July 21 (Thursday)-24 (Sunday)
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(Pictures to come soon)
The boys and I have had a busy couple of days. Last Thursday a life long friend whom I haven’t seen since mine and Josh’s wedding (that’s the last time both of us remember seeing one another) brought her two little boys over to swim for the afternoon.
We first met in Douglas Wyoming where she named her first babydoll after me when I was born, because I was the only baby she knew. We played together in Douglas as kiddos and then we moved to Powell, and they eventually moved to Cheyenne, where we moved when I was 15. They were here and though our memories of each other were vague at best we had no problempicking back up with our friendship and hanging out here and there throughout our high school years at East High.
It was wonderful to see her again - we were delighted to spend time with her and her precious boys.
Friday morning we visited one of my high school friend’s mom and my friend’s daughters that are staying with her for the week. This is another friend that I’ve known since I was very young - long time Wyoming residents. I was so excited to smell her horses and run my fingers through some manes. The boys weren’t nearly as thrilled with this venture as I’d wished, and were much too busy jumping on the trampoline and exploring the massive fort Kelly’s granddaughters had built in the basement to stop and take the time to smell a horse. ha!
Friday night after I put the boys to bed my dad and I sat down to watch a movie together - one that is both our favorites and we agree we could watch every couple of weeks without getting bored of it - French Kiss, with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. Honest to goodness some of the best comedic acting I’ve seen to date - one must excuse the couple of less than savory “skin” scenes. Nothing too risqué, but something to be careful of.
Saturday we drove up to Vaedawoo to meet up with Amy (sister-in-law) to introduce the boys to a place that Josh and I used to love exploring. We have many great memories in that magic place! Our names are carved on an aspen somewhere along one of the paths, along with many other couple’s names throughout the generations. If you’ve never been to Vaedawoo (pronounced veeda voo) it’s hard to explain what it looks like. It’s Wyoming nature, no doubt, with it’s dry weather - it’s littered with “quakies” (aspen trees), tall fragrant pines and towering rock formations that looks like the Lord took a handful of boulder and let them just fall where they would. Many are precariously stacked upon one another, looking to only need a slight breeze to tip them, but they are unmovable. There’s cracks, crevices and caves to fit all body sizes and shapes and large rock faces to hike up to get a better view of the surroundings of the area - which don’t amount to much compared to the beauty when looking from the ground up. The smell of the place took me back years to a time when I was just falling in love with my husband and Wyoming was the only place near and dear to my heart. Once again, the boys we’re not nearly as thrilled with this experience as I’d hoped. It was a bit heartbreaking to listen to the whining and fussing from a couple of the olders and nearly constant crying from Luke. I think it was just the wrong day for it. There’s nothing to not love about that place - I imagine in another time when life isn’t so confusing for them, they may be able to slow down and really drink things in.
Amy came back to Cheyenne to spend the rest of the day with us - we napped and then spent a good long while in the pool. She headed home shortly after pool play time and we slowed down for the evening with a movie and some easy dinner for the boys. Mel grilled up pork chops, baked sweet potatoes and threw some broccoli in to steam and we adults sat down here around the table and chatted while the boys zoned out in front of the TV. It’s a huge plus when I happen upon adult conversation. The boys and I spend a lot of time by ourselves, which it wonderful as it forces me to really get down on my hind end and play with them face to face, but leaves me feeling a bit desperate for sentences that contain “dollar” words and deep subjects.
Sunday we went to Dad and Mel’s church with them. It’s a teeny church that just absolutely exudes the love of Jesus. We made up nearly half the population that morning and I was touched when we were asked where we are from (to which I laughed, paused and said, “uuuuuh. Well, right now? Turkey. Kind of.” They were inquisitive and I filled them in on the details of our situation as they asked questions . After the service they insisted on praying over us. It was beautiful and encouraging.
After the service a gourmet southern lunch was served that had been labored over for 5 hours by the gentlemen in the congregation that plays the drums for the worship team. The boys scarfed it down and I was thankful for the servant hearts around us that helped them eat and watched them lovingly as they did.
Sunday afternoon was spend swimming with Robin and her boys again and then we all headed to her house to meet up with her parents and her husband to share a dinner together. It was a delight to hear a European accent again. I hadn’t realized until then how much I missed it after hearing primarily that for the past 3 years. Her husband is from Albania, where they met while she was a missionary there and has some interesting insight into the situation in Turkey and just in Europe in general with their government structures. I honestly didn’t hear much of what he said as he was sitting to the left of me (that dang ear!) and I was too busy soaking up the sound of the European accent. ha! Sorry Naći!
I’d forgotten how hilarious Robin and her parents were and we all laughed heartily as we sat around in the chilly evening air watching the boys play and telling stories of our and each others lives.
It was a refreshing several days full of plenty of grown-up conversation and my boys seem to be welcoming the slow paced routine that we have here. Their behavior has improved vastly and they are noticeably calmer than they were when we first arrived. For this, I am utterly grateful.