My weekend at home.

Ryan and I stepped off the plane on Friday afternoon to a rainy afternoon sky, Seattle only miles away.  What should have been fun and exciting, turned out to be dreary and a bit depressing.  It's not that we don't love coming home to Seattle, because we do.  It was the thought of having to return to Provo two days later.  Yuch.  But we got over ourselves, drank some kombucha in the car, and ate big pretzel rolls that mom had picked up for us from the German market.  Delicious.  I feel the need to also mention that Nathan is now an inch shorter than me.  What on earth?!

I got to spend time in the kitchen with Mom over the weekend, indulging in all the food that was scattered over the countertops, hiding in cabinets, and staying cool in the fridge.  There were big loaves of bread from various markets in brown bags, and plenty of lecker butter to spread (read: pile) on top.  We had steak tartare, soups, and ice cream on Friday; French toast made from sourdough loaves slathered in an organic hazelnut - chocolate spread, big plates of homemade enchiladas with sticky brown and wild rice, Mom's panna cotta, and more ice cream on Saturday; and finished off the trip on Sunday by celebrating St Patrick's Day early with a heavy meal of corned beef, German butterball boiled potatoes, grün Cole (read: green cabbage), and lots of mustard sauce.  Oh, and I finished it off with a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream that my sweet Aussi friend brought over early.  And yet... I felt like there were so many opportunities missed for enjoying good food.  I think I nearly cried at the airport when I realized I hadn't had a glass or three of our delicious raw whole milk (even if it is against my doctors orders).  But so it goes, and here I sit: five pounds more lovely.

(Panna cotta topped with strawberries in a balsamic vinegar syrup - yum!)

I'm going to put in a plug for PBD now, my other home.  I really wasn't going to stop by because I was only home for two days, but when Brent commented on my status on FB (which never, ever happens) I couldn't help it.  I got in the car with my sister, who thankfully knows and expects a long visit every time we go, and we took off to the place that has come to mean so much to me over the years.  Being the Saturday before Nationals, everyone was busy: sewing, dancing, eating, etc..  This is so cliche, as are half the things I say, but it felt like coming home.  PBD was a home away from home for me, or, rather, a place to escape to during some tough times.  Only a couple of feet in the door, and three of my favorite, and surprised, Longhurst girls practically tackled me to the ground.  Cora and I were connected at the hip almost that whole hour I was there, and we've decided to try the whole pen-pal thing again (Matt, send your daughter's letters!).  I have to admit I get a little nervous and excited when I walk in, because I always disrupt team!  It's fun seeing all my friends again, or at least those who are still there.  Brent and Katie, Heather and.... oh, wait.  Matt wasn't there.  Again.  Oh, well.  But really, so much fun to sit and enjoy everything.  I haven't seen that much passion and conviction on peoples faces since I left PBD.  I'm just gonna say it:  there is something magical about PBD.  (Do I gush too much?)

Oh, and Allis.  Getting tackled by Allis as the team was sitting on the floor watching their run-throughs.  "FALL DOWNN!"  Haha... Luckily my sister, Stephanie, reported that Brent was only confused for a moment before he laughed it off (even if we are completely and totally disruptive alumni).  Did I mention I loved seeing her?  I have the best friends in the whole world.  WHOLE WORLD.

Moving on.

Sunday was fast and testimony meeting, which was perfect.  I promised Mona, an elderly woman in her 80's / a dear friend in my ward, that I would bare my testimony before moving out here last June.  Unfortunately, I was gone that last fast Sunday, and wasn't able to fulfill my promise.  She didn't know I was coming, so when I sneak attacked her from behind she got excited and practically started crying.  I told her I was going to go up because of her, and she was just delighted.  I'm not sure why on earth she loves me, but I don't really care because I love her 1000x more.  I may or may not have felt the need to go up because of guilt, but either way I got up there for the first time in quite a long while.  Mom bore her testimony first, then I went up there, completely moved by all the thoughts and feelings swirling around in my mind and heart.  Family.  It was all about home and family.  It felt good and right to get up there, even if I never say quite what it is that I feel.  I'll try to sum up what I said really fast, because I feel the need to have it on my blog, too:

My Mom is incredible, and so is the rest of my family.  I adore them all to pieces, and admire and respect them all more than they know.  All the time I am homesick for my family, but how could I not be?  They're my best friends.  I got to watch Ryan step up and baptize Spencer (as he had Hannah and Nathan before), and ordain Nathan to the priesthood and give him a blessing.  Similarly, I got to see Spencer be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost and a sort of patriarchal blessing by Opa.  And, Nathan, my sweet sensitive brother, turned twelve and received the priesthood.  I was so proud that day, and I am so proud now.  It was mostly just family there, which made it a perfect and intimate setting.  I didn't say it, but it was an emotional day also because I think we all wished that Dad had been there, too.  That weekend, too, I realized how incredible it is to have a home to go back to.  I have been so blessed to grow up in Gig Harbor, with family and leaders who love me, and a ward that (during those years) felt something like Zion.  I'll always be grateful for being surrounded by such incredible people, and for all the things that I learned there.  It will always be home in my heart, though now I am moving on to other things and to other places.  Where has all the time gone?

I love my life.

And now I'm back in Provo.... not so exciting.   But still, I love my life.  Ende.

(Not the most wonderful picture ever, but whatev!)

Ps.  After church I stopped by Chelsey's because I just had  to see her.  We talked about boys while she got ready for church.  Boys, food, and life.... so everything that we always talk about.  :)  After that I stopped by and hung out with Caila and Matt for a bit, which was fun.  It was so good to see her and talk to both of them.  I can't believe she is so pregnant!  I'm excited to see little Rhody when he comes in June.  :)

xxL