Labor Day Weekend

I love long weekends that I get to spend with Paul. His weekend started Friday night when he got off of work. I picked him up and he said that he wanted to go for a drive. So, kind of like Forrest Gump --only driving and not running-- we drove, and drove and drove. To Duchesne! The drive was nice all the way up to Strawberry Reservoir. We would really love to do some camping there in the future. BUT, after that it really reminded me of where I grew up in rural California. I've had a serious touch of homesickness (my parents followed me out to Utah so I can never really go "home") and driving to Duchesne was good for me because I realized how far I've come and that if I had a choice I wouldn't go back to Aguanga. I loved growing up in the middle of nowhere. My opportunities were endless as a little child for exploration and creativity. BUT, I love where I am now...ok, tangent over.
Because we got home so late from this excursion we ended up grabbing tacos and heading to bed. Saturday we got to go on a date. It was our first time leaving James with anyone. All I can say is that I totally love Leah for taking care of him for us.
The original plan was to go to the temple, but after discovering that my temple dress no longer fit thanks to some added baby weight (and the new found hips that won't quit), Paul decided to take me to get a new one. I told him that I could just rent one, but he wanted to buy me one. So we went to Mimi's for breakfast and did a little shopping. It was SO nice to get away for a while and not worry about a baby screaming in public and having to leave suddenly. Hopefully next time we really can go to the temple! It's been far to long. We picked up some goodies at Distribution that we were able to enjoy Sunday morning. There is this fantastic video about Thomas S. Monson's life. After Gordon B. Hinkley died it was kind of a struggle to see anyone else as prophet. This is not saying that I did not sustain President Monson in anyway, but it was just so weird for me because Gordon B. was really the prophet of my childhood and entire adulthood. It's been easier as time has gone and I've grown used to our prophet now, but after seeing this video I can't imagine anyone else filling that role right now. What an amazing man. What an amazing life. We also got a MoTab CD which we listened to all Sunday morning as I did a bunch of ironing and Paul cleaned up my messy kitchen :)
Church was fantastic and I finally met the Humanitarian Committee Chairperson in Relief Society. We were both called a few weeks ago and I'm really excited to start working together. We are putting together some kits for a big humanitarian enrichment night next month. It is usually pretty difficult for me to get to know people at church because, until now, I've not been able to go to any activities during the week and I'm horrible at remembering names. Yesterday, however, I sat next to a delightful old lady. She just moved into the ward and is quite shy. Her grandchildren don't live close by and she was just tickled pink by James. I could see that my taking interest in her life really made her happy and it totally made my day!
After church we came home to the smell of amazing pot roast made by Paul. He really helps me out on weekends and I'm so grateful to have such a thoughtful husband. Here are some pictures from our weekend:

James' First BYU football game. BYU was #20 playing #3, the Oklahoma Sooners. We managed to pull off a 14-13 win and shot all the way up to #9! Go Cougars!!

In Duchesne, last names are unimportant on campaign banners. "Vote for Jill" and "Vote for Rodney" seem to do the trick just fine!

This is one of my favorite pictures ever! I love his sunglasses. He hates them if I put them on before he gets in the sun, but if he sees that they really do help him out after experiencing the glare, he likes them. Silly boy.