It was so relaxing to just BE on the expansive beauty of 160 acres of northern Idaho. I mean, as we arrived we could feel all of the stressful cares of home melt off of our shoulders. Imagine being on a prairie with slightly rolling grassy hills. You look toward the north and north-east, and you're looking at a small mountain covered in evergreens. You look toward the west and south-west, and you're gazing upon more green luscious plains that are far below you where cows, sheep and other such farm animals graze on delicious brilliant green grass. It was so peaceful being there.
David and I had such a wonderful time reconnecting with his family. I, as well, had some really good individual visits with Mary, Jessica, and Rebecca. It felt so good to hear and share the ways God has been working in each of our lives! Also, this was the first time Todd and Rebecca met their little niece, and I think they thought she was adorable! (No partiality coming from me, of course... lol).
Oh, yeah! And while we were visiting, I did Karaoke for the FIRST TIME EVER!!! It was SOOOOOOOO fun!!! Jessica and Darin had a Karaoke machine on loan from a friend of theirs, so we all sang! Some of the song choices were hilariously inappropriate, but it made us all just die with laughter. Everyone sang solos, and Stephen and David sang a couple of duets (including "California Girls" by The Beach Boys). David and I also sang a duet, Jessica and Darin sang a couple of duets, and the little girls sang a TON of songs (they all have such beautiful voices). We all had an absolute blast, and now I'm on the hunt for a karaoke machine (lol).
On Sunday we went up to Sandpoint to visit Talia and Jacob, Kayla and Patrick, and all 5 little boys. It was so good to see them! I had really good heart-to-heart talks with Talia and Kayla (I only cried ONCE about Theo, so that's not TOO bad), and Charlie got to hike to the river with Patrick and the other boys. It was too short of a visit, though, I must say (only about 4 hours)... but I guess, as I've been told, "Be thankful for what little you have, and maybe more will come." I suppose that applies here, although I cried on my way back from Sandpoint because I miss my sister so much (sigh).
All in all, we had a really great time in Idaho, and we can't wait until we're able to make another trip out there!
