Tender Mercies

 

This move hasn’t been easy. In fact, I think I’ve hated almost everything about it resulting in panicking and re-analyzing every decision we have made at least a dozen times. Since moving to Texas, I have traveled to three family reunions giving me the opportunity to escape, reconnect with loved ones, anchor myself in familiar love before diving back into the unknown abyss. At the end of the last reunion, I left with trepidation and a tear-stained face because work started on Monday. My attempts to avoid the true depth of our move was over. 

Ironically, I think work was exactly what I needed to begin the adjustment. I no longer wake up and make a list of projects to keep me busy and sane. I am legitimately busy with good hard work. Granted, I do miss having some more free time to pursue developing hobbies, but I think I’m happier having an 8 hour purpose. I feel on fire with the ideas swirling in my head to start an organized, purposeful school year. 

I really like my administrators and the sense of community and family they want our school to have. I’m still trying to meet all the people in the school. Learning their names, their grades, and personalities seems a little overwhelming, but I remind myself that I learned two junior highs in Utah. I can also close my door on my fabulous room if I need solace. I also really love that I get my own laptop and ipad. Oh, and my district sends me to a state convention. Watch out Alamo, I’m coming!

I feel lucky and blessed to finally feel a little more centered since the move. 

Happy Fourth of July

My grandfather on my father’s side was born on July 4th. This year we planned a family reunion to celebrate his 90th birthday. As a young child, we would meet every year for family reunions for a few days in the woods and go camping. I remember playing all day with my beloved cousins in the wilderness. We would have relay races and tug of war. My grandmother sat behind a blanket which turned into a fishing pond with special prizes. We haven’t had this kind of reunion in ages, and I miss it. However, I was just as excited to get together with my family since we haven’t been together since my grandma’s funeral. 

Flying from Dallas has been a challenge since the move, and we weren’t sure how I was going to get to Utah for the 90th party. Luckily, I have an amazing network of family who are always willing to help. Flights to SLC were full and there was no way I was going to get there. My cousin’s husband suggested I fly to Vegas and they would pick me up. What a brilliant plan. I flew into Vegas around 9:00 in the morning, and my cousin’s husband and uncle drove into Vegas around the exact same time. They swung by the airport, threw me in the car and continued driving to Provo. Hurray for family!  

I was able to see my family in Salt Lake City for a bit. I love these cousins. When I say I’m going to arrive at a certain time, my cousins sit in the window and wait. My aunt was in charge of a community BBQ which entailed a bike parade, bounce house, dunk tank, blue grass band, and community pot luck complete with an assortment of vegan side dishes. I love this community. Someday Brent is going to become a professor, and we will buy a house here. 

My brother David arrived from Chicago too! Unfortunately, his plane was delayed because two guys decided to get in a fist fight. Classy. 

After the community BBQ, we went to my grandmother’s side of the family annual BBQ. Even though they didn’t know we were coming and my grandma couldn’t come since she was in the Congo, they welcomed us warmly. I am so lucky to have a loving extended family. 

Our third BBQ of the day began around 4 in Provo. Most of my cousins on my dad’s side were there to celebrate with my grandpa. My dear great aunt from St. George drove up as well. We ate dinner, reminisced about the “good old days,” and looked at old pictures of my grandpa. 

My Uncle Thom showed up and invited my brother and I to go flyboarding. If you don’t know what flyboarding is, imagine strapping a jetpack to your feet which is attached to a jet ski. Then picture shooting high into the sky. David was excited. I was nervous. 

My husband was trapped in Texas on the 4th, but he arrived the next day. As soon as he showed up, David and I told him that we were going flyboarding. We bought swim gear at Wal-mart and met my uncle at the lake.David and Brent really liked it. I got in the water,attempted for a split second, hated every part of it, and got out. It’s a good thing I married a sweet man because he congratulated me on even getting in the water. 

This is flyboarding:

Brent and I finished the day by seeing Mary Poppins at the Hale Center Theatre. This only continued to confirm Brent’s dislike of Mary Poppins. True to our fashion, we took a very very early flight the next day. I think there is nothing like the Wasatch Front for the Fourth of July.