A quick trip

I laugh every time I find one of Eleanor's toy in a random spot in the house - like when I was preparing dinner and found her tiger in this pot. 

School was canceled on Feb. 5 for the Chief's victory parade. They won the super bowl and 1 million people went down town to celebrate. Our neighbors invited us over for a party and we had fun celebrating the Chief's win!!

On Thursday evening, Aaron and the kids dropped me off at the airport and I flew to Salt Lake for my Uncle Johnny's funeral. The only way I could find a ticket that wasn't outrageously priced was buying a ticket to Denver, spending the night at the airport, and then catching an early flight Friday morning to Salt Lake. The weather was snowy and I prayed that we'd actually make it to Salt Lake in time. When I was walking off the plane, the co-pilot said, "Welcome to Salt Lake." I replied, "Oh, I'm so grateful to be here. Thank you so much." As I turned and stepped off the plane, the pilot was greeting everyone and then I realized I knew him! The pilot used to be in a ward in Colorado Springs! I explained the whole situation and told him how grateful I was to be in Utah. It really felt like a tender mercy to me that one, I had actually made it to Utah in time for the funeral and two, I knew the pilot! 

I definitely was a bit emotional as I walked around the Denver airport. I love Colorado so much. 

And I love the Utah mountains so much too. 

I loved seeing Angela when she picked me up from the airport!!

We rushed to get ready and then we headed to the church for my uncle's funeral. It really was a happy celebration of his life. I loved seeing so many cousins and aunts and uncles. The highlight for me was singing, "Jesus, Lover of my Soul." There is something amazing that happens when family members sing together - we blended nicely. I imaged my grandparents and Uncle Johnny watching the funeral take place. My Uncle Johnny and his family lived in Louisiana for about 20 years and during that time, they would drive through Kansas to see us. We didn't have a lot of family visit often so his visits meant a lot to us. My uncle also did everything he could to serve with all of his heart and follow the commandments with exactness. He promised my siblings and me that when we married in the temple, he would be there.  

Here are all the Thomas siblings. 

It was a special memory for me to be with my parents and siblings.

My cousins really are some of my best friends.

TWINS! It's hilarious how my cousins still confuse me with Angela. Angela had these matching shirts that were given to her from a friend so we decided to dress alike for the family dinner. 

Cute cute kiddos. My kids were sad they couldn't come with me to see their cousins.

Saturday morning I went to the temple with Jenny and then my mom treated all the ladies to lunch. We  dream of having a girls' weekend sometime, but it's tough to make it work so this was a fun impromptu lunch. We also did a little shopping and the day was quickly over!! 

Saturday evening came and my parents dropped Alex and me off at the airport. We shared Cafe Rio and then got to fly back to Denver together and sit beside each other!! (We flew on Frontier and they make you pay to pick your seat. We checked in to the flight at the same time and hoped it would allow us to sit beside each other. It worked!!)

Alex then headed home and I found a comfortable spot at the airport to sleep for the night. I woke up at 5 am and was sooo exhausted. I slept the entire flight back to Kansas City. I did wake up for a few seconds and snapped this picture of the clouds. I instantly had this reminder about the importance in keeping an eternal perspective in all things.

Aaron and my kids picked me up at 9 a.m. and then we rushed home so I could quickly get ready for church. I missed my little family and couldn't wait to give them all hugs and kisses. The kids had fun going to Eli's basketball game, attending a birthday party, driving out to the Volks' property and then eating at Chick-fil-a. 

The quick trip was just what I needed to lift my spirits - I laughed lots and cried lots and was reminded about the importance of families and what a blessing it is that Heavenly Father has established families for our happiness.