The flights were tolerable. It's always better flying with someone, especially if that someone is Mike! I'm always just a little uneasy about flying these days so each time we hit ground again, I chanted my gratitude prayers. Bitter: Those blankety, blankers ruined my love and fearlessness of flying. I can't even tell you how many flights I've enjoyed in my lifetime. Maybe I would have been an airline attentant if I hadn't been deaf in the one darn ear. But now I'm a little uneasy. Sweet: I'm grateful for the opportunity to get from A to B so quickly! To see my sweet family so conveniently!
It was sooooooo good to see Aaron again! He's rounder (in a healthy way) and his hair is longer and darker. I hardly recognized him at first. He is still handsome as ever and reminds me of dear ol' Dad. Aaron has a way of making me feel loved and important. And his Millie. Well, see for yourself. She is just beautiful. Her hair is even curlier than I remember Aaron's being when he was a wee one. She is hard to resist! Millie's momma, Lisa, drove in twice to see us. Thanks for making the sacrifice so I could share my loves! Bitter: Wasn't nearly long enough. Sweet: Well, just look at the hug I got from that girl! Ok, well, it might have been just a little forced.
We met up with friends (BYU roommates and spouse) one night at the California Pizza Kitchen. They are the kind of friends that get sweeter with time. You know the kind. You leave 'em for 5-10 or so years and then when you see them again, you just pick up where you left off. Except for the extra kids, and the new house, and the new car, etc. It was so nice to get caught up!! Bitter: Although I loved seeing my Shena and Angela/Darren, I would have also loved to see a few others that hold a special place in my heart like Aunt Ann, Tammy and kids, Dianna, Heather and the Jones family. Sweet: I got to see Shena and Angela/Darren! And Shena and I shared food just like old times, only it wasn't Training Table. (That I got to share with my Mike.) I also got to see my super ambitous friend, Amy. Love that girl! Although she is quite a bit younger than me, she is an awesome example. She's going to be a famous doctor some day and I will get her autograph.
We also met up with the Berger/Berger/Ellis/Simpkin family. Oh what joy! Everone was there except for a couple of the grandkiddos and our Shane. We visited, ate a delicious dinner, laughed, ate yummy dessert (which I've got to get the recipe for BYW) and reminisced about the old days. This family has been in my life for the majority of it and I'm so grateful. My bishop, my youth leader, my Stampin' Up mentor, my senior, my bloging and gardening inspiration, etc. They have filled my life with so many memories and I thank my lucky stars that I still have opportunities to be enriched by them. Bitter: As much as I wished that the stars were all aligned perfectly and Shane was visiting at the same time, he was not. I miss him. And I stinkin' forgot to get some pictures. Phooey. Sweet: They got to meet my wonderful Mike and my Mike got to meet my wonderful family away from home! Mike and I took some time to drive into and around Provo. Ah, the memories. We drove up Center Street a bit and saw my favorite Gondalfo's. We drove past the Provo temple and MTC. We visited our old apartments, King Henry and the Roman Gardens and also an old house that Mike lived in (birthplace of Elder Dallin H. Oaks). We stopped in the little electonics shack that Mike used to buy from. We drove past UVRMC. I wanted to go inside of the Wellness Center to see if my old crush was still there, then decided that this would be kinda weird to reminisce in a hospital. Anyway, I would have been sorely disappointed if Jeff D. were still working at the Wellness Center after all these years. We even went on campus and shopped at the Wilkinson Center. We visited the Training Table, Krispy Kream, Smith's (caffeine free Mountain Dew for the kids), and the BYU creamery. Bitter: I kinda gained a tad bit of weight and all the kids there looked like stinkin' kids. Sweet: It was something wonderful to have the opportunities to see what we did. Even though Mike and I lived in that area at different times in our lives, the same things were familiar to us both and we felt young and free again for a few short moments.
We also got to walk through Temple Square again. What a beautiful place! My only regret was that the kids weren't able to enjoy it with us. I think that everybody should have the opportunity to visit at least once. Mike's boss gives him a hard time on occasion, asking if he can see the gold plates. This was Mike's opportunity to finally show them to him. AND he get's to see a prophet of old also, in a waxy sort of way. 
We were walking through the Family History Center and ran into a sister missionary that just left our ward 2 days before. She says that you never run into someone you know on Temple Square unless the Lord wanted it to happen. Welp, He knows how to make things happen. Bitter: It's tough sometimes to meet and get to know so many people that you're pretty sure you will never see again. Sweet: While there in the FHC, I found out that through my 5th generation great grandfather, William Williams (who signed the Declaration of Independence), I am related to President Hinckley, Joseph Smith, Lucille Ball, Steve Young, Donny Osmand, Shirley Temple, The Wright Brothers and more! Very exciting stuff.
Bitter: We were smacked with the realization that we had to come home to work, callings, responsibilies. We didn't get to visit with our loved ones nearly enough! Sweet: We woke up on October 17th (Mike's birthday) in our own beds. The house was decorated with homemade birthday wishes, banners, and balloons. There was a delicious chocolate cake waiting for us, er, Mike, to dig into. The kids were so excited for us to be home, they were literally squealing and greeted us with hugs and kisses galore. Yep, it's good to be home. Welcome home, Feidler family, welcome home.
3 comments:
Oh My!! What a great post! I almost feel like I got to go too ~ you seem to always know just the right thing to say. Your brother is growing up to look more and more like his daddy, something I could certainly get used to. :-) Amelia's hair IS more curly than his was, if that's possible. I know what you mean about flying these days, I feel the same way. But I'm glad you are home, safe and sound and that the trip was everything you had hoped it would be, except that it was, as always, too short. What is it they say about dead fish and relatives both stinking after three days? . . . better to "always leave 'em wanting more!"
I'm so sorry I didn't get down to meet you. I didn't get your Facebook post until after it was too late. It would have been fun to see Aaron as well. I'm glad you had a fun trip. When you do come back, I'll definitely make time for a little catch up! Love ya tons!
what a fabulous time you two had---i'll bet it was just simply the best little get-a-way for the two of you.....
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