I've been back with my boys in Oregon for a little over a week now and it's been somewhat of a whirlwind since I returned. One wedding over and now I have another tomorrow. Ryan's youngest sister, Callie, will be married in the Portland Temple.
But for now, despite how tired and emotional I feel(it's been a very trying day with my wee ones), I need to jot down a few details from my very brief, but lovely visit home.
I arrived on Tuesday,Feb.1st at 8am. It had been a long flight, with one layover in Newark. I met the most spunky wee Scottish lady, who I chatted with for a few hours while we waited to board the plane to Glasgow. I haven't laughed that hard in a while..she was pure entertainment. It felt very strange not having anyone to worry about but myself. I liked it!Ha.
Day 1 was spent resting,hanging out at my parents house, and eating a delish pizza crunch supper from the chippy. Only my two youngest siblings are still at home(the house felt very empty) but my sister, Rachel, and her husband, Fred, were up from Wales for the wedding too and had planned to be there for the entire week I was...so nice.
Day 2: I woke up at 3am and talked to Ryan. Both boys were doing fine with Ryan's mum, but apparently Peter had seemed a tad concerned.
It was my brother, John's, birthday so we went over and watched my two nephews while he and his wife, Margaret, went out for a birthday lunch. It was so great seeing my nephews again, but by this time(noon)I was soooo tired from having been up since 3am. So, I kinda conked out on the couch while Rachel, Fred, and my mum watched them. Later that evening I went with my mum and Rachel to help put up the decorations in the cultural hall for my brother's wedding.
I got to see a few of my cousins and chat with them...swell!
Then just as we were about to head home we got a call from my brother, Euan. He invited us to stop by right then and visit baby Eleanor. We had been planning on going the following day, but I was way too excited to meet her to say no.
I need a wee girl! She was just beautiful. I do love my rough and tumble boys, but one day I'd love a wee girl to dress up...I loved every minute of holding her.
Day 3: I didn't do much during the day...I was feeling so jet-lagged that I took a long nap in the middle of the day. I couldn't believe how free I felt being able to do that. Later that night I went to dinner with my sister, Rachel, and some friends from my old E.K ward, Emma, Laura, and Ruth.
Day 4: My mum and I spent the majority of the day in the cultural hall at the Paisley building setting out the tables, etc. for the reception the following day. It took WAY longer than I anticipated, but it was so nice to spent the time with my mum.
That night, Rachel, Fred, and I went out to dinner with some of my cousins for a wee early birthday celebration (Fred was turning 30 the following tuesday!)
Day 5: THE WEDDING! In the U.K you have to be married civilly prior to attending the temple so the marriage ceremony was held at 10:30am. It was so beautiful and, of course, I shed a few wee tears. I get so much more emotional than I ever imagined watching my wee brothers and sisters get married.
Daniel looked very handsome in his kilt.
And Martha was breathtaking! They are smitten with each other...I am so happy for them.
Around noon we were let into the reception to eat and hear the toasts. It was great to see the remainder of my extended family that I had not yet seen. Then close to 3pm, my parents and I took off for the Preston Temple, followed by Daniel and Martha(who got honked at for being newly weds the entire drive down!), and quite a few members of Martha's family. It took 3 hours to reach our destination, but I was only awake for about 1/2 of it! Brilliant.
It was pouring with rain and the sealing wasn't till 8pm, but it was such a special ceremony and I was so happy I could be there.
Day 6: Everyone, besides my parents and I, had stayed the night down in Preston. We, however, had Eleanor's baby blessing to attend the next day, so we made it back just before midnight and got straight to bed.
Euan gave a lovely blessing and Eleanor looked absolutely gorgeous in the dress my cousin, Olivia, had handmade for her.
Here's the McArthur Family with newly blessed Eleanor.
We headed back to Euan and Alisa's flat for a tasty lunch after church where I got in as much "holding" time as I could since it would be the last time I saw her for who knows how long!
Day 7: I have never not felt sad about leaving Scotland. But on this particular occasion I couldn't wait to get on the plane. Leaving couldn't come soon enough for me; I was that desperate to get home to my boys. I spent that last day enjoying my sister, Isabel's 17th birthday, celebrating Fred's again a day early, hanging out with my immediate family and having the most wonderful lunch date with my best friend in the whole world (besides Ryan), Catriona. I love that after having lived in the states for 10 yrs now I can still fall right back into my friendship with her...she's so dear to me.
The entire flight home I was so anxious and impatient. I was able to sleep a little of the way though which helped it go faster. It was so wonderful to be reunited with my boys...even though wee Peter was calling my mother-in-law "mum"! She went back to Salem the following day and I got my title back.
