Alpine and mysterious ways...

At the last minute we decided to go to Alpine for Labor day. One thing I am finding is the last minute is not the best strategy when you have small children. It worked great when it was just us two, but not a life strategy I suggest for when you multiply. I give myself very good advice, but we very seldom follow it. Also, a long drive for two becomes a crazy long and tedious drive with children and holiday traffic. That being said, I am so glad we went. It was so beautiful. It was green and lush and full of flowers. This is the first we had been up since the big fire and it was kind of scary to see how close it came to the property. It was also neat to see an area where the trees were burned out and the lovely colors of green grass and yellow and purple and red flowers under them. It looked like gold spilling out into the meadow. It was still so pretty.

Quote of the trip: 
Me: That was so pretty, this part, not as much.
J: Yeah, it's like the awkward teenage part of AZ.

Things I learned from this trip:
1. The boy needs to sit closer to the front. Can we say, car sick? Twice?
2. Never buy tires in Payson. Get them checked before you leave. Talk about an expensive trip.
3 I am so happy my parents have a place on the way. It was so nice to have a place to be comfortable with all the babies while the tires were being fixed.  And a washing machine, see 1.
4. I love the Mountains. I think I could live there very happily. It always feels like coming home when I go there.
5. The squirrel living in the cabin goes to bed at 11, after a rigorous lap or two around the room.
6. Babies will get sunburned even in the shade.
7. If you haven't seen the sun in over a year, you will get sunburned super quick.
8. Remember your pillows.
9. Take time to make smores with your son.
10. Apparently going anywhere makes us sick. Wheeee!

This morning I awoke battling a horrendous sore throat. Doodles is a little wheezy, and Mr .Moon is grumpy and sneezy. Three of the dwarfs right here. Moonpie didn't let me sleep the first night. He was up every hour screaming. The boy decided we needed to have a long chat the next night and kept me company all night until he finally crashed out and doodle awoke for her breakfast and morning snuggles, last night
moonpie woke up a few more times, and I felt horrible. This morning my wonderful neighbor called to see if she could bring something by. She came over with some spinach dip and crackers, she told me someone must have been thinking about me because she just couldn't get it out of her mind that someone over here needed spinach dip and crackers. So funny. I, of course, was trying to "figure it out" and then I just started laughing. I felt so loved and totally amused by the fact that spinach dip and crackers could bring so much joy. God does indeed work in mysterious ways and I am thankful for a wonderful neighbor (who is our fairy godmother) who was willing to follow the prompting. I had a much more positive outlook on the day as I ate my spinach dip and crackers. The breakfast of champions.

The wonder of nature. :)