Simply Grateful

Five days in the mountains has refreshed and refocused me.

No internet

No cell service (yes, there are still places where cell phones won’t work)

No responsibilities

No makeup or hair products

I’ve also been roughing it.

No dishwasher

No washer/dryer

No counter space to cook

No skillet (I had to improvise and use a 9x13 metal pan to make cheese crisps)

I missed my bed. I missed my man. I missed my three oldest kids. And I missed my dishwasher. But I reveled in the time I had to sleep with the windows open, listening to the wind through the aspens and rain on the metal roof. I focused on my four little kids and enjoyed them. We did little kid things, without the fear of eye-rolling teenagers in the background, poisoning our fun. We rode our bikes all over, hiked up and down the steep hills, played games for hours on end, picked flowers and threw rocks, waded rivers, made cookies, and even cooked s’mores in the rain over the propane grill on the porch.

I spent time thinking, studying, reflecting, and playing. I watched Evie learn to crawl and pull herself up to the couch, taught her to say “Mama” and play pat-a-cake. I witnessed Hyrum’s joy in his first shower, mountain dirt filtering down the drain. I chuckled at Micah’s competitive streak as he tried to race his sister on their bikes—and frequently beat her. I listened to Lily’s rainshower song: “I’m takin’ a shower, and no one can stop me. So pass me the shampoo and conditioner” shouted from atop a picnic table during a downpour.

I enforced quiet time but relaxed on bedtime. And it was okay.

I wish I could express in words what this week has meant to me.

Thank You, God, for creating this beautiful place where I could make such beautiful memories with my kids.