Filling up June with fun and sun was a main focus for me. We wanted to be in California, but had to hang tight until Marie's dance recital on June 21st. So, after a couple of weeks of a crazy number of house showings I packed the kids up and drove up to Idaho for a few days. The reality of the visit was that I went up there with four kids with fevers. William ended up with a horrible case of strep throat. They slept horribly and were grumpy on most days. I prepped freezer dinners at home and brought them with me and the kids hardly ate anything. While I was gone there was ONE, just one house showing. Gosh, when I list my complaints they seem pretty mild. Perhaps I should try that more often to gain some perspective. Anyway, despite the bumps on the road there were some wonderful moments.
Just the view alone is therapeutic, right?
When we were in town (Malad) at Allen's Drug to get William's prescription we picked up a pool and slip n' slide. I had promised the kids a trip to the local swimming pool, but wasn't sure I would be able to come through because of the sicknesses.
Walks around Samaria were a must. I'm a yuppy city girl so I was amazed that this horse was held in by one wire. I'm assuming that the wire is electric. Anyone want to chime in on that theory? She was such a friendly horse. Whenever we walked past she came running up to the "fence" to say hello. And that old house in the background? It makes me think of a quote I just read from Anne of Gables:
I think an old, deserted house is such a sad sight," said Anne dreamily. "It always seems to me to be thinking about its past and mourning for its old-time joys. Marilla says that a large family was raised in that old house long ago, and that it was a real pretty place, with a lovely garden and roses climbing all over it. It was full of little children and laughter and song; and now it is empty, and nothing ever wanders through it but the wind. How lonely and sorrowful it must feel! Perhaps they all come back on moonlit nights ... the ghosts of the little children of long ago and the roses and the songs ... and for a little while the old house can dream it is young and joyous again."
This boy was in heaven looking at the tractors, just like his older brother was at that age. He was not in heaven when I wouldn't let him climb on the tractor, however. Silly boy.
Meeting the neighbors puppy and goats was a definite highlight.
Our last night of three was the only dinner the kids actually ate. We made a fire and roasted hot dogs and s'mores. Of course that was the one that they ate. Justin joined us, which was wonderful. The kids absolutely adore their cousin Justin.
And after a campfire a bath was certainly in order. This blue tub takes me right back to my childhood of taking bubble baths in the blue tub, dressing in warm jammies, and having my hair brushed and blow dried by grandpa. The warmth and love that radiated from this home was always palpable.
So, despite the ups and downs of the visit, and depsite the fact that Grandma wasn't there (instead she was in California being cared for by my parents) I found myself feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the opportunity to share this special little place with my kids for a few days. We've been there many times before. It had been a while since we've stayed overnight, however. This is the one place on earth that every version of me has memories. From the time I was a baby until the time I had my own babies I have visited "The Farm", Oh, how I love Samaria, Idaho and all that it is to me.
