Down on the Farm

Today we met my sister, Nicole and her daugher, Bridget at a farm in Lehi. The kids were SO excited to see real animals. They were most excited about seeing the donkey (because of a donkey named Eeyore), the chickens, and pigs.

We saw the cows, horses, and donkey first. If the animals got too close to the fence, Chloe had a panic attack and Harrison squealed like a girl. Someone pointed out that there was a sign by the donkey that said, "Watch Out! I bite." The kids were so done with the donkey.

The kids thought the chickens were great. . . until they made noise. No more chickens for them, thanks.

They were fine with the pigs, as long as they stayed fifteen feet away and ate their lunch quietly.

Nicole looked down at Harrison and Chloe and said, "City kids."
Here's Nicole being the Goat Whisperer.

The kids did enjoy the pony ride.

Land That I Love

We made it! Our neverending journey finally ended and our Internet was just hooked up so we're back among the blogging. Here are some of the highlights and lowlights of our trek West:

Day 1: NC, VA, WV, KY and IN
We begin our journey in Cary, NC and head North. It rains a lot. We're totally pumped and in the road trip zone until we hit a portion of highway in Virginia where we are forced to merge three lanes into one for "tunnel construction." An hour later, we reach the tunnel and while there are plenty of barrels on the road, no construction is going on. Curse you, Virginia DOT! We arrive at Jeff's brother's house in Indiana ready to drop.

Day 2: IN, IL, MO
Jeff's brother, Ted, makes us breakfast and then he and Aubrie take us to their secret lab in the forest. Telescopes are big!

My allergies hit their peak and I feel like rubbing off my corneas. My eyes get red and puffy. We order pizza at a local St. Louis eatery and are served what appears to be a giant cracker topped with Kraft singles. As I take my first bite, I am immediately burned and a blister appears on my lip. We head to Busch Stadium for a Cardinals game where be pay $20 for parking. Once we get out of the car, Chloe urinates on me. With my red, puffy eyes, burned lip, and wet shirt I am a vision.

We assume the kids will last a maximum of two innings. Thanks to the magic of popcorn, they watch the entire game! The Cards lost, but it felt like a victory to us.

Day 3: MO, NB
With nothing to look forward to, we decide to get milkshakes once we hit Nebraska. Once we hit Nebraska, we get milkshakes.

Also, we found Mormon Island! WE FOUND IT! The treasure is ours! (What the heck IS that place, anyway?)

Day 4: NB, WY, UT
A tape of my dad singing opera gets stuck in the tape player and we can no longer listen to the iPod or Wee Sing. Anarchy ensues.

We finally reach my parent's house in Utah and discover they put in a new trampoline! Hooray for Utah!

Dr. Maxwell, I Presume

He did it! Friday night Jeff took the Hippocratic Oath and was welcomed into the profession of medicine. It was an amazing evening that will stay with us forever. The Hippocratic Oath and hooding ceremony was held in the Duke Chapel. Jeff had the honor of singing a musical number and I accompanied him on the piano. If you know us, you know that's not usually how we do things. He did a beautiful job and I didn't vomit, so . . . blogger high five!

The past four years have been exciting and difficult, but they went by much faster than I thought they would. I remember the moment Jeff decided to go to medical school. Since that moment he has worked so hard and he seems to genuinely love the study of medicine. I'm so proud of him and know he's going to be an amazing doctor.

Our neverending journey begins in a couple of days. Any advice for lengthy car rides with kids?

"M" is for my mother.

We've had an amazing graduation weekend, but I'll tell all about that later. We decided to postpone Mother's Day at our house so I haven't thought much about it. Something my friend Meredith said about my last post reminded me how blessed I am to have such a great mother and mother in law.

The moment I had my son, my mother became the most amazing woman in the world to me. That anyone could do that more than once blew my mind and the fact that she had done it successfully eight times was beyond me. How did she keep it all together? How did we all end up relatively normal and happy? I still don't know how she did it, but I'm grateful for the sacrifices she made for all of us.

There are so many things I admire about her. In the interest of space, I want to share what I love most about my mom. She has so much love for her friends and especially for the young people that come into her life. If any of us brought a friend over, she immediately invited them in for dinner and dessert. Sometimes she'd get so attached to boys we were dating, she took it harder than we did when things didn't work out. She adores all of her son-in-laws as if they were her own kids. She is constantly taking care of the needs of others so I hope she gets some time to herself this Mother's Day.

To quote Meredith on my last post: "I love the pictures, especially the one of you and Patti. It reminds me how you totally SCORED in the mother-in-law department!" My friends were really excited for me when I got engaged to Jeff, but they were pea green with envy that Patti would be my mother-in-law. She's been a source of joy and support in my life since I was 13 years old. She attended nearly every play I was in since high school. When she reads, sees, or hears something funny she gives me a call so I can enjoy it, too.

For the past four years she has come over every Friday to play with the kids while I go do whatever I want. Sometimes "whatever I want" is to sit and talk about our week. She's such a wonderful grandma because she lets the kids do whatever they want (if it's not dangerous) and they know that she's there just for them. I love her ability to just be there, in the moment, and give you her undivided attention. During the past few years I have really come to look forward to Fridays. I think I'll miss you most of all, Scarecrow.

To the right I have posted my favorite poem in the world. Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

SurPIES!

Saturday I threw a SurPIES graduation party for Jeff. I had everyone meet at the park and bring a pie (Jeff's fave) for Jeff to judge. We renamed the winning pie the Dr. Maxwell Pie. He was genuinely surprised and the weather that day was perfect. Thanks so much to all of you that came out to support Jeff. It means a lot to us.

In my rush to get out the door without looking suspicious I forgot to grab my camera. Luckily my sister is a professional photographer and she showed up prepared. Bonus! Thanks, Katy!

For the winning recipe, go to Seven Bum Kitchen

Poetry Night

A few years ago, my friend Chelsea invited me to her home to read poetry. I laughed at her and declined the offer. The next month, a group met at someone else's house to read poetry. I laughed at them and didn't go. The next month, the same group met at someone else's house. That was the month I discovered that cookies were involved. I went for the cookies, but didn't read any poetry. After a few months of attending Poetry Night I grew to enjoy it not just for the cookies. I never really "got" poetry when I studied it in school. It was pleasant enough, but so not for me. Through Poetry Night I gained an appreciation for poetry and some very special friends. Eventually, Poetry Night fizzled out but my love for poetry and cookies remains in my heart forever.


From top left to right: Nancy, Heather, Chelsea, Allie, Melissa, and Jen.

Last night (after a two year absence) my friend Jen brought back Poetry Night one last time in my honor. It was held in her beautiful new backyard, complete with a lit stage.
(Below): Allie reads a poem about the Great Salt Lake. Jen declares it the worst poem she's ever heard. Then Jen dedicates a poem to me entitled "I Need More Doilies."

The audience enjoys the performance as well as the pink cupcakes. (L-R) Chelsea, Jen, Heather, April, and Mary Ann.

The ladies came bearing gifts including Tarheel shaped pasta and moonshine cordials. What am I gonna do without my moonshine when I move to Zion?!


Thanks for a splendid evening, friends! Here's to you:
My Friend is Gone by Lillian M. Fisher

A hug, a tear, and you are gone.
Your swing is missing from the lawn.
Your house is silent, dark and lone.
Your window says no one is home.
I tried hard not to cry
When you waved a last good-bye.
How will I face each empty day
Without my friend who moved away?