“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?”
Neltje Blanchan
There is just something indescribably beautiful about the change of the seasons; especially when you live in eastern Idaho where it is winter ¾ of the year. But y'all know what I’m talking about. You wake up to the sun bursting through your windows and birds serenading you awake. You can open the door and breathe in the world awakening after a long winter, and you can step out into the oh so glorious sun rays, raising the hairs on your arms, as the excitement builds within you as you greet an old friend.
Many people use the New Year as a time to reflect and do New Year's resolutions, and believe me I do that too, I love goal setting. But the “new chapter” does not start in my book till the sun shines brilliantly causing you to throw your hands up shielding your squinting eyes, and there is the almost palatable aroma that fills the air which is indescribable yet so familiar to anyone who breathes it in. Spring, it’s the most wonderful time of the year; well, that is after Christmas!
Spring time means the start of a new chapter and many great adventures. Three years ago, Adam suggested going up to Yellowstone for the opening weekend (which to anyone who doesn’t know, the first weekend of the park opening is FREE! It’s usually around the third weekend of April). I spent the night before prep talking myself, saying things like, “Well he does a lot of things for me, I can do this for him, even if I have to pretend to have fun”. I have no reasons why, I just did not feel excited about a two hour drive there, a day of walking around board walks and hiking trails and then a two hour drive back- mind you #LivyLu was just barely a year old, she did not like long car rides at the time, and struggled with long walks.
Anyways I plastered a fake smile onto my face and set off with my family for the greatest surprise of my life. The very instance we drove into the park I was a #yellowstonejunky! The opening weekend has become not only one of my favorite family traditions but the most looked forward to day of the year, next to Christmas.
This year, the day started with me tackling Adam at 6 am shouting "IT'S YELLOWSTONE DAY!!!". So basically you can assume that Yellowstone is the most magical place on earth (sorry Disneyland), and y'all need to go!!! This year we invited my family to join us, and the day did not disappoint. I mean there were ups and downs like being separated- with no cell service (one of the best perks of the park, no cell phones!) just minutes after getting into the park and everyone ending the day looking like lobsters (I remembered to pack the sunscreen this year, but completely forget to put it on). There is just something so peaceful about escaping the world to go to a place practically untouched by man, where the air so sulfuric-ly fresh and nature is showing off in all her glory. I don’t think I will ever walk past the geyser basin or the paint pots and my jaw not drop at the beauty of the bright colors and the image as though the water is a smooth plate of glass. And I can't forget how alive my sweet kiddos become while in the park, #ClaraBelle, who barely speaks a word, was whispering “wow!” the entire day. #OBoy was more alert and awake than he has ever been in his entire 6 months of existence. And #LivyLu was a pure delight as she pointed out the colors in a game of I Spy; and when she so hilariously imitated my dance when I picked up a little twig with pine needles at the end resembling a pom pom, dancing and cheering her on to encourage her to keep walking up the big hill. Yellowstone is BY FAR my favorite spring activity and I’m already counting down the days till we go back next year.
Lessons from Yellowstone:
1. When you pack sunscreen it’s a good idea to use it. This swooping sunburn across my forehead from my hair is not really my favorite. Maybe on year four we can do a little better on that.
2. Bring a cooler with ice if you plan on bringing chocolate. (Why have I not learned this lesson yet?)
3. Don’t bring new tennis shoes, starting the day off with big blisters on my ankles was the recipe for a long day of achy feet.
4. Don’t let Adam fill up my water bottles with lemon water ever again- it was like drinking straight lemon. (UUUUUH I feel the pucker in my cheeks as I remember it!)
5. It probably was not the best idea to give my kids full bottles of juice and then wait three hours to change their diapers. At our very first stop we had to clean up three blowouts….. Thank goodness I packed an extra pair of clothes for each of the kids.
6. In the past we have had lots of up close views of the bison as they walk down the road and past our van (or like the one time two bison were fighting and one almost got its head slammed into my window- seriously life flash before my eyes moment). This year it didn't happen so much. I mean there was plenty of bison, along with other animals, but they were all a good distance away from the road- binoculars would be nice.
We have carried on the spring festivities by blowing bubbles, playing with water balloons, coloring, book binging, eating a truly impressive amount of watermelon (or as #LivyLu calls it, lemonade) and lounging in our sun forts on the porch every day this week. I seriously can't soak up enough of this sublime and brilliant sun (and my hair shows it!)!
As I’ve sat back in the sun watching my kiddos play, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on a few things:
As hard as being a mom can be some days (especially lately with #ClaraBelle, she’s been going through this crying/screaming phase and it’s driving me nuts!), they are good good kids. #ClaraBelle has the sweetest laugh and she is completely OBSESSED with her brother, it's quite the display of affection. #LivyLu is THE BEST big sister, she helps with everything, she listens, and she loves to give directions (although sometimes she can get bossy). And #OBoy, well he is just a butterball and I can never get enough squeezes from him. There are tough moments that exhaust me, and without a doubt I’ll always love nap time and bedtime, but golly what my life would be like without them. All I can do when all three decide to poop and cry at the same time (this is a daily occurrence), or they fight over toys, or they think they will starve if I dont give them food right that instance, is to tell myself “This too shall pass”, and find peace in the fact that those are not the memories I will remember 50 years from now. Instead my lasting memories will be of sticky fingers that embrace my face as I get pulled into slobbery kisses and hugs, the chunky hips and thighs twisting and shaking while letting loose to some tunes, and the image of my kids throwing their heads back in laughter as they burst water balloons soaking themselves.
2. Eclairs are not my favorite (I made and tried them for the first time a few weeks ago), but GOOD-NESS the Boston creme filling is good. Last week I made a yellow cake with eclair Boston creme filling (because it was seriously too good) covered in dark chocolate ganache for my sisters birthday and it was TO DIE FOR!!!
3. God is oh so good to me! In previous posts I have talked about my struggles with our current situation, and I’ve delved a little into my depression. Through my experiences (especially in the past year), I’ve learned that perspective is everything. President Monson instructed everyone to “Have an attitude of gratitude”, and I’ve learned that that is the key to a happy life. Yes, my family is going through tough things, and yes my depression is real and makes each day a struggle. However, the joy in my life is just as real and what better way to remind me of that than to get out into the sun and in God’s magnificent nature. But to top off all the joy that comes simply from the sun washing away to cold of winter, I have watched some pretty amazing things fall into place in the past weeks (keep a watchful eye for some up and coming posts about some big things!). Oh how I love God’s perfect timing and his tender hand in leading and guiding me through this life. Seriously guys, God is so so good!!!
4. The Greatest Showman is great, but golly that music is IMPOSSIBLE to forget. Thanks to #LivyLu, it’s been on repeat in my head for WEEKS! (I guess there are worse things in life.)
5. Lastly, is there anything more tedious and stinky than stripping 5 layers of paint off a wooden rocking horse? I tackled re purposing my girls rocking horse this week and that was no joke. We picked it up at a garage sale for next to nothing towards the end of my pregnancy with #OBoy and I just haven't had time to fix the peeling paint until this week. I have done a lot of DIY projects, but this by far was my hardest project to date. And for not having a clue what I was doing, I think it turned out pretty cute! (YAY for satisfactory DIY's!)
So to wrap up, I'm pretty much loving life these days now that there is no more snow in the forecast. And yet again I am reminded just how sweet life can be when we take God's merciful hand and take a step or two of faith. To anyone struggling or questioning if God is there or listening to your prayers, hold on just a little longer. I promise He has magnificent things in store for you.
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