April 15, 2011
A weekend with the Fam - Part 1
A couple weeks ago I mentioned that I had made a quick trip down to Utah to see my little sister's new baby and be there for his baby blessing.
Aren't they cute?
If she wasn't my sister and I was sworn to sisterly love and affection (it doesn't matter if it was against my will or not), I'd probably hate her for looking so good already.
See those smiles? One is the smile of a woman who is pregnant and NOT glowing. The other is the smile of a woman who is done being pregnant and IS glowing.
And don't tell me that it's only her first, because I already know that. Yet somehow, I can't seem to find that comforting.
No, I have not been doing my kegels.
Yes, I know you were dying to ask about that.
My stomach and bladder are forever going to be my enemy. Dang kegels, I hate that so much of my future happiness rests on you.
My parents had driven down to our house Friday as a stopping point for the night before going the rest of the way Saturday.
Alayna made sure they felt welcome that Saturday morning by keeping the kitchen and all the dishes clean and warm for their arrival.
I'm pretty sure at that point in the morning I hadn't changed her diaper yet.
The plan was for me and Alayna to leave with my parents for Utah, while the other kids stayed home with Hubby who had been out of town all week.
There was much excitement and great anticipation for his arrival.
So basically, I picked Hubby up from the airport, brought him home, made out with him for a minute or two, then waved goodbye.
May I just interject here that traveling with only one child is a Piece. Of. Cake. I almost felt like I was on vacation!
Almost.
Things were going smoothly on the drive and my mom and I chomped on Cadbury mini eggs as though their whole purpose for existing was to make us skinnier, when my dad, who was going about 80mph, suddenly starts freaking out and telling us that the engine is overheating and he's lost control of the steering.
Thankfully we were on a straight stretch of highway so we were able to pull off to the side of the road. My dad pops the hood, stares at the engine for a minute, then we watch him pull out this long shredded black thing.
Turns out the serpentine belt, which is basically the main belt for the whole engine, had been completely demolished. Unsure of where to get help on a Saturday afternoon at first, I realized I had a brother-in-law who lived nearby.
I gave him a call and as heaven would have it, he was coming up the freeway at that very moment, only about 10 - 15 miles from where we were.
So he picked up a new belt for the car and helped my dad put it on.
We were on our way in less than an hour from the time the car went haywire.
Talk about divine intervention!
Thanks for noticing, he'd like that.
A couple hours later, we finally made it to my sister's house (not the one who just had the baby) where we met up with everyone else. Three of my brothers, two of my brother-in-laws, one sister-in-law, my two little sisters and of course myself and my parents.
Yes, I do have rather cute sisters, don't I!
So after some yummy dinner, we all sat back for some... interesting conversation.
I will spare you the details of the conversations.
Mostly because I can't remember any of it, but also because my family always has...
Me? I was just trying to remain totally inconspicuous in my bright orange shirt.
The only orange thing I own by the way.
Is it just me, or does my brother-in-law in the background there look like he's trying hard to think of a way to get out of getting up with the baby at night?
I don't know for sure, but it looks awfully suspicious....
When it was time for my sister's kids to go to bed, we had family prayer and scripture reading.
'Cause that's just how we roll.
That night, Alayna made sure I only got about three hours of sleep. She can be sweet like that sometimes.
I take back what I said about traveling with one child being almost like vacation.
It doesn't even come close.
To Be Continued...
