Work has been rewarding, but also extremely challenging lately. That is all the more reason for me to feel grateful for the heaven that was this weekend.
On Saturday, I ran 14 miles which was a really big deal for me. I have had major IT band issues preventing me from ever running that far. My leg problems were so pronounced, that I was thinking that I might have to drop out of my upcoming half-marathon in two weeks. Having my leg hold up felt like a gift, and I was so happy.
Then I went grocery shopping with Mary, which was a lot of fun. At home, I helped Lily prepare for dinner with the Vandagriffs. I forgot to take a picture, but we had a wonderful spread of food (burgers, nectarine salad, green salad, their yummy squash etc). We had so much fun chatting and hearing their stories, like the time when Morgan’s friend Brittany told him to give Jessie her first kiss, otherwise, he would be following Satan. Also, Morgan taught me how to keep my grill clean, and Jessie taught Lily how to use her Instapot.
After dinner, I took Lydia and Mary with me to rent an ebike for my ride with Lily the next day, and I also took them to Zurchers. We bought broomsticks, kettles for witches brews, a piñata, candy and a tablecloth for Mary’s upcoming Harry Potter party. I also found a gruesome Halloween decoration that really tickled me. I brought it home, and it fascinated the kids endlessly. And they were so excited by Lily’s reaction to it.
It was such a happy day!!
Sunday also was a very happy day for me, but it started out a little rough for Lily. I rented an ebike so that Lily could go with me on one of my long canyon rides. Lily was feeling really sick from one of her medications, and long-story short, she just didn’t have a good time. I felt sad she didn’t have a good time, but I did love being with her on a bike ride.
Things turned around at home though. Lily got some rest, and Mary and I helped prepare for our second dinner party in a row. After getting the dinner prepared, I took Ammon and Clarissa to the park, so they could get some sunshine while Lily planned Mary’s upcoming Harry Potter Birthday party with her.
At the park, Ammon and Clarissa rode their bikes until Clarissa got a booboo and then wanted to play on the playground instead. On the playground, I pushed Ammon and Clarissa on the swing until Ammon started feeling sick. Then Ammon lay in the grass (Basil cuddled with him), while Clarissa asked me to keep pushing her on the swing (see video below).
After the swing, Ammon and Clarissa both played on the ropes:
Back at home, Georgia and our great friend Dean Richardson came over. Ammon puked from me swinging him so hard, so he rested for an hour, but then joined us an hour or so into the dinner party. We all had such a great time talking together. Dean told us stories like the time his sailboat drifted while they were all sleeping, and the time two Chinese women gave so much of their time to help him find the souvenir he was looking for. We shared about our recent trip to Lake Powell and other experiences. Clarissa was dying to show Dean our new bloody foot Halloween decoration and Dean was so adorable as he pretended to be scared and held Clarissa’s hand as he approached it.
It was a magical weekend, a gift. And I felt truly happy and Lily and I felt particularly in-love, and we played Wingspan together just to cap off such an already incredible weekend.