The best things in life are free

This week absolutely flew! Where the time went I will never know... probably to the same location as all my missing socks. Anymore that is about how life goes, here one second and gone the next. In three months my sweet Emilee Pearl will be ONE! *eek* I get to remember the importance of living in the moment and cherishing my experiences. So much of my life was spent looking forward to the next big event. You know the sweet 16, turning 21, graduating college and getting married. Now that I am a quarter of a century and the big events few and far between, it is time to find a few roses to smell....right?
One reason why this week past so dashingly fast was a trip to Seattle. We left Saturday after I got off work and came back on Sunday night. Not long enough or ideal....but so glad we could go. The purpose was to see the Liljenquist family as well as Ric who was at University of Washington Medical Center. I was so blessed to be able to get low census, which allowed me to leave work early. Up until the day of I thought I was not going to be able to go. It has been nearly two years since I last saw my sister in law and for me that is just to long. I personally wish everyone could enjoy the sweet easy friendship that we have. She is the type of person that when we first met, I felt that I had known her forever! Dearest Maggie....I love you girl!
Anyways, I got to snuggle my sweet nephew Colby. His sweet smell and soft skin was soothing to my soul. Call me bias but boy is he handsome. As an interesting aside, I find that it is easier to take care of a crying baby that is not my own! I think it stresses me out less because I know that if I cant get him to stop, well there is always someone else to give him to. I loved the baby cuddles and again was reminded just how fast my baby is growing. Also, just about how much I do not want another baby right now.
Maggie, Jake, Andrew and myself stayed up much to late talking about this and that. I was happy to learn that Jake and I have a lot in common....i.e our conservative views. I think this will really come in handy at family reunions! :D Kennon and Jaxson were in the T.V room getting spooked out by all of the lights. I had thought that they were both getting scared and went in to lay down with them as it was 11:00 pm and time for bed. Come to find out Jaxson had been teasing Kennon telling him that there were Indians in the room. Oh man, poor kid. As for Jaxson...what am I going to do with him?
In the morning we were woken much to early by some very energetic boys. I sent them in to watch a movie and went back to sleep. Staying up late talking and a deflating air mattress made for a really long night. Would you believe that the kids were actually watching t.v when we finally got up. Oh but let me add the part where they got out a very expensive paint set and started painting pictures, the table and the cat. Luckily everything came off and Andrews family is laid back.
For the sake of my posterity I will say that I never ended up getting ready on Sunday. In my head I felt that if I got up and ready the day, it would go faster. In hind sight, that is pretty lame sauce and I should really have made the effort! Dressed or not the delightful conversations continued. The kids played without disaster striking. Maggie made the bomb cookie dough and let us actually eat some dough. (now you see what I like her!) Jennifer and Madison came over and the afternoon ended with a delish lunch.
We were able to visit Ric twice while on the other side of the mountains. It is hard to put words to the visit or to describe it accurately. I am thankful and acknowledge my Heavenly Fathers hand in all things. I have learned all to well over the past two years that he, not I, is in control. With that being said, Leukemia sucks. Watching someone you love struggle....sucks double! With that rant out of the way I will tell you that Ric looked 100% better than the first time we saw him. I prefer looking at patients/ people who are breathing well on their own!