Family "vacation"

We're being sued. This week we were supposed to meet our Idaho lawyer in person, have a strategy discussion, and then do depositions. Those things were scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, and Blaine scheduled them off work ever so long ago.

Then last week when I called to check and see if everything was going according to plan, I was told that our case is going into mediation. I have no idea why, but I hope it has something to do with the fact that my account and Matt's account have never altered through the entire process, but the people bringing the suit augment their story and bring in new witnesses every couple of months. Anyhoo, I called Blaine to tell him he didn't need the days off work, but he said, "After the hours I've been working? I'm taking them off anyway!"

So suddenly we had two days, no plans, and no extra money. What could we do that felt relaxing, seemed like a vacation, and was free?

Tuesday we went to Shawny's house and we saddled up her horse Stormy and rode. None of us save Blaine have any experience with horses really, and in fact I'm terribly allergic (though I knew this so I took Benadryl in advance). So it was just a short little clip-clop up the hill, through a wooded area, and back to the driveway, but it was fun. It took us most of the day to saddle, cycle all the kids through their turns, unsaddle, and swing from the bales of hay in the barn. But everyone had fun on the horse, and in Grandma's yard playing in the unseasonably warm temperatures and sunshine. We ate lunch outdoors, came home in plenty of time to make dinner, and turned in tired to our bones.

Wednesday we got everyone's bikes lubed and pumped, and we all went for a ride. Kyrie rode on a seat behind me and Blaine towed Macklin and Ethan in a trailer, but Jackson kept up with us even going uphill, bless his tiny little muscles. We rode to the cemetery because it's about as far from here as we can get and still be in Fairview. We were there for more than two hours which, I'm guessing, some of you will think is weird. But we walked around because it's a lovely little cemetery, and we looked at headstones of people we know, sat under a big tree in the shade, and talked about life and what makes it meaningful. It couldn't have been less weird or creepy. Near the cemetery is a creek where there's a swimming hole like you read about in the old stories about living in the country, with a rope swing attached to a big, sturdy branch. Our children had been there with friends but Blaine and I had never seen it, so they took us and showed us. Then we hopped back on the bikes, rode to the convenience store and let everyone choose a treat. Then we packed up yet another picnic lunch and went to the park, where the kids ate and romped and played. Everyone including Macklin has little pink sunburnt noses and cheeks.

They were two of the best family days we've had in a long time. And the best part? I don't have seven little bags to unpack or mounds of laundry to do, and my checking account is only down the $10 it took to buy everyone treats yesterday. :)