Happy Pioneer Day

Last night was a rough one…Autumn kept kicking me in the back while she was sleeping and then she woke up 3 or 4 times whining, so I had to tell her I was right there and to go back to sleep. I thought she’d sleep in since we were up so late, but no such luck. She was still up at 7:30 am…ugh. Doesn’t she know it’s Saturday morning? I put some cartoons on for her, but she wasn’t interested in them. She wanted to read her books. I offered to read them to her, but she wanted to read them by herself. I looked over to see her holding the book w/ her arms and legs crossed, reclining on the oversized pillows as if she was the Queen of Sheba.

Aunt Jana called to say that Rufio isn’t doing super well. She’s recovering ok, but she is having a hard time with being in the hospital. I was able to talk to her for just a minute and she doesn’t sound like her usual self. I hope she can keep recovering so she can go home soon.

After Mom got done talking to Aunt Jana, we were all hungry for lunch, so we loaded in the car and headed to the Gyro Guy place. I’ve been raving about how good it is to Mom and she decided today was the day she wanted to try it. I called ahead to make sure they are open on Saturdays and Anton answered and said they were. Dad had gone to a cycling class this morning on how to care for and maintain his bike and finished right around lunch time so he drove over and met us. We pulled up to the restaurant and it was closed!!! The lights were on and the “Open” sign was lit up, but the doors were locked and there was a little note taped to the door that said, “Be back at 1:00.” We would have had to wait an hour, and we were too hungry to wait. Mom was super disappointed. However, we decided to go eat at Aboca’s and it was super good. My favorite there is the olive oil and garlic dip for the bread. It’s pure heaven. I got the stromboli and it’s the size of a football!

Autumn is such a little monkey and wanted to try a little bit of everyone’s food. I’m glad she likes lots of different flavors and that she isn’t a picky eater. It was nice to spend some time w/ Mom & Dad. I am so blessed to have them as my parents and as Autumn’s grandparents.

On the way back home, I looked in the backseat to check on Autumn and she had this doll that my Great Grandma Taft had made for me when I was a baby. Trace (Lexie’s dog) had gotten a hold of it and chewed up the face. I thought it looked super creepy, but it didn’t seem to bother Autumn at all and she was loving on the baby and being sweet and gentle just like she would w/ any other baby doll.

We went to the grocery store to return the 2 Red Box movies we rented and watched last night. We also picked up some groceries to make dinner tomorrow for a family that we knew when Dad was in the military. They are coming to visit tomorrow for a few days. Autumn again thought she was the Queen of Sheba today and didn’t just sit in the grocery cart, she was laying in it as we wheeled her around. I’m surprised she didn’t expect us to fan her w/ palm leaves and hand feed her grapes. She’s such a little diva.

After we got home, she wanted to go swimming so Papa jumped in w/ her for a little bit before he had to leave for work. She jumped off the side to him a few times and then went off the board once. I’m so glad she likes the water and that she’s getting better at swimming. After a little bit she wanted to get in the hot tub area so she could play restaurant. She tells Papa to swim up to the side and order something and then she “fixes” it for him. She usually fixes chicken noodle soup. It looks like today she was giving Ariel a bath instead of making fake food for Dad.

I love this picture b/c the spray above her head looks really cool. I am so glad that Autumn gets to have such a good and loving childhood. I also hope she is grateful and appreciative of how blessed she is.

We spent the afternoon just relaxing and watching TV. When this commercial came on, I had to pause it and take a picture b/c the other night Liz & Liberty told me that every they see the commercial w/ the WalMart Rollback guy they think of me and that he and I should date. LOL! I wonder if he’s just on the commercials here in Texas or if it’s nationwide? Do any of you that live outside of Texas see this commercial? Now every time I see this commercial it makes me laugh.

After all the excitement of the day, Autumn was tuckered out and laid down on Mom’s lap on the couch for just a minute and before we knew it, she was out for the count. I love glancing at her when she’s asleep, b/c she’s so sweet and angelic.

Dad got home from work at 6:45 and said he wanted to run over to Hobby Lobby before they closed at 8:00 b/c he had something he really wanted to get and today was the last day we could use our 40% off one item coupon. So, we hopped in the car and headed over. He went and did his thing, b/c he wanted it to be a surprise and Mom & Autumn & I went to the doll section of the store b/c Mom wanted to find a doll head to replace the one Trace had chewed up. The only doll head we could find that was the right size was this American Indian doll head, which would have been perfect for Autumn, but would have looked a little funny b/c the doll’s hands are white.
Autumn found this Indian chief doll and wanted it. Who knew that there were so many American Indian selections at Hobby Lobby? And just across the aisle from the dolls were kits to make your own moccasins, dream catchers, etc. I had no idea our Hobby Lobby was so American Indian friendly.

This is the surprise that Dad had wanted to get…an Air Force scrapbook for Nate. I thought that was so thoughtful of him. Now we can keep all of Nate’s letters in one place and start a memory book for him, like we did for him while he was on his mission. Then we spent the rest of the night just relaxing and watching The Food Network.

I know today is Pioneer Day, and it's not celebrated nearly as much here in Texas as it is in Utah. But, I just wanted to express how much I honor and admire the pioneers and all of the sacrifices they made. I don't think I would have the strength to walk for miles and miles everyday in uncomfortable shoes (if I were even lucky enough to have shoes), bury my children or husband in a shallow grave and just keep on walking, not know where we were going or when we would get there, etc. What they did was so amazing and b/c of them and the great legacy they left behind I get the benefits of their faith and courage and determination.

I think of modern day pioneers like Pres. Lotric in Slovenija and how he was the first member of the church in Slovenija and how I got to witness him baptizing his daughter. Pioneers are all around us, even in modern times. It also helps me to remember that even though their sacrifices were so long ago, I also need to leave a legacy of faith and courage and determination for my family and for my posterity.

Happy Pioneer Day!