When I asked my Dad what he thought we should see while we were in Ohio, he said that the Columbus Zoo is a great place to start. We got a screamin deal, thanks to Jackie's screamin deal prowess, and spent about 6 hours there. All the kids were such such good sports, through the humidity and all the walking. Truly. It was a great day. This bell was making these cool gong sounds... The night before we went to the movies and saw Kung Fu Panda 2, and so we were on the hunt for all the same animals that are in the movie. Tigress was much anticipated, and this tiger did not disappoint. As soon as our group came to the window she jumped from where she was resting to prowl back and forth repeatedly in front of the window, only to go rest as soon as we left and other groups came behind us. The timing was perfect, and she was definitely the star of the show. The kids just loved it! After seeing much more, we headed to some picnic tables to enjoy some lunch, and then headed off for all the bears. Check out the zoos bears compared to all of ours! We ended the day by letting all the kids stand in front of these water spitting dinosaurs, and let them all get soaked. I was soaked and I never even stood in their water...eeew. It was a sweaty day, but it was worth it. Afterwards we headed for McDonalds for some ice cream. Check out these cuties. They were playing while we were waiting for our ice cream order.
I don't think she was the only who felt like this after such a fun packed day. Next time we go back we need to see the other 3/4ths of the zoo that we didn't even get to that day!
When Uncle Russell left with all the Legg kiddos for a couple day trip to see some family, I felt awful for the scheduling mishap I had made when I'd purchased our tickets for Ohio. Yes. We most definitely missed them. But there was a very special opportunity that I hadn't expected. The girlies were given quite a special chance to spend uninterrupted and quite celestial time with their Aunt Jackie. She, quite simply, is one of the most soothing people to be around. On this day, Sunday, it was so peaceful just keeping things calm and easygoing. Church went so smoothly. The girls all willingly went to their classes. I didn't make them all go by themselves to their individual classes, but allowed them to pair up with each other and pick one of the pairs classes to attend. It worked perfectly. When we came back home we played some games, which we love to do on Sundays.
I believe I mentioned doing this when we went to Moab. But it has become a tradition of ours to visit a cemetery whenever we are in a new place. Or even not a new place, actually. The girls truly feel at home in cemeteries, which I am so glad for. I remember the times when there were many who did not want to go to the cemetery to visit Daddy's grave. It did not represent good things to them, understandably. But after we finished our first family picture the other night I decided we should drive up there and "talk to Daddy", as we do when we visit his grave. As we pulled in to the drive of the cemetery, Malia erupted into cheers, and the rest soon followed. I asked them, "Why are you cheering, guys?", and Malia said, "Duh, Mom...look where we are...". So they love being there, as well as other cemeteries they have no known connection to. They love strolling around, trying to read the names on the headstones, trying to figure out if there are any connections between headstones placed next to each other, and to see if they can figure out how old they were when they died. I often am ready to go before they are, and I spend the entire time not being able to explore myself, but going from child to child as they call out to me, "Mom! Come and see this one! Come see (so and so...) and see how old they were!" So on that morning that I did my five mile mad walk/run, I passed this old cemetery and knew it was the one for us to visit. I haven't seen one this old for so long, being out in the west.
We then headed to find a place for a nice Sunday stroll. Naki and I love taking walks on Sundays. We always stress to the girls that this is not a Sunday sprint, run, or try-to-beat us to our destination kind of walk, but that is actually a stroll. That means that we walk nice and casually, staying close to one another so that we can visit while we walk, and enjoy our surroundings together. This place that Jackie took us, which name I can't remember, was just perfect, and so so stunning. I loved it! We ended up staying until it was completely dark, and enjoyed watching some bats swoop down as we were walking back to the parked car. (Reminded me of good ole' bat days in PA.)
Sundays like these make me feel ready for the week. Thanks for a perfect day, Jackie. Well, actually two and a half weeks of perfect days. :)
Friday, September 23, 2011
We had all kinds of teeth issues while in Ohio. This little girlie just keeps dropping teeth out of her mouth wherever she goes! Currently she has even less teeth in her mouth than she does in this picture.
Today marked a very significant day in our healing. Today we took our very first official family picture without our Daddy in it. I know there have been many pics snapped up at the cemetary and other places too, but this was the first time I called up our dear friends and told them we were ready for some updated pics of the girlies and quite possibly, if it felt right in the moment, for a pic of all of us together. Even though it's uncomfortable and painful to not have Naki there with us and it would feel easier for me personally to just go ahead and have them take only pictures of the girlies growing up, I would hate for the girls as adults to wish that I had been in more pics with them, the same way I feel about wishing I had more pics of Naki and I together and even me wishing I had more pics of him with the girlies. The other night as I was falling asleep thinking about getting our pics taken, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted it to be fun and silly. I also wanted it to show that we, us women, were united in our goal to be strong and to be eternal. I envisioned us walking together in one line, connected by hands held, and all jumping heavenward. Now, it isn't the most flattering image of myself, but I don't care. Here we are, Naki's girlies, and we are smiling, we are together, and we are his.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
One of the kiddos fave activities to do at the Leggs house, although I think they'd say everything they did was their favorite, was play hide and seek. Here are some pics of some of the clever hiding spots they found. I was super impressed at their ability to keep finding new spots!
These pictures were taken this summer. What is it about rainbows? Just witnessing something so otherworldy that happens so briefly with just the right combination of ingredients makes me feel touched by heaven. I felt that way before Naki died, and I truly feel it now. I think they make me feel like in a world surrounded by difficult and ugly things and circumstances, seeing something beautiful at the hand of God is a reminder of all that He is capable of.
The pictures of the horses are a fun story. Since the beginning of the year I have had the strongest impression that I need to get the girlies lives entwined with horses. Naki and I talked about that sooo very much, but our finances always prevented it from happening. Right before he died he was developing a work relationship with a stable, and had been talking with them about letting us and our girls clean the stables there in lieu of riding lessons for the girlies. Secretly I am frightened by their size and their power, and mostly by the fact that I don't know anything about being around them. But one thing I do know about them is that whenever I am in their presence I feel the same way I do around rainbows. There is something so magnificent about being in the same space as something so powerful, intelligent, and special that isn't human. I am drawn to them. I went through a kooky period this summer where I daydreamed about living in Kentucky. No lie. I can't explain it, but I even went so far as to learn about housing and all other kinds of aspects of living in Kentucky. I could never do it, move there, because there isn't any family there, and there isn't any reason to be there other than I was daydreaming about owning this huge piece of land with fences and horses. Silly dream. I realized after traveling to Ohio this summer that I don't have to go far to have horses and land. I could have it here once I finish school and be smart with my money...someday it could become a reality. Even if that means for our grandkids! But Naki and I both loved the idea of having horses. We used to drive through Lindon and look at homes and their properties that were zoned for horses and just dream. But for now, we feel lucky to have met a sweet man, the owner of the tire shop we go to actually, that told me I could drive the girls out to where he keeps his horses anytime to go pet them and to say hi with some apples. He also told me that I can hop the fence any time and go into the field with them, but I am too scared! One Sunday we cut up quite a few apples and had the best time. I love being in their presence. Eva just lights up whenever she's around them, all the girls do, and they talk about it constantly. Maybe someday I'll get up the courage to go past the fence.
