Lake Powell: Part 2

Day two was boat day. We rented a two decker party boat- there was a slide and a grill! Rose still wasn't super great but, again, what can you do? The boat rental place was an hour late getting our boat cleaned. It was super great because instead I got to spend that hour nursing Rose's complete melt down tantrum about having to put on her life jacket since we were waiting on a dock. (note, it was EXTRA since she wasn't feeling well, you know what I'm saying?) By the time we were on the boat she was pretty drained (and I'll admit, so was I) so she camped out on a cozy spot on one of the benches.

Everyone else went down the slide, swam to a new shore, went tubing, ate food, sun bathed, drove the boat, and took naps (we brought the pack in play for Johnny and it worked and he took both his naps in there! Parenting win!) I was able to get up and take some photos and cheer June and Hazel on as they braved some tricks on the tube but in the end Rose wanted me by her and I grew worried about her being dehydrated. She was sleepy and not super responsive. So I stayed by her coaxing her to drink (since two year olds are so well known for doing things they are asked to do.) It paid off though and towards the end of the day she perked up again and even got to take a ride on the tube!

But let's also not forget the treacherous storm that hit us. (a theme of our trip!) Lightening surrounded us and we were pelted by rain! We were in the middle of the lake and not anywhere near the docks. So we all huddled in various shelters and waited for it to finally end. Fun times on the lake!

Between Rose and then it being too cold after the storm, I never did get to go off the slide or get in. The true “perks” of motherhood were in full force this trip. 

But I was grateful.

I imagined the future. My kids all older now. Us on a boat. I could sit there and do nothing or everything- whatever it is that I pleased. And yet, looking around that boat, imaging it all, I felt so lonely, my arms felt empty. I knew that there is a fullness in this time of my life that is unmatched by anything else. I felt so grateful for my purpose, my busy arms, my crowded lap.

As the storm raged over us, I pulled a couple large towels over Rose and myself. It grew dark, I could smell the rubber of Rose's pacifier that she is too old to have. Our faces were close. She looked at me with what little light was coming through the pink towel. “Mommy!” she laughed, and she put her hands on my cheeks. I could feel the rain soaking the towel on my back. Tap tap tap tap tap.

I was right where I wanted to be.

Below- Flash back photo to 2016 on Lake Tahoe. haha

That evening we all relaxed and hung out, made dinner on the fire. The girls ran around. We laid in hammocks. The men found strange things to burn in the fire late at night and we laughed some more.

Hazel is ALL about doing her "perfect poses" for me.

Some fun photos that June took:

Men being men. How each night always ended.

Stay tuned for part 3! ;)