The terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day

Sunday was not my day. But it ended well for a couple reasons and compared to many, I have little to complain about. But let me try anyway . . . .

I could not find the apartment of an investigator that needed a ride to Church. Stephen has early meetings so he was already at the church. I called her twice before leaving, but no one ever picked up. When I finally found the woman, she proceeded to chew me out for many things, only one of them being late. I was astounded and confused. She made claims that were not true and accused me of all kinds of craziness. I felt a lot like Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice when she tells Darcy's aunt that she can't have anything more to say to her because she has insulted everything about her (to sum up). Even though I had started out for church over a half hour early, we were incredibly late and the chorister really can't be late. She was convinced I didn't know where I was going because I could not tell her the actual address of our church building. When I got there, the missionaries came out to meet her, Stephen came out to park the car for me and all 3 of them knew in no uncertain terms that the drive had gone beyond horrible.

I took over for my pinch hitter chorister for the sacrament hymn. As I sat in church I thought about how this woman had made me feel. I realized her opinion was one opinion and she didn't have the power to make me feel so bad about myself unless I let her. Not surprisingly, she left mid-way through church to find one who would help her hire a lawyer for some legal issues she was having. Not to make this a cultural thing, but later I realized we had somewhat similar experiences with a woman in Chicago we used to pick up for church. She liked us and never insulted us directly, but there was often this undercurrent of "boy, you don't know nuthin' bout nuthin'" Which to a 70+ yr old black lady who's seen a lot in her hard life, we probably seemed like we didn't. This woman's main theme yesterday seemed to be more of "you don't know nuthin' and you ain't gonna ever know anything" and she was MALICIOUS about it.

My day perked up with a successful potluck after church. I like our ward, it grows on me more each week.
After church we were relaxing in our yard, talking over the chicken coop when Ada needed something and I got up to go inside. I stepped on a REALLY sharp pine needle and when I tried to brush it off from between my toes found it was a bee instead! Ouch that hurt. That's when I decided it was NOT my day.

But fortunately Stephen pampered my foot and the girls fought over whose pillow I should put my foot on. We had a friend over for dinner, had chocolate cake and ice cream and another friend brought over his fresh caught rainbow trout to cheer me up! How nice to have friends and family to listen and care. So really, it turned out to be a pretty good day after all.

Other events at the reunion

We did a lot at our reunions in Boise and one thing both families did was pretty important. We got to go to the temple as families and do some temple work for our ancestors. It was particularly special because we were able to do the temple work for my grandmother and seal her for eternity to my grandpa. We also sealed my father to his parents, which was so special! There is nothing like thinking of people you knew and loved having the opportunity to spend forever together. It's still up to them of course, I believe we have free agency to make choices before and after we appear here on earth for our short test in life. It was a sweet, sweet day my friends.

Kids

No caption needed here

After standing in line so patiently (one mom said there should be face painting at the grocery store checkouts) the girls got their faces painted

Odessa got a giraffe, Ada a fairy peeking out from behind a mushroom

My little snow leopards

Odessa's "headset" she made with a pipe cleaner

Odessa's best work of art to date: After camping in the back yard (long story) she drew herself in her sleeping bag, camping, in the grass, at night, with 2 angels to keep the bad dreams away

Anecdotes as of late:
We were walking back to our car from Lincoln Park beach (a long walk) and I was trying to inspire the girls.
Me: Hey, when we get home we can have some Capri Suns!
Odessa: No! I want to wear shorts!

They both beg to ride their bikes, but they are TERRIBLE at it (I know, they need more practice! But their dad is supposed to handle that . . . . )
Anyway, we only got halfway past to the neighbor's driveway when Odessa tipped hers over and skinned her knee and started WAILING.
I told Ada to turn around and she got the drift her ride was ending before it began and she started WAILING - near the middle of the road. That's when I started laughing hysterically at the craziness (just then a nice neighbor driving by slowed to watch our train wreck -and to not kill Ada). Me, laughing hysterically flanked by my two WAILING children. That's a typical day in the life . . .

O, Idaho (yes, I love you too Canada)

I can't believe how busy this summer has turned out to be. It's like when you wake up early and so you mentally think you have all this time to get ready and get out the door, and then you are much later than you would have been if you had woken up late. My summer feels that way. I went in to it thinking we didn't have a lot on our plate except a couple road trips in July, but now every week we've been home has felt packed.

Last week was spent in Boise and Donnely ID for the Hambelton reunion. All 3 of my sisters and their families were there, 20 of us in all. It was a super great time together and I am looking forward to these reunions every other year for both sides of the family. I will admit this is important because I went to both reunions with that usual worry about family drama. My fears were for the most part unfounded and I also will admit I know a lot of the drama can start and end with me, myself and I- so I made a goal not to let that happen.

I loved to see the budding cousin friendships, I loved playing all day on the beach, I loved not feeling guilty eating all the good food my sisters and mom cooked, I loved taking pictures of 1 year old Finley and seeing the 150+ slides from the 70's and 80's my parents scanned. Good times. Between these 2 trips to Idaho in one month we had 2 sets of family photos taken in the same shirts, I got 2 Hawaiian shaced ices, 1 TCBY waffle cone. Some things must be done while you are in Idaho- shaved ices and TCBY being on the top of the list.
While staying in Donnely, we spent a good deal of time in McCall which is a family tradition. When we were growing up we spent part of every summer and winter there, either camping at Ponderosa or staying in our friend's condo which she graciously loaned to us at least twice a year. I LOVE MCCALL. Some of my best memories were made there.
We wrapped up our week in ID back in Boise with the Hunts at the Fife family reunion. We got to see lots of cousins, Aunts and Uncles on Stephen's mom side of the family.

Uncle Brian entertaining the kids with corporate team building exercises?

Stephen is the guy to wrestle, no matter which side of the family we're with

Tiny girls taking on giant Jeff!

No explanation needed, just "ahhhhhhhhh"

Just stay clean for pictures!

"there were never such devoted sisters"- don't we all look supremely happy with life? (Ok, I just look smug.)

Since being home I have started working for a research group putting together power point presentations. I have just started this enterprise, more to follow as I really get going. A family member works for them and introduced me . . . and I am really excited about the opportunity to use some skills and make some extra money.


We've also finally used our motorless, heaterless hot tub as a kid's pool and broken out the slip in slide. Now if only it would stay warm enough to use them more often! Stephen uses his spare minutes to work on the chick-Mc-Mansion which will house 3 very comfy chickens someday.

We went on our first fishing trip Saturday! No pictures because the battery died : ( Our friend Hermes who is much more experienced with fishing spots around here went with us to Lake Washington. The girls have been practicing with their poles for months, so they were pretty good at casting, but I forget how much of fishing is getting the darn lines straight and hooking worms or "glitter mallows" as they use now. Alas, no fish. We are determined to try again. Fishing in the sound is the next challenge although I think we would like to go camping and fish in a river or stream too . . . more our Idaho style. I am seriously thinking the neon yellow glitter mallows would look awesome in some Rice Krispie treats . . . .

Fourth of July reunion

This past weekend was the Hunt family reunion in Boise. It was great to have everyone together and we had fun playing volleyball at Eagle Island State Park, eating, swimming, sewing projects and hanging out. I think the stars were the 2 new babies, Edwin and Morgan. I am also looking forward to seeing our family pictures. Here are a few I took.

Uncle Bryan givin some love to Edwin, Nathan and Beth's baby


After the family game (a riot) the guys played a little more



Hunt Citadel, complete with two bridges- impressive



This captures the personality of happy Edwin well


"caught me!"


Some of the Hunt men after father Hunt BBQ 10lbs of Alaskan Halibut he caught (and after we devoured every bite of it)


Mom Julie with Morgan- can she get any cuter?



Yes, she can


Thanks to cousin Sarah's 4th of July bows she made for all the granddaughters


Don't forget the flag cake. One strawberry for the cake, one for my mouth- says Diana

Of course the weekend would not be complete if we hadn't given every small child a lit firework- even those in their PJs


And those using it as a sword


You would think since she talks of little else when at home, she would show some excitement here

And that's where our weekend had to come to an end! At my father's suggestion, I told the girls for every mile on the ride home that they did not complain, I would give them a penny- for any whining I took a nickel away. Well, they walked away with over 4$ a piece! At least the ride home was nicer to sit through.

No bad guys allowed

In case they didn't get the memo, this sign is on our back door

No bad guys allowed! (especially smiley ones)

Learning moment or let-it-go moment?

Ada talking to Mandy who is 8 months pregnant:

Ada: Your baby sure is getting big!

Mandy: Yes, it is!

Me: She's going to have a baby next month!

Ada: How does the baby get out of your tummy?

Mandy: Uhhh, I'm going to let your mom explain that later.

That's a let-it-go moment.

Odessa overheard me telling someone that the Man with the Yellow Hat and Dr Wiseman should just get married already:

Odessa: You know what would be crazy? If a woman and a woman got married! (laughing) Then they would have to wear the same clothes! Ha ha ha ha ha.

Me: Um, well actually sometimes a woman and another woman DO get married . . . .

This turned into a learning moment. Sigh. It's so hard to tell when to have which.