The Latest.......
Tuesday, May 24th, Kolson and I flew on three airplanes to get to Las Vegas and then rented a car to drive two more hours to Hurricane, Utah. I was so impressed with how well he did. He slept from Skagway to Juneau and then took another nap from Juneau to Seattle. From Seattle to Vegas he just played and colored pictures. He was amazing. I was really nervous about the whole trip. The hardest part was getting from the Las Vegas Airport to the rental car center. The Las Vegas airport is a nightmare. As soon as we landed there I just wanted to be back home in Alaska. I used to be such a city girl. I loved going to Las Vegas every chance I could. Now it is just too much chaos and the town is focused on well.... Inappropriate stuff. Kolson then slept in the car from Las Vegas to Hurricane. I grabbed some late night food at Del Taco. That was nice. I haven't had tasty fast food in a long time. I stayed at my sister's house the first few nights. My nephew was nice to let me have his room to myself.
On Wednesday I spent the day fasting and doing everything possible to get in the best focused and mental state possible for the following day. I renewed my temple recommend just a few days before leaving to go to Utah. I was so happy to be able to go in the St. George Temple and do a session. I've always wanted to go into that temple, but I haven't had the opportunity since I first received my recommend. Nick and I were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in 2007. It was such a great experience. I sat in the celestial room for quite a long time praying and thinking. I am so glad I chose to spend my day there rather than out doing some long awaited shopping. Here's a picture I took when I got back outside.
Thursday was the much anticipated and yet dreaded day. I was so grateful to have Nick's parent's come down from Idaho to support me. They are the best in-laws anyone could ask for! Kolson hung out with his Grandpa Pickett for the whole thing. They had fun playing at a cool water park near the court house. I was frustrated to begin with because my black shirt had a bleach spot and a couple of holes and I couldn't find one I liked to replace it before court. I'm sure it didn't matter too much what I wore, but I was still freaking out.
I won't get into the details of what went on during the trial, other than I wasn't really happy with the picture of me that was painted. I was under the impression that an oath was an oath to tell the truth. Apparently that doesn't matter to everyone. I was only allowed to state the positive things of the situation, but when I would try to speak and tell the truth it was objected and I couldn't speak. If Braxton couldn't speak for himself I was going to try. It wasn't fair.
I am really impressed that I didn't cry through the entire thing. I know that it was because I had a lot of help that day due to a lot of prayer's and support from friends and family. My mother-in-law told me I did a good job with my testimony and staying calm. I told her it wasn't me.... because I know I couldn't have done that on my own.
Court ended without a decision. Our attorney's need to file some more paperwork that will be due July 1st. After the Judge get's a chance to read through those we should be able to expect a decision sometime near August. I wanted a decision then, but I am praying that this extra time for him to think will help him to make the best decision for Braxton and his future rather than making a quick impulse decision.
Friday I was able to pick up Braxton for the long weekend. I almost wasn't allowed to bring him back to Utah, but my attorney did some negotiating for me. It was the first time I'd seen him in 10 months. I had to forfeit my Christmas break with him because I could either have the money to retain an attorney and hopefully get Braxton back full-time, or I could spend Christmas with him. It was a very hard choice, but I hope it was the right one.
I was so happy to be able to grab him and just squeeze him. He is such an incredible son! We drove back to St. George and met Nick's parents at Pirate Island Pizza. It's a cool pizza place that is decorated like a pirate ship inside with an arcade. They were so excited to see him! They are coming to Alaska to visit us this summer, but Braxton will already have left to go back to Las Vegas. Braxton looks up to his Grandpa Pickett because he is a scientist. Braxton loves to read non-fiction books and learn a lot about different wild-life. Grandpa Pickett is cool because he sends Braxton interesting things from the North Slope at the top of Alaska where the Polar Bears live.
Braxton beat me at a game of air hockey and at a target shooting game. I was under the impression that we had unlimited bullets and he informed me that if the bullets were unlimited then how would the game end. He's very smart. He also beat Grandma Pickett at a few games. I'm not sure if he won against Grandpa. After dinner we went to the house where they were staying and Braxton proceeded to kill us with his farts, but hey, it wouldn't be Braxton if there wasn't gas involved.
Saturday I trimmed up Braxton's hair as much as he'd allow. At least we got it out of his eyes. We went into St. George and got some shopping done. He was sent without a toothbrush and with a pair of holy jeans and a t-shirt. We ate In-N-Out Burger. He wanted a Double Double Burger and I was really amazed to see him eat the whole thing plus fries and a milkshake. Him and Kolson had a ton of fun playing. That night we went and watched the new Pirate's of the Caribbean 4 movie. His eye's were glued to it.
Sunday we went to church with my sister. I was so happy to have both of my son's with me at church. The only thing missing was Nick and Aspyn. Later that day Braxton and Kolson played with their cousin's while I made a big chicken enchilada dinner for everyone on my last night there. My mom came up to my sister's to see my boy's and spend some time with us. That night we stayed with my friend Holly who recently moved from Las Vegas to Hurricane. She has been my good friend since way before Braxton.
Monday we headed back to Las Vegas. We got in a little early and Braxton wanted to take me to see the Silverton. It's a casino/hotel, but it has a cool aquarium full of sting ray's, sharks, and tropical fish. It also has the biggest Bass Pro Shop I've ever seen. I only wish I would've had more room to buy a couple fishing poles there for Salmon fishing up here in Alaska. Time passed too quickly and I had to take him home. Luckily he will be flying into Alaska this Friday the 10th. Kolson and I stayed the night at the Circus Circus where I got us a room for $23.00. I took him to the circus act on the midway. He was super excited and shaking his arms. Then I realized he wasn't even excited about the performer. He was excited about the drummer. His dad would've been so proud!
Tuesday was the longest day of my life! I got up at 4:00 am. Which is actually 3:00 am Alaska time. I had arranged the night before for a shuttle to pick me up and take me to the airport at 5:00. They either didn't show up or they left me because I didn't get out there until 5:03 am. My suitcase weighed 73 pounds and I had a 30 pound back pack on my back and a 30 pound Kolson in my arms. I didn't realize how hard it would be to get from my hotel room down to the shuttle area. Luckily I was able to catch a different shuttle. I wanted to sit on the floor and cry at the Las Vegas Airport and just quit. I was so frustrated. I had a ticket for a free checked bag in my pocket, but it had fallen out. I had to pay for the full 73 pounds. Finally we made our plane and arrived in Seattle. We had three hours there before our flight left to Juneau. We ate Wendy's for lunch.
When we landed in Seattle I almost cried because I was so happy to see beautiful green again. Southern Utah is beautiful, but in a different desert kind of way. Washington and Alaska have beautiful tree's and mountains.
Waiting to board in Seattle I came across a friend here from Skagway waiting to board as well. My friend Brandy was just returning from a DDF competition in DC. Sadly I didn't know she was hanging out in the same airport as us a few hours earlier. She was also with a friend of hers who Nick and I just hired this past week to work for us. Exhausted by the time I reached Juneau just to find that my Air Ex flight to Skagway was cancelled. Kolson and I were fortunate to hop on a Wing's flight and get home. Our luggage followed the next day. Through all of our 6 airplanes that we went on throughout the entire trip, I was very happy to find that Kolson and I were lucky enough to sit by nice non-child hating people on our flights. Also, Kolson has to be the best baby that anyone has ever travelled with.
I am so happy to be home. I enjoyed visiting family and friends, but I really missed home. I missed my husband and daughter. I came home early because they missed me a lot and Aspyn wasn't doing so well with out her mom.
I can't wait for Braxton to come on Friday. Well actually Saturday. He flies into Juneau on Friday and Nick will meet him down there. They are going to go to a movie together and then fly home Saturday with a bunch of groceries. Nick was jealous that I got to see Brax this last weekend and he didn't.
