Where have I been?

Admittedly, I have not been the best blogger in the new year. So far, 2008 has been a whirlwind year. Why is that when you have the most things to blog about you have the least time to actually blog?


So, a few days after my sister's wedding, I boarded a plane and flew to Utah. You may remember that I have a new nephew there. I went to help out in his house. I actually got a little nervous right before I left; I was scared that something might happen to me and I'd leave my children motherless. Thankfully, the worst thing that happened is that their father took the girls to church with their hair hanging in their faces. If I had a nickel for every person who's said to me, "I saw your girls at church last Sunday and knew you had to be out of town!" The good news is that Michael and I discussed it and if I do die prematurely, the girls are all getting bobs and endless packages of headbands. Until he remarries. This is the best solution we could come up with. Sigh...


Back to Utah. Basically, I was doing all my regular chores in a new locale. I did laundry for six people, scrubbed bathrooms, swept and mop floors, helped organize some stuff and cleaned out the food cupboards. Oh, and I did the girls' hair for school and held a tiny baby lots and lots. Little Jackson is off oxygen and gaining weight now so all is well with him. I could hold a little baby all day, I tell you. He is so sweet.


Along the lines of "sweet" was my four year-old nephew, Easton, whose voice would raise 4 octaves whenever he spoke to his little brother. "Hi, Jack (voice becomes so high it is unrecognizable to human ears) son!" It was adorable.


I did manage to squeeze in some fun, don't you worry. One evening, my sister-in-law and I ran out for a quick smothered burrito while my brother stayed home for an hour with the kids. Also, my old Laurel, Jamie, came over a couple of times to watch Lost with me and to hold Jackson. It's always fun to visit with her; I love that girl.

On Saturday afternoon, I ran to the BYU Bookstore (I could spend all day there--many a poor college student dollars were spent by me in that place) and then off to some visits.


My first stop was Cafe Rio in American Fork. I met my friend, Sally, there to have lunch. I also met her there to meet her. That's right! Up until February 2, we were merely "cyber pals," but now we are friends in the real world, too! She treated me to a fabulous lunch and we chatted away for two hours like we've known each other forever. It was quite fun. I look forward to future get-togethers with her. And next time is my treat, Sal!

After meeting Sally, I cruised up to Bountiful for a quick visit with my dear friend Amy N. It was so fun to chat and laugh with her like we used to do. Amy and I get along so well now--it's hard to believe she didn't like me and wanted nothing to do with me for the entire first year we knew each other. Thanks to the visiting teaching program in my church, she had to get to know me and eventually succumbed to my charms. I am blessed for it!

My final stop was Whitney's new digs. Since she got married, she moved into Shawn's bachelor pad and has been trying to de-bachelorize it. It looks really cute, especially in her dining area where she has a darling table that she refinished complete with chair cushions recovered in toile. Too cute.

After a final stop at Sonic (don't worry--I had cherry lime-aid daily while in UT) I went home to my brother's house. The next morning he drove me back to the airport, through a terribly windy snow storm, and I flew home. I was really excited to see my kids and husband again. I sure did miss them while I was gone!