Love and Help

       One of the ways I express love to others, is through service. Growing up my dad was really big on showing us his love through gestures. Like making sure I had plenty of gas in my car, clothes cleaned and a hot dinner. It was simple , but brought stability and comfort. In fact he still is like that. Currently I'm in his guest room while he washes my clothes before my flight home. :) I think my Dad Charlie is a big reason why I like to serve others. Whether it's cleaning bathrooms, bringing a meal, or babysitting, so a fellow mama can get rest. I love it and I'm pretty good at it.
     I think everyone has a way they feel most loved, and I enjoy figuring out what that is and then doing it. Sometimes that is an stretching experience and other times its easy peasy lemon squeezy. :)
Right now I'm in Las Vegas helping my family clean and organize. For some of us 2019 has already become a really shitty year, so I hope I can provide some relief to that just by being here. I happily scrub toilets, vacuum, organize and help get rid of things we no longer need. Personally I hate cleaning bathrooms; but I figure so does everyone else so I might as well serve them the best I can.
    I'm really enjoying being here in Vegas. The weather is relatively cool and there have been lots of special moments where we get to do something special. Where I can deep clean and bring relief or visit somewhere special as a family.  This week my older sister Raina took me to a phenomenal tea and coffee spot. It's really a hidden gem. The building is an old industrial warehouse that they've transformed. With comfy mixed matched chairs, books as table legs, swings and slides. A mixture of victorian and japenese/korean decor. in the room they bake fresh bread and pastries is all windows, similar to a green house where you can watch them create there delicious treats. Every bit of it was comforting to me. At moments I wanted to cry over how special it was. Even the simple fact that I got to sit alone with my older sister. Growing up I always looked up to her. How she made life more fun , her spontaneity and joy in cooking. She made me want to be a great friend and mother. Now as an adult she still is one of the women I look up to and I'm still learning from her.  We have different stories on how we became who we are, and don't agree on everything. But being her sister is an honor and I love every bit of it. One of the favorite memories I will take from this trip is sitting next to her. Hearing about her life and laughing with her. Even without the special coffee shop I'd take an hour with her alone over anything else.

    My youngest sister Kenzie turned 20 this week. Mckenzie is everyones favorite and none of us mind it. Out of the 6 siblings I think she's the one we all have a soft spot for. She's the baby but never is in the shadows. Kenzie just radiates joy and life. It's amazing to me how fast we all grew up and now this beautiful woman stands before me. Mckenzie is kicking ass and taking names. She's currently working hard in her jobs, working off debt and getting ready to finish her degree at UNLV. I didn't plan on being her for her birthday but this time of helping ended up overlapping. In the middle of celebrating her special day my mom and her decided we should go camping. Spontaneous camping trip here we come! To Zion National Park in Utah. So for one day we loaded up the car with camping gear, snacks and water and drove three hours to one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. A lot of the time the desert seems ugly. It's hot, dry and not a speck of green. But every once in a while you find desert terrain thats stunning. With red and orange cliff faces, wild succulents and just beauty all around. I loved our little one day camping trip. We sat around the fire talking and telling stories, laughing and enjoying yummy treats. Just having girl time and enjoying nature. In the morning my mom took us to the Virgin river close to our camp site and we just relaxed before packing up and heading home. All in all I loved this time and am so thankful to be able to help and see my family.