Friday February 15 started early for me. I woke up at 4:30 am and got showered and dressed and did final preparations and then waited for my ride. She was very prompt and picked me up at 5:15 am. She got me to the airport by 5:45 am and I was on my way. Airports have changed a lot in the last 6 years (the last time I flew). Long lines everywhere, but when you aren’t checking baggage and you already have your boarding pass, it makes the process a little more do able. I got to the gate with about 30 minutes to spare. So I ate the breakfast I brought and eagerly awaited my 7 am departure. I arrived in Utah about 9:50 am (Utah time). The captain came over the loud speaker and announced it was about 27 degrees, the thought just made me feel cold! Cathy found me with no problem and we were off. We spent most of the day in downtown Salt Lake checking things out and running some errands. We went to her work and had lunch with some co-workers, very nice ladies and Cathy did a couple of emails. Cathy works in the Church office Building and you can go up to the 26th floor and look out over the whole city. It was a very cool site to see and for a minute it confused me why everything looked white (sometimes I’m a bit slow). Snow is VERY beautiful to visit, still not so convinced that I would want to live in it!! We went to the distribution center and had fun looking around and purchasing a few things. About 4 we headed to Layton. We got back to Cathy’s house and did dinner and watch a family favorite show on T.V. Then we talked a bit more before heading off to bed, about 1 am!
Saturday we spent the morning doing a couple of projects at Cathy’s house and just enjoying each other’s company. Then at 3:30 we headed to Provo to eat dinner with the Bennett Sr.’s. They were in town too and had called to see if we wanted to have dinner with them. We went to this Portugues resturant. They have all you can eat salad and meat. They bring the meat to your table on HUGE squwers and cut off peices for you right there at your table. It was VERY good and lots of fun. They had also invited an old missionary from our ward and a young adult that had moved to Utah a few years ago. It was fun to reunite with those people too. After dinner Cathy and I weren’t quite ready to go home so we went to the University mall and just bummed around, it was pretty fun. Then we had ice cream and finally headed home about 9:30. We got in late and got to bed even later, but it was fun and worth it.
Saturday Cathy was starting to feel a little under the weather. By Sunday morning she was not well and decided it was best that she stay home from church. So I went to church with her two youngest kids. It was a very different experience to sit in my meetings knowing I had no other obligations to worry about. It was uplifting to actually listen to the lessons and enjoy the spirit they brought. On the other hand, I saw all these families and began to sorely miss my own. After church we just lazed around most of the day watching Jane Austen movies (my new favorite thing to do) and enjoying the day. We had dinner and played a board game Blokus, VERY fun. We then watched the 2nd installment of Pride and Prejudice. After that we all just crashed. We were pretty tired and Monday was our busy day.
Monday morning started about 7:15. We were going to use this day to get more projects done and so we wanted to start early. We focused mainly on the basement and did lots of cleaning and organizing. The basement had just been recently drywalled and now needed to be primed and painted. But, just like any project, other things needed to be done first before we could accomplish that project. So we got all the “pre work” done before lunch and then took a break for lunch and started the priming about 2. We worked for 3 hours and were pretty much too tired to go on. We thought that maybe after dinner we could finish a bit more, but that never happened! After dinner we got cleaned up and then did final preparations for me to leave in the morning. That included filling the car with gas, getting a Jamba Juice and driving past the Ogden Temple. It was a fun outing with Cathy and the last one for a while I’m sure. We got home and to bed by 11. It was a bit hard to sleep because of all the excitement of the day and the anticipated arrival home the next day. But I did manage a few hours!
Tuesday morning I was up at 4:15 and got ready to leave. We left for the airport about 4:30 and I was at the airport at 5. It was plenty of time to get through all the security checks, and to the gate. I even got to sit for a few minutes before they started boarding. I ate some breakfast and then we boarded. The flight went well and I even snoozed for a few minutes. We arrived in Oakland at 7:20 am (California time) and Scott picked me up by 7:40am. It was a joyous reunion for all. The kids all looked the same, but Afton looked more grown up to me. She was coy for the car ride home but warmed up to me a soon as we got home. What a cute girl. The rest of the day was suppose to be me playing with the kids and enjoying their company after being gone for so long. Instead I fell asleep about 9:30 and woke up at 11. Fed everyone lunch and put Afton down for her nap and then fell asleep again till 2:30. I kept telling the kids it was jet-lag! I didn’t realize how tired I was and the kids were really good about it. At 3 we did chores and got ready for the missionaries. They came over at 5 pm and we had a good dinner. Scott missed out on the festivities due to work, but we still had fun. As soon as the missionaries left I put the little kids to bed, Jaime went to activity days and Alix read books on the couch while I cleaned up more. Alix finally went to bed, Jaime came home and so did Scott. Bed was a welcomed relief!
Here it is Tuesday morning. I am feeling a little tired still but I’m sure it will pass. It rained here all day yesterday and all night and still this morning. What a change from Utah. Even though it was cold and snow everywhere, it was blue skies and beautiful. Snow is so fun to look at and I think Cathy found it quite hilarious how awed I was at the site.
It was a fun weekend and I’m thankful to Scott for giving me the opportunity to go. It was much needed for all of us. I am glad to be home though. There is nothing like your own home and your own family to help keep the spirit alive. I’m glad for my family and their love and understanding of me and my quirks. Scott will have to take the time to tell you about his side of the weekend, I’m sure he has good stories to tell.
Much love to all.
And now all my curiosities are put to rest! Sounds like you had a lot of fun on your little get-a-way! Maybe I should have one too…hmm, where would I go?