Unplanned

I didn't know that I would be in Utah this weekend. Mom is very sick and the siblings there have been taking care of her around the clock. They are tired and we're all worried. She isn't eating or drinking and so I flew out to take a turn and give everyone a break. But mostly I don't wanna miss time with my mom if she isn't planning on sticking around for another 10-20 years. That's really not something I wanna think about, but when we lost Dad 16 years ago, reality came in uninvited. 

So I loaded the fridge with Costco meals and hopped on a plane. 

Mom stayed in bed for just one day, and then she rallied! She wanted to go outside and work in the garden. I know exactly how she feels. It's the best medicine. The siblings that had been watching over her these past weeks a monitoring how many ounces she drank or trying to convince her to eat a little something were flabbergasted. 

I'm not sure why she started feeling better, but I won't argue! We're gonna make the most of any feel-good days she has. The garden soil worked its magic on our souls and Mr. Carrot popped out to say hello. He was definitely a Mister. (stoooop!)

Mom grabbed her binos and we went out to check the water levels and look for any winged creatures. We drove around Burraston Ponds and remember the time I forgot that I had a straw in my drink and went to take a sip and that straw stuck straight up my nose...in front of my whole Beehive class at Burraston Ponds. This is what Utah does to me.

We drove past our old Payson house on the way back to Spanish Fork. It looks mostly the same, but sadder. I wish they had kept it up. That house deserves more love. 

Back in Kansas, Mark had a run in with a stray trailer hitch on his way to Arkansas. It was dark and raining and it completely totaled his Jeep. Which sucks. But I am grateful he come through that without any injury. That easily could have flipped the Jeep on impact, or he could have been hurt out there in the dark while he was checking out the damage. 

The offending hitch: 

But he didn't let it throw off his Dad game! I still got me Sunday Sacrament Selfie

And he forced the kids outside to go swing on the swings are get away from their screens. He's my favorite.

I got to sneak in some Ethan time and he introduced me to the wonderful world of Kolaches. 

I continued the tradition of being totally startled by the scarecrow girl in her basement. Dear Heaven, that thing looks like a real kid from the corner of my eye. Never fails. 

I set off with loaves of bread in my purse. A happier trip than I anticipated on the way out, but that's how life goes. 

On Track Glow Up

The work continues on the gym! We have more ideas than we have time or money, but you wouldn't know that from looking. It feels like we're always there making changes.

Lauren adding some personality to the Fran bathroom. 

 

Building a solid wall on the north side. That will give us structure to create a pipe shelf for the wall balls. 

The wall is up and ready for the pipes!

This represents countless trips to Home Depot for additional connectors, Amazon orders and returns, endless miscalculations and headscratchers...JB Weld and hokey redneck solutions for unanticipated problems. I gave up a couple times, Ross almost threw in the towel, but we got it done in the end. 

It's the MOST BEAUTIFUL THING IN THE WORLD

We got painting the cement pile-ons yellow and couldn't help but give the weathered trim a coat of paint too.

You know what happens next....suddenly you notice how dingy the window frames and ceiling are. It's a painting disease. 

Ladders are for professionals. We've got a box stair case for speaker repair!

Two new ceiling fans, one above the rig and one over by the fridge. 

Replacing the west wall so it doesn't "breathe" when folks are doing wall balls or handstand push ups

Looks solid! Aaand...the floor gets a once over after all that dust and construction mess.

Me and Dr. Bob replacing the tape on the pull up bars

New overhead fans in every shower. Making it possible to get dry during the summer months. 

We're tired, but we love this place!

Easter 2023

The Anderson Egg Hunt! Usually a little chilly but definitely fun to get together and talk with friends. 

 

Everly was the lone hunter this year. Hang on, Everly! We are counting on you to be a kid forever. At least until the grandbabies can take over. 

The Easter Bunny pretty much nailed it this year. A little something special in every child's basket, just so they know that they are loved. 

Anna got shading pencils...but really geeked out over the slime egg. I should have seen that one coming. 

Everly got beautiful scarves to use in fashion design with her dress form. 

Megan got some supplies for her college apartment. Not sure about the level of excitement there, but I suppose that will come when she needs a pizza cutter or ice cream scoop come September.  

Laney got the GOOD colored pencils. Those will be nubs before you know it. 

We can't forget the confetti eggs! It's a total mess and so fun. 

Easter porch photo! 

Easter dinner with some of our faves. 

I spy sweet potatoes in the window!

Being a teenager isn't the funnest when adults are visiting on a Sunday afternoon. Don't be too sad, Aidan, when I was your age I resorted to the lion puzzle in my grandmas linen closet to pass the time. You have a phone!!

Happy Easter!