Returned home

Just got back from my Utah getaway. Pictures to be posted soon from Ragnar.

A few thoughts:

I loved going to the Utah Church museum with Julie Boam to share my mom's display with her. I missed my mom seeing her lovely picture and hearing her voice. I hugged the computer and wished that she wasn't so far away. I loved meeting Julie's family and playing with green eyeshadow.






I love my friends and family! I was able to catch up with high school and college friends. People came from afar to visit with me for just 10 minutes (on my way to the airport, and then another friend at the airport drop off). If that didn't make me feel loved, don't know what does. I left the airport with a full heart and a huge grin.

I loved visiting with my family at Tia Martha's house. Hugs, Costco lasagna and a gorgeous setting helped make the evening very fun.

I loved asking questions to Megan Christensen about her life as a medical student wife, and learning how she stays so positive and happy with her young children. A contagious smile. Thanks for the listening ear and compassionate heart.
What a trip down memory lane to see all the Utah stores: Dan's grocery store, JMR, Vanity, Zion's bank, Macey's, Training Table, Hires Big H, Seagull Book and Tape, and Smith's.


I loved feeling of Tasha Hew-Len's love for special needs children and how her eyes lit up whenever we talked about ballroom stories.
I loved my energetic, refreshing, exposing and cheerful reunion with Kariann Young. Liberty Park was a perfect place to chow down ice cream calories together, and let the kids play for hours while we read text messages together, reminisced, shared dreams and vented.
I am feeling excited about next year to return for Ragnar (unless I get to be pregnant). I loved seeing all my boys pull up at the curb at the airport, full of bright eyes and smiles. I loved looking at Isaac in his car seat as he recognized my face and then gave me a smile full of toofies. I loved kissing on my boys and remembering how big their brown eyes look with their new haircuts. I didn't even mind the disciplining that went on when they kept hitting each other on the way home! I loved the "Good job Mama" sign that they made for me, and showing off my pictures of the race, "Mama? Ganaste first place? Seventh place?" I even didn't mind playing a game of U-No where the boys were able to win...and then start up the bedtime routine. Jared looks extra handsome tonight.



I loved my late night sleepover with Michelle Clark, and waking up to her and her mom for a couch chit chat about life. She knows the ins and outs of all my family and always asks so many intimate questions. The run down memory lane (1000 east and Sandy Highland condos) was so special to share with you.

Chit chatting has always been a favorite past time of mine. This time around, it meant that much more to me b/c I was seeing friends that I usually only see ONCE a year. Between our cheese fries at Training Table, Hires Big H onion rings and homemade shakes or Little Cesar's crazy bread...we shared some great conversations over calories.

I felt like my friends really were so interested in my life, as I was theirs. Never once did I get tired of talking and talking and talking. About life, family, dreams, trials, children, college, the Ragnar, and religion.

It was exhausting having my "polite" and "best face" for all these friends (b/c that is what you do when you are catching up after a year of no contact!) I loved the sharing of stories and how wonderful it is to just feel like despite the years and distance, you really can connect with so many people on different levels and about different things. As my friend Kariann put it, some friends are friends of the "heart" and others are of the "road." Both friendships are equally important during your life, and whether your friendships last throughout the years, or diminish with time...it is just another fact to me about why friendships mean so much to me. I really felt like I have both sides of the friendship scale. I cherish my "road" friendships, but the majority of my Utah friends were reuniting with those "heart" friendships. I left feeling renewed, loved, valued, missed and happy. I felt like the 'ol Adrienne from high school and SUU was able to come out again, not worried about bedtime routines or discipline...just pure chit chatting.

It's now late. I am still on an emotional high. I am excited to get back on track with my 1300 calorie diet, teaching summer school and even studying for my re-cert test.

I am grateful for good friends. I am grateful for a wonderful family. I am grateful for health.