I still had school Monday and Tuesday, as well as work on Monday so it was a little rough trying to keep everything going while my brain kept trying to switch to vacation mode. I had a major project due for my Comm class on Monday, and a speech that I had to give in my last class on Tues, so I knew I couldn't afford to slack at all. It was a little interesting and I wanted nothing more than to just get out of there, but I survived and did it to the best of my ability. And ironically enough, those two stressful days will save me a lot of stress in the next three weeks while the semester is wrapping up, so there's one more thing to be grateful for. Here's to hoping I can just take the next three weeks and only focus on finals so I can do really well in my classes....pray for me.
Tuesday after my last class and packing I hitched a ride with Angela (we'll call her my cousin). We traveled down to American Fork to meet up with my aunt and uncle so I could spend the night there. We had a little car trouble near North Ogden, but fixed it all up and were back on our way. I spent the night at Alan and Annette's just filling them in on life (per usual for every college kid that visits relatives, right? It's like the ultimate interrogation. Especially about your love life...don't even get me started on that one), it was nice. I love being with them and around my cousins...it's nice to make up for lost time.
We slept in Wednesday morning and then headed out to St. George where we spent the rest of our weekend. I was able to finish the 5 page essay I had to write for my online class so I was beyond happy to get that our of the way! I slept most of the way between texting my mom and our pit stop for food. We made it to Grandma's house after 3:30 and spent the next few hours visiting with Kirt and Amberly's family and also waiting for my family to arrive. I had some special one on one time with Grandma that I am really grateful for. Being the oldest grandkid of 21 doesn't usually come with much time like that. We were sitting in the kitchen just talking when I mentioned something about how my family should be there by now and just as I looked out the window, they pulled up. What a wonderful reunion! It seems so incredibly crazy to me that out of the entirety of 2014 I have now been with my family all of about 4 weeks! 4/52 weeks! Isn't that insane?! It was great for both Mom and I to not feel the weight of that though. Thanks to skyping and factiming once a week, as well as talking on the phone every day we've been able to make up a lot of lost ground.
Thursday through Saturday were pretty much a blur. We were in a frenzied sense of chaos, but it was oh so fun! We didn't have Matt's and Shiree's families there the entire week and we were also missing Kirt's family all of Thurs and almost all of Friday, but Grandma's house was still a rocking place to be. Thanksgiving itself, was a wonderful day, and I was able to help a lot in the kitchen this year, which I loved! Jess, Jocelyn, and I made Turkey looking cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then I spent the next part of the late morning/early afternoon preparing potatoes, pies, etc. etc. And then we ate a glorious meal and shared one thing that we were grateful for, it was all just wonderful.
We spent the majority of the rest of the day sleeping. For the first time since school started I took a nap at least once every day this last week and it was awesome!!
Friday was spent taking family pictures and going to the temple with my parents. Both were such wonderful memories and I'm so incredibly grateful for the time we spent celebrating our family and also bringing other families together through the wonderful sealing power of the priesthood through temple ordinances. I love the temple and my family.
Yesterday was filled with celebrating life. We threw Grandma a surprise birthday party since she just turned 70 a couple weeks ago. My job was to get her out of the house so we went and got pedicures which we both had to laugh at since we barely wear anything without socks anymore. But we had a wonderful time just talking and bonding. Then came the moment of truth whether or not we could pull off the biggest surprise yet. (Disclaimer: Grandma is such a rebel!) Despite several missed instructions and Grandma's unwillingness to listen to me, we pulled it off! She was surprised and felt so incredibly loved! Plus it was one of the most attended birthday parties I've ever been to... Just goes to show how many people's lives she's had an impact on. She's such a great example!
As of right now I am heading back to Rexburg to finish my last two and a half weeks of school, but I can't help but reflect on all of the many blessings that Heavenly Father has downpoured upon me. I am so grateful for all of them. Even the blessings that come through trials and lessons I have to learn. I am beyond grateful for the gift of life I have been given. And as the beautiful musical we saw last night said, "It's a Wonderful Life!"
Loved this post Meg! I'm so glad the Gma was surprised and that you all had a great weekend! Can't wait to see you soon!
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