March was a special month for me!! Dan and I had talked about something fun to do for Spring Break that was not too long and too far. About 2 weeks prior to Spring Break, I guess I had been missing my mom and wishing she could see Briggs. I am usually a planner and Dan is the spontaneous one, but this time I said to Dan, "Hey, do you think we could go to Phoenix for Spring Break and fly my mom up for 4 days?!" It didn't take him long to say, "ya, I think that would be just fine." I called my mom immediately to see if she could arrange her work schedule and to see if she had any other plans? I also told her that Todd was invited, but with working on their house and his work schedule, he was not able to join her. The details came together rather quickly and very smooth. In the meantime, Dan was phoned by his parents telling him they would be visiting Phoenix to watch Spring Baseball. I was excited we would be able to see both our parents! Due to the games, all of the hotels were booked; except in Casa Grande (about 1 hour from Phoenix). We decided to be safe and book a hotel there. Our family, along with Dan's parents, and his brother's family stayed Wednesday the 14th. My mom flew in to the Mesa/Phoenix Airport the next morning (just 10 min. from my cousin Ashleigh's in Queen Creek). It was so fun to see her when she arrived through the gate and of course I had tears of joy in my eye's, since it is rare that she gets to visit! We had lunch together with Marilyn, and then Dan dropped us (my mom, Marilyn, myself, Berlyn and Briggs) off at the Arizona Mills Mall, and he and his Dad and boys went to watch the Spring Baseball games. Of course the shopping was fun, but earlier that day I noticed my throat hurting and I had body aches. I kind of shook it off, not wanting it to ruin my fun!! However, by the time Dan picked us up, I had gotten worse and by the time we arrived at the hotel...I could barely get out of the car. I HAD THE FLU!! I had all the symptoms of fever, body aches, head ache, and sore throat. I ended up staying in bed the rest of Thursday, all day Friday, and was starting to mend by Saturday, but not completely better until we arrived home on Sunday. So Friday, Dan was the entertainer and took my mom and kids to the Casa Grande Ruins, to eat lunch and dinner, and swim at the pool. I don't remember the last time I was really sick; not to mention every time I would try to sleep, the people next door would be loud and obnoxious! At any rate, I still had a fun time with my mom and made up for it on Saturday with a trip back to the mall to the Sea Life Aquarium and to watch the movie The Lorax. That evening we stayed with my cousin Ashleigh and got to visit with her and her family along with my uncle Cameron and his family. My mom had to be at the airport by 4:45am the next morning. Dan was able to take her so the rest of us could sleep in. It was hard to say goodbye, but I am so grateful for the awesome time I got to spend with her. With 10 other siblings to share our parents time, it is hard to get one on one time with her and Todd. I will never forget the 4 days I had my mom ALL TO MYSELF!
