Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Moments Of Awesomeness

So I've been gone from my friend the blog for a full week. Wow. This is the longest I've gone (I'm pretty sure. It's not scriptural or anything) since starting this dialogue with you. Did you miss me? I missed you. But I'm back, and ready to spill the beans.
So this weekend I went with my own dear mother and lovely children to the land of Salt Lake. My husband really missed me, which makes me feel super special. He says he doesn't like it AT ALL when I go, but he still let's me go. As Sister Hinckley used to say, he gives me my wings.
So we went for various purposes, but biggest of all is that my darling and adorable niece Miss Emma-Nemma turned a whole year old! So we went up for a little barbecue and swimming party in her behalf. She is so darling, and my children absolutely fall all over her. What is amazing is just how dang much she looks like my brother (in a cute, girly way, mind you)! What really cracks me up is her expressions -- they are so incredibly subtle but so incredibly expressive at the same time. I just love her. I wish I had a picture to put up here so you could "Ooh and Ah," but you'll just have to imagine it. While at the Kamas rec center K.J. went down the HUGE turning water slide all. by. him. self. It was beautiful to behold! Not just once, but several times, which just goes to show that courage is learned, and my little guy is turning into a mighty warrior. My mom also went down it, and you should have seen her face as she went flying out onto the water! Imagine nose plugged and total shock and surprise, then splash! Hilarious and also hysterical. Go, Mom! You are a champion.
We stayed with my Aunt Jan and her family. She is probably the most gracious hostess on the planet, so if you are looking for a place to stay .... Honestly, she makes her house a home and everyone is welcome. I'm not joking. It is amazing, I want to be just like that. We had such a blast, and K.J. and Miss Liv were in absolute dreamland playing with the various cousins that came over. One small and humiliating mishap: we went to church with them (what a nice ward, I gotta say. Almost as nice as my ward) and during the closing prayer of Sacrament Meeting -- so reverent -- I hear the most horrible sound imaginable. My. Dad's. Cell. Phone. Ringing at 800 kilowatts or megawatts or soundwatts or whatever it is, 'cause he's kinda hard of hearing. Ringing so loud in the funkiest ring imaginable. Right next to my hip. UGH. My hands just flew to my face. He frantically pulled it out and turned it off, causing a second huge bringing sound so we could ALL KNOW it was turning off. It was horrible. Although a parable, in a way, because I always thought "can't you just come to church, weirdo?" to those who have had that experience before me. And now I know. Despite magical intentions, sometimes the cell phone just rings.
I got to see my Grandma Allred yesterday. She still has long, long brown hair that curls into sweet little ringlets, even though she is now in her seventies. I love my Grandma. I got to sit and hold her hand and hear some of the stories I loved growing up.
Yesterday, as you know, was Memorial Day, so we went down to Nephi to visit my Uncle Craig and Aunt Mary Lou, and also visit the graves of my beloved Granny and Grandpa and other dearly departed relatives. We had a great time 'cause the Sperry's are always entertaining. I will share this funny story: we were sitting at their kitchen table (hey, look! That is my favorite scripture, and it's right there on their wall! It must be their favorite scripture, too!) talking about how nice the cemetery looks. Then Uncle Craig said that while he was there the Sperry family had five generations right there in the graveyard. Then he amended, "well, I'm still alive, but we were all there." I kindly reminded him he would be there, and he said "yep, I've got a reservation." I thought that was funny. But best of all, my Aunt Mary Lou then suggested we get a 5 generation picture with Uncle Craig and the headstones and put it in the Times News! And that was way funnier! Maybe you had to be there, but I'm pretty sure you can all see the humor in the situation. If you can't, it's time to start walking on the sunny side of the street.
We ate at Reed's, and I must demand you eat there if you are ever in Nephi. Try the fried mushrooms. Amazing. They really need to be on "Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives."
It was great to see my cousins and spend time with them. I really, really love my family. They are the best family in the world. If you would like, we can adopt you so that you can also be a part of the best family in the world.
Arriving home was so nice. Don't you love it how an adventure is fun but coming home is better? That's because home is where the heart is. Home is also where your story begins. And be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. Little cousins came to great us when we pulled up to the house and the children ran off and played with them. I helped clean out the car and wearily trudged in, so excited to see my honey and give him a big squeeze! Imagine my joy when I walked in to a SPARKLING HOUSE! It was so clean. I left it moderately clean, my honey made it sparkle. Even the bathtubs were sparkling. The shower rod that has been broken forever was repaired. The dark spots on the carpet were cleaned. The shelves were cleaned off. And there was The Double B, creating a culinary masterpiece in the kitchen. Ahh.... Home.
My husband is a Husband of Quality. It is my great desire to only see the good in him, to build him up and never tear him down. That is my mission. If only all men knew how incredibly seductive it is to a woman to have her man help around the house ...
So that's it. You should be caught up. I can't wait to hear what is going on in all of your lives!
One last thing: Do you read the NieNie Dialogues? She is the most amazing blog writer in the world. I feel uplifted every time I read about her everyday struggles. Her link is in my blog list, so if you ever get a second ...

8 comments:

Tink said...

Sounds like you had a fun weekend! I wish I could have joined you! We do have a great family! Adelah and Leighna were about to go balistic because KJ and Wiffy were gone, but we survived! I'm glad you're home because YES, we did miss you!

The Farnsworths said...

Wow...I feel privileged to be the FIRST comment on your new post. That never happens.:)

I, for one, missed you tons! I am glad that you are back on the web...and most importantly, home.:) I am glad you had such a fabulous weekend with loved ones and that you blogged about it.:) It made me smile, especially the part about the five generations picture, is too funny! And go Ben! What a wonderful homecoming surprise! You should go away more often, but not really.:)

The Farnsworths said...

PS...darn, Trina beat my comment by 5 minutes...how rude!:) Now you know how long it took me to write it.:)

Ducksoup said...

awe, finally. i can't believe it has taken me 9 hours to realized you finally posted. how did i miss that one. so fun to hear about your adventures...the cell phone ringing, your mom going down the slide, and my mom suggesting the times news pic...best of all to hear about ben making your house shine. wow! amazing. tell his mother she did a good job. i think they desserve some credit when things like that happen. wow! i still can't believe that. so it sounds like you had a happy adventure and a happy return. so now i'm happy and my day is feeling complete. love yah fc-er!

Tara said...

Yeah! I'm so glad you're back. I have something in store for you it should be coming in the next couple of days depending on how cooperative Bransen is. Sounds like you had a great weekend. I would love to be adopted in to your great family but I fear I would miss out on a lot since I rarely get to do much with my own family. I would still feel cool to be considered family!! I love it when Tim helps me around the house. It usually occurs after I've had a rebellion and refused to do the dishes or laundry for several days and he doesn't have a clean bowl for breakfast or clothes to wear!! It is always nice no matter the motivation though and he is good about helping other times too. I really can't complain he's a great guy and does a lot for our family. Have a great evening.

Tamari said...

Welcome back! I am happy to hear you had a great weekend with family. I always love to hear wonderful stories about sweet acts of service husband's do for their wives. What a wonderful men we have married, huh? We are so blessed! :)

Tara said...

Hey Marie, is your email marieallred@hotmail.com? I was also curious what happened to your post. On my blog it says you posted one named blahdy-freakin-blah but it doesn't show up when I come to your blog. Hope you're having a wonderful day.

Tara

Tink said...

I can't read your blahdy-freakin-blah post either. I hope you can fix it!