Instead, this is what greeted me: the boys staring straight ahead, windows down, with "Fur Elise" blasting on the truck stereo.
They thought they were hilarious. And honestly, they weren't wrong.
When I saw this one, I had an instant visceral reaction, and I actually teared up right there in the booth just looking at it. It felt like my story this past year, as I've been back in a place that feels like home, living my life with people who not only feel like family, but actually ARE family. Even though we've run into some snags with our house and other issues in getting settled, I can honestly say that my heart sings. Every dang day. I am so deeply, deeply happy.
Jess saw how much I loved it, and she bought it for me as a gift. Whenever I wear it, I feel that same reminder of all my blessings and how fortunate I am to be alive, to be here, and to have my people close.
So I'm renaming this blog. I knew when I started posting again in January that I wanted it to be a record of things that make me happy, and now I have the perfect three-word story to describe my vision.
My heart truly sings, and this is my song.
First boating trip of the summer. Brad took Luke and some friend to Utah Lake, where the water was surprisingly not that cold. But after a winter spent in Brad's dad's barn, the boat needed a thorough cleaning.
Since it's almost Memorial Day again, here's a throw-back pic of last year, when we went on the Jerry Larson tour of Garland, UT. It was a perfect Memorial Day.
Cruz's 12U baseball team played for the city championship tonight. No, they didn't win, but it sure was fun to cheer them on!
And sitting by Zack is always a treat.
Luke had a GREAT season with these men. He's holding his Frosh team Silver Slugger award and varsity letter certificate (which he earned by playing about 30 seconds of a varsity game).
It only took me a year to gird up my loins and get organized, but now I can't stop going into the garage just to look. I can breathe again!
This photo was taken several years ago during a General conference women's session. My mom and sisters attended together and sent me this photo of them feeling sad I wasn't there. As sad as they look, I can promise I was sadder. I see this, and my heart is so happy to live here now.
Last night, we celebrated my Mother's Day with just our little family (we visited my mom and Lois last Sunday on the real Mother's Day and waited to celebrate with just us today so we wouldn't be rushed). Did I take a photo of me with my kids? No. Somehow, the only pic I managed to take was of the Babushka Doggies looking so grim. But look how cute!
This morning, while we waited for our table for brunch, we took a walk on Canyon Road in Logan. It was PERFECT. I especially loved this quintessential grandma property and made Jess take a photo there.
Jess and I spent the weekend in Logan for a Girls' Trip to the Vintage Fair and just plain fun. We ate lots of good food, saw lots of cute things, and basically just had a lovely time together. I love my girl 💓
Check out this pleasant surprise! My cousin Kim Kaleikini was manning the concession stand at the game.
I love Brigham City. I had to drive by Gpa and Gma Darrington's house to complete my magical evening.
Our dishwasher has been broken for two weeks, and we're still waiting for approval from the home warranty company before the repairman can come back and fix it. I'm officially grumpy.
More baseball, and this time Luke did get to play. After Varsity finished yesterday's game (a very hard-earned win at 10-9 after thirteen innings--a Utah high school record), Varsity played their regularly scheduled second game against Stansbury (a hearty win at 13-6), and JV finally got to play.
Despite being a young 'un on the JV squad, Luke started at shortstop and played the whole game with no errors. Before his first at-bat, one of the Varsity seniors grabbed Luke by the helmet, looked him square in the eye, and told him to go out there and prove he should've been on JV all along. Luke did, batting .500. Even Coach Miller gave him a congratulatory fist bump.
Brad's favorite thing to do at Luke's games = clock the pitcher's ball speed. This photo was taken during the Cedar Valley Varsity game against Stansbury HS, which we were watching as we waited for the JV game (Luke was asked to play up to JV this week). But then this game kept getting tied up and going into overtime innings. At the end of twelve innings (yes, TWELVE!), the score was 9-9, so they quit because it was getting too dark to play. Needless to say, JV didn't play. This game will continue tomorrow at Stansbury.
Happy Mother's Day to meeeeeeeeee! I came home from church--during which both Luke and Brad gave talks that made me fluff and cry--to find my pots filled with these flowers. Jess, my beautiful flower fairy, has just ensured that my heart will be happy every time I enter my house for the next several months 💕
It's been a weekend of baseball, as Cedar Valley participated in a tournament in Stansbury Park. Obviously, I couldn't be happier.
Yesterday, Luke's coach put him in to pitch in their game against Uintah High. Luke has pitched here and there in other seasons, but this was his first time on the mound this year, and he was cool as a cucumber. I, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck!
Today one of my former seminary students got married, so I went to his reception held in Sandy and got to talk to these lovely ladies from my Texas ward, Michelle Baker and Amy Benson.
And then, to complete my Texas Memory Lane experience, I got stopped by a train driving home. Yee haw, y'all.
Luke's team played Uintah High School over in Vernal today, so it was the perfect opportunity to meet Whitney and Ashley for lunch at the CUTEST deli ever!
