Family relationships and feelings

It's hard to decide what to say when blogging about my vacation. Fun and More Fun are recent posts but vacation isn't just about that. Because I'm living with mom and dad, really I've done good amounts of hard work and care-taking. There is, too, the business of our family relationships. Not just mine and mom and dad's (it's so natural to revert to child-parent, and I work hard to have it stay adult-adult), but,

Mine and Jenny's (Jen is my roomie this trip. She got to Utah a couple of days after I did and occupies the other bedroom in mom and dad's basement. Again, as with all my kids, we're not so much mother-child but working toward adult-adult), and,

Mine and Erin's (Erin arrived from Minnesota with the three kids into Utah the same day I did and is staying at her in-laws' a few miles from us. Remember her in-laws are Kent's and my dear friends from before we moved to Georgia, so there's our relationship with them, too), and,

Mine and Dan's and Amy's (who live here and have their two kids and work schedules), and,

Mine and Scott's (who also lives and works here and has his set of friends and activities), and,

Mine and Kent's (apart ten days, now together, and soon apart. This always feels strange).

I want to write whole posts on what I did or read or heard or thought about LAST, whatever; like that's most important! But no, it's fleeting in the big picture.

Feelings after a long conversation with someone in the family or seeing a good movie or getting insights into the scriptures (amazing); details of being in nature or driving in the car and watching the scenery, or playing with the kids and grandkids; thoughts on days going by and just life. You know.

I have no corner on the happiness market, just, I feel blessed to overflowing as I go to try to share here. I'm not overly romantic - times here, like times at home, are a struggle. There's physical and emotional setbacks. And then I need to wait, and I do. Observe, and pray for help. Use patience and forgiveness and care. Get out of myself.

Overall I'm interested at how life goes. Leaves me not knowing exactly what all to say as I come here to share. It's early morning and I've walked with Kent's mother's sister, one of my favorite of Kent's aunts, for over an hour. The sun rose on us and I took a picture of the moon. That's what I did last. I'm done here, and a new day is ahead.

More fun

Jen introduced Kent and me to the fun game Farkle, and we've played it hit or miss through the days. Kent's won every time - the player to get 10,000 points is the certain winner, and he swooped past me (8,650 points and holding strong for the lead) yesterday afternoon before we took off for...

... in SL and wiped me out. I was honestly hoping he wouldn't for the third time in a row. He gloats when he wins. Not horribly, just enough to make me crazy. Eek.

Are you asking, hm, what is fatCats?

It's a family tradition, that's what; getting to be. Three years ago all of us in town met at this bowling alley slash fun center slash pizza factory in SL for a Monday night FHE. Ate loads of pizza, then rented shoes and bowled two games. Abbie was 4 and needed bumpers on her lane and a bowling ball assist. A sort of shelf little kids can put the ball on and then push it down so it really rolls good toward the pins. This year neither Abbie, 7, or Joseph, 5, needed assistance - they could put their fingers in a number 8 ball and heft it and roll it on their own. [Insert bumps and thunks and real clunks; can't be good for that floor.] Only Andrew, 3 and Landon, 4, needed the shelf this time and I got lots of pictures of the family bowling. Only one game because we were full and hot, but it was so fun! Erin beat Kent by one point, 99 to 100. It was a scream to watch 'em bowl - I DID watch since I've got the rib thing going on and shouldn't lift or breathe hard.

Pics are in my EHD at mom and dad's in NSL. Kent and I drove to Idaho this morning to be with his parents for a couple of days, so pictures to come when I get back home.

Fun

So while I've been blogging about my activities I've NOT been saying that I popped a rib two weeks ago a few days before I left home, and that since then with the luggage-lugging and kid hugging and hiking and swimming, etc., I've aggravated my whole back. Shucks. I spent Friday night and Saturday and now all today resting, Saturday on ice. [And then I went to some of our best friends' house (the other grandparents of my grandkids) for his 60th birthday party, a surprise deal that came off like clockwork...]

Brent and boys coming off their hike toward the yard, Brent surprised with the party! The boys were in on it of course and couldn't help grinning as we sang Happy Birthday to You (instead of shouting Surprise).



Kent



Two Lauras - my sister and Brent's and Sandra's daughter - all of us BFF.



Daughter Erin and her son, Noah.



Sandra helping Brent along with his gag gifts. Even the wheelchair's a gag gift from his parents. He sat in it for the program where his family told stories on him!



... and it was okay 'cause I sat in a chair for three hours. Didn't move except to take pics.]

Whether or not the rib is broken, something is. Or maybe I've strained a muscle and I did it just gently, just so gently, stretching - so what gives? Everyone around me is saying Nat, rest. Sigh. And I'm on VACATION! I want to walk the hills and get down in a slot canyon and swim again with the kiddos and pick up the babies. I've got about four official persons keeping an eye on me so I won't. And handing me ice packs and urging Ibuprofen. Really they're right because to do too much, even sneeze or laugh hard now is awfully painful. 

Shucks.

Well, anyway, we're having a fun time. Here's what Jenny spent part of this afternoon playing at with us all around the patio table. By the way, the weather is a dream; we stayed out til past sunset. Everybody wanted in! It's a MacBook thing - can you believe the technology! We laughed so hard my ribs hurt.

The mountain

Eaglewood.

It's the area above where my parents live. From 1996 to 2002 I worked in my brother-in-law's commercial real estate office, handling properties mainly in town. But during 1997 I actually worked for his dad's commercial real estate business, and it's that company that helped develop Eaglewood. Did do, and has done for years. As an office assistant I handled the files for and shook hands with the lot and home owners, and occasionally went onsite. You get to know the nooks and crannies and faces of a place working with it every day, so to see it today...



... I'm amazed! I hardly remember the beginning phases Eaglewood was going through those years ago because now the neighborhoods are well established, lush even. Multiple subdivisions and communities, recreation and churches. And more of the mountain has been master planned.

I take off from Mom's and Dad's in the mornings and go up. I've been with them almost ten days and the first few were horrible for climbing and I lost my resolve. Almost. (Do you categorize trudging as walking?)  I'm better now at getting to the golf course where the hike is for the most part level. Only gently undulating for a good ways. I've hiked there and walked the streets that loop into the golf course. Today I turned just before the top and headed across the mountain the other direction.

I've seen from a ride Dad took me on last week the newest phases for development and lots for purchase above his home. It's all breathtaking, kind of like the opening scenes in Sound of Music where Julie Andrews is twirling in the meadow; Jen and I took a ride up there just day before yesterday to watch the sun go down too. The enchantment of long summer days, yes? Click for the pic. Anyway, I got the streets connected in my head and decided to make this a hiking route.

I did it! Turned at the top this morning and walked into sparse residences, then no residences, just lots, the sun coming up behind me and to the right and the valley open below me. A deer bounded most gracefully up the meadowed mountainside and I was stopped in my tracks for moments, watching. You just breathe in joy when you're up high and the sun is at the peaks and flooding the valley and you're a little part of it.

The day'll get hot and deserty and I'll be in the swimming pool I think by noon with my grandkids and kids. It'll be noisy with a thousand people milling around. (It'll seem.) I'll be happy there too. I'm thankful to be here.
-----

Shana and Justin (niece and husband) and baby - Dec 2009

P.M.

Five years ago tonight our whole family was at our parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration.  We'd planned for months, including "borrowing" space in a church building and each taking some aspect of the party. My brother made a slide presentation that to this day I can't watch without crying. Sister-in-law decorated; sister wrote the script for various parts, and we four sisters sang Dad's favorite hymn. One sister handled getting the food catered. There were no worries over set up and serving and clean up (like often there is. Such a good plan to NOT.) We came into Utah from four states - I think of not only the anticipation of being together with my brothers and sisters for the first time in many, many years, but the the delight in our parents at having us all around them, and the sheer beauty of the summer days.



The afternoon of was hot and we gathered for pictures near a gorgeous shade tree; the evening was clear and pleasant.



It's impossible that five years have gone by! I think of this as I get ready to pick up Kent tonight at the airport and bring him to this home and my parents.

I did swim today with the kids, and we laid out and sunburned tanned. I'm not a water person but the grandkids got me acting like a fish as they jumped and dove! It was enjoyable. I could have taken a longish nap when I got home (Jenny did), but I didn't. I talked to Scott. Then there was dinner prepared by dad, bacon and cheese omelets and toast. I saved my bacon calories for watermelon later. And I've lounged on the couch since, watching TV and sinking into the furniture and closing my eyes and wishing Kent's plane was almost down.  I miss him. Another hour.

Ezekiel

I've been thinking much of the morning of the prophet Ezekiel. Why?... do I know? I don't. Maybe because what you see or read last is what goes around in your head. Kent and I are making our way through the Old Testament and we (separately) read Ezekiel chapters 28 and 29 today.

"Son of man," the LORD invokes, "say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord God."  (Doom against Tyre and Sidon.) "Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou has said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:"

"Son of man," requires the LORD in Chapter 29, "set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him... speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself."

The prophecies to these cities are exacting and terrible. Absolute destruction. I keep thinking about it. How did this prophet go before the people and declare it?

The LORD made Ezekiel himself the sign. He was warned on the morning of one day for instance (in chapter 24 I think) that his wife would die by evening, the desire of his eyes, and that he was not to mourn. Traditional mourning would be putting ashes on your head, baring your feet, covering your lips or eating the bread of mourning. Rending clothing and weeping. Outward signs. He was not to do this at all. (How could he not??!!!)


The Death of Ezekiel's Wife by William Blake

Within a few verses she has died and he is obedient, drawing the attention of the people for his strange behavior; where, when he had this, he could foretell the taking of the temple from them, its destruction, the desire of their eyes. Their children would fall by the sword. They would not mourn - as he did not - but sit in a stupor considering their sins and only groan one to the other.

Ezekiel was the sign.

Why? I don't know. It is strange and I consider this by Isaiah: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (55:8-9)

When we finished the book of Jeremiah last month I was in wonder; thought I loved these chapters most in the OT. I'd been immersed in the prophecies and promises he spoke, and I absolutely marvel at his obedience. Ezekiel's circumstances amaze me like do Jeremiah's, and through him JEHOVAH is as pointed and promising and pressing a Master and Savior. I'm in awe. I've sure been thinking about it.
-----

What I'm up to

Jenny and I did sit out and watch the sunset the other night.



I got up early yesterday morning and pulled myself up the hill to the golf course and beyond; watched the sun rise while I listened on my MP3 player to "I Never Saw Blue Like That." I was impressed and wowed at the panorama below from that high up, and above, me far beneath the startling sky and glinting sun on the mountains.

After walking like this it makes me not want to eat. I've made good choices about my eating. Dad and Mom and I went out for halibut and chips at one of our favorite restaurants in SL, and I didn't overdo. All that sure tasted like more, though! They bought frozen custard dessert after, and I didn't have one. Don't you want one, dad says?  What's your flavor? Don't I EVER, I think, and my mouth says no thank you.

I rested for about an hour in the afternoon, then drove to pick up Erin and the two oldest kids and met the family, ten of us, at the movie theater. There was popcorn and drink passed in front of me for two hours as the kids shared - I stared at the movie screen, happy to be seeing a rollicking great show, and sat on my hands to keep them out of the popcorn.

I ordered a pair of expensive sandals (theraputic for my poor feet; arch support) when we girls went shopping with a couple of the kids after the movie. It was getting dark and the stores closing, but I got what I wanted just in time. I live in Birks, and they're getting used up, so I liked getting new shoes. My feet need undivided attention; my body depends, depends on their wellbeing.

Home late, and to bed later after Jenny and I chit chatted and then played a round of Farkle. This morning we drove to a park about 7:00 and collected Scott and walked for thirty minutes, then went to breakfast. I ordered unsugared oatmeal with raisins. And ate a scoop or two off Jen's plate of mushroom omlet. I love mornings but these two kids don't, so I was lucky they'd come.

The rest of the day's open.

Toy Story 3

I was bug-eyed


gobsmacked


and truly amazed


at the cast's performance of


(yay!)




I was tickled pink!



There was fright,



flight,



and some serious cheese.



I loved the plot



with all its twists and turns.



Ya just gotta go see it!



You'll have a good time . . . and



It's the smart thing to do this summer.

Summer

I was taught in school that the 21st of June is the longest day of the year and begins summer officially. For me every June 21st is a big deal - no, really. Because I've already marked days for a few weeks toward this one day that holds literally the earliest crack of dawn and latest sunbeam - after which I watch the days diminishing down through December where you guessed it I wait on the 21st, the shortest day.

I'm tired. And happy. I just got home from a couple of hours at the park with Jenny, Amy, Erin and the boys. I ran down grassy hills, wrestled, pushed boys on the swings, helped on the monkey bars and lay in the grass looking into the shade trees and sighing happily. The girls did the same while the little boys played like maniacs. Erin's other two are with the other grandma, Sandra, one of my very best friends, at their family reunion. (See, my girl and her boy married each other ten years ago and now we share three grandkids!) I missed them this afternoon but they are at the  reunion for a few more hours - and besides, I rarely get "just Noah" time. He has been a dream child to tend today.

Prior, Jenny and I went shopping. Then to get the baby and then more shopping. We started our day early. Then to lunch. Now she's napping and believe me I'm heading there! We do plan to sit tonight on the balcony in comfy chairs with a slush each and watch the sun go down - nothing big - on this longest day of the year.
-----
From the golf course (east, up the mountain) looking across the Great Salt Lake to Antelope Island.

Rest of the story

I'm blogging in snatches and pieces. Oops. Jenny saw the post from yesterday and said, pictures, mom.  Yeah. I didn't forget - or maybe I didn't and then did. So here they are, a few. Grandkids on Friday and wedding on Saturday.

The cousins (five of my seven grandkids) at Andrew's third birthday party. Left to right: Joseph, Landon, Abbie holding Noah, and Andrew.



Amy made Andrew's Grover cake. Drew loved it.



Noah is Erin's baby. Twice in the last three months or so he's fallen on his face, chipping his front tooth each time. Like my other g'kids he's a looker!



Marcia, my sister, mother of the groom.



Laura, sister, and her husband. A candid. (She'll hate me. Not)



Mark, brother. 'Nother candid. These quick-pics are of course on the grounds of the SL Temple where we waited after the ceremony to be callled by the wedding photographer for family pictures.



Briana and Eric, bride and groom.



Marcia with two daughters, Emily and Katy.



Marcia's daughter-in-law, Annie, great with the camera. I couldn't resist this.



Mom and Dad. It was breeeeezy, pardon the hairdo.



Waiting still to be called to family pictures on the steps of the temple. Laura and her daughter, Synthia. Mom in the background. Laura's husband Sharman, foreground.



Before leaving for the reception, at Mom's house - my youngest and oldest, Scott and Jenny.



The reception, Mom and Dad.



No pics of Father's Day. 'Twas good to attend church together, then relax - we enjoyed eats and talk and watching the kids play around us in the afternoon. The yard was shaded and cool enough on a hot day and we stayed in the yard most of the afternoon - I can't get over the difference in weather between here and home and do LOVE this rare atmosphere. And we're all pooped. 

I walked this morning an hour, half of it with Marcia, the other half with my MP3 player. The hills about whip me going up (I swear I'll expire) and I have to step carefully fast-walking down so I don't throw a knee joint or turn my ankle or pitch over on my face. Momentum. I admit to hating the ordeal in the moment and do it because later in the day my energy is great and I'm grateful to breathe deep and be mobile. Walking makes it so. Walking in the mountains is a personal victory.

I tend baby Noah today. More to come...