the long and short of it

If this summer had an official name, it'd probably be something like "Wasting My Life Away And Having An Epiphany Every Other Day That I'm Wasting My Life Away".

But really.

Today was supposed to be so productive and full of things that really need to happen, but then it wasn't. I suppose I babysat Amalie to help Trina be productive, so that counts for something, right? But then out of the blue I have get this headache that decides to just stick around for a while. And now it's after 8 and I haven't eaten dinner but nothing really sounds good right now. Actually, a lot sounds good right now, but nothing that sounds good also sounds worth the effort - you know the days? So who knows if I'm even going to eat dinner tonight.

But enough with the moaning. I want to tell you about my weekend, because it was one of the best ever, one of those weekends where you're just like, "that was precisely what I needed" and you begin the week feeling rejuvenated and whole.

The 4th of July is probably one of my favorite holidays, but I never remember that until it comes around and then I think, "oh that's right - I love this day!", which is always a pleasant surprise, I suppose. It's full of food and family and usually a fair amount of outdoor fun, and those things are the absolute best, in my book.

Thursday started with work, but I didn't even mind all that much. Afterwards I got ready lickety-split and was able to catch the end of the parade, and then for lunch there was a barbecue with ward friends and boy do I like them. The afternoon/evening was spent in Alpine with my family hosting our very first Lewis gathering in our new house. Which, if you know Lewis gatherings, is quite the event. This was awesome in and of itself because we were never able to play host in our old house because we lacked the entertainment space, but now we've got it and finally being able to do that was a wonderful feeling. We ate delicious food and played volleyball in the backyard and in the evening after everyone had left, just the immediate family headed over to a park to watch fireworks. We were there because that was one of the designated places in Alpine that fireworks were allowed, but honestly I think that's how it should be every year because it was just this big firework fest that of families sharing their fireworks in a totally unorganized fashion and I loved it.

I had work off Friday, which meant I was able to spend the night at home, which honestly meant so much and made me enjoy my 4th so much more, knowing I didn't have to race back to Provo that evening. I woke up to a phone call from best friend Christian inviting me to go to Deer Creek with his family and spend the day on their waverunners. And really, can you say no to that? So that's just what I did, and it was so wonderful. Cafe Rio and Harry Potter in the evening with my family, so enough said.

Saturday morning my family went to the temple to do baptisms, and it was Cami's first time. Boy oh boy was that amazing. What an experience to be there with the people I love the most, and to see Cami there for the first time. Needless to say, we were all emotional. IHOP afterwards where Natalie was in one of her silly moods, and let me tell you - those are the best. Star Trek in the afternoon with friends and back to Provo. Sunday was wonderful as well, as it always is.

You know the biggest realization I came to this weekend? My family members are my favorite people in the whole world. Given the choice of who to hang out with, I would honestly choose them. I'm lucky enough not only to love my siblings and parents, but to like them as well. I would hang out with them over my friends any day because I get along with them the best, and I genuinely enjoy their company. I don't know how many people in the world can say that, but there sure are a lot that can't, and I'm so grateful I'm able to. I brought this up to my sister and she pointed out how much that says about the way our parents raised us. She's right, of course - so thanks, Mom and Dad.

Anyway, this summer is turning out to be one of the best ever, despite a lot of challenging things. I'm learning more about hard work and self-discipline than ever, and I'm grateful for these experiences. Life is good, despite this headache.