The Kindness of Strangers

Southwest Airlines asked "Wanna get away?"

We thought about it for not very long at all and decided that we did in fact, want to get away.

So, we headed to the San Francisco Bay area over Mother's Day weekend.  We had a delightful time while we were there but it is an incident that occurred at the airport on our way home that stands out in my mind.

We were standing at the ticket counter waiting for our massive amounts of stuff to be checked in (bags fly free and babies require a LOT!) when a young lady approached the ticket agent at the computer next to the one where we were standing.  The ticket agent, a middle aged African American woman with kind eyes and a ready smile, repeated the passenger's name back to her as she was handing her a boarding pass.

The young lady said in a somewhat off hand manner, "Not for long."

To which the ticket agent replied, " Oh girl! When you gettin' married?!"

The young lady hesitated for a moment and then quietly said, " Actually, I'm getting divorced.  I'm going home, to my mom and dad's."

The ticket agent, caught off guard, said for the benefit of the waiting crowd, "Well, good for you! You got to take care of yourself."

But then, looking sympathetically at the young lady whose eyes were filling with tears she said, " You okay honey?" as she stepped from behind the desk with her arms spread wide. 

The young lady looked at her incredulously and said, " You're seriously going to give me a hug?"  To which this angel of a ticket agent replied, " I sure am. You look like you could use one."

The young lady smiled gratefully and half laughed half cried as they embraced.  And, though that hug couldn't fix her situation, maybe it made it a little more bearable.

After the girl was safely on her way to the security line, this same ticket agent bent over our stroller and passed on these words of wisdom to Tate and Ainsley, "Enjoy your time here.  It's a wonderful world so live a beautiful life."  

I have pondered her words in the days since our return and I keep finding myself hoping that I am that kind of stranger.  The kind that passes on smiles and encouragement instead of scowls or indifference.  The kind that remembers to point out and dwell on the positive.  

So, to the sweet ticket agent at the Southwest counter in Oakland, California, though I don't recall the letters on your name tag, I don't need to remember your name to remember the caring you showed to someone you had never before met.  Thank you for reminding me what kind of stranger I want to be.  It is strangers like you that make this world wonderful and put a measure of beauty into life.

Tate and Ainsley's first plane ride at 3 months old.

We each had our own row both on the way there and on our return flight.  The babies slept the whole way there and most of the way back with the exception of...

Tate pooping through his diaper about ten minutes before we landed in Oakland.

The Oakland Temple.  I'm thankful for eternal families.

The beautiful Bay area.

My Mother's Day began with a morning nap and some delicious chocolate covered strawberries,

My reasons for being celebrated on Mother's Day.

We got to visit with my friend from childhood, Erin, and her husband Nick. Their first little one is set to make his arrival on June 1st.

Clearly Tate thinks she is going to be an awesome mom.

Mother's Day with my sweet family.

My cuties trying out the bed at the hotel.

Precious cargo.

Becoming

My journey to motherhood was not an easy one. 

The road was paved with years of shots and medical procedures, hundreds of tears and countless prayers.  There were times when I thought I would soon be reaching the end of the road only to find that I had merely come around a bend where the path seemingly stretched interminably ahead,  mocking me for having had hope.

Last year I spent Mother's Day at home.  Too tired and drained from the news that we had merely reached another bend in the road and it wasn't yet my time to become a mother after all, to go to church.  I couldn't bear the thought of receiving chocolate or a flower or some other nicety that would be presented to all the women in the congregation over the age of 18 but intended for the mothers, it would be fraud. Or so I thought at the time.  Truth be told had it been a week earlier or a week later I would have accepted my chocolate with glee.  But, I was still smarting from the latest blow and was struggling to find the patience and desire to continue on the road.  The day passed, as all disappointing days do, and my determination flared.  I had long before come to the conclusion that my abundantly blessed and happy life would not be overtaken by this trial of patience.  

I did everything in my power to become a mother.  From specialized diets and acupuncture, to invasive tests and procedures, daily self injections and new medicines I gave it my all. 

And then...I left the rest to the doctors and to my loving Heavenly Father.  Some way, some how I knew I was going to become a mother.  

It had been my dream since childhood.

I had days where I was in pain or tears or both and wondered if it was worth it.  Why was I so anxious to work so hard to give up my cushy life of free time and more than adequate sleep?  

And then I knew.

I saw the happiness in the families all around me.  Mothers teaching their sons and daughters, fathers coaching and guiding in all aspects of life, and siblings forming bonds that would last an eternity.  I reflected on my own happy childhood and the wonderful relationships I have, and realized that I wanted to provide such happy memories and experiences for children of my own.  Knowing that someday they could change the world for good, if simply within their own spheres.  I was duty bound to pay it forward.  But, more than that, I wanted to pay it forward.  I craved those relationships and future memories

I knew it would be worth it.

And, as we approach Mother's Day 2012 I can't help but reflect on the road I was on at this time last year. I can unequivocally say that I would do it again.  I would walk that rocky path all over again knowing that I would, with the blessing of my Heavenly Father, triumph.

And triumph is always worth it.

So very many shots.

My two beautiful babies...absolutely worth every tear and all of the pain.

A Perfect Match

A little over a week ago, on a Saturday, Matt ran in Pat's Run with our friend and neighbor, Dallan. 

4.2 miles and they both rocked it!

And I?

I ate a piece of carrot cake for breakfast that morning.

Perfect.

A Blessed Weekend

Years ago, soon after I had achieved alumni status at BYU, I worked at a ranch for troubled youth.  Teenagers were sent from every part of the country and with all manner of issues to be worked out. And, though they came from different backgrounds and had different problems, there was at least one commonality among them.

Nervousness

To ease the trepidation that accompanied the arrival of each new resident, we played a little get to know you game.  The only rule was that each person in the house got to ask the new resident a question.  My favorite question...

"What would your batter's box song be?" 

And then, because I was most often in the girls' house and my question was mostly met with blank stares, I modified it to:

"If a theme song were to play every time you walked in to a room, what would your theme song be?"

Just think of the endless possibilities!

My theme song tends to ebb and flow with the seasons of my life, but most recently I'd have to say it's this song by Martina McBride.  So, every time I walk in to a room that you happen to be in feel free to belt it out, don't be shy!  It could be worse...my other favorite question used to be:

"Will you please demonstrate your favorite dance move for the group?"

Tate and Ainsley were blessed by their father in church on April 15th.  They both looked adorable and they both cried through most of their blessings.  In fact, when Matt came to get Ainsley she let out a shrill little shriek that made the congregation within earshot sigh,  "Awww."  We were joined by lots of friends and family and we had a wonderful time celebrating their special day.

The babies got lots of love from both sets of grandparents.  Matt's parents stayed for the week after the blessing so Tate and Ainsley got lots of snuggle time.

Uncle Justin and his roommate Johnny (who also happens to be my sister's boyfriend) sacrificed a whole lot of sleep to make the long drive down form Utah.  We loved having them here even though the visit was way too short!

We went to Joe's BBQ on Saturday while everyone was in town.

The kids' table.

The next day we had a luncheon at our house after the blessings so everyone could ooh and ahh and coddle Tate and Ainsley.  We're so thankful for everyone that came to share in such a special day.

Our immediate families.

I am so blessed!

Easter Joy

Tis the season for Cadbury Mini Eggs and Starburst Jellybeans.  For some reason Easter candy is my vice.  Even Halloween candy doesn't tempt me like Easter candy does. Things that make you go hmmm...

Candy aspect aside, Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays.  I'm thankful for the knowledge I have of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  His Resurrection makes it possible for me to return to live with my Heavenly Father, to claim victory over the grave.

For that I will be eternally grateful.

Easter is a celebration of rebirth and renewal.  It is the perfect convocation to usher in spring, a season of newness and blossoming.  I love the bright happy colors, the Easter dresses, the special dinner... I love it all!  

And,  this year's Easter baskets were the best to date!

Sad to know that the holiday was over for another year...he's been enjoying that Cadbury Mini Egg milk that he's been getting!

Happy Easter!

Tate and Ainsley turned 2 months old the day after Easter. 

Tate weighed 9 lbs 0.5 oz and was 21.5 inches long.

Ainsley weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and was 20 and 1/4 inches long.

We are so thankful they are happy and healthy babies and man alive does time fly!

Soon Enough

Soon enough she'll be trading in my shoulder for a pillow, and she'll no longer seek after the comforting favorite napping place that is any part of my body.

Soon enough he'll be trading his pacifier and blanket for a football and cleats and I'll be relegated to the sidelines, cheering my heart out and wondering how time passed so quickly.

Soon enough her hair bows and booties will be replaced by high heels and make-up and her tears will no longer signify a dirty diaper or a hungry tummy.

Soon enough I will once again get as much sleep as I want and the laundry will be caught up, no longer filled with burp cloths and soiled baby clothes.

So, if you stop by my house on any given day and I happen to still be in my pajamas just know that I've had more important things to do.  

I've been snuggling babies, for they'll be grown much too soon enough. 

 
We had a newborn photo shoot done when the babies were two weeks old.  Natalie of Photos by Natalie came to our house and did an awesome job capturing these sweet moments.