Thankful

This year we went up to Boise to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Kyle and Cade drove separate because they had a date with destiny (hunting) and were going to be staying longer than myself and the girls.

I had the wonderful pleasure of picking up sweet little Aubrey Kropf, a darling BYU freshman who I babysat back when I was 12 when her parents lived in Virginia for medical school. Her family now resides in Meridian and she was up for riding in the car with my two crazies. (Ruby and Sav)

She was a gem! She read stories to them, helped them pick up dropped blankies and toys. She was a great little assistant. And soo patient. This girl is amazing. She is the most positive, upbeat, shining star ever. I have to admit I was a little sad once we got to her house because I so enjoyed spending time with her in the car, catching up on the last 16 years of her life. 

It was so great to see Brenda and Mark, her parents. They have always been the ultimate example of kindness and love. Truly. Babysitting in their home was an unreal experience. Walking into their home you could not help but be smacked in the forehead by the Spirit. 

It was such a place of peace and love.

And now they have a house full of children in every possible stage of life and they continue to amaze me. And that home is still a place of peace and love.

I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures. They are such a darling family.  Just as I was getting ready to go I felt Ruby's head and notice she was pretty warm. Dr. Kropf confirmed my thoughts and was so sweet to ask what her other symptoms were. Spoken like a true family doctor. And he said it so sincere! Just seconds later his wife produced a bottle of pain reliever for us to take.  The little Kropf girls gifted DumDum suckers for Savvy and Ruby, which made the final 20 minute drive of our journey better than just bearable. 

As I drove to Kuna I couldn't stop thinking about what an amazing family that was, and counted myself so lucky to know them.

When we arrived in Kuna Don fed us some heavenly scrambled eggs (I'm still thinking about them) and the kids were tickled pink about getting to sleep in a bunk bed. Ruby was scared of Sandy, which really bothered Savannah. Sandy is Savvy's other cousin (not really. She's a Golden retriever, but Sav loves her like no other) and she wanted Ruby to love her just as much. 

I was shocked when I had all the kids in bed without complaints by 8:30. As soon as I uttered the thought out loud, I decied to check on them. They were quiet, but still wide, wide awake. So I gave Cade permission to climb on the top bunk and chat with Sav once Ruby fell asleep.

They had to ask twice what I said because they couldn't believe Mom was telling them to talk to each other.

I guess I'm getting soft in my old age.

Kyle's siblings were running around getting everything ready for the 5K they put on every year. I think it's so great they have something to channel their energy into.

The next morning was the big race and boy did those kids put on a great run. Each year it gets better and better. They hold the run at a great little park in Kuna. A cousin was the DJ for the event which made the entire thing way more official.  The course is a great one, too. Trains came by a few times, making it super exciting for the kids.

When I think back to the time when Mary was in her last days and she had this hair-brained idea to put on a 5K run Thanksgiving Morning, I just thought it was an idea and it would pass. But the woman, despite all her pain and discomfort, forged through and made it happen. That is the epitome of my Mother-in-law. She made things happen. Great things. She didn't let minor details like she's never put on a 5k run before get in the way. And never mind it was going to be less than 10 degrees outside. 

Oh I have much to learn from that woman.

She was so good at being in the moment. She didn't fuss over petty or unnecessary details. Either she relied on other people to worry about them, or they simply weren't worth fussing over.

She touched a lot of people. We are so grateful for all the friends and family who came to support and remember her by. Thanksgiving morning isn't the most convenient of times to come out and run a race in the cold, but fortunately people can look past the thermometer and get a cup of cocoa to get them warm.

After we cleaned up the race and cleaned up ourselves we started preparing Thanksgiving Dinner while munching on inhaling Sarah's delicious hors d'oeuvres. The cousins played together and ran amuck outside. The adults started putting things together in the kitchen (or outside at the smoker) and I couldn't help but be proud of everyone for coming as far as we have since her death. We were a mess when she died. And we were oh so grateful to the kind family who brought Christmas Dinner to us just days after her passing.  We were lost and didn't know what to do.  Ever so slowly each sibling is finding their footing and making the family meal happen in Mary's absence. 

Heather even made her dad the special pistachio pie Mary use to always make. It was delicious.

The following day we visited with some wonderful friends the Smiths. I met Matt Smith the first summer Kyle and I were married. He was home fresh off his mission. He was a big, burly but soft-spoken kid. Fast forward nearly 10 years and he is married with 3 kids on a beautiful lot in the country. He married an amazing woman. This was my first chance meeting his wife and boy was I floored.  She landscapes her yard. She works full-time (while her husband is gone for the summer! wowzers). She makes picnic tables in an afternoon. Because she can. 

Cade was really jealous when he heard that Matt's wife likes to go hunting. 

Poor, deprived child. Sorry, kid. Your daddy married a city girl. :) But I don't mind a spell in the country. 

It was lovely.

Later that afternoon I took a nap. A reaalllllly long nap. It was the kind of nap that when you wake up it's dark and you wonder if you'll ever fall asleep that night. So it was decided that would be a good time to head home. The girls will sleep, Mom will be wide awake. So I loaded up the car, put the girls in their jammies and we were off at 7:30.

Savvy was so sad Sandy wasn't around for her to say goodbye. 

Like, almost tearful sad.

Oh, that girl wants a dog something fierce!

It was a nice thought anyway, thinking the girls would sleep. Savvy fell asleep around 10. Ruby woke her up with her whining. Both girls finally bit the dust at 11. I drove in the peaceful night listening to a book on CD, meanwhile contemplating all that I was so very blessed to have in my life. From petty to profound, I have much to be thankful for....

A home.

Three healthy children.

Tankless water heater.

A van to travel comfortably in.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A calling with the worlds greatest young women.

Incredible neighbors.

Loving parents.

Hysterical siblings.

Dear friends.

The Atonement.

The Scriptures.

The Internet.

Good books.

Chocolate.

Boots.

Old letters from great friends.

Being a stay-at-home mother.

Cell phones.

Lap top.

Lip gloss.

Dove Soap.

Nail polish.

Hot Baths.

Roller coasters.

Beaches.

Sunsets.

S'mores.

Funny texts from my family.

Sisters who come to my rescue.

Modern Medicine.

Legs that can run.

Art-- my children's and the museums. It's all beautiful.

Music.

Butter.

Wax. My eyebrows keep them in business!

Tweezers (to get what the wax didn't)

Massages.

Laughter.

Jimmer.

BYU.

Waterskiing.

Snowskiing.

Mountains.

Snow.

Hot Chocolate.

Thank you notes.

My husband:

The only one in this world who can handle my spectrum of emotions and love me anyway.

This man has mastered forgiveness and unconditional love beyond my greatest comprehensions.

He makes me laugh. 

Lets me cry (and doesn't get all weirded out by it)

Tries to solve my problems and then stops and just listens when I tell him to.

Hangs a huge elk head in his office to make me mad.

And then loves me for getting mad.

He puts away the milk when I leave it out.

He reloads the dishwasher when I do it wrong.

Vacuums up my little piles I sweep and leave on the kitchen floor.

I love this guy!