And I'm Home!

 The night before we left, Meg was feeling pretty sad that Chris was not going to be coming with us to pick up the girls. All the kids had prayed for weeks that somehow Chris would be able to come. I finally had to explain that it just could not be with his new job. We left around the same time that Chris left for work on Tuesday morning. Chris had picked up Meg to give her a hug goodbye, and she melted into sobs.

Time to leave.
It was dark and pouring down rain.
Myles was my copilot.

 Elsa and Meg were bright eyed and bushy tailed.

 We left on time and had gotten as far as Troutdale, Oregon when there was a thunk, and the driver's side windshield wiper gave up the ghost! What to do, what to do???? Oh how I wished I had my MacGyver man with me. Luckily there was an off ramp, and I pulled off to a Chevron gas station. I couldn't see a thing out of my side of the windshield. The attendants at the gas station were of no help with suggestions of a place that could possibly fix the windshield wiper. I texted Chris, who was literally so close, but could not leave work. We sat and prayed. Myles suggested that if we had some twine or string he could tie it to the windshield wiper and work it for me. I wiped down my side of the windshield and got back in the car to drive up to the next gas station/truck stop. Myles guided me and assured me I was still in the right lane since I couldn't see much out of my side. I asked for help at Loves gas station/truck stop. They were super nice and friendly. One attendant came out and had a look, but regretfully had no way of fixing it. He suggested a little whole in the wall transmission and fix it place less than a mile up the road. He wrote down directions and the phone number. We sat and waited for two hours until it opened. I did my best to remain positive even though on the inside I just wanted to cry. The two gentleman did their best to get me on the road again ASAP. One of the workers passed out candy bags to the kids and told them corny jokes that made them laugh. So, $125 later I was back on the road.

On a side note, I was giving a talk the Sunday I returned. The topic? Family history. My bishop had mentioned as a subtopic "we are who we are because of our ancestors." I think it was inspired that he mention this because the entire trip I just kept telling myself that I could do this because I had ancestors that did some pretty hard things and I am strong because of them.

Also, another side note: When I paid for the wiper the owner looked at my name. He had asked where we were going. I explained to Utah to pick up two daughters from College. He mentioned that he had a customer by the name of Lindsay Holmes who was going to Utah to visit his kids and that he was Mormon and "good people." Turns out Lindsay Holmes is related to Burton Holmes.  I went to school with Burton and a few of his other siblings. Burton was also in my ward, and his dad was my Bishop for a while. I learned recently that Burton's dad and Chris are third cousins. They both share a great great grandfather, William Buckminster Lindsay Jr. I mean, what are the odds of stopping a little transmission place to find a customer there is related to Chris???? There are no coincidences :)


We made it to Boise, Idaho a bit behind schedule, but we were all safe and sound. We stayed overnight with Mom and Dad Lindsay, which was such a huge blessing!

Wednesday we left bright and early for Provo. I should have seen how the day was going to pan out with directions early on because the road I needed to take was closed, and then I got all turned around trying to find my way to the freeway. I pulled over and got on Google Maps to get myself on the right road. Myles held the phone so I could hear the directions. We were doing well until we hit more road work and I got the interchange mixed up. I missed the off ramp for the freeway to Utah. I normally rely on Chris who is an excellent navigator. So, there I was on my way to Pocatello, Idaho!! Oh no!!!! I was trying to remain calm, but I'm sure I was not doing a very good job of it. I couldn't decide if I should just keep going and hope for another off ramp to Utah or if I should use the emergency vehicle turnaround that so many other cars were taking since they, too, had missed the exit to Utah. Thank goodness for Google Maps! Myles was so good to get on my phone and helped me navigate how to get off the freeway and what back country roads to take to get back to the freeway to Utah. It was slow going, 35 mph, but we did it. Myles kept reminding me that we would have missed the beautiful scenery if we had actually taken the right exit. He kept assuring me that it was all going to be fine. Everyone we passed had a smile and a wave, whether they were just on the side of the road or workers working on the back roads. We just tried to find the positives. Once again we found ourselves running behind schedule. We were so excited when we finally reached the Provo exit. Only I  had put in Provo for the maps and not BYU, so we went in circles a bit. Rhaevyn and Aeva were so good to be so patient with us getting to them.

Then came the job of loading all their belongings in the suburban. With everyone's help I got the skyboxes filled, shut, and locked. It took a bit, and there was a lot of laughter involved. It was a bit of struggle to get the bags up so high because I'm so short. I loved that it turned into such a laughable job because I really needed that 😂 Aeva took us to lunch because she had so much money left on her food card. We made a stop at the BYU bookstore, the campus library, and The Creamery where the girls used up the last of their food money and had ice cream. We bought lots of food to take home, and then came the job of finding how to fit it all in the car. The kids were all stuffed like sardines in the suburban.


 Aeva had a gift for Meg, and birthday presents for Elsa:

 Hugs all around

 On our way to lunch at the Wilkinson Center. Nice photo bomb, Myles 😀

 The weather was warm and beautiful!

 Taking time to stop and smell the tulips

 

 To the library....

 

 I could spend a lot of time here I think

Myles and Aeva  (and Meg) being silly with an ostrich puppet:

 On our way back to the car, after the creamery, a sudden storm came up. The wind was something fierce and it started to hail.
 

We stopped briefly to see the kids' Aunt Leslie while she was at work at Peir 1. Meg loved this chair:

The kids got some swim time in before we turned in for the night. My allergies were going crazy, but then I think it might have turned into something more with the lack of sleep and all the stress. By Thursday morning I was feeling like I'd been hit by a car.

 Myles pretending to be a tugboat:

We took our time leaving Thursday for Boise. Good bye beautiful Wasatch Mountains....

 This time Rhaevyn was my copilot. All went smashingly swell for that part of the trip. Once again we stayed with Mom and Dad Lindsay. A big thank you to them for taking such good care of us in so many ways ! We love you!

 
Friday we packed and squished ourselves back into the car. Grandpa had equipped the kids with a small DVD player for the car. That was wonderful! The kids enjoyed watching some movies on the ride home. We made pretty good time. Coming down off the pass just before Pendleton, Oregon, my ears were left with a lot of pressure. I could hardly hear, was in a bit of pain, and I could hear fluid rolling around in my ears. I couldn't wait to get home.

Chris was so good to get my entire"honey-do" list done. The house was sparkling, and he had even put new sheets on the bed and made it like the hotels do. It was so good to be home, to be safe, to have the whole family together. Chris stood on the front step giving me a round of applause for doing the trip without him. I think I gripped the steering wheel so hard my wrists still hurt.
I'm so thankful that I was able to accomplish something that had scared me out of my mind before. I'm thankful for the love and hospitality of family, and for being watched over by a loving Father in heaven.

Aeva had gotten Chris a birthday present, made me a birthday present, and made Chris and I an anniversary present. She could not wait for those special days to roll around and asked us to put her out of her misery and open then now!!!
Chris got a blue tooth speaker for his phone, which he can use at work.
I got pretty potholders

She made Chris and I a lap quilt. Her very first quilt ever. I love the colors and will treasure it always.

 We were observing Chris in these pictures and his expressions. We were taking a poll amongst ourselves to see who each of us thought (as far as kids) looked like him. What do you think? Make a guess; leave a comment if you want.
 

 Now to settle everyone back in and find sleeping arrangements for everyone. I think there will permanently be boxes by the front door until fall rolls around. Time to get back into school for the littles and finish at the end of May.
Myles had his cello recital this afternoon.
 

 
Looking forward to a brand new week with all my little chicks home!

Threes

 They say things happen in threes, and I would have to agree, as that has been my experience.

#1: My phone completely died. Ack!! And just before I'm supposed to leave.
#2: The blender broke last week.
#3: The microwave is only slightly working, as in you can only select 1min for cooking and you can't press stop or cancel. No other numbers work. The "start" button sometimes works.
I'm hoping at least that the microwave is the third thing and it isn't something else😐


Myles, Elsa, and Meg drew me some very pretty pictures. Every time I pull into the driveway I get to see them, and it makes me smile.

Meg:

 Myles:

 Elsa:

 Elsa donned her mucking about boots to help Chris get the lawn mowed.

 Thursday we went to the Sakura Festival at Clark College. Even though Aeva is not here, we decided to keep with tradition. It was a lot of fun! There was a lady there who did traditional Japanese calligraphy on canvas and long strips of paper. She wore a traditional calligrapher outfit. We learned a traditional Japanese dance from around 850 BC. The kids were so glad that there were taiko drums again this year. I think that is their favorite.
The kids also did some origami, and there was a small zen garden. Myles spent a good amount of time with that. Elsa and Meg enjoyed it as well. They each got a cookie too!

It was so sweet...............Aeva and Rhaevyn's very first Japanese Professor came right up to me, when she saw me, and asked about the girls. She wanted to know if Aeva had gone to Japan yet. Then the lady who taught Aeva the Sakura dance two years ago also asked how Aeva was. I let them know, as well as Aeva's second Japanese Professor, that I was on strict orders to tell them all "hello" from Aeva. The said to tell her "hello" from each of them.

Myles made himself his own miniature zen garden. He also made all the little tools.

 Aeva on her way to her Japanese final:

I made everything bagels this past week using almond flour. They turned out pretty good, and they really weren't too problematic to make.

 

This is how Meg goes to sleep just about every night. She sings, and sings, and sings.

We are all packed and ready to go get the girls tomorrow. I hope we'll be able to sleep tonight😀

Little Mishaps, Accidents, and Debacles in Our Ordinary Life

I try to find the laughter in the little mishaps, accidents, and debacles that happen in the course of my days.

 

I can only plan so much of my day. I am a planner for sure. I don't like it when things don't go as planned; even when I am the cause of things not going as planned. However, I'm learning to let go more. I'm trying to laugh a bit more over things that don't go as planned. I'm trying to not sweat the small stuff. It's usually not the end of the world when something doesn't go as planned, and I think there is usually some lesson in it for me.................often patience, or my reaction.

One of my favorite things about Chris, which he started asking me when we were newly married, is  "Will this matter in five years?" Usually the answer is no, and in five years I'm more than not laughing about whatever it was. 

There was this one time (very recently) that I decided to do highlights in my hair. My dear boy pointed out that I appeared to have given up the practice of highlighting my  hair. I think he was going for the "I'm proud of you for embracing the white in your hair, Mom", tone. Well, I had been contemplating getting back on that bandwagon now that spring is here, and that just pushed me to that decision quicker.  I decided to be daring and try a new product. So, after getting small wisps pulled through the cap, and ripping out quite a bit of my hair in the process, I mixed the solution and powder together. Chris was good to help me make sure I covered all the wisps. After ten minutes I realized that I had not used all the powder. The usual product I purchase only has one powder packet. This one had two, but I thought one of them was a shampoo or something. Ack!!! What to do, what to do???? My hair looked like it was turning orange, not blonde. I decided just to rinse it all out quickly. My friend who cuts my hair said this was probably a very wise choice. I can tell you all my white hair is still intact, no blonde highlights, and my hair, may in fact, look a little strawberry blonde or orange-ish in parts???
My friend the hairdresser and I had a good laugh over it.

There was this other time (yesterday) that I was making myself, and Chris, a chocolate coconut spinach smoothie, and while attempting to reach something on a  higher shelf I knocked over the blender and all my ingredients spilled and went flying everywhere. I had used the last of my coconut almond milk, so making another smoothie was out of the question. Sigh. Then I came home and my glass blender had broken in the dishwasher. Well, that was unexpected! I didn't see that one coming at all. Plans for breakfast smoothies this next week have flown out the window. Chris and I are now bonding while looking at new blenders :) Yay!

Let's talk quilts................

there was this one quilt that I started to make. I may have set my hopes and skills a bit too high, slightly. Ya, I had to put the quilt away for two days because this one part I had to do over three times 😭 On the third time I folded up the quilt, put the seem ripper away, and turned off the sewing machine.

So I'm hoping to pick it back up tomorrow :)

The spot in the upper right hand corner is the problem spot:

Anyway, my point being, it's better to be able to try to laugh at all the crazy little things that happen on a daily basis that weren't expected because crying just isn't any fun at all!

Changing topics: 

Molly got neon bows at the Groomer. I just love how cute she looks when she comes home all cut and shampooed.

Four of us got haircuts this past week. I let Chris have the coupon for Great Clips. Myles, Meg, and I had my friend Ellynn come and cut our hair at the house. Elsa was sad that she could not get her hair cut. We are trying, much to her chagrin at times, to keep it longer for Scottish dancing. 

 Meg wanted her hair pretty short. I'm hoping all the curl didn't get cut out of it:

I requested a very short haircut for Myles. His hair grows soooo fast! 

I think it is a bit shorter than he was hoping. He says his head feels cold now.

 When I saw all his hair on the floor I could not get over how dark it was. I think his hair is about the color of Rhaevyn and Aeva's hair.

 

Mine is pretty much the same. More of a trim and layering the back. 

Don't forget to check out Aeva's blog. She updated it yesterday.

 https://ppillowbook.blogspot.com/

 Rhaevyn had a group project in her Asian Humanities class. They had to make a short little movie/video. It is loosely based on a Japanese urban legend/horror story. She makes a very short cameo in it. Check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er7eFfZn5EQ&feature=youtu.be

She said they were going for ominous, but I think it is just funny.

Just Molly and Meg............

Molly was wiped out. She had two shots and a "nice" pill.

After taking about a year's hiatus of making quilts I am back in the saddle. I received a phone call from one of the chaplains at one of the local hospitals asking if I had any quilts. They were out. While she was going to call some other places, like Project Linus, she said they really like to hand mine out. She explained that once the mothers/parents read the tag attached it just means so much to them to know this comes from someone who has lost a baby. Wow!!! That made me cry. My heart was touched. I never know how my quilts are received; is it comforting??? I told her I had taken a break, as my older girls usually helped entertain the smaller kids so that I could make them. I explained that they had been away at college. Well, I decided no more excuses. I sat down and completed one quilt top. I will resume the second quilt top this week. Then I think I will just make some very simple ones.

A mistake was bound to happen. Thank goodness for seem rippers.

The top is finished:

I made donuts using coconut flour today. They actually tasted pretty good. The kids liked them too!

Going into the oven:

 Done in 20 min:

 Now for the icing:

I'm going to attempt bagels made with almond flour next. I can't wait!

We had Chris home for four whole days. The kids really enjoyed that. Lots of time spent with daddy!! Friday was his first day at Boeing. It's going to be a change for sure. There's lots of information for Chris to take in, but he's still really excited.
I'm still just trying to have faith and put one foot in front of the other on this path. Sometimes it is so hard when you cannot see the next step on the path. I know that our Heavenly Father is aware of us. I know he can see the "big picture." I just wish I could sometimes. This is not a comfortable spot for me in so many ways. It all goes back to life not going as "I planned" it. My plan was pretty cozy, safe, and comfortable. I had the next several months all planned out rather nicely thank you very much. Again, I'm trying to focus on the positive because frankly I do feel like crying. I feel like I'm being asked to really get out of my comfort zone. I'm working on growing my faith more, relying on my  Heavenly Father more, praying with more purpose, laying my weaknesses down at the Lord's feet. I'm clearly being shown my weaknesses, and I'm pleading with him to turn them into strengths. As uncomfortable as these changes are, and the upheaval of my plans are, I know that when we are most uncomfortable it is at that point that we grow the most. I know his ways are not our ways. I know his plans are always so much better than ours could ever be. I'm chuckling to myself thinking that in five years I'll look back and say "Yep, Heavenly Father, your plan was waaaayyyy better than mine could ever have been!" So hears to lemonade, laughter, and growth outside of our comfort zones!!

Leaving you all with a smile from Meg.
All dolled up and ready for church this morning.

Lastly, Elsa would like to thank all those who helped in supporting the Portland Highland Dance Association and bought raffle tickets!!