and I celebrated twenty years of wedded bliss in August as well. And I have to say it truly has been blissful (oh, except for that part involving teenagers). I’d always imagined we’d spend our 20th on a secluded beach somewhere in the South Pacific, but alas, I needed to stick close to home, being pregnant and all. So instead, we sent the kids away to Grandma’s and stayed home by ourselves. Can I say that I highly recommend this?! It was so much fun! On our anniversary night we went out to Ottavios and had a delicious dinner. We also kept with tradition and did sealings at the temple. How fortunate we are in the LDS faith to be able to hear our wedding vows again and kneel across the altar from each other—as we did on our wedding day—whenever we wish.
The following day we got to sleep in (divine) went to Kneaders for breakfast (yum! yum! yum!),ordered pizza (the good expensive kind with all the toppings—none of this cheese only stuff for the kids) for dinner, and ate it in our bedroom while watching an entire season of
The Office. Yes, I realize that watching this show likely wipes out some of the blessings we might have received from temple attendance, but all I can say is that sometimes you just have to laugh. And no one laughs harder than my husband does when watching this show.
All in all, I suppose it wasn’t quite the celebration I’d always imagined our 20th would be. But it was a good indication to me that things are every bit as wonderful as when we married so many years ago. We’re still best friends, the same things are still important to us, and we still have a great time just hanging out together.
I am so blessed.
Finally, one of the best things about this summer is that it’s just about over—and I’ve survived! We’re on the home stretch now, two trimesters down, one to go. And we’re entering my very favorite time of year.
Fall—with all of its colors, holidays, and writing time. And with that, back to my work-in-progress.