Monday, August 28, 2023
The latest thing
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Michigan!
I just returned from a short trip to Michigan. I usually go from Thursday to Sunday, it's kind of my normal routine. It's easier for me to get just Friday off of work rather than trying to stay longer. We did stay longer at Christmas but when I go alone, it's usually just 4 days. If it is during the school year, this seems like a pretty decent visit but this visit was the first day of summer break for the girls and it just went by so fast! It really felt too short.
I always take the 6 am flight because it's the only flight that gets me there without wasting a whole day. Down side is that I am always so tired when I arrive, that I need a nap. When the girls are in school, it's works out perfect as I can nap right up until they get home. They were already home from their last day of school this time and I was worried that I wouldn't be much fun being so tired. Branden and Amber must have talked to them because they both commented that they knew I would need a nap and showed me my room right when I arrived. haha. Still, I needed it! So that was awesome.
I have always brought presents when I come and this was my first time not doing so. The girls are getting older and I really just don't know what they are into day to day so picking out a gift is really hard now. I figured I would take them to Target and let them buy something but there's always that moment of telling them I have no gifts in my suitcase. Well, again, sounded like Amber had tried to prepare them for this possibility because as I was bringing in my suitcase, Kaylee asked what I had in there. I replied, Just clothes this time. I was about to explain the plan and she said, "Well, the real gift you bring us is you! So really, you did bring us gifts!" That was so sweet! (I did still take them to Target. haha)
Day 1-Flight went off without a hitch. I had a window seat and tried to sleep but that just never happens for me on airplanes. I got my rental car and drove the 1 hour to their house. I stopped for a burger king chicken sandwich for lunch...the line was SO LONG and incredibly slow and then the sandwich was really bad. I ate it anyway because I was so hungry but it was definitely subpar. No issues getting to the house.
Once I arrived, I unpacked a bit and then napped :-). Isabelle had put a little poster up in my room welcoming me. I can't believe I forgot to get a picture! She also made me cards several times and left them on my bed. She's really creative and thoughtful!
Riley remembered me but was thinking I was the fun person who would play with her. I have played with her but the fun person is Frank...poor Riley. We all pitched in and helped Amber clean. I did dishes and Isabelle dried and put them away. The girls showed me their rooms and some of their favorite things.
I've become pretty bad at taking pictures lately. Once Branden got home from work we went out for dinner to a nice restaurant nearby. After dinner, it was late enough the Isabelle was willing to wake up her hamster so we spent some time playing with it. It is a very cute and fluffy hamster and I have already forgotten its name!
Amber read to the girls (they are in the middle of a chapter book) and we had family prayer and scriptures before the girls went to bed. I watched a show with Branden and Amber and then I was off to bed. Totally exhausted from waking up at 3:15 despite my nap! I found another cute note from Isabelle on my bed.
Sunday, May 7, 2023
We have a new baby!
Ryan and Kristal welcomed their first baby on May 5th!
I was super excited that Kristal invited me to attend the labor and delivery. I had imagining of being lots of help but I don't think I actually was. I at least knew some stuff which I think was helpful...but you never know what a person will need when laboring.
They were brought into the hospital for induction on the evening of May 3rd. We thought they were going to actually start pitocin but that didn't turn out to be the plan. So we sort of hung out and waited together to see if the labor would start. I ended up going home to sleep for a few hours and the plan was to start pitocin in the morning.
Once labor started for real the next morning, Ryan and I just tried to be supportive and helpful. It comes right back to you after having been through labor...you see it and remember how it was. It's such an intense time and not knowing how long it will all take is quite hard emotionally. But Kristal was quite a trooper and did a great job for many hours.
After a long time, she decided to get an epidural so she could get some rest. Ryan napped a bit too. During that time, Kristal got a fever and wasn't feeling so great either. They were able to get the fever down pretty quickly, thank heaven. She was pretty much fully dilated but things just weren't progressing. The doctor decided to let her wait a bit and see if the baby would move down so we continued to watch and wait and nap as we could. I eventually went home for maybe 3 hours of sleep when it seemed like labor had stalled.
When I returned after my short trip home, there seemed to be no change. The doctor decided that a c-section was needed. I felt sad about that and Kristal was clearly sad and scared as well. But it seemed like the right decision after so much time. The doctor felt that he just wasn't fitting in the birth canal...we knew he was probably a bigger baby and Kristal is a small woman.
Little Dante (or should I say big Dante) was seriously stuck. He also had the cord very tightly wrapped around his neck several times. It took quite a bit of work to get him free and I was so glad for modern medicine as I don't think he would have ever come down with that tight cord and just being so big.
He was a whopping 10 lb 9 oz! So cute and we're so glad to have him safely here!
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Hawaii February 2023
We decided a couple of years ago that it was important to spend more time with Frank's sister. Both of their parents have passed on and we don't live super close to each other but we like to be in touch, more than we have. So we decided to start vacationing together at least once a year!
This is the second year of going to Hawaii together. Last year we did the big island and this year we did Kauai.
DAY 1 (February 5)
We flew out at 8 am, had a layover in L.A. and then arrived in Kauai at about 8:30 PM. Diana and Rob had been there, waiting around, since 5 PM since we rented the car in Frank's name. Oops. Maybe next time rent the car in the name of whoever arrives first!
Frank had packed suitcase full of drinks: his diet mountain dew and my mineral water. Not surprisingly, something burst in the suitcase and we were leaking liquid pretty badly. We went through the bag as we waited at the rental car place and found a couple of burst cans. Frank was pretty impressed at how many cans made it through just fine. I took the opportunity to razz him about his addiction to Mt Dew that would even cause you to consider bringing canned soda in your suitcase!
Rob had a place in mind for dinner but when we arrived it was closed (forever). We ended up going to place next door..a mom and pop chinese place. Food was so-so but we were tired and just glad to eat something.
We found our airbnb without much difficulty (though it took us awhile to find the lock box). Seems very nice! 5451 Ka Haku Rd, Princeville HI
DAY 2 (February 6)
We drove around a bit in the lovely area of our Airbnb. It's a neighborhood near a golf course and overlooks the ocean on one side.
The view from our front door
Our first stop was Hanalei pier and Black Pot Beach (as seen in the move South Pacific). We decided it was important to watch that movie while we were here. Diana had brought the CD with her for just such an occasion.