I should preface this trip by saying that I prob shouldn't even have gone. Edward didn't want us too. He was worried about the weather through Flagstaff, and probably Brian's driving skills. When we got to Page and I told my Parents I'd come against Edward's wishes my Dad said, "What! Are you still just as head-strong and obstinate as you were as a teenager!? Sheesh, poor Edward!" And my Mom kissed my cheek and whispered "Good girl!" in my ear, before promptly whisking Haden out of my arms and smothering him with Grandma love. She was hoping we would come even more than I was -can't get enough of her grandkids. =)
It'd been about 8 months since my last trip to Page and I'd been getting a little homesick for my home-town. (Especially as spring-break drew nearer and Brian kept talking about how excited he was to go home...) So I formulated a plan to bum a ride off Brian. I only have two more weeks of maternity leave, and Edward has been working long hours to get ready for the yearly inventory at his store, so it seemed like the perfect time for a trip! Both car-seats and I fit comfortably in the backseat of Brian's little Kia. We left Saturday morning. The trip to Page is about 5hrs, Flagstaff being the midway point. The first half of the journey Reese munched continuously on snacks I'd brought and Hayden downed a bottle I'd pumped, and slept. In Flag it was windy and cold, but the sky was clear. I burped Hayden and changed diapers while we filled up on gas, and we ordered Reese a quesadilla since he was still hungry. Once back on the road Hayden promptly fell asleep again and Reese watched "YoGabbaGabba" on my laptop. As we neared Bitter Springs on the Navajo Reservation, Brian pointed out the new LDS Chapel that had just been built. I suggested we stop so I could take a few pictures to send to my Grandpa. (He LOVES the Navajo people and was excited for this chapel to be built.)
It just so happened they were having the open house that day, so we were able to go in and watch a presentation on Christ's ministry among the Lamanites, see some good Page people like Bishop Skaggs, the Slavens, Brown's, and Begay's, and get some free cookies! Plus it made a great bathroom stop and gave Reese a chance to stretch his legs. The chapel really does look beautiful against the cliffs, red rocks, and sand, and though it's tiny, it is a big improvement from the trailer the members have been meeting in.
Reese and Hayden slept the rest of the way to Page so I helped Brian memorize quotes by different Generals for an Air-force quiz he has coming up. All in all the drive with two babies went by super fast and was very pleasant!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Sunday-
Sunday morning Reese woke up to his first snowfall! He was mesmerized by all the floating snowflakes. Unfortunately by the time we got home from church, the sun was out and the snow had all melted.
Church in Page is always awesome. The people have such big hearts and are so genuine and sincere. Our ward in Gilbert is great too, but there are so many scripture scholars and poised articulate speakers, that it is kind of refreshing to hear speakers who are nervous, new to the gospel, and stumble over their words a bit.
A Navajo couple who had recently been through the temple and sealed as a family, spoke. The husband said his wife had just told him he was supposed to speak the night before (even though she had known for days ;) so he felt unprepared. He talked about how he grew up in less than desirable circumstances (plagued by alcoholism), and had had to go through a lot of changes in his own life to get where he was now. He felt it was important for him to do all he could so that the Lord could bless their family so that they might have a good and loving home to raise their children in. It was sweet because he stared at his wife's smiling face as though he was only speaking to her, and they both had tears in their eyes. The few times he did look out at the audience he seemed to lose his train of thought, and didn't regain his composure till his eyes met hers again.
The wife said she also felt unprepared, as she had six little girls to take care of (3 of her own, and 3 nieces that were living with them). She talked about how peaceful the temple was and how glad she was to be sealed together as a family. As she spoke, her girls went up one by one to stand next to her. I wish I could have taken a picture. Just imagine six of the most beautiful little Indian girls, between the ages of 3-7yrs old, sneaking up to the podium to stand beaming proudly next to their Mama. A few of the girls (unlike their parents) liked the attention so much, they began doing a Miss America wave to the audience =) As the time ran out, she said, "Look at me, I had a talk all written (waving a piece of paper) and I didn't even use it..." and then "Well, I'd better get going now..." before remembering to end "In The Name of Jesus Christ Amen".
I am just so grateful for all the wonderful people and experiences here that helped me to develop and solidify my testimony growing up. It's thanks to the Native American's ancestors that we even have The Book of Mormon, and the stalwart Navajo members surrounding me in my childhood had a great impact on who I am now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Monday-
I haven't had much one-on-one time with Reese since the arrival of his sweet baby brother, so my Mom (gladly) offered to watch Hayden while I took Reese to the playground. They've changed most of the super cool stuff they had when I used to come here, but Reese still had fun. And afterwards we stopped at RD's for a baby chocolate dip cone =)
"pump swings"
"roller slide"
In the evening, Hayden, Reese, and I went and visited some friends.
Playing "flashlight head" with Alexandra and Steven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Tuesday-
Tuesday was a beautiful day. Reese spent most of it outdoors trying to catch the "Kitty Kitty" that lives in the woodpile, and "helping" my Mom with her fruit trees and garden. I was able to just cuddle with Hayden in a chair by the window and watch the activities.
My Dad's daily vigilance when he comes home is to pick up all the fur-balls our tree drops in the front yard. He quickly trained Reese to give him a hand and Reese thinks it's more fun than an Easter-egg hunt. He gets so excited every time he spots a fur-ball in the grass, and can't wait to be congratulated when he brings it to you.
As you can see from the picture below, it is a somewhat futile attempt. Our tree seems to have a limitless supply of fur-balls. I think my dad would just chop it down if it didn't do such a good job shading our house in the summer time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Wednesday-
Wednesday we made choc-chip cookies, and went and delivered them on Jay's two-seater bike. Brian and I were on the sides and Reese was bundled up between us. My Mom once again happily volunteered to tend Hayden. It was fun to visit some of the older sweet folks in Page that have been there since my Dad was a kid =)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Thurs, Fri, Sat-
Eh...Reese caught a cold I've had, as well as developing an ear ache, so the last couple days were low key. Scrabble games, reading kids books, watching all three versions of Pride and Prejudice, and best of all...lots of cuddling with my sweet boys (the only good thing about having a kid that's sick).
Saturday I did take the boys to Page's "Uptown Car-wash" to get Brian's Kia ready for the trip home. I remember I loved going with my Dad when I was little, and dropping the quarters in the slot. My favorite part was when the pink foam that smells like bubble gum covered the car and I (from the inside) would pretend I was trapped in a blizzard. I think Reese enjoyed it from his car seat, Hayden just slept peacefully next to him.
