sister's weekend

It was so much fun to see all (but 2) of my sisters this weekend. Time Out for Women was inspiring and uplifting. I felt more motivated to think positively and to strive to be more calm and holy. It was wonderful!

Our hotel was right across from the Oklahoma City Thunder arena. Maybe no one else thinks this is cool, but since I've been following the playoffs, and since I like Kevin Durant, I thought it was.


We walked a little around OK City on Saturday evening. We went to a botanical garden that was still under construction (we were underwhelmed, but when it is done, it will be cool) and to the Oklahoma City bombing memorial (which was way cooler than I expected).

(working it for the camera!)

As girls we chatted about all things serious and silly, ate delicious mexican food, swam in the hotel pool, and stayed up way too late. I came away impressed with each of my sisters as they strive to be good mothers (where applicable) and daughters of God. What a wonderful family I come from!


And now for a challenge for anyone reading this: put the 7 of us in age order. Ready, Go!


I got home late Sunday night, and the kids were excited to see me Monday morning. I missed 'em, but I was so glad I went. Everything was neat and tidy when I returned, and the kids loved having Daddy all to themselves. We need to make this an annual or bi-annual (every 2 years) event!

friday the thirteeneth

I've never been superstitious. But after this last Friday, I think I might start.

At 11 o'clock a.m., after a late night and an early morning, resulting in only 6 hours of sleep, I entered the Burlington airport to meet most of my sisters and my mom in Oklahoma City for Time Out for Women. I have a sister that lives there, and my mom and dad were making a drive out to visit, so the rest of us decided to join the fun for a sisters weekend.

My first flight was uneventful, except for the couple in front of me that made out whole time. I even had a very pleasant conversation with my seat mate. It occurred to me as I was leaving the plane that two hours in close proximity results in sharing some very personal life experiences to a complete stranger. But I digress.

I got to Detroit. My flight was scheduled to leave at 3:20. At 3:10 we were told there was a delay. At 4, we were told we would be leaving at 5:45. At 5:45, my flight was canceled.

So there I was: tired, 6 months pregnant, and stuck in a strange city. The airline gave me the following options:

*try to get on the 7:47 flight on standby (not very promising prospects)
*stay the night in Detroit and get to OK by 2 the next day.
*go back to Burlington on the 9:47 flight and forget the whole thing.

None of these options sounded very appealing to me.

After lots of phone calls to Dave and to my sisters, a few tears, and lots of deep breaths, we found another option: I could fly to Tulsa, 2 hours from OK city, and then rent a car and drive the rest of the way. My parents would not hear of me driving all that way by myself, so instead it was settled that my dad would come and pick me up.

I spent 6 hours in the Detroit airport that day. While 6 months pregnant. And after only 6 hours of sleep. 6-6-6. On Friday the 13th.

The devil was in the details, I tell you.

The sight of my dad sitting in the Tulsa airport was a welcome sight. I finally reached the hotel at 11:30, and what a wonderful sight it was to see so much of my family. I told Dave that someday he would drive 5 hours to rescue one of his daughters, and that she would love him for it!

Coming up later this week: the rest of my fabulous weekend.