Back to Mexico

Again me and my sisters.  Becky wanted a nice photo
of us.  Well this is as nice as it gets. :)

I am in Phoenix about to be headed back to El Paso, and from there to Juarez.  This weekend has been long and exhausting.  I'm not sure how long it will take me to recover.  But I'm glad I came.
Today my older sister picked me up and took me to my aunt's house, where she lives.  Then we went to church with my other sisters, my aunt, and one of my cousins.  After church, we ate lunch.  It was pizza, and I ate it anyway, even though I probably shouldn't have.  I'll find out soon enough if I really can't eat wheat.
Next we took a family picture, my 3 sisters and I, before hanging around waiting to go visit my grandma.  We didn't have a long time at my grandma's before I had to go to the airport.
While waiting for my flight to leave SLC, I noticed there was another flight leaving for Phoenix.  They were supposed to have left at 7:00, but were delayed until 8:30.  That was after my flight left.  That meant that my flight was jam packed to fit in some of the passengers from the other plane.  That ended up being really annoying because I had to gate check my carry on.  I wouldn't have minded so much except they checked my bag all the way to El Paso.  So instead of being able to go straight to my car and go home, I'll have to wait who knows how long at baggage claim to get my bag.  It made me so annoyed that I sent an complaint via email after I got on the plane and before they shut the door.  We'll see what they have to say.

Family Reunion 2011

What a long and exhausting day.  I feel completely wiped out.  But it was a good and fun family reunion.  I guess its technically not over because a lot of people are going up to Brigham City to go to church with my grandparents, but sadly that is an experience I will be missing.

Brigham City Temple

Anyway, the day began by getting up and getting ready to go to the temple.  When I woke up, I was surprised to see that my hair didn't look greasy.  Now, this may be disgusting for all of you, but it is the truth: I've always had extremely greasy hair that will barely last 24 hrs without being washed.  I even tried going every other day because people told me that if I did so the oils in my hair would even out.  I did that for 3 months before I finally couldn't stand feeling gross every other day any longer.  Well, it had been more than 24 hrs and my hair looked clean!  It was a happy experience.  Maybe the desert air is drying my hair out a little, or perhaps its the water in Juarez.  Something in that water is helping to moderate the oils in my hair.  Of course, I didn't make it to 48 hrs, but perhaps after 2 yrs in Juarez, I'll be able to do that.
So, Josh and Catie, the cousins I'm staying with, have 2 kids: 5 yr old Benjamin and 1 yr old Briana.  They couldn't go to the temple with their kids, so we waited for my aunt and uncle to arrive to watch the kids.  Heidi and Monty have two kids of their own, though I don't remember their ages.  Then we headed up to Bountiful.  We were supposed to be there in time for the 9:00 session, but we ended up arriving at the temple just before 9.  We could have made it for the 9:15, but I made a fatal error as we walked in to the temple.

All together in one room

For the past 4 yrs or so the temple recommends have had a barcode on them.  I'm not really sure the purpose of the barcode other than to be extra sure that the recommends are valid.  As we were walking up to the temple, I made the mistake of telling Catie and Josh about my first temple recommend with the barcode.  It was right after the church implemented the new recommends.  I was one of the first, at least in my ward, to receive the new recommend and it was right before I was headed back to BYU.  This was also back when my mom was alive and my dad cared about my safety.  So my parents drove with me down to BYU.  Along the way we stopped at the Billings Temple.  I had my newly issued recommend.  When I got to the Billings Temple, I was surprised to discover that they hadn't activated my recommend.  I'm not sure what they had to do, but they were able to activate my recommend so I could go in, but I had to wait a little while for them to do that.

Well, almost all together

Well, I just barely renewed my temple recommend down in Juarez.  Before you ask, yes, my recommend is in Spanish.  When we get in to the Bountiful Temple, they scan my recommend and tell me it hasn't been activated yet.  Again I had to wait, but this time I actually had to talk with someone in the temple presidency.  It wasn't a big deal, but Catie waited with me.  The man that talked with us thought I had just gotten back from a mission, then thought that Catie and I were companions, and when I told him we were cousins said that he could see the resemblance.  Even though Catie is my cousin, she is not blood related to me.  It was quite amusing.

More family

We made through in time for the 9:30 session.  I was happy to see that everyone else hadn't gone on without us.  My grandparents were there along with my cousin's dad, Jimmy, and Patti and Frank (the ones I stayed with in Phoenix).  It was a small gathering, but it was nice anyway.
After the temple, I ended up going up to Brigham City with Patti and Frank.  Patti wanted to get some chocolate from Idle Isyles.  My mom used to work at Idle Isyles when she was younger.  I remember her talking about it, but I don't remember ever going to the candy store.  We got a pound of chocolate, which is really expensive chocolate.  I was thinking gift boxes might be a good thing to have around for gifts to give when I'm invited to people's houses, but unfortunately it is a little more expensive than I was planning on, or at least I assume so.

37 of the family made it to the reunion

From there we stopped in Ogden at Heidi and Monty's house (Patti and Frank are staying there) to get a few things for the reunion dinner.  We made it to Josh and Catie's just after 3:00.  My sisters were already there.  So were a lot of other people.  By the time the last person arrived, we had quite a group gathered.  37 people in total, including 14 young kids.  Although it didn't feel chaotic at the time, after everyone left and we were left with the mess, it felt like a tornado had blown through the house.  Ok, it probably wasn't that bad, but its amazing how much of a mess a few kids can make!
We talked for a while, catching up, before dinner was ready.  Then we ate and talked some more before it was time for pictures.  Pictures with my family always takes forever.  It wouldn't take so long except that we have to get every possible combination of photos: everyone, grandparents and grandkids, then with spouses, grandparents and their kids, then with spouses, then each family separately with grandparents, then separately, and a silly picture with each.  My grandparents had 8 kids.  Although only 7 of the kids were represented, that is still a LOT of different combinations.

Me and my sisters

During pictures, some people started playing games.  When pictures were over, we had ice cream.  I actually didn't feel like eating ice cream, so I played with Briana a little before she wanted some ice cream.  After that, people started to trickle away.  We had a couple rounds of Mafia before the last family's left.  I have to admit, it was a little frustrating because it seemed like I was one of the few who knew how to play . . . and I got killed off quickly.
But it was still a fun day.  I really so enjoy being around my mom's side of the family.  I hopefully convinced a few more of them to come and visit me in Juarez.  I guess I'll have to start figuring out what there is to do down there so I can use that to reel them in even further!

I'm Here!

I made it.  I am now at my cousin's house in West Valley City.  It was a long flight from Phoenix.  Well, not necessarily time wise, but it felt long.  That may have been because I was unfortunate enough to be seated next to a couple guys who spent the first 5 minutes making fun of Mormons.  Now I don't like it when people make fun of anyone.  In fact, the first time I saw Never Been Kissed, not only was I appalled at the egging scene, I was even more appalled that so many people who were watching the movie with me laughed!  And that wasn't even a real person!

My cousin's house

Anyway, it started off with the usual uneducated joke about 3 wives.  I kind of ended it by saying, You know Mormons don't actually practice polygamy, right?  The guy farther away from me agreed and defended them a little, but the guy sitting next to me, a University of Utah student (though he's at least in his late 30s if not early 40s) kept going at it.  You know, not everyone has to like everyone else, but at least show some respect, especially when you are living amongst the largest population of that group of people.  I mean, would you go to India and make fun of the Indians?  I'm sure there are people who would do just that, but it bugs me no matter where that bigotry takes place.
So, I did some Sudoku until I could turn on my laptop and plug in my earphones.  To their credit, the majority of the conversation did not revolve around bashing Mormons, and it was really more on the part of the guy sitting next to me.
My cousin was waiting when I got out of the airport and we drove straight here.  They have a huge house, much bigger than my house.  But they have 2 kids, so they need the space whereas I don't.
Goodnight!

Three Years Ago Today . . .

Three years ago today my mom passed away.  About ten days ago, as I was packing and going through my things, I pulled out a box that has all my journals.  For some reason, I decided to see what I was doing a year ago that day.  Then I went back two years, and finally three.  But I kept reading.  I came across the entry that I made the day that my mother died.  I wanted to share part of what I wrote with you as a tribute to my mother:

My mom holding my brother in 1983.

"I don't know how it could happen so fast. . . . my mom is dead . . . I'm alternating between grief and numbness.  It doesn't feel real, it can't feel real or I would never survive. . . .
It is weird how death can hit the same person in different ways.  When my brother died I was filled with emotion, with my mother's death, I am empty.  I am in a state of denial and any time reality tries to push its way through, I am brought to tears and so push it back down. . . .
I am exhausted in every possible way: physically, emotionally, mentally . . . We leave for Bismarck tomorrow."

This is the last picture I have of my mom, one month before she passed away.  Even though she was sick at the time (though we didn't know how sick), she still managed to smile...

Two days later I wrote: "I just got back from helping to dress my mother.  It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but one of the last things I could ever do for her.  I couldn't hold in the tears, especially after touching her cold body.  It didn't look like her at all.  My mom always has a smile on her face, that body didn't. . . .
I feel so tired.  I am very glad to be home, but it is weird, especially without my mom. . . . The house feels different without her . . . kind of empty. . . "
Three years later, it is amazing how much of a void still remains.  There are roles in my life that she filled that no one else could ever fill, no matter how hard they try.  And yet I keep moving forward.  Somehow I am able to manage without her, though I often wish I didn't have to.  No matter how many years pass, I will always miss her and I will always hope to make her proud.

McGee Family Reunion

This weekend has been an interesting one. On Friday we drove up Price canyon to my aunt and uncle's cabin. (Left - one of the games we played around the campfire. It is called Rock. You pass a rock from hand to hand, trying to keep the person in the middle from finding it. I took this picture because my grandparents were actually playing, too!) It was quite a ride. Their place is kind of secluded, but it is nice. We made it for dinner, though I was a little worried when we missed the turn off. After dinner, we mainly hung around the campfire. We played a couple games before people started to trickle off.
Saturday was a much more eventful day. In the morning, we had breakfast before getting ready for games. (Right - the line for breakfast in the morning) The kids went on a scavenger hunt to find things for crafts. Then we started other games. We had a 3-legged race (which I was skipped over competing in until the end, so I didn't have a fair chance to be the actual winner, even though I ran the race I was in), a pillowcase race, a horseshoe competition (in which Lizzy did fairly well. She won two games), a suitcase race, and the candybar game. You know, the one where you have to put on a bunch of clothes and try to eat a candy bar with knives before someone else either gets a specific number, or rolls doubles (we played rolling doubles). (Left - Pillowcase race. My sisters are in this one, but they are way far behind) I didn't get a lot of pictures, but I did get some good ones.
I won the pillowcase race for the 18yrs+ group, Bob McGee (uncle) won the horseshoe championship, and I don't remember who won everything else. We had trophies for the winners made out of a thick branch, debarked and written on, then with a string tied around each end and beads on the string. I really like them. I should have written down the winners, but oh well.
After we finished the games, we had some free time before dinner. Dinner was served and afterward we handed out prizes to the winners of the games followed by dessert, peach cobbler and cherry cheesecake. (Right - me racing in the pillowcase race).
After dinner and dessert, most people started to leave. We stuck around because we didn't really need to get back to anything. I'm glad we did because after we cleaned up, we got to go out on 4-wheelers. I rode with Monty (uncle), Sara rode with Jim (uncle), and the kids rode in a larger off-road vehicle that I don't remember what it was called with Heidi (aunt). Then Monty taught me how to drive a 4-wheeler. (Left - racing in the three-legged race with Trishelle against Michele and Jenna, the champions. We beat them, but didn't get recognized for that. It sure is hard to run with a kid attached to your leg though, because they have a much smaller stride than you do and you don't want them to trip) That was a lot of fun. I guess I'll have to get one someday so I can practice a little more.
When we got back, I made Lizzy go, though she rode in the larger off-road vehicle. By the time they got back, it was getting dark and we headed out. I was glad to get back and get some sleep. (Right - Gizmo came along, too, though he mainly stayed in the new carrier that I bought him. I felt bad for him because he was in it all night and all day, but whenever I tried to bring him out, he didn't want to! Sometimes he would stick his head out, but he didn't want to leave. Sometimes I think it was because it was warmer in there, but other times, I think it was because he could smell lots of things that scared him. He was terrified of the fire, the dog, and pretty much everything that moved). I hadn't had much sleep the past several days. Unfortunately, I think it all caught up to me and now I am sick. I was pretty miserable this morning. We went to church and after church I drank a lot of herbal tea (which really seems to have helped) and took a long nap. I'm feeling a little better, though still pretty miserable. Still, despite all that, I had a great time this weekend and I'm really glad that I was able to make it to the McGee Family Reunion.

Suitcase race, we had a tutu, bra, and little girls' swimsuits. It was quite amusing. We also had one extra person, so considering that, we did pretty good coming in second.Candy bar game. Here Carla is putting on the clothes. We had these little girl mittens that only covered our fingers. We couldn't get our whole hands in.Betsy playing the candybar game with her son Daniel on her lap.Elizabeth playing horseshoes.On the 4-wheeler that I learned to drive.

Happy Birthday Clarence!

Today is my brother's 26 birthday. I hope he has a great one!

5 years

My Brother

By Rachel Atwood

My brother may not be
the smartest guy of all,
nor the nicest one,
or even very tall.
He may not be the greatest
or the best looking
not likely to be famous
or to become a king.
But I will tell you this,
whether he is or not,
he is the best brother,
and the only one I've got.
He is barely older than me,
yet he thinks it is a lot,
but I would not trade him,
I can't entertain the thought
I love my brother dearly,
more than I can say,
so I wish him luck
on every special day.
I hope he lives a long life
and a wonderful one too,
and if he gets stuck
I know he'll start anew.
My brother may not be
the smartest guy of all,
nor the nicest one,
or even very tall.
He may not be the greatest
or the best looking
not likely to be famous
or to become a king.
But I will tell you this,
whether he is or not,
he is the best brother,
and the only one I've got.

Written: July 2002

Interesting Life

Life with a sister who is (what I would lovingly refer to as) a Math Geek, is very interesting. You end up knowing all sorts of weird facts. Like, for example, I am 7.04 times larger than my cat. My total volume is approximately 5118.337911. Half (56.4% to be exact) of my volume consists of my torso. Whereas my cat's total volume is approximately 726.5692557. His volume is 86.5% from his torso. Of course, that makes me sound huge, but also much more well proportioned.
I also realized that my family is very diverse. My dad has a degree in geology and works as a computer programmer. My mom has a degree in accounting. My oldest sister is a licensed massage therapist, I am a Linguistics major, my next younger sister wants to be a statistician, and my youngest sister wants to go into anthropology. Not one person is alike. Of course, we have some similarities, but our chosen professions are not even close.
I know this entry is a little random, I just felt like writing something. I don't have anything to update. I'm still waiting for my thyroid uptake scan which is less than one week away.

Currently Reading:
A Train to Potevka
by Mike Ramsdall