Sunday, April 27, 2008

Jumping the Gun

As anyone that ever looks at this blog knows, I hardly ever update my blog. That's probably because I write a weekly e-mail to my family giving them more information about what is going on in our lives than they could ever care to know about. Today I got halfway through it when I had to go do things related to my church calling. I told my wife to write her part of the e-mail and I would finish it when I got home. However, when I got home, she had jumped the gun and already sent the message. That should save our families from having to read everything, but I figured they would at least want to see some of the pictures we took at the Pima County Fair this last Monday. Both Gabs and Bells got to go on two rides. They both rode the carousel to start...and loved it!

Gabs then rode in the tea cups...and loved it.

Bells still had one ride left, which didn't go over too well with Gabs, who had used up her quota of two rides already. Here's a look at her from the carousel.

The good thing about kids is that while they have amazing memories, they get over things quickly. Once the carousel started going and Bells started waving enthusiastically every time it went around, Gabs started to get over her tantrum. We then went to see the animals and they had about as much fun with that as they did with the rides themselves.

As you can see, I love to share pictures of my wife and kids, but aside from sharing a few pictures and stating the simple fact that we went to the county fair, I thought I'd share some of the things I observed and learned from the evening. My wife and I rode the carousel, but not on the horses, etc. Instead, we stood alongside the mounts our children rode (for free) to make sure they didn't fall off. As a kid, I don't think I could have ever understood being able to go to the fair and being able to enjoy watching other people enjoy their rides. On a student budget, our kids only got to go on a few rides themselves, and if we had gone on any rides ourselves, we would have been taking rides away from them. We didn't buy any hot dogs, cotton candy, or ice cream. We didn't buy any trinkets or toys or visit the booth asking whether or not we would be "saved". Instead, we just watched our kids enjoy their rides. Having said that, I think we enjoyed the fair just about as much as they did. In fact, if we had turned the camera on ourselves, maybe you would have seen the same expression on our face as our kids had--sorry the pictures of them don't do it justice. I am still trying to figure out my wife's camera (I'll have to start carrying mine around a little more).

After the rides and after our budget for the fair was spent, we went to the animal barns to see the llamas, goats, sheep, chickens, cows, etc. Our daughters were chattering non-stop about each of the animals we passed. Gabs quickly forgot that her sister had the last ride. Looking at them, you'd think they were on another ride. As a parent, it's tough to top moments like that. So why as adults and as a society do we forget to enjoy the simple things? Why are we getting so caught up in ourselves and our professions that we forget our families? Why are kids seen as a burden? Why do some people think young couples who have several children could have enjoyed their lives more if they would have put off having children for several years? My theory: we as a society are too selfish and self-centered to look outward. Instead, we opt to ask how such and such can benefit me rather than how it can benefit others. I have my wife to thank for getting me away from my work for a few hours for a Monday night with the family to remind me about the things that are truly important in my life.

5 comments:

Trena Doll said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Trena Doll said...

Good questions, all. Why indeed do so many of society's rules and norms seem to go against common sense?

I'm glad you were able to enjoy your family time and for the little epiphany that it provided. I think that there are some lessons we all need to learn over and over again. Many of us (myself included) have a habit of taking family for granted time and again, before coming to the realization that these relationships are very precious indeed.

M said...

One of the things I've really enjoyed about being here is that I don't feel like people are waiting for me to fail. I had lots of support at BYU, don't get me wrong. But there was a distinct group of people who watched and waited for me to be unable to handle my life.

This semester I've managed to not feel guilty about spending time with my family. And it's made life SO MUCH BETTER! We even went canoing on Saturday...

rantipoler said...

That looks like so much fun!

I think you're so right about our society being selfish. I'm so glad to have good examples like you guys, the Yanceys, and the Wisemans that remind me about the important things. Academia can really suck you in, and I just hope I can always stay grounded and keep in mind what really matters.

fawndear said...

Wow, I've never seen a pig on a carousel ride before. I'm a wee bit jealeous. I don't think I've ever been to the fair with my kids. I know Erik has taken the older ones. Somehow the rides just don't stack up to Disneyland, and the prices seem a bit steep, for me. Maybe it's because I have a half dozen and they are so spoiled a couple of rides wouldn't do it for them. But spending that time with the kiddo's in ubber important, so we try to do it other ways.
Thanks for your emails and blogs to help us feel like we are still family even though we are so far away.