While The Grinch Plays

Lucy woke up at 7 this morning and so I got a little sleepy around 9. I invited Isaac to read some stories while I took a little rest with his blankie draped over me. He let me do that (after some tears at the idea of sharing his blankie) and then when I opened my eyes again, he said, "Mommy. You took a rest. And now you wake up. And then we go downstairs... and watch a movie!" I loved how he figured out how to describe this sequence of desirable events, and liked the idea of getting laundry done downstairs and updating my blog. What a win-win.

We got back from an 8-day trip to Minnesota and Utah yesterday and I am pleased to report that it was awesome! Fergus Falls, Minesota provides so much entertainment for me and the kids: frogs and turtles to catch and admire, swimming across the lake, going on gorgeous runs around the lake and in the hills, stroller rides to DeLagoon Park with Peanut and our five kids, golf cart rides with Marshall, Dairy Queen runs, fishing and chasing pelicans, seeing TWO BALD EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, looking for golf balls around the golf course, playing Whist, Egyptian Ratscrew, and BS, having great doctrinal discussions, laughing until I cried, and just soaking up rays in front of the cabin while Lucy devours sand and Isaac plays with the kids in the water and sand. Man, what a trip.

And being with Marshall was such a treat. He really is a ray of sunshine, delighted that Heavenly Father provided such beauty for Marsh to enjoy. His homecoming talk was yesterday and it was awesome. He's just kind of one of those "engines that can" in life. My parents set him on the right path and he just plows forward, spreading joy like flower petals in a wedding. And I loved the food we ate after his talk. Give me fruit, eclairs, and croissants filled with delightful chicken and crown me the happiest of women. I don't really see my dad and I as similar creatures, but he always stacks his food cheerfully on his plate and says, "Oh man, this is livin'!" And I am 100%with him on that one.

We left Breezy and Troy in Minnesota and they began their trek to Virginia, where they'll be for way too long as Troy shoots for a doctorate degree in Psychology. I am going to miss them so much and I hate the idea of not seeing them for an entire year.

I was probably the only one slightly happy to leave Minnesota, and that's because I got to drive into the arms of my husband. I love that man.

I didn't explain the pictures, so here's the fill-in. Lucy loved to climb underneath the table and pull herself up; Isaac joined her under there on our last day and I got the happy picture. Then there's Lucy, my fashion model. That little girl in a bathing is a sight for sore eyes. Then she's getting tackled by her cousin, Cabell. He loves to hug her, bury his golden curls in her belly, then grab her hair and pull her around by the hair. They love each other, but it's a contact sport I need to watch closely. Then we've got Lucy smiling in her life jacket with her cousin, River. The smile is a ruse. She hated wearing a life jacket with a violent passion. The last picture is of our dock and Pebble Lake, taken from our cabin. The picture doesn't do the place justice, but it's the only one I took. Hopefully, I'll get more pictures from Marty and Peanut soon, featuring the Sheide 7--our parents and the five siblings, and some more pictures of Lucy:).