Quiet and Real Life

We returned home from the beach a couple of weeks ago and I must admit that it put me into somewhat of a bad mood.  A week of happiness and ease made the reality of life hit hard upon returning home.  My life is wonderful, there are so many good things happening but it's filled with a lot of work and responsibility.  When we crossed the line into Virginia, I felt my blood pressure rise a notch. 

There's something about the beach that just makes me completely relax.  Perhaps it's watching the beautiful view or spending happy time all together.  I always like to go to the beach alone and just watch the waves and listen to my own voice (which sometimes gets lost in all the responsibilities).  It's a time that I can step back from the chaos in my life and see more clearly what needs to happen. 

This trip Amy awoke at 6 and instead of trying to wrestle her back to sleep, we went to the beach and sat and watched.  I wanted to keep that feeling with me, one of contentment and calmness. 

So, it was back to real life and it was hard.  I decided that perhaps being out in nature together might bring back some of that feeling for me.  

I love sitting around a camp fire.  Life is just better there watching the flames, talking, eating good food.  It's more of a challenge here to find fire pits so we haven't, in all the years we've lived here, had a fire.  We went out to Prince William Forest and got ourselves a camp site.  We invited our friends, the Baird's, to join us and we had the more relaxing, lovely afternoon.  The kids frolicked (and I truly mean that word) in the forest and I thought of many afternoons past at my grandparent's cabin in Ophir.  How I miss those days.  Oh, and the delicious dutch oven chicken. 

 

 

We liked it so much that we went back the next Saturday to "hike."  I can't really call it a hike because we weren't going up a mountain, it was really just a walk through trees.  It's the Utah girl in me, I guess.  

We felt relaxed and happy and I thought that maybe these feelings exist outside the beach.  I'm going to keep trying to see. 

Family Lore

There are memories that become part of family lore.  They're stories that are told over and over again at dinner tables for years to come.  We had a collection of these as I grew up, stories about Grandpa Dave or when my parents were in high school.  Then there were stories about our family like the time that as little girls we had put every bow that we owned in my dad's hair only to have the missionaries knock on the door.  They're stories that are part of your family culture and experiences like these don't come around every day.  Do you have a collection of epic family stories too? 

When we were down in Outer Banks last week, we had one of those experiences.  I think we're all still laughing about it all this time later.

 Heber had wanted to go crabbing.  There is usually never enough time to fit in all the things we want to do so I didn't really worry about crabbing.  During one of the few quiet moments of the day, he went to a small local tackle store and got himself outfitted and asked around for a good place to go.  Later that afternoon, we followed a dirt trail over to the spot. 

Following instructions, Heber tied raw chicken to a string and flung it into the sound.  I have never seen anything quite like this but we all got in on the action, even his parents Randy and Penny.  One person would fling the chicken and slowly reel it in while the second leans over the dock with a net to capture the crabs.  This by itself is not usually what we're doing on a Saturday afternoon. 

We had a few near misses and then we started reeling them in two at a time.  Everybody caught one.
 

 His dad had one on the line that he knew was big.  "I think there must be three or four on there" he said.  Heber, the most successful netter, was leaning into the sound and eased his net around the bait and started pulling up.  He pulled and strained and lifted out a huge snapping turtle.  All the other people on the dock came running and we were laughing so hard.  The turtle, obviously, did not want to be caught and was putting up a big fight.  The two foot long turtle was angry so we eased him back into the water. 

 

 Each of us reeled something in.  All in all we caught 7 crabs and one snapping turtle, not too bad for an afternoon of fun.  So you see, one package of raw chicken, some string and a net led to freaking snapping turtle.  This is one for ages.  

Derby Nights

Last Friday we went out to the Prince William County Fair.  We really wanted to go last year but the day we selected ended up being rained out.  Months ago I put the fair on our calendar and we were determined to make it. 

The real reason I wanted to go to the fair....the demolition derby.  It's one of the few times that the country comes out in me.  I love a good derby, maybe it's because they feel like home to me and there are so few things here that feel like that. 

I tried to prepare the kids beforehand, we watched a few videos and they did just fine.  It was a neat thing to be able to share this tradition with the kids.  Amy just stood there, mouth open, watching the action unfold.  It's been some happy days for our little family. 

Back in the old days, Heber and I loved going to the derby together.  We always went to the one in Logan several times.  It had some good people watching but the best of all is the Tooele County Derby.  There are people there like you have never seen.  I remember being pretty judgemental of parents having their young kids there back in the day, now I'm one of those people.  I obviously didn't know anything before. 

 

Way, way back in the day, I was in the Tooele County royalty, I helped at the derby and assisted with the awards.  We rode in a big truck into the arena.  It's fun to look back on all the experiences that have brought me to today.  Heber was there with me and we still talk about the driver who was out on parole who tried to run over an official.  There's just no place like a derby for drama and entertainment. 

I'm excited to pencil it in to our calendar again next year!

The Fourth

Another fourth of July has come and passed.  It was a drizzly and dreary affair this year but we made up for it with a visit from my parents for the weekend.  I think I'm going to like them living in Chicago, especially when they can visit a little more often. 

To start the holiday out, I drug the box of decorations up from the basement.  We did this weeks ago and we've been enjoying the novelty of red white and blue around the house.  That morning we had a joyful morning exploring all of the decorations to a soundtrack of Sousa Marches.  They paraded around the house with flags and shakers to the sounds of trumpets and trombones.  Decorating for holidays is one of my most favorite things to do with the kids, followed closely by baking cookies together.  For days afterward, Amy would point to them and say, "stars! I wub it!"

On Friday, we drove over to Harper's Ferry (of course).  It is such a pretty spot and filled with so much history.  I was sure they would love it.  We filled the rest of the weekend with two firework shows, shopping with my mom (something I really miss with us living so far apart), a trip to the movies to see Finding Dory and good food.  The highlight for the whole thing was having time to talk to my mom and dad.  They have embarked on such a big adventure in their lives and it was nice to get the update.  We talked about all the fourths from the past and talked about the infamous Miss Grantsville pageant. 

We decorated the kids bikes which is a tradition of mine since childhood.  We did finally get some nice weather in and pulled out the slip and slide.

 

 On the fourth, we braved the rain and 70 degree temperatures to go to the Dale City Parade.  It's the one we went to last year and I liked it just as much.  The highlight would be all the candy they throw out.  Amy spent most of the parade eating her candy.  My dad wore his traditional flag shirt (it just isn't the fourth without it) and was filmed by a photographer for a local magazine. 

 

 

With rain falling nearly all day (boo), we opted to try out the fireworks at Manassas.  Last year we drove into the city to see the fireworks in similar weather and weren't able to see hardly any fireworks with all the smoke hanging in the air.  We had a pretty nice view, although Amy decided that she wasn't a fan of fireworks this year. 

It was a fourth to remember, even with fussy kids from long days of fun.  Toddlers are such temperamental creatures.  Luckily, I prepared myself mentally for it all and expected it so it wasn't too bad. 

Harper's Ferry and Life

Do you see that?  Rocks and mountains!

It's been ages since we've been out to see anything as a family.  There always seems to be a home project that needs work or someone's sick on the weekends.  Boy, the life of a 30 something, home owning mom is really exciting, but I really wouldn't want it any other way.

On that tangent, we went out bowling a couple weeks ago with some of Heber's colleagues from work.  Just picture about five late twenties couples  Most were just newly married, some dating and living in the Metro area, all working.  And then, there's Heber and I, married for 10 years, two kids, stay at home mom.  I guess it's been a while since I've been out in a non-family crowd.  You can tell because the first thing they ask you is what you do.  We moms don't start there.  You should have seen their faces when I told them that I was a full-time mom.  It was entertaining, to say the least.

It got me thinking about what my life would be like if I'd made different choices.  It's interesting to see where I could be and what I could be doing.  Would I be working in a big city?  Would I have traveled more?  I felt satisfied with what I had done before kids.  I'd finished my master's (something I'd always hoped to do), traveled to some really cool places and even joined a real dance team.   Still though, the thoughts occasionally creep in of what my life could be like.  I've really thought on it and I don't think I'd change any of the choices that I've made.  We have a good life that is constantly exhausting but purposeful too.

 

Ok, now off the tangent and back to our weekend.  We went out together to Harper's Ferry.  Don't worry, I'd never heard of it either.  It was National Parks week last week and I thought it would be nice to get out to one on the free day and Harper's Ferry was there on the list.  We needed the chance to run away for the day and just be together. 

It was beautiful.  I always thought it was random that there would be so many songs written about the Shenandoah Valley (Country road, take me home, to the place, where I belong....), well I completely understand now.  John Denver and I are now singing the same song.

Harper's is right on the banks of the Shenandoah River looking up at the most beautiful rocky, tree covered mountains.  There's Civil War era buildings and streets and just the most majestic mountain views.  I haven't felt so relaxed in a long time.   

 

Mountains and Trees

I grew up in Grantsville.  My family has lived in this little town for four generations.  I like to joke that my "people" sacrificed everything to walk across the United States to Utah and now I live in Virginia.

We are coming up on our second anniversary this summer.  That's not completely accurate because out of the last five years, we've spent four of them living in VA.  I guess that I've noticed a shift lately, and especially on our last trip out at the end of March.  Utah doesn't really feel like home anymore.  All those years that I lived away, I always considered my home to be Utah.  My family was there, my best friend, all of my favorite places to shop, a common culture....it was all there but I've felt a shift.  We are settled here in our life and our home.  It's a good feeling to not feel quite so torn between the two places. 

Back in February, my parents announced that they would be taking a job in Chicago.  This doesn't seem like groundbreaking news.  People move all the time, I just read of a good friend here today who was moving.  But, you see, my parents have lived in Grantsville for nearly 60 years.  In my childhood, we lived in two houses, around the block from each other.  You can see how a move to Chicago would be big news. 

I'm excited for them to go, everyone should have some big adventures in their life.  Knowing that this move was imminent certainly changed the trip for me.  People move on, lives change but there was so much about my "Utah life" that didn't really change much.  Yet, now even my most stable anchors are venturing out for something new.  It all has made me realize how much I've changed and all I've experienced as I've moved.

While I was out visiting, I couldn't get enough of the mountain views.  The sweeping landscape is the complete opposite of our home here.  The vast landscapes with no people that stretched as far as I could see were majestic.  There really aren't big wide open spaces like that here.  I think I forgot how open it could be, how big the sky was.  This probably sounds silly but it was like seeing my life, each part so starkly different from the other.  Each has their beauties and their flaws, as does everything in life.  

 

Becoming a True Mother

Throw up.

That pretty much describes our whole week.  None of us made it out unscathed.  It's obviously been a rough week.  We all seem to be recovered (crossing my fingers).  The house has been disinfected top to bottom.

On Monday, I feel like I had a milestone mothering day.  If I wasn't a true mother before, I am now.  Amy threw up 9 times.  9.  In those moments, I thought, I am a true mother because there is throw up seeping through my shirt and all I can think is how can I help Amy to feel better.

My sister did share some profound wisdom with me.  She said to line your bucket with a plastic bag for easy clean up.  She is a genius, right?

Let's all shoot for a better week next week.  Please?  Universe, you're taking note of this plea, right? 

Majestic Mountains

 My mom has been in town this week.  Before our big trip, we decided to make a trip out to an apple orchard.  I have been trying to get out to an apple orchard for ages, one week I was sick, the rest so busy that they got away from me.  Living in our big urban area, I crave space and country sometimes.

 

 

 We went to the Marker Miller Orchard.  It was a relatively long drive (about 90 minutes) but we really liked it.  I liked picking the apples, the kids liked running around on their playground.  As we were driving over, I realized how close we were to Shenandoah National Park.   On the ride home, we pulled off for a visit. 

I have been to the Shenandoah's once before but it's been a few years.  I didn't remember how incredibly beautiful it was.  

 

 

 I realized that sometimes I get caught up in the mole hills of life that I miss the majestic mountains.  I'm worrying about a teething girl or being absolutely far behind in everything that I lose sight of the great joys.  I miss that moment that Amy first tries on tap shoes (she pounded all around and was so happy) or my boy getting so grown up and independent as he comes home from preschool.

I think I need to step back sometimes and take in the majestic, the beautiful in my life.  Standing at the top of those mountains and looking out, I felt that feeling.  For the first time in a long time I just stood in awe and wasn't burdened by all the rest.  There truly is beauty all around in our lives if we stop and see it.  Now, to remind myself about that over and over, every day. 

Outer Banks 2015

I have been in beach mourning ever since we got home from our trip to Outer Banks last weekend. I think I just want to live at the beach forever.

 

  Life is so much more relaxed at the beach.  There is always going to be sand everywhere so I have no expectation that it's going to be any other way.  No one worries about makeup, I don't blow dry my hair and I just let it be for a bit.  Maybe this is a lesson I need to take home into my regular life.  

Amy didn't sleep much the first night and was up very early the next morning.  I gathered her up and we walked down to the water together.  I stood in the sand and just thought about life.  There is something about the water, the waves that is the most calming thing to me.  In my life, there is very little calm so I steal these little moments.

 

The happiest part of the trip for me was watching the kids discover and play in the water.  Leo has always loved the beach and Amy had no fear.  We spent a truly blissful afternoon playing and laughing.  I'm going to tuck it away as one of my happiest memories.

 

 

 

  We rented the most beautiful beach house.  It was the nicest one we've stayed in, by far (lets not talk about the one with the half bath on the porch).  I admired all the little beach touches.

I think I have two little beach bums.  Leo hasn't stopped talking about being at the beach.  I printed up some pictures and Leo had to have all of the beach ones hung on his door.  I never thought I'd want to return to the same place over and over, I like adventure in my life but now I want to come back to the same place again and again.  I can't get enough of being there.  This trip, we were able to share it with my parents.  I have been talking about it for years so it was so fun to share it with them too.  I think they loved it as much as we did.