Whirlwind of a Weekend


I have barely recovered from what turned out to be a fantastic but exhausting weekend in Utah. I might have taken a 3 hour nap everyday since coming home. 

This also turned out to be an emotional trip for many reasons. The whole reason for our brief visit was this gorgeous lady right here in the blurry grad suit:


You're never too old to learn! Go, momma, go!!

My dad was on the stand and handed her the diploma cover. The audience cooed. It was adorable. Those robes are not adorable. I know this was a big deal for her and I'm SO glad I could participate and cheer her on from the crowd. She has watched her husband and all kids go through these boring ceremonies and be stressed out to the core over finals and was so supportive. I'm grateful we could be there for her. Definitely a proud moment for all of us.


Also, my parents dropped a bomb on us (not a bad bomb, just a surprise) and said they are selling the house and moving to Vancouver. So I knew coming that I would need to say goodbye to Mapleton and to THE HOUSE that my kids still feel like is home. I don't know that I fully processed how this affects me and us. But I will always think of that nice, comfortable house as a rehab center.

Here's really bad pic of us because we are totally incapable of taking good pics. But we love each other and love the family we have built together and somehow trying to force that into a good picture hasn't been a big priority. Maybe someday. 


Last emotional reason: This little boo got baptized. She has spent the past several months/year really weighing this decision. I made it clear that of course it's not something she has to do and is only a good idea when she felt ready. I'm glad she took the time she needed and once she really felt good about it, there was no turning back. 

Also, we did the baptism with my ex-husband and his stepson. "Awkward" and "tense" are only two very inadequate words that really express how I felt. But, we were there for the kids and it all played out just fine. Also my parents gave two of the most beautiful talks I've ever heard given at a baptism. I was very impressed and so touched that they would speak directly to the stepson and show so much kindness to my ex-husband's new family. Who, frankly, none of us care for at all.


Another epic picture taking fail. She looked beautiful, I'm glad it's over and boy were we tired the next day. As a side note, Jacob chose to not hardly participate at all. Things got a bit intense between us since Hannah wanted him to do something but he was super uncomfortable being in the ordination circle. I don't know that it really resolved perfectly but I'm proud of him for sticking to what he felt he could do, and I'm so grateful for my family for not making an issue out of it.


Now for this week's emotional upheaval, we will be heading to New York tomorrow to look for housing, scope out neighborhoods and hospitals, and stop by a church or two. We're staying with some friends in Harlem, right on the corner of Central Park and 5th avenue. Sadly, neither of us looking forward to the trip. Happily, my mom is coming to take care of the girls and get some humidity in her hair.




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