Missouri Trip

For over a year, I've been looking forward to our planned vacation to visit my parents and sister.  It turned out to be just what I needed. I was able to forget all the cares and worries of life, and enjoy a different state that has unique things to see.

My family lives in the lower western half of the state, so we were too far away to go visit church history sites. We found plenty of things to keep us occupied during our 7 day visit though. We rented an AirB&B for this first time. It was fantastic to have a home base that really was a home. I was able to cook dinners, and the local Walmart was just 5 minutes away.

Here are the highlights of our trip:

The boys enjoy flying. All things considered, they are well behaved too. They were happy that they were able to watch shows that mommy wouldn't typically let them watch at home. Our flight to Kansas City was just under 3 hours long. We then rented a mini van (it was so nice to have a huge vehicle) in Kansas City and drove another 3 hours to get to our rental home in Nixa. We chose Nixa because it was halfway between my sisters home in Ozark, and my parents home in Clever.

Halfway through the drive we felt the need to get out and walk around. We found a gas station with ice cream. Hallelujah. In the back they had a large shaded area and we lounged for a few moments. Peter was especially excited when he discovered a birds nest built on this rain gutter. Can you spot it?

The next morning my parents drove to our rental, and then we all piled into the car to go to the Dickerson Zoo. We were super excited when we were told our Utah Zoo passes would get us in for free. We just paid for Grandma and Grandpa which was super cheap since they are now considered Seniors. 

In typical Luke fashion, he kept the map and marked off the animals as we saw them. We had a superb time. A bunch of school group buses had just left when we got there, and the weather was overcast with a touch of raindrops at times. We all loved it. 

Mom has a hard time walking up and down hills (her asthma is so temperamental), so we got a wheelchair for her. It was very humbling to see Dad pushing her all over those hills. Retirement has been amazing for them.

This zoo had peacocks everywhere. After a little while, they even got annoying.

The next day we drove into Springfield (it was about 30 minutes from Nixa), and we went to the Children's Museum there. It was AMAZING!!! Best one that we've ever gone to. We were there 2 hours and we could have easily been there longer. The building is huge and they have so many awesome exhibits. 

The highlight for me was the bed of nails, water table (water current exploration), and the bee hive area. The boys went crazy and ran around doing whatever they wanted while Bran, Mom, Dad, & I tried to keep up with them. Thankfully, nobody got lost for too long. 

They had a termite colony. It was fascinating. They also had an exhibit all about beetles and bugs that eat small rodents. It was gross, yet, disturbingly captivating. I'll tell you about it, if you ask me.

Peter, Grandpa, and Brandon built a bridge.

The bee colony. They actually had a hole in the wall so the bees could fly in from outside and deposit the pollen. I could have watched them for hours.

Ironically, this didn't hurt, and after a while, it was even relaxing. 

Here are some pictures of our rental house. It was in the most darling neighborhood. The neighbors were friendly, yet quiet. There was also a darling park within walking distance. One night while the boys were watching a show on tv, Brandon and I went over there and walked around the walking path they had there. I felt so safe.

It was a three bedroom, 1.5 bathroom house. Honestly, it looked like a double wide. It was super comfy and the boys each took a room that had the double beds. So, the parents slept on the smallest beds. It was hilarious. I felt very safe here, and I will stay at this same home over and over again in the future. 

Saturday was such an amazing day for me. We found the Springfield Botanical Garden. We were able to spend a few hours walking around and looking at all the beauty. Since Missouri's climate is similar to ours (except for the humidity), all the plants we looked at would work well in our garden. I took lots of pictures for future ideas. I just need more garden beds to create the magic they had there. 

Since it was Mother's Day weekend, they were having a special butterfly exhibit. The local news station was even there. By the time we got to the enclosure the boys were totally done. However, Brandon and I enjoyed it. We then went to the gift shop where we bought the boys a snack so they would stop whining. The gift shop was having a Mother's Day sale and everything was 50% off. I got a silly t-shirt that says; Gardening, Diggit, Diggit. It's hilarious because it has a frog with a garden spade on it. It cost me $3 - score! I also bought the boys garden gloves for $3. We've already used them a bunch of times, and I now wish I would have bought all they had. Sturdy gloves can be so expensive. 

In another section of this massive garden was a special Japanese Garden. By that time Luke was extremely miserable due to allergies. I stayed with him while Brandon and Peter wandered around. Hopefully, we will all be able to enjoy it a little bit more of this slice of heaven when come back (hopefully next year). 

That evening we finally met up at Grandma and Grandpa's for a family dinner. Brent was feeling sick (not a good thing for a Saturday when he has Bishop responsibilities on Sunday) so he stayed home. But, the rest of us where there and it was simply delightful. Grandma made WAY too much food. We had Hawaiian haystacks. My favorite part was sitting on the rocking chair outside just rocking and talking with my sister and Brandon. I have a slight obsession with rocking chairs. They make me so meditative.

Grandma also had sewn white pillowcases as Mothers Day gifts for Lisa and I. The grandkids colored them with fabric markers in all sorts of creative patterns. It was such a fabulous gift, and I sleep with mine every night. It's going to be a tragedy when it wears out. 

My cute Mom made these dolls for the chair in her front room. She dresses them up for every season/holiday. Sewing is her creative outlet and she has a house full of amazing quilts. I vow that someday I will be able to do that too. 

Before leaving on this trip Brandon caught a very bad sinus cold/nasty sickness. It caused his ears to plug up with gunk and not even medication prescribed by a doctor could clear it up. Consequently, he couldn't hear much at all. He was very patient throughout the trip. I would just yell really loudly when had something important to tell him.  Sadly, my family doesn't speak very loudly, so he missed out on most of the conversations we had. Hopefully next time we go, he will be completely healthy. 

The town of Ozark, where my sister Lisa lives, has an amazing swimming pool at their Recreation Center. We ended up going there twice since it was open in the early morning, and it was super cheap to get in. An entire family pass was just $14. Score!

The first time we went, the local High School kids had come to experiment with the cardboard boats they had made in their engineering class. It was HILARIOUS to watch almost all of them sink. The boats that made it across were always shaped like a triangle, and the kids worked as a team to row their oars in rhythm with each other. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. The best was when a macho group of boys got their boat in the water only to promptly sink. So.much.fun.

The second time we went we had the entire pool to ourselves. Ah, the benefits of homeschooling and going on vacation when all the public schools are still in session. 

They had two water slides with this spiral staircase leading up to the top. I thought it was an amazing staircase. I also thought it wasn't very safe, but the boys never got hurt running up it. I'm glad about that.

Another highlight included the trip to the Fantastic Caves. It was pricy to get in, but you rode in a jeep through an amazing cavern. Grandpa had always wanted to go, so we took him with us. It was beyond fascinating. Judging by how well Peter and Luke like it, I think they would also enjoy Timpanogos cave here in Utah. Even if you do have to hike a while to get inside. 

They even have two sink holes that fill up with water. At this time last year there was so much water they had to close the cave to visitors. Whew, so glad we came in a year that wasn't so rainy.

One morning Brandon took the boys to go and see the movie A Wrinkle in Time. While they were gone, I went to my sisters house and spent a few hours watching her little girl, and chatting. Later we all got together at her house to just relax. 

I had hoped the lightening bugs would be out during our visit. But, we came too early by about a month. The amount of birds out there was incredible though, and I went home not even content with the wildlife we have in Utah.

The amount of frogs, turtles, opossums, and armadillos that live in that part of Missouri is incredible. I'm not surprised because there are so many dense forest areas in the middle of the city, or just outside a subdivision. Thankfully, we never hit any animals, but there was plenty of road kill. We even saw a wolf that had been hit on our way back to Kansas City to catch the flights home. CRAZY!

My Dad goes on early morning walks most days of the week. He often rescues turtles from the middle of the road. There seriously are that many of them. Brandon was in heaven with all the hills. He thought it was hilarious to go super fast down them. I was just praying we wouldn't hit anything or anyone on those narrow winding roads. 

The last night in town, we discovered a hidden garden that my sister recommended to us. It was the most magical place ever! We walked down a long narrow dirt road. At the end was a home that had converted large areas to beautiful gardens. I was in heaven. They boys loved the water and the bridges. I instantly fell in love with all of it. The darling stepping stones that had things on them were a highlight for me. It was such a fabulous ending to an incredible trip. It was even a deeply spiritual visit for me. Nature often makes me feel that way. It fills my heart with gratitude to a loving Heavenly Father who has provided me with so many things to enjoy. 

This trip was a time of deep introspection for me. Brandon has been going though some changes, and consequently its made me reevaluate some of my own thoughts/beliefs/habits/perspectives. It was such a blessing to be able to go to a "safe" place to find the peace, quiet, and answers I needed. I dare say this trip was defining moment in my life that I will often look back on with gratitude. Missouri no longer seems so far away. I now carry a piece of it in my heart. 

Zoo trip

Luke is completely obsessed with animals - especially so these past few months. He has been begging and begging to go to the zoo. We told him we would go in June when the weather was warmer.

Then, we had an opening in our schedule and decided to go sooner then later. We decided we might as well get a annual membership since the price to go just once was so much money. Thankfully, I can get reimbursed for the entire amount thru the school program we use. Luke was in heaven. Peter just really loved the pretzels there.We got lucky enough to see the polar bears eating. Luke thought it was gross, but he got the best seat in the house for the show. He was excited to see the polar bears because last time he went, the zoo didn't have polar bears.

Luke loved looking at the map and figuring out where we needed to go, and where we had been.

I'm glad that we will be able to go back over and over again during the next year.

Cow Yoga

While Peter was in his PE class at UVU, Luke took me on a walk. One of the things he wanted to show me were these silly cows. I laughed so hard. They are cows doing yoga - bwahaha.

A Roman Dinner

For the past month or two, we have been studying Rome in our history studies. We finished off this week learning about Augustus Cesar (who took over for his Uncle Julius). I decided it would be fun to dress up in togas and have a Roman dinner. It was easier to do since Brandon was out-of-town for work.

The boys lasted about 10 seconds in their togas. Peter accidently caught his toga sleeve in some water and spilled water everywhere. It upset him so much he threw off the toga, stomped upstairs, and yelled at me that he wanted a waffle for dinner instead. Luke kept being super bothered by his leaf crown. He said it was scratching his ear (it probably was). Oh well, you win some, you loose some. I thought they looked pretty cute.

Jordan River Temple

A few days ago, in the middle of the day, the boys and I drove up to Salt Lake and attended the Jordan River Temple open house. It was the middle of the day and no one was there. It was amazing.

We left the house later then I wanted, so we needed to get food before attending the temple. I pulled into a strip mall area and we were lucky enough to find The Indian Palace. I was crossing my fingers that the boys would eat the food because we were all so hungry.

I got lucky, and they both ate the Chicken Marsala - and loved it. I only got the leftover sauce (still so yummy). Peter also enjoyed the Naan bread, and Luke ate all the Mango Ice cream. Although it was more expensive the McDonald's would have been, the food was SO much better.

After getting turned around more then once, we finally made it to a church parking lot and they shuttled us by bus the two blocks to the temple. The boys LOVED riding the bus, and that was probably the highlight for Luke.

Although, at the end he was VERY excited to see this statue of Christ and told me he needed a picture of himself in front of it. It was a sweet request and I was happy to oblige. The boys also said I needed my own picture too.

After we were all the way done we went outside and I had the boys record some of their favorite parts of the temple. Peter's was the baptistery with the oxen. He thought they were amazing. Luke was just thankful it was all over and he could go home and play electronics. That kid can bring me to my lowest point like no other.

Regardless of Luke and his attitude, I was glad that we went. I look forward to the day I can go and attend an endowment session there.

Courtesy of lds.org

Preforming in Provo

The boys and I had the chance to go to the Provo Senior Center to preform. I made the boys each do one of their piano songs. It was so much fun to see how excited the seniors were to see children.

We went during their lunch time so lots of people were there. After each person there was lots of clapping and cheering. Afterward, many of the Grandpa/Grandma's came up to the children to let them know how much they enjoyed it. It was a good experience for my boys to preform in front of people that they don't know.

Peter had to go 2nd and he was very nervous about it, but he did a fabulous job. Luke had no problem with nerves at all. He even told me he didn't need to take his book because he had the piece memorized. A local homeschool Mom coordinated this event, and her plan is to do it monthly. I'm sure we'll be participating often.

Dry Ice Fun

Homeschool has so many benefits. This year, it's been especially enjoyable to have Brandon teaching the boys Engineering. A few Mondays ago, we played around with dry ice (chemical engineering unti study). The boys had such a blast! It was cool to see the chemical reaction part, and even cooler to see what it can do.

The boys really had fun with a shot gun they made for the dry ice. They thought having the smoke come out at Brandon was hilarious. 

A new job?

Every week the boys and I travel to UVU to attend a homeschool PE class. My heart loves that school so much, and I miss being there as often as we used too. I wish, with all my heart, that someday Brandon will work there again. But if not, I'm going to work there once the boys are grown.

This past Friday, I saw an employee I used to know when I worked at UVU. It made the longing in my heart even worse. I came home dreaming of the day when the boys were out of the house and I could go back to working outside our home.

Rewind a few days. We went to this local store and saw a flyer that they were hiring.

Later that night, I told Brandon that maybe it would be fun to have a part-time job. One that I could do in the evenings and on Saturdays. However, I couldn't seriously contemplate the idea until summer was over due because of our vacation plans.

Then, a day or so later, a homeschool Mom posted information about amazon hiring customer service reps that could work from home! It was like the universe kept bugging me about getting a job. Sadly, that one required that you live in a specific state and the hours were in the middle of the day (when we do the bulk of our school). Ugh.

Guess that job isn't going to happen anytime soon. Then, just three night ago I had a dream. It was about my new job. I can't remember where I worked, but it was a dream that caused me a lot of anxiety, panic, and worry. For some reason, I was working full time while Brandon was also at work. So, my boys were home alone. I was freaking out and I couldn't get out of the building to go home.

I was also trying to get work related things done, but my legs wouldn't move. It was the most frustrating feeling ever.  At one point in my dream, I also ended up cutting off three of my fingers and I needed to get to the hospital. But, they wouldn't let me out of the building, and I kept dropping the severed digits. I remember wanting to sit down and bawl, but I was too worried about my fingers so I just kept trying to run to different external doors.

Needless to say, I've made the decision to NOT get a job any time soon. The Universe will just have to wait until the boys are on missions/have moved out of the house. After all, my fingers are at risk.