Arizona and Home

Sunday it was Brennen's missionary farewell so I went to that in the morning. The only Hatch family that knew I was in town was Steve and Leslie so when I came in to the church building Tara was surprised to see me. I hope it was a good surprise and wasn't offensive that I was in town for my mom and not specifically Brennen. I chatted for a bit with Bryson, Brennen and Tara and then went and sat down by myself because Tyler's family is always late and Tara was busy greeting everyone. Leslie and Steve came shortly after and then Tyler's Aunt Jackie and Aunt Cricket and Uncle Doug came. I made a comment about how good Aunt Jackie looked and she said "for my age?" and I told her she didn't look like she had aged at all since I last saw her- I meant it. But then she awkwardly said "well you look alright too". It didn't feel like she meant so I feel slightly offended. 

Jezerea and her kids came to sit by me after we had taken sacrament. Jezerea had to go nurse her baby so I pulled out my coloring book that I had brought and gel pens (yes I am a child) and did my best to entertain her other 2 kids. Her daughter is super energetic and was not acquainted with whispering. 2 missionaries spoke, then Brennen played a nice piano solo and spoke. He talked about the time his parents left him accidentally and the power of prayer, he talked about how he was kind to someone and the difference it made to them and him and he talked about how he doesn't have a complete testimony yet but knows his mission will help that. He seems like a good, self aware kid. When it was all over I said hello and goodbye to everyone in the foyer and then I went Mike and Mecca's house. I felt guilty not going to the luncheon at Tara's house but the idea of so many people and no husband or kids for me to lean on seemed very anxiety provoking.

I spent the rest of Sunday at my brother's house chatting with Mike and Mecca and playing with their kids (they really liked looking at videos and pictures of Ruby on the phone and then making their own videos). Oliver also introduced me to some of his favorite 21 Pilots songs. My parents came over as well and we all had yummy food. It was her belated New Years Eve spread- veggies, sandwiches, chips and salsa...

Monday morning Poppy took me to Deseret Book because I always have to go there when I am in town. They have some good stuff but always expensive. Tyler wanted cool posters for the seminary walls but they really had nothing for that and I am not sure how I would have got them home anyways. I ended up just getting a cute embroidery thing for Lucy but who knows if she will figure out how to make it. If she doesn't, I think I would like to try. After Deseret we met Mike at Mi Amigo's for lunch. It was so yummy as always. 

I made potatoe soup for Grams for dinner Monday night and then Mike came over with Lillian and we rented "Wicked" since she really wanted to see it and I thought Grams might enjoy it. It was a really nice last evening in Arizona. I think everyone enjoyed the movie and Grams was especially glad that we could watch it in the comfort of her home.

Tuesday my flight wasn't until 4:30 so Poppy took me thrift store shopping in the morning. I ended up finding some books for the kids that were in really great shape and a few shirts for me. I found too much stuff really because my suitcase was already stuffed! But thankfully with my extra large purse I had brought, I was able to make everything fit. For lunch Grams went through the Chick-fil-A drive thru with me because their chicken sandwhiches are usually a safe bet for my tummy on travel days. Around 2 Mike came to chauffeur me to the airport. I almost left my wallet at my parents like a dummy but realized my mistake when I hopped in Mike's car. Everything went smoothly through security and even though I got stuck behind a hot mess family, I was on an aisle seat and there was no one in the middle seat and it was a good flight home. I had downloaded "Shrinking" and binge watched it the whole way home. That show makes me laugh and cry and feel all the feels.

When I landed, the hot mess family was, of course, a hot mess getting out of the plane and the lady in the window seat by me was not very nice and said some mean things about them. That made me uncomfortable because even if I felt similar feelings, I wasn't going to voice those feelings loudly. Once out I had to wait a bit on Tyler because of some miscommunication but man it was good to see him, even if the weather here was bitter cold.

Wednesday morning I was super excited to see Ruby but she gave me a very meh reaction. Hurtful. For the day I had decided I was going to just have a fun with the girls since they had been cooped up while I was gone. First we went to the library since we had some books we needed to pick up. This family from our ward was there- they always seem to be there when we go. She made a comment about us being there all the time and I wanted to be sassy and be like, uh so are you! Apparently she was meeting someone else from the Ward too because when that mom came, they kind of huddled in and cut me out. That was kind of a bummer because this other mom has the only other baby Ruby's age in our ward and I would love to get Ruby a friend her age. Ruby is not great with other babies. She gives them dirty looks and struggles to share. However, she loves random stranger adults and goes up to them and asks them to read to her...

After the library we came home and picked up Ben who had a short day because of finals and went to Chuck-E-Cheese. The kids played and I even ordered pizza. The pizza took 40 minutes and it was not that fancy for taking so long. I was not impressed. Ruby is getting more and more into the "rides" there and really loves the police car ride and she enjoys the mini carousel.

After Chuck-E-Cheese we picked up Lucy's friend Claire and brought her to our house for the afternoon. I think I did a good job of making the day fun for the girls but they were still pretty sassy and made me crazy. Such is motherhood.

Thursday we got back into homeschool for the girls and it was rough. Lucy was fine but Penny was full of emotions and it was exhausting. After we got our work done I took the girls to look for pants and that was more exhausting drama. I really wish a company would come out and sell pants specifically for my tall and thin girls. It is so rough finding them jeans that fit and even more tough with a wiggly toddler. When we got done with that we had Mimi over. I hated rewarding dramatic Penny with friend time BUT it was also really nice that they were all entertained for the afternoon. That evening we went to Mariah's to celebrate Wesley's birthday. The kids had fun, the homemade ice cream was delicious and Mariah had a good vent about her friends' visit. 

Friday we did homeschool, and at lunchtime I went to the piercing place to see about changing out my nose stud for a shorter pole- I want it to fit more snug. I made the mistake of telling her that my baby had bumped my piercing during the night (which she had and it hurt lots) and the piercer said it looked like it might be swelling so she didn't end up changing it out. Now I have to try again later. Boo. That afternoon we went on another visit to Chuck-E and then Lucy had a sleepover at Claire's. That night Ben, and I watched "The Fugitive". Penny had started to watch it with us but decided it was too violent for her. She is very sensitive. 

Saturday morning we went to the Dollar Tree and I found a "magic" sink for Ruby. It was oviously not great quality but she has had lots of fun washing dishes with it. That afternoon Tyler and I went out to get our passport photos. Our anniversary gift for this year is passports so we can go travel somewhere amazing next year for our 20th. Now we have the photos (Tyler's looks like a mug shot) and we filled out the paperwork later that night so sometime this coming week we will go turn it all in. I have to say that getting a passport is way easier than registering my children for school or any of the other things I have to sign them up for. After getting our photos we tried a new place for dinner and were very unimpressed. We were literally the only customers there and the service was terrible and the food was over priced. This is why we usually stick to our favorite places.

Sunday the boys had an archery tournament. Ben did his best yet- 220 and Steven did alright-249. I am proud of Ben for improving. Steven, I know he can do better *sigh*. They still managed to make it for most of church which was good since I was teaching. During sacrament Ruby did mostly good until the end when she decided to squeeze a fruit pouch all over her pretty dress.