So I really should be cleaning the house right now but I convinced myself that I was too tired. After laying on the bed for a while I realized I wasn't going to be able to fall asleep so instead of getting back to the laundry, toys, and kitchen messes, I thought I would blog!!
A week ago today I returned home from a whirlwind of a trip! Christian and I were able to go up to Montana for a number of events and I have never been more grateful for my husband! He was a champion through the whole trip and he probably doesn't even know it.
Disclaimer: Just so everyone is aware, this is a brutally honest post and it's not meant to hurt anyone's feelings. It is purely meant to purge mine, so if you think you could be offended in any way, no matter who you are, it would just be best not to read. For the rest of you, it is probably too boring to read anyway, but if you want to know the latest on our lives, here it is. Thanks!! So Tyson flew there and back fabulously well. My mother in law helped to get me on the plane on the way home since Christian left for home a week earlier than I and that helped immensely! She is so thoughtful to help. So here is our trip in a nutshell.
Nancy's wedding was the first big event. Nancy is my best friend's little sister and I was so excited to see her on her big day. She was beautiful! It was fun to be able to see Lana (best friend) and her two cute kids. The bad part was her little boy got sick with the flu and so they were home bound for most of the trip. I'm going to have to go up and visit her in her own place to really catch up since it has been so long since we've been together and I was sad to not get to see her much!
Christian's birthday: I am so lucky to be married to the most wonderful person in the world. I really am astounded over and over again at how lucky I was to marry such an amazing guy! I know I had no idea what I was getting into so I am so grateful God led me to him and him to me. I love him so much! Thanks for being born! Christian was a champion and ran a 5k with me and my family on the morning of his birthday! He pushed the stroller over a field the whole way and we came in at 28:24 and we think we would have won a ribbon for first couple to cross with a stroller while the wife is pregnant. Christian's not a big fan of running so it was a gift to me on his birthday. I got him some sweet shorts :)
Tenille's graduation: My youngest sister graduated from high school which was great. She looked beautiful and I felt bad so much was going on around her big day. There is enough emotion that goes on with graduating, but she pulled it off great! The speakers, however, were the worst I have ever heard. (I know this sounds like I'm exaggerating, but really.) The student speaker really made them seem like a class of druggies with nowhere to go but I guess that's not as bad as the graduation before that where the speaker made truly inappropriate jokes the whole time. This speaker actually played Free Bird for the end of his speech...that's how great it was.
Mom's wedding: So for the first time in over five years, there was not a single blow up among parents and kids when we were all together. It was awesome. The sad part was that it went by way too fast. The last time we were all together I could not wait to get back to Texas and away from the drama. In fact I even talked to Christian about changing our flights to leave early but we didn't. That was the worst Christmas of all time! I never felt more misunderstood or hurt in all my life. This family gathering, however, was different. Nobody blew up! Christian said it was probably because for once we were all united in a feeling/cause. We were all up for a wedding we were not excited was taking place and we all felt helpless about it happening(no offense, mom). On the way up to the reception (which was the day before) my brother said he was starting to realize he was having a hard time with this. I thought I was going to be totally fine. The reception was good. The best part was they had really good food and I mostly got to talk to my siblings and nobody else. Well actually I talked to my new step-dad's sister which didn't really help me feel any better about the whole wedding taking place. Anyway, about the food, I think good food helps on occasions like these! It was very comforting to eat warm mashed potatoes and rolls and not have to worry about Tyson for a while!
After the reception, Christian's mom, Tyson, Christian, and I drove down to Rexburg. We pulled in at 2:30 am. Christian was a champ and drove the whole way! The next morning we swam in the hotel and got ready for the wedding. When we started to walk up to the temple I realized I was going to have a hard time. I guess I had figured if I didn't say anything it just wouldn't happen, but here we were and it was really happening. I was really embarrassed because Christian's mom was right walking with us and I was ready to cry. I needed a moment with Christian and so I was glad we had forgotten to say our couple prayer that morning. We veered off the path to the temple to sit on the bench and I lost it. I was grateful his mom went inside. I don't like people seeing me cry and I just wanted to be with Christian. All of my sibling's spouses had stayed outside the temple to help with babysitting until my youngest sister got there. We didn't know that and it's a good thing too because I am 100% positive there was no way I was going to make it up those stairs if Christian wasn't with me. All of my siblings wanted to know why Christian wasn't helping with the kids but I am sure they would have wondered longer as to why I didn't show up if he hadn't been there!
The sealing was emotional. I knew I should put on a happy face and pretend I was alright with my mom marrying this complete stranger but I couldn't. I just cried and cried and I wanted her to see how bad this hurt so that if she had any doubts as to her own feelings she could have the strength to say no. That didn't happen! My uncle was kind enough to bring me a tissue since Christian's suit was already drenched with my tears! That's when I realized I wasn't the only one crying. I guess everyone was crying...even my cousin! My mom was crying but I had a hard time watching her anyway. I mostly just stared at the wall and Christian's suit coat.
Afterward my new step-dad's old college buddy talked forever to Christian because their son was going to the same mission Christian went to. They were nice but I wanted to be with my family and here we were stuck talking to these strangers in the temple as I watched my brother being held by his wife and my mother in law as he cried harder than I'd ever seen. It was the worst thing in the world. I wanted so bad to be part of the group hug because that was my family and we were all going through this hard time together but we were sitting there stupidly talking to this family. It was horrible in every sense of the word.
After this, my family went to lunch while the married couple left for their honeymoon and took pictures. By this time we realized we had lost Tyson's beloved blanket. After going through every single piece of laundry in the hotel (no lie) and Tyson falling asleep screaming for his "ganket" we realized we had missed lunch and might as well start for home. Christian's mom was an angel with helping Tyson in the car and searching the entire place with me for the lost treasure. Also, we were so so so lucky that Christian's sister in law had a very similar blanket that Tyson took to right away. He loves that blanket! We still haven't received a call from the hotel so we were so lucky that Darcy gave us that blanket! Thanks Darcy! Anyway, after all that we were able to see all of Christian's living grandparents when we got home. I'm still kicking myself for not getting a picture with Christian's Grandpa but we'll just have to remember for next time. It was wonderful to see them but I was dreading the whole time having Christian, my emotional support leave the next day to leave me here alone in Montana. He said he would pay the $300 if I really needed him to stay, which was exactly what I needed to hear, but I knew that wasn't practical, so he left.
The next week was filled with lots of long talks with my newly graduated sister, driving down to Great Falls to see my older sister and watching Tyson play with Eli in the backyard. Tyson LOVED having cousins to play with! He, Thomas, and Eli played perfectly together and it made me wish they could be better friends. They were so cute! After church, Tenille and I came back home and she left for Utah the next day and I the morning after that. It was a crazy trip. It was emotionally draining although really hard to explain to people, so I've avoided the subject for the most part. But, here is the real, true, heart-felt feeling of the trip. I was crying while writing about it so I know there's little sugar-coating involved. I hope you don't feel obligated to comment. This post was mostly for me. I just felt like I had to write it down.
