Old Town

My brother and I hoped to speak to Dad and find out how he was feeling/thinking about things. He seemed to be in a lot of denial about the seriousness of his condition, so we were hoping with just the two of us there we could talk more openly. It turned out he was mostly out of it the entire visit, so we didn't get to have that conversation.

Tyler would have to leave the next morning, so we sent the kids to Old Town, Albuquerque. Love the photos from Glenna!

I don't really buy turquoise anywhere but New Mexico or Arizona. It's just too expensive anywhere else.

This is a book my Mom sent me, featuring the ranch where she and my step-dad, Jeff, lived for a long time. Glenna was thrilled to find it in Old Town!

Glenna's name is NEVER on the cute little license plates, so she decided this one would represent her instead. 

Cowgirl Dental Floss. I wonder if I should tell Dr. D about this?

The John Wayne section

Lunch at La Placita! It has a tree growing in the courtyard.

A band!

Dancers!

So thankful for the time they were able to spend together. So sorry that our Brown-Eyed Girl had to miss it!

Our Visit

We landed in New Mexico July 4th. My brother, Mark, was waiting for us at Aunt Sandy's house and said he told Dad we'd see him the next day. We were thankful for the adjustment time.

Our first day visiting was a Good Day. Dad was so happy to see us and his grandchildren. He was talkative and alert and laughing at our jokes. Glenna discreetly took photos. These were taken in the family room so we'd have more room and not disturb his roommate.

Glenna and I love this photo. I told a joke and was laughing, and Dad was pretending to be mad about it.

Glenna just points her camera out the window and gets some great shots. It's easy to tell where the Rio Grande River is - just follow the green!

That first visit was so peaceful. A pastor from the church Dad had visited stopped by to anoint him with oil, read scripture, and pray with him. I shared the gospel with Dad, and he prayed to trust Christ as Savior. Whatever happens now, I have peace.

All of us have to leave this earth eventually. This is my Dad in his end of life, and this is how he will have to go. It's sad, it hurts, but it's completely natural and even comforting (rather than the shock and suddenness of trauma). This was a good day, but after this he had so much pain that he was drugged up and out of it the majority of the time. Now that he's in assisted living and with Hospice care, he is free from pain and can talk and eat and laugh without being knocked out. We are so thankful.

She's Off!

On Thursday, Glenna left for her 10 day mission trip to El Salvador.

After she cleaned the kitchen, of course.

Glenna has sent each of her siblings off on mission trips (both went to Mexico), and now it's finally her turn. Since it was Thursday when she left, Tyler was at work and unable to see her off, though he did send his Brown-Eyed Girl and their pup in his place.

Sibling hug! I didn't get a photo with Jess. Brooklyn kept us both delightfully occupied. =)

Watch as she catches me stalking her:

 Heh heh

The Team!

 If you want to follow her time in El Salvador (and I highly encourage you to!) check out thriveyouthmissions.blogspot.com for daily updates!

Sneaky, Sneaky

I have to go to New Mexico. My father is very ill.

Now that my heart knows it's going home, I have found myself sinking into the pit of discontent. It's so sneaky! I was on Pinterest, pinning photo after photo of New Mexico. I realized what I was doing and tried to find photos of Florida to love and pin, but today, I just can't.

Sorry Florida. You're just so hot and muggy right now.

And unpleasant.

But I DO love Disney, so here are the photos of that cute resort I visited during the celebration of Stacie's graduation! Disney's Animation Resort.


We stayed in the Cars section of the resort. (There's Cars, Finding Nemo, Lion King, and Little Mermaid.) Part of the resort (Little Mermaid) is older and has been refurbished. The rest is new - all is wonderful! My favorite thing about Disney is their minute attention to detail.

The dining area folds down into this Murphy bed, and there's Mater, snoozing.

Dawww!!!

The entire room looks like a fancy garage, because DUH! That's where Cars sleep!

Coffee table is map from the Cars movie, showing Route 66 and that dreaded new Hwy 40 that stole all the tourists.

BA!!!

Lion King section.

Iced lemonade with some kind of fruity-foamy stuff. Mickey-shaped, of course.

I had a Space shift last night, and it was good and bad. A guest became so angry when the ride broke down; I became his target. He actually borrowed my pen so he could write my name down on his hand to report me to a manager. I offered to call a manager for him, but nothing I did would soothe him. I tried to apologize, but he insisted I was only apologizing because I was afraid that he was calling my manager. I assured him he was welcome to speak to my manager but nothing I said mattered. (He eventually spoke with my manager and feathers were smoothed.)

Highlight: When sharing the incident in the break room later, a 19 year old said, "What? How could anyone be mad at YOU? You're the nicest person in the world!"

I hugged him.