Benefits

Ok, ok...

I've tried my flight benefits twice now. Flying standby has allowed me to visit family for very little money and to work on my anxiety. 

My first trip was to Burbank to visit Derek, Rachel, and kids (Rose, Charlie, and Milo). I had a weekend without a lot of responsibilities and the flight loads were light, so I asked the Hunters if I could come Friday - Sunday. I learned how to book a flight online with Allie's flight benefits. When I got to the airport, I told myself, I only need ONE seat. I only need ONE spot. I tried to not stress and realize I could always wait for the next flight or just go back home. I got on the flight and made it to Burbank. Derek picked me up. We got burgers for dinner on Friday. We went to Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. I have heard Derek and Rachel and kids talk about Little Tokyo and was excited to go. There are certain treats they like to buy and certain stores they like to browse. It was a beautiful day and we really had fun. We got Melon Bread, which is a really fun yeast roll with a crackly, sugary outer coating. I loved it. I thought about going home Saturday night to avoid Sunday travel, which can be busy, but decided to take my chances. I flew out on the first flight Sunday and made it home. I did it! I flew standby with no incident. 

My brother hates to drive, but he came and got me anyway

Charlie still loves silky nightgowns. Milo is still a cutie pie

Rose is getting so big and has such a fun, spunky sense of style

I love my sister Rachel so much

It was so fun to see Derek, Rachel, and kids. Rose was nice enough to give me her bedroom. 

Just last week I went to Kristen and Doug's house for a long weekend. I had avoided travel during Easter and spring break. I really didn't plan to travel between now and study abroad, but I was really worn out from work and needed a break. I planned to leave on Friday morning and come back Monday. I joked with Kristen that I would fly out Thursday, but I didn't want to deal with public transportation at midnight. An hour later, I got a call that she and Doug would pick me up if I wanted to hop the Thursday night flight. I kept my commitment to lead a sister's walking group, packed my bags, and got in the car. I got on the 11:00 pm flight to Oakland. 

Friday Kristen and I went on a walk, then went to the outlet mall. We shopped for 4 1/2 hours. We've never spent that much time at the mall. We each got some shirts and pants. Kristen got some shoes. We ended up getting pizza for dinner because we were out so late. Pizza is always eaten in the family room on the couch. Saturday we went walking and grabbed lunch with Kim Cassetti. It's her birthday soon and it was fun to take her flowers and to treat her to lunch. Because it was Saturday, Rob was home and we got to visit with him. He's so pleasant to talk to. It's always so great to see Kim. We love her so much. I helped Kristen clean out her closet. We boxed up clothes that no longer fit or that she no longer wears. That can be hard to do, but she did it. 

I got to see Kristen and Doug's kitchen remodel

We bought identical shirts

A comfortable and beautiful couch that they ordered 14 months ago finally arrived

Sunday we went to church, then Maria Trump came over for a walk and for dinner. We had delicious grilled chicken sandwiches. I love that both Maria and Kim live near Kristen. I know that when I visit her, I can see good friends too. Doug had a work trip on Monday, so I got a ride with him to the airport. It was so simple and it was a great weekend. Just what I needed. 

I hit the jackpot with neighbors like Lynn and Michael Maughan

It was super windy!

Back at work for the last week of classes. Tuesday morning, my neighbor Lynn and I went to the Saratoga Springs Temple open house. Purple is a main color in the interior and it was beautiful. The stained glass is a nod to the view of Utah Lake and the mountains to the east. We taught our last prep class for study abroad. Chad Gibbs, our interior design professor who will be joining us, did a short presentation on the architecture in Bath. I can't believe we are going again. We've been planning this for almost 9 months - a pregnancy. I also helped teach methods on Wednesday morning, then had a final seminar with our student teachers. They're ready to work and move on to their next steps. I've also been working on UAFCS president stuff and getting ready for a class I'm teaching for Relief Society. Natalie and I have also been making plans for when we will go to the restaurants we want to try. We're not sure we'll be going on study abroad again, so we'll treat this trip like it could be our last. 

We love our foods lab crew: back row - Emily Burdette, Malia Collier, Morgan Johnson, Thomas Lundquist, and Michaela Christensen, front row - Starlyn Hjorth, me, and Sydney Cluff

Teachers and student teachers: Sandy Kezerian, Kimmy Bell-Young, Anzie Brown, JoLynn Holt, Kimby Yates, Sidney Weight, me, Nicole Lauper, Natalie Hancock (Krista Ohlmstead on Zoom from Texas)

Thursday we had a faculty dinner to celebrate Jeff Hill and Alan Hawkins, who will be retiring this summer. They've done great work and are great men. They will be missed. Friday, my aunt Carolyn and I went on a walk at the mall. Then I hit up Trader Joe's for some groceries. I also went to the outlet mall. I got some shoes. I'd really like to find a black or dark gray skirt, but haven't found one yet. I was inspired by Kristen and also cleaned out my closet of clothes that don't fit or that I don't wear. Again, it's hard to admit the body is changing, but it is. I'm getting better about accepting aging. Really, I am. 

Last night was ward temple night. Only 7 of us went, but it was really nice. I'm glad I went. I usually go in the middle of the week and go in Provo. It was nice to be with a few ward members. My plumbing also got roughed in yesterday. Garret Hjorth and his friend Joe came and broke up concrete and laid new pipe for relocating the toilet and adding a shower. My house was SOOOOO dusty. They got it done. It took 11 hours. Wow. I'm so grateful I know people who will help me with this project. I'm willing to pay and I do, but I'm glad I have friends on whom I can rely. 

I read my patriarchal blessing today and something that struck me that I've never noticed before is the charge to set an example for my kids. I think I've done that, but I know I could do better. My kids really are the best. I can't wait to spend 6 weeks with Mel in Europe. Allie will come spend time with us and I'm very excited about that. 

Life is good. I get lonely sometimes. I want to find my person, my eternal companion, but sometimes I'm not sure it will happen. That makes me sad. I don't mean to sound ungrateful about the life I have. My kids are fantastic, I have a home I love, my job is great, and I have the support of friends and family. I can still want a healthy relationship.