There is nothing quite like spending an afternoon at the “waterpark on the other side of the tracks”, where the kid mohawks, dirty water, and the nine-month-pregnant tattooed bellies were in full force.
But no matter the surroundings, Scout, Navy and the cousins had the best time.
And did I mention that the entrance was free?
(Hence the reason we weren’t in Provo at the rad Seven Peaks.)
We love Temple Square.
It is hands down one of our favorite days when we go to Utah.
I especially loved when Scout and Navy befriended three-generations of Chinese women, and spoke to them in Mandarin. It was so cool to see.
It was just the most beautiful day, as a storm was rolling in.
And I loved seeing Pippi exploring everything.
Although these four are really crazy at times with their fighting, tattling, whining and teasing…I am so glad they are mine.
I tell each of them that I hand-picked them from Heaven, and tell them what they were doing when I saw them.
I tell Navy:
I tell her that I was looking around at all of the little children in Heaven. That some were beautiful, and some were funny, and others were fast runners. But that there was a group of little angels that were all of those things. I really wanted one of them to be mine, but “beautiful” and “funny” and “fast” were not the top quality I was looking for, and that I would need to look further. Then one day, there was a little boy walking by this group with an arm full of stuff, who tripped and fell. All of the girls giggled when they saw his stuff went everywhere. But one of the little angles from that group quickly ran over to see if the little boy was okay, and then helped him gather up everything he had dropped. And that is when I knew that SHE was to be mine. The little girl who had the best quality of them all. Better than being beautiful, funny or fast….she was kind — which was at the top of my list.
I tell Scout:
There was a big written test in Heaven. And one very confident angel kept telling everyone that he was the best, he was the best. So it caught my eye. Then they all took the test, and he was right. He got the best score out of everyone. So he was awarded with the Heavenly prize that was full of candy, treats, and money. When he got it, he was so proud. But then, he told everyone to gather around, and he started handing out his prize to everyone else. When it was all over, I realized that he did not have even one thing left for himself. And the best part, he had a grin from ear to ear, because he got to let everyone else enjoy his prize. When another angel asked if he was sad that he didn’t get anything, he said, “I did get something. I got the best thing. I got to see others heppy.” That was when I knew that HE was to be my oldest child.
I tell Dash:
I have had my “third child theory” for a long time. They are always a little bit high maintenance in some way or another. That being said, I knew I was looking for one thing for my third. Eternally Happy! So I looked around and around, and then I spotted HIM. His eyes were almost always closed because his smile forced his cheeks up into his eye sockets — and he was always smiling! When I spotted him, he was on the far side of the Heavenly Lake with a couple of friends. I could see him jumping and jumping, but wasn’t sure the reason. And then I saw him run behind a small bush and heard a belly laugh from across the lake. And then I saw it….an arced stream of potty…landing right in the lake. When he came out from behind the bush, there was his smile again. I knew there was a little naughtiness behind that particular smile, but his happiness superseded….and I was happy to take that gamble on my number three.
I tell Pippi:
I just looked around for the bossiest angel in all the land…one who wouldn’t get pushed by the wayside as the youngest of four. And then I saw the littlest, teeniest, tiniest angel…with the loudest, shrillest, and pushiest voice I have ever heard. And it was a no-brainer. I saw everyone kow-towing to this girl. People were lined up to do whatever she asked. At first I wasn’t so sure….but then our eyes met. And she had the largest, wide-set, brown eyes…and I too was under her spell. So I am not totally sure if I picked her, or she picked me. But no matter how it happened….it was destined to be.
—
No matter how we really came to be a family (although I would argue that I am right on the money), I’m so glad to know that we can be together forever.
We just hit up one of our favorites — the bowling alley at BYU.
We had a 10 minute wait, so my kids entertained themselves with the usual.
Navy bumped and banged the candy machines until she got free candy.
Which she did.
Scout searched high and low to find change.
Which he did — 50 cents worth.
—
And after my kids humiliated me to high heaven….
we bowled.
Where Iron Man, Golden Lightning, Hood Smash (Dash came up with it on his own), and The Little competed.
And to get a leg up on the competition, Hood Smash walked a few feet into the lane.
—
It was good time, and I’m pleased to report that “The Little” took home the victory!
We were in Utah the same time Nate was heading into the MTC.
So naturally, my kids wanted to be everywhere he was.
First stop…
Nate’s Grandpa’s house where my kids said goodbye for the 14th time.
And where Dash found a picture of his love — Sabine.
Next stop, outside the MTC before he headed in.
Notice all of my kid’s sad faces.
—
It is bittersweet to have a missionary leave for two years.
But of all of the missionaries I have ever known to go out, Nate will be one of the very best!
Nate….Montreal is lucky to have you!
See you in two.
Navy loves all of her cousins, but she and Rosie just click.
When they are together, I don’t see them — sometimes, for hours.
And it is usually a safe bet, that they are little artists in one corner of the house.
See what I mean.
And the produce some pretty amazing masterpieces.
Poor Navy.
Her mouth took quite a beating last night.
Inside her lower lip is filled with cuts and cankers.
And her top two teeth are loose.
Her front left tooth is actually really loose, and noticeably lower than the others.
Poor thing has it rough today with eating and about everything else.
—
And just to think that we thought her giraffe tooth was the biggest of her teeth problems.
What started off to be a beautiful and fun day in Utah, where we stopped at lemonade stands, took quite the turn.
For dinner, we went to a cool new mall north of Seth’s house.
After eating, there was a really cool playground where the kids played tag, did dares, and buried the Pips.
About 45 minutes in, I thought, “I’m surprised that they don’t have better lighting, because it’s getting dark out here, and I’m sure it is getting hard for the kids to see.”
DUH!
But I continued to chat with Seth as the kids played.
And then one of the kids called out, “I think Navy is hurt.”
I ran over to see her wide-eyed on her back at the bottom of the playground structure.
I asked her if she was okay, and saw some blood around her mouth.
I asked her what her name was — she knew it.
I asked her when her birthday was — she knew it.
I picked her up, and thought she had just really banged her mouth pretty hard.
(Apparently, she had been running on the top of the structure and ran right over the rabbit hole that she didn’t see, and fell through it from 8 feet up.)
I held her tight in the car as Seth drove, because my really tough girl was still pretty shaken up.
When I went to readjust her, I realized that I had blood all over my shirt — that was not coming from her mouth.
I called Carruthy, and we went over things.
We got her home and into a warm bath.
Meanwhile, Seth/Brett called their brother-in-law to see if he was in the mood to do stitches.
He was so nice to have us over.
He set up a make-shift surgery center, and went to town.
His nurses (his twin daughters) held her hand, and encouraged her the whole time — it was really sweet.
He was so meticulous, and thoughtful.
He didn’t shave a speck of hair — knowing that I would prefer it that way.
And out of all of the stitch jobs I have ever seen…
this before and after:
is the most impressive.
Thank you Dr. Cosgrave!
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Moral to the story…
Catch a clue….and follow the promptings!
I wanted to get to Utah so fast, so that I could take the kids to the SLC airport and say another goodbye to Cade.
So we woke up early, ran over to Kneaders to put together a good airplane package of food, and went over.
When we got inside the airport, we saw tons of missionaries.
Unfortunately, just not the one we were looking for.
So there we sat.
With our package at our feet.
The kids entertained themselves at the vending machines, trying to find quarters for a treat.
(Which they obviously did.)
Then there was the airport jungle gym.
Finally Pippi dug into the “Americana” cookies we got Cade.
—
We waited so long, in hopes of him calling his mom, and him coming back out.
But it was a no go.
Good thing I caught the last missionary to go through, and I told him I had a deal for him.
If he could take the package through, and look for the red-headed missionary from San Diego, he could give it to him…but keep the huge and delicious turkey sandwhich in it.
If he never found him, he could have the whole thing for himself.
(The funny part is he said he was from close to San Diego…which ended up being Laguna Niguel — and was in the Thackers ward!)
—
So we drove off, not knowing whether or not Cade got the loot.
-
(Update–Cade first letter home from Milan stated, “Mom, tell Lindsey thanks for all of the good food I had on the plane”.)
Hallelujah!
There is no better word to describe my drive to Utah this year…than…TORTURE!
I had four rowdy, fighting, naughty, tattle-telling, tired kids that initially put me in the torture chamber.
But the rental car that had rotting fruit in it from the previous renters sealed the deal.
It was the smelliest and grossest thing, that by the time I hit Norco (less than an hour away) I found the Car Spa.
What they thought would take 30 minutes, ended up taking well over an hour.
—
The drive that normally takes about 9 hours, ended up taking us over 13 hours.
And the hardest part of all???
My best co-pilot wasn’t with me to man the troops.
Just when I didn’t think this kid could get any sweeter…he did just that.
Even with a fever, I think this boy could charm the pants off anyone.
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