Tea Time

We had a good day today! This trip has been a stressful one, which I expected, but today was a good reprieve. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Phoenix, which was some pretty good food!! It was really cool it had this Harley set up, and of course lots of guitars. Than after that we had tea with my Aunt Janet, whose from England, and Uncle Ken. This was a very special thing to do, I will always remember our tea times with my family. Plus, I think it was the first time that I was able to open up to someone in the family about Nana and Papa. Uncle Ken and Aunt Janet are really easy to talk to and agreed about a lot I had to say.

Tomorrow is not exactly planned out, but I'm hoping that it will be a repeat of today.Here are some pics of the day:

Kodak moments and vise versa

Well, the first picture is of what Karen and I got to see our first night in Arizona. It was beautiful! The second picture is of Karen...they had these really cool giant chess pieces there...we didn't actually play, just a Kodak moment. We had so much fun, this time was very special for us.

I've learned a lot about myself this week. Too many to mention really, but the main thing is that no matter how much I learn or grow, I will never need God any less. This may sound cheesy, but this week has been the most emotional and physically straining time in a long time! I can't even explain it really...it's been hard being away from the boys and John...it's been hard being away from my church...it's been hard being away from my friends, it's been hard seeing Papa the way he is.

The good things is that John got a texting plan before we came...that John is always willing to listen...my boys are with the best in-laws ever, my friends are always there for me...and my sister is going through this with me! The best though is that God has given me exactly what I've needed exactly at the right time I needed it!

Well, this has been kind-of all over the place, but that kind-of fits the week so far. I'm really relishing the special moments and I'm really glad I came, but will be even happier when I get home!

Let go...

Well, Saturday morning my mom, Karen, and I got on a plane and flew to Arizona. I'll just say now that I never realized that I was afraid to fly until then! I guess I was always distracted in the past. In other words, the boys were with me. I got myself so worked up I really thought I was going to have to use the barf bag. I was agitated that the flight attendant could tell me how to use the seat as a floatation device and how to use the oxygen mask and then tell me to sit back and relax! I was very nervous about leaving John and the boys, very nervous about seeing my Papa and Nana, just down right nervous.

I kept trying to tell myself I can do this...finally we got to the Las Vegas airport for an hour layover. I wasn't doing much better and I really didn't want to do this all over again.

Well, I stared listening to music when the plane took off again. The Barlow Girl song, "Let Go" came on...
"Let Go"

Yeah I trust in You
I remember times You led me
This time it's bigger now
And I'm afraid You'll let me down

But how can I be certain?
Will You prove Yourself again?

[Chorus:]
'Cause I'm about to let go
And live what I believe
I can't do a thing now
But trust that You'll catch me
When I let go
When I let go

What is this doubt in me
Convincing me to fear the unknown
When all along You've shown
Your plans are better than my own

And I know I won't make it
If I do this all alone

I'm not sure how to describe it, but things got better, but only when I stopped trying to do it myself. So far, this trip has been a combination of stress, shopping, sad times, good times, and swimming. The thing is even though I miss John and the boys, and it's hard to see my Papa so sick, I'm very grateful that I was able to make this trip. I have been having fun with my mom and sister. It's been very special. Good times :)
By the way, the picture above is of my sis, Karen, she's jumping on the bed :) We had a lot of fun at the Wigwam(hotel) at the Twlight Convention.