While Shari and her family were visiting Utah they decided to spend a week at Jerry and Darinda's in St George because that is a fun place to visit! I have wanted to go down and see the pool now that it is finished and so I asked Darinda if it was okay for me and my two kids to also come. Darinda is so gracious and kind and was fine with us joining them. They were able to talk mom into going which made that her first trip down to see Jerry and Darinda's house. We were able to talk dad into riding down with me and so it was fun having both parents there. Mom actually left on Wednesday and we got there Tuesday Night so we only got to spend a day with her...but it was enjoyable.
Darinda planned a day of sight seeing on Wednesday. We drove up Kolob Canyon and then to Cedar Breaks. It was a nice drive and very pretty. I think Darinda enjoys being a tour guide and she is good at it. We left earlier than we needed to and so we had lots of time before we needed to take mom to the airport. I kind of wondered why we needed to leave so early in the morning but it got us up and moving.
It amazed me how the scenery could change so much from one side of the mountain to the other. The temperature was great...not to hot like it was Tuesday Night when we arrived. It's funny being in a place were the air blows "hot" instead of cool. It was the warmest Tuesday and Wednesday. I felt like the weather was perfect while we were there. We sat outside and visited quite often.
It the late afternoon on Wednesday we went to The Pizza Factory in Cedar City. It was fun having lunch together and seeing everyone's reaction to the ginormous bread-sticks. These were the biggest I have ever seen. We had a great time and laughed when mom mentioned how everyone was talking about "dropping her off". We had time to spare and even though Shari was planning on taking mom to the airport, Erin said she could and they could even go visit her sister first. I guess mom was just hearing things like..."I can drop her off" because she mentioned it to us. We all just laughed and I made a guilty face since I hadn't mentioned it or volunteered to at all. I was always just planning on taking the kids back to swim. Erin was the one that ended up taking mom and Darinda to visit her sister and then taking mom to the airport......to "drop her off". ☺ (probably needed to be there....it was hilarious)
On our way down to Jerry and Darinda's we decided to stop and eat first so we wouldn't need to there. I love how gramps interacts with my kids. He makes us all laugh and my kids have a really good time with him. Jared and gramps are such buddies. I noticed that Cameron and gramps are as well. It's just fun watching gramps with his grands. Gramps loves teasing them all!
On August 21, 2013 Anne Marie sent me a friend request on Face Book. I accepted her invite after looking at her profile. She looked safe enough. ☺ After almost a year of seeing her posts and having her like almost everything I post I thought it might be fun to meet her. I knew she lived in St George and so when I decided to take the kids down I invited Anne to lunch. I "felt" like I was suppose to and so I just took a big breath and sent her a message. It's amazing that she was even able to since she is usually gone the 4th of July Weekend and also because she was just getting her son off on a mission the day before. (things work out the way they are suppose to)
We met at Applebee's and from the very first Hello we felt like friends. She said I was exactly how she pictured me. She was taller than I pictured her but beautiful inside and out just like I thought. We chatted for almost two hours but had to end our visit because she left her grand at home and needed to get back. I was curious why she had requested me to be her friend and she said it was because she saw one of my posts and liked it and just requested me without thinking about it. I'm glad she did. I really like Anne and I feel like our conversation was inspired. I talked about some personal things and even before I shared with her I told her I didn't know why I was going to tell her. She said she needed to hear and sure enough she has experienced similar just recently. We both got tears in our eyes a few times. God just knows who we need and when and He lets us bless each other. I totally give Him credit and thank Him for the opportunity to be His voice every once in awhile. I'm thankful for my new friend Anne....she is truly a sweetheart!
I need to mention a funny thing that happened. Anne said I had style-that in itself is funny to me! Style? Me? I didn't realize it but I was wearing two different earrings....A red one to match my necklace and a blue one that matched my shirt. Of course that wasn't on purpose....I had no idea until I noticed the blue earring on the dresser with my necklace. I really thought maybe it had been caught on my necklace since I just put all my jewelry in a bag together. I thought that until I went to put them back on after swimming and couldn't find the other red earring. I decided to check my jewelry bag and sure enough it was there. Oops! I asked Anne if she had noticed that and she said she did but thought I had done it on purpose....she also said I pulled it off well! Too Funny! Funny that I wouldn't notice and funny that she thought I did it intentionally! Yep....I have style. hahaha
We did a lot of swimming this weekend. Who could stay out of this wonderful pool? It's so much fun and so spacious that everyone could be in it and still have plenty of room. Jeff and Becky even had a little blow up island they had it in and it wasn't too much at all. I loved seeing the kayak and canoe being paddled around...I just thought it looked cool. I loved seeing and hearing everyone have a good time. There was so much excitement all the time. I even came home with a slight tan. ☺ I love seeing cousins interact and enjoy each other. I love visiting with my extended family...I love them all!
Jerry and Darinda are so kind and gracious to let the family come and enjoy their blessings. They have worked so hard to get where they are and I think that is why I think it's so cool to see them have all this. I have seen them at the bottom of the barrel working their way out. (when they have taken chances and failed...they are great examples of getting back up and not giving up) Jerry and Darinda are both so smart and such hard workers. They are perfect examples to all of us. They are the "oldest" siblings for a reason. I admire them both so much and love them to pieces.
I think I have posted pictures of their home before but I did take a few pictures of the entry and some hallways and a peek in the Harry Potter Room. The house is incredible and so fun. We had a wonderful time. We were able to visit with Shari, Duane and their 2 kids. Scott, Erin and their 3 cute girls. Jeff, Becky and their 3 fun girls and both of Larry's parents and Jerry and Darinda. So Fun playing in the Sun!
