My sweet sister Sarah had a major surgery last month and had been on bed rest since then, just trying to recover. I wanted to visit sooner but life didn't allow it. But once my kids started school, I was able to fly out to Utah and go take care of my little sister. It's hard to live so far away from loved ones, so I was relieved to finally get to go out to Utah and help out.
I flew in late on Wednesday ,the 13th, and Johnny got me from the airport. We got back to their house super late, around 1:30 am. I took a cheap flight and the late night was the consequence.
I woke up early the next morning so I could take Hazel and Grant to school. Max took the bus earlier so he didn't need a ride. After we got the kids off to school, I made Sarah and I breakfast. Then I went about putting together a little party to celebrate the Allred kids' first day of school.
Sarah and I went for a short walk too. She's working hard to strengthen her muscles again. After our walk we just hung out at the house until it was time for me to get the kids from school.
Dinner was delivered by a family in their ward so I didn't need to cook that night.
I helped get kids to bed that night and then Johnny, Sarah and I watched some TV together.
On Friday after the kids got home from school, we made homemade pizzas and had a little movie night.
Then on Saturday I took the kids out to do some back to school shopping. Aunt Carol had sent some money for the kids so we happily spent it on clothes for the upcoming season.
I also took the kids to the lego store because I owed both Max and Grant birthday presents and that is where they wanted to go to look for a gift. It was pretty fun!
We also made a stop at "Trader Joe's" to get some snacks for another big movie night. This was one of my favorite stops because we just grabbed all the snacks that looked yummy to us. The kids loved this.
The next day was Sunday and we all went to church. I was able to help Sarah with her hair and makeup and help her feel a little bit more like herself. Sarah and I only stayed for sacrament meeting.
Later that afternoon we did some face masks. First we did the hair identifier spray and shaved all the hair off our faces. Then we did charcoal peel face masks. Hazel loved being part of the fun. Although she didn't love having to peel it off. We ended up just having to wash hers off, but we all survived.
On Monday Sarah and I went out together. She was feeling a little bit better and she wanted to go buy some new garments. We drove over to Deseret Book together and then we went to lunch at "Cafe Rio". I was so excited to get a sweet pork burrito!
Sarah and I had a nice afternoon together but it did completely wear her out. I took her back home to rest before going to get the kids from school. I was grateful for the small sense of normalcy for her though.
That night Max and I watched a movie together. We had been discussing the book together and when he finished "I am Number Four" we decided to watch it together in the basement. It was pretty fun.
On Tuesday we had another chill day. I made dinner for us and we went for a walk to the playground together. It was a nice day. We also played lots of card games together.
During the day I worked to help Sarah get her house a bit more organized.
Then on Wednesday, my last day Sarah and I went for a walk together, did another face mask and just hung out together.
After school that day I took the kids to "Fizz" to get sodas. We had been planning to do this my entire trip but we just kept running out of time.
Then on my last night at the Allred home we ate dinner and then we got shakes from the local ice cream place and played "Disney monopoly" together. It was the perfect way to end my trip.
When Johnny took me to the airport Thursday morning, I left my little sister crying in her garage. It was a hard good-bye but I'm so grateful I was able to go to Utah and be there to help out and take care of my sweet sister and her family.
She's not recovered by any means but she is making slow progress and for that we are grateful. My sister is such a strong person and has been through more painful experiences than her little body should have had to endure. I'm so proud of her!
I'm also so grateful for my sweet brother in law, Johnny. He's taken such great care of Sarah during her very long recovery, all while also managing the house and the kids. He's been a rockstar and I'm grateful for him.
Can't wait until Sarah is fully recovered and feels like herself again!
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