"Daddy are you old?"

Zach has been on this kick lately about people getting old. He has been asking Darius and I and others if we're old yet. Regardless of D tacking on another year a few weeks ago, I still think he's pretty youthful for his age...but Zach may have a different opinion. ;)

I remember the first birthday I spent with Darius. He was living in Florida at the time, and I was still in NJ. I came down for a short visit, brought him a birthday cake, and went fishing with him. It wasn't exactly a fun-filled day. He wasn't in much of a celebratory mood. He barked orders at me in the boat while we fished, and I basically did my best to keep my movements and comments to the bare minimum. He wasn't even interested in having any birthday cake. Needless to say it wasn't the type of visit I had hoped to enjoy with him.

Regardless of his surly mood that day, he didn't scare me off and after some time passed he eventually warmed up to me. We've come a long way and made a great deal of progress since then. Darius will be the first to tell you that at that point in his life, he never envisioned a future with a wife and kids. I'm still grateful that he was able to open himself up to the possibility of a future together.

We started D's birthday with a delicious breakfast at the Park Cafe.

We had a great offer through the boys' school for a free showing of the Nutcracker at Capitol Theater.  I told D it was up to him if we went or not, and he was willing to give it a shot. Well after a big breakfast and a very toasty theater, it wasn't long before D fell asleep. We ended up leaving at intermission. :)

We learned our lesson last year and stayed away from fried chicken. D requested pizza, so we invited a few people over to help us eat it all and enjoyed a little birthday cake afterwards. 

This is the time of year that I'm reminded of how fortunate we are to have each other. Darius is an enormous blessing in my life, and I'm so grateful for how hard he works and the love he shows us. I'm especially grateful to his mother, Margaret, for her part in bringing him into this world and for the fine man she helped to raise.

I love you Darius...always more.

A week with Nini & Papaw

August was slapped full of trips and fun! After my backpacking trip, I headed to Louisiana to pick up the boys from Nini & Papaw's. The boys were happy to see me, but I knew they had a great time while they were there. They had lots of stories to tell me about their new friend Jayden, feeding the donkeys, getting their first wasp stings, visiting the fire station, etc.

Knowing that the boys were in good hands and had lots of fun things to do, made it a lot easier for me to relax and enjoy my time in Yellowstone. I didn't have to worry a bit about them. Thanks Margaret and Alfred for taking such good care of them!

Utah

We've now been in Utah just shy of 3 weeks, and it's been a very busy 3 weeks! Darius started working at the SL airport on the 1st, just a couple days after we arrived. I spent the same day looking around the SL area for a new place for us to call home (which luckily I did) with Joy and Carrie in tow. A day later I flew to Louisiana and back again to pick up Ben and Zach from Nini and Papaw...thanks again for watching them for us Margaret & Alfred!

While waiting to move into our apartment, we were fortunate to be able to stay with my sister Michel's family in our parent's room (Thanks again for opening your home to us!). The boys thoroughly enjoyed their cousins and their cousin's toys! We made dinner for everyone a few nights, and the boys and I went with Michel and her family on a beautiful hike and enjoyed some beautiful colors in the foliage.

 

 

This is the first year we've really experienced a traditional Autumn with the boys. Even when we lived in Alaska, there wasn't that distinct change in season. When we visited Joy's place last week, the boys were curious about the leaves in the driveway, and I was caught a little off guard when I tried to explain Autumn to them.

After a week of staying with family, we moved into our apartment in North Salt Lake last week. We're really happy with our apartment, but the one downfall is that it's on the third floor. I had come down with a cold from the trip out to get the boys, and Darius loaded up the rental truck the morning of our move by himself. Once it came time to haul everything up three flights of stairs, we were both already dreading it. Lucky for us we had Joy to help us out and two extremely nice neighbors that pitched in to help us. All the extra hands easily cut our time in half.

The days following the move were full of unpacking and getting settled into our new place mixed with getting ready for my sister Carrie's baby shower this past weekend...another post.

This week started out with a visit to Black Island Farms. My sister-in-law Stacey invited the boys and I along on a field trip her daughter Hope's preschool class was having there. It was a massive farm with corn mazes, fields of pumpkins, farm animals, tractor rids, and lots of fun stuff for the kids to do. We had a great time, and the boys were very sad when it came time to leave.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to all the help Joy's given us with the move-in and unpacking, she's also been over to hang out a lot. She's my workout buddy, company at night when Darius is at work, and is now my cooking/baking student. I'm no expert in the kitchen, but she wants to learn, so I'm game to teach her what I know. Yesterday was pie 101. We made 3 apple pies here, 2 for our helpful neighbors and 1 to keep. We then moved on to Clair & Stacey's where we made 4 more, 2 apple and 2 banana cream. She did most of the work, and her pies came out beautiful and super tasty! Awesome work Joy!

If you would have asked me a couple of years ago if I'd ever live in Utah again, I would have firmly said no. When I first moved away over 10 years ago, I thought that there were better options out there. It wasn't until marriage and kids entered the picture that I began to realize the importance that family plays when raising kids. Knowing this I still had my reservations about living in Utah until this past Spring/Summer. After the trips I took with family this year to some of the national/state parks, I realized that Utah has so much more to offer than I ever thought it did. It's sad I grew up here and never appreciated all the great stuff to see and do here. I'm glad that I have the opportunity now to rediscover this state with my own family.

Gratitude

After having the opportunity to get away and spend time with family exploring a really special place in the world, it was impossible not to feel an enormous amount of gratitude for the opportunity to go, the means to get there, the funds to make it possible, the people willing to make it all happen.

I needed the break. I needed time to myself to recharge. I came away with so much more than that.

It's a big deal to ask anyone (even family) to watch my kids. It's an even bigger deal to ask for an entire week.

I'm incredibly grateful that Margaret and Alfred were willing to take Ben and Zach for the week. I knew the boys were in loving and capable hands and not once did I worry about them while I was gone. Grateful....so very grateful!

The boys went to Papaw's house in the country and rode 4-wheelers, fed the donkeys, and instructed Papaw to finish their room in his house. They played outside in the sprinkler, collected bugs, "climbed" the tree, kicked the ball around, and played with Play Doh. They tried new food, picked up their toys, and snuggled up at night with Nini and Papaw. I'm sure they had more fun visiting them than being at home.

 

Margaret & Alfred - Thank you so so very much for taking the boys and giving me a break. You did as much good for the boys as you did for me. I love you and I'm so grateful for you both!

Nini & Papaw's

Darius' days off from the restaurant matched up with his days off from Delta last week, so he was finally able to use his flight benefits. We headed to Louisiana for a couple of days and enjoyed a nice visit with Margaret and Alfred. It was good to see Alfred getting around a little better than the last time the boys and I visited.

We had a little bit of time to spend with one of Darius' friends, John, and met up with him at his sister, Karen's, home where the boys got in some fun pool time. It just happened that his sister had a couple of boys that were older and had recently cleaned out a bunch of their old toys to donate. Karen and her husband, Steve, loaded the boys up with Legos, books, and stuffed animals. They were thrilled to say the least.

Margaret treated us to Johnny's pizza one night (the best pizza ever!) and made her awesome spaghetti sauce for us another night and sent us home with a big bag of the leftover sauce. She is also super sweet to have all the boys' favorites on hand when we come for a visit.

Instead of flying home, we were blessed to be able to drive back to Florida in a car that Margaret gave us a very good deal on! To be able to have a second vehicle now is huge. The past few months have been a challenge since Darius started working a second job. The boys and I have been limited in getting out, so to now have the freedom to get out (even for just simple errands) is a really big deal for us. Margaret, thank you again a billion times over for your generosity! You've lifted a big weight off our shoulders and we appreciate it so very much!

Caffrey Family Reunion

A few hours after our visit to the Masonic Cemetery, the boys and I accompanied Margaret to Uncle Gerald and Aunt Pauline's home where we met more of her mother's side of the family. Afterwards we all continued on to the Brockett Cemetery where we visited the grave sites of Laveta's parents, John and Dona; and her grandparents, James and Mary.

Later in the afternoon the Caffrey Reunion took place at a nice park in Pocahontas. I met lots more family and became even more confused trying to keep track of who everyone was. It's no secret that I'm terrible with names, so I didn't come away from the reunion with much more than I went into with. I can say that everyone I met was genuinely nice, and I definitely married into a family with good people.

I believe Zach's friend here is Riley, but I can't tell you who he belongs to! He was super sweet with the boys.

I'm beginning to notice a pattern starting with me....I totally fall for other people's dogs and want to take them home with me. Albert is awesome! I developed a soft spot for rottweilers after living next to one for a few years.

The family I met were all disappointed that Darius wasn't able to join us at the reunions, but it was because he was at home working hard that made it possible for the boys and I to attend. It was a great opportunity for us to meet some of his great aunts and uncles that are getting up there in age. I know it's important to take advantage of those opportunities whenever possible before they run out. It was also a bonus to have that time with Margaret and Alfred. The concerns I had prior to the trip were put at ease by the time we were headed back to Monroe. I would be happy to attend the reunions again next year, and hopefully Darius will be able to join us too.

Aunt Opal & Uncle Gerald

The day we returned to Monroe was Margaret's birthday and our last day before returning home. Margaret treated me to a super yummy shrimp po boy sandwich for dinner, and later in the evening the boys led a lively Happy Birthday song to their Nini and helped her blow out her candles.

Margaret & Alfred - Thanks again for everything. We're so glad we could come and share that time with you! We appreciate all you did to make it a great trip! Lots of love!

In Remembrance

Sunday morning the boys and I accompanied Margaret to the Masonic Cemetery in Pocahontas to visit the grave sites of her parents and infant sister. Before we left Monroe, I helped her assemble some flower arrangements to place at their headstones.

Darius was very close with his grandmother, and I know it was an important visit for us to make. I wish the boys and I would have had the opportunity to know her before she passed. I know from what I've heard that she was a very special person.

Honeycutt Reunion

Saturday morning we headed out early and drove about an hour north to Mammoth Spring State Park just shy of the Missouri border in Arkansas. The park is home to the largest natural spring in Arkansas and forms a 10 acre lake. Also housed in the park is the old Frisco train depot equipped with an old caboose open for visitors to explore. The park was beautiful and a great location for the Honeycutt Family Reunion.

Frisco Caboose.

Mammoth Spring.

The Honeycutt family is Margaret's father's family. Darius' grandpa Earl passed away at the young age of 46, but still living are a few of his siblings and their families which we were able to meet at the reunion. I took a notebook along with me to try and write down names and trace back who belonged to who, but I quickly became confused by my notes!

Aunt Mary (in hat) is one of Earl's sisters. She made the boys baby blankets which we still use. Pictured behind her are her son (Doug) and daughter (Phyllis), and to her right is her granddaughter Courtney.

Ben and Ben. Earl's brother Ben is awesome and was great with the boys. He always had a little something sweet for them in his pockets.

Everyone seemed genuinely excited to meet Ben and Zach, and they definitely livened things up! We enjoyed visiting with everyone over a delicious potluck lunch, and then the boys dragged me around the park to explore and play. Zach and I checked out the Frisco caboose right as a freight train passed by the depot....very loud, and then we met up with Margaret and Ben at the playground for some teetering and tottering and afterwards walked down to the lake to feed some ducks and throw rocks in the water.

It was a hot day so, after returning to the picnic, it wasn't long before the family started packing up and heading out. Zach coaxed me into one more visit to the caboose and then we loaded up and said our goodbyes and headed back to Pocahontas.

We took a different route back to Pocahontas by driving northeast into Missouri and then back south into Randolph County, AR. It was a beautiful drive and my favorite views from our trip.

Our accommodations the previous night were a little on the hot side, so we packed up the truck, tidied up the house, and invaded Aunt Opal for our last 2 nights in Pocahontas. The boys were happy to be around Albert and had lots and lots of room to run around the enormous backyard. Zach also made friends with Cousin Jason and climbed all over him like a monkey, which I'm sure Jason wasn't too sure about!

18 Days into 2012

I've been slacking....over half the month is already over!

The boys and I got bugs as the year started, and we're finally sounding human again first thing in the morning rather than that cough-up-a-lung sounding cough. I forget how really awesome it is to feel well until I get sick. Unfortunately I can be a really grouchy sick person, and I think Darius had about enough of me.

My parents came to visit and just left us yesterday. We really enjoyed having them stay with us, and the boys of course love the extra love and attention. We mostly just hung out and did what we normally do when they're not around. We visited the park, fed the ducks in our pond, had a pizza night with the Bacon's, and went to the Y. Mom gave the boys haircuts, Darius and Dad got a couple rounds of golf in, and Mom helped me with some sewing projects.

Haircut - Day 5

Turkey Lake Park - Day 6

Fishing Turkey Lake - Day 6

After the time we spent living with my parents in Cordova, we've come to really enjoy our visits from them. It's nice having them around, and we were sad to see them leave. And speaking of Cordova.... whoa that's a whole lot of snow we just dodged! I feel for what the residents are going through, but I'm so relieved we moved when we did.

Here's an old photo from the back porch of my parents house in December 2009. That's a lot of snow to me, so it's hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that this amount is just a fraction of what they're up against.

During our visit with my parents we had to make a quick trip to Louisiana. My parents actually booked a cruise out of Cape Canaveral leaving the same day as we did, and returned the day after we got back. It was a special treat for the boys to see both sets of grandparents a day apart considering where everyone lives. It was a long drive there and back, and the trip itself was packed full. We enjoyed our time with Margaret and Alfred, and then we took the time to drive down to the Leesville area to visit with Darius' friend Randy. We finally got a chance to see the burger restaurant he opened a couple of years ago, and he treated us to lunch there. We spent the evening watching the Saint's game at his business partner's home, had some great barbecue, and shot skeet. I had my first experience shooting a shotgun, and it was fun!!

Louisiana - Day 14

After picking up my parents from their cruise, we headed over to Cocoa Beach. We spent a good part of the day there, and met up with my friend Lyndsay and her family in the afternoon for a few hours. It wasn't the best beach weather, but we all had a really good time.

Cocoa Beach - Day 15

Day 18 we dropped my parents off at the airport, and in the evening we had Lyndsay and her family over for dinner. They're here visiting Orlando for a week, and I'm so happy that we had the chance to meet up with them while they're here. I haven't seen her since her wedding and since then she's had a baby, who I was super excited to meet. She's got a great little family, and I really enjoyed our time with them. 

AK to FL - Day 10

We took advantage of another easy drive we had ahead of us today and slept in this morning. Once we got on the road we headed east on I-35 to I-30 to US-80 to I-20 into Monroe Louisiana, which is where Darius grew up. We're staying here a couple of nights with Margaret and Alfred before we make our final stretch to Florida.

Leaving Texas was more interesting than entering. The flat landscape from yesterday continued, but there were a few hills and the addition of trees. Everything looked very dry, probably a lingering sign of a very hot and dry summer.

Our last stop in Texas just off I-20. Great BBQ sandwiches, huge gift shop, and awesome rocking chairs. I so wanted to strap one to the top of the car.

One thing we definitely noticed about Texas is the abundance of Highway Patrol! If you're going to speed along their roadways, I suggest you think twice. Out of any state or territory we've drove through, Texas by far had more people pulled over than all the others combined. Don't mess with Texas....so true!

As we crossed into Louisiana, Darius definitely got as excited as I've seen him on this trip. It's probably as comforting to him to be in his home state as it was for me to be in mine. It's also a great feeling to know how far we've come and that we don't have too much further to go.

The boys were talking all day (and yesterday) about how they were going to Nini and Papaw's house. It's tricky to explain distance and time to 3-year-olds, so we try to use broad terms and keep the info to a minimum. We also find that it helps to just agree with them because that's a whole lot easier than listening to them shout at us because we tell them something different than what they think, or they don't like our answers.

Sassy even in his sleep.

It's good to have another stop along the way to visit with family and break up the drive. We'll head out again on Tuesday.