January 14, 2017

I have two daughters.  I don't know how I got so lucky, but they are beautiful and talented and such a joy in my life.

We left Friday afternoon on a little road trip for their volleyball games in Draper.  The games started Saturday morning, so we had the whole evening to be together.   We talked and laughed and played trivia games in the car, while Julia drew these masterpieces in the back seat on her new lap desk from Christmas.

Emma was dying to eat at Zuppas, so that's exactly where we went.  It was very cold outside, but we were warm as we sat together in a little booth, exchanging bites of our soups, sandwiches and salads.  I loved being with my girls.

When we stopped at a gas station, the girls begged to load up on treats.  We all chose a few things and then dumped them in a heap on the counter when we were ready to pay.  The store clerk was apparently a little surprised at our haul, and told us so, commenting, "Wow, that's a lot of sugar!"  Embarrassed, I quickly explained that we were on a road trip, and the girls would be playing volleyball the entire next day, so...  But, still, if a gas station attendant, who pretty much does nothing but sell junk food the entire day, is surprised by your particular choice of junk food, well, then, you've apparently purchased an insane amount of junk food!

We put a dent in said junk food back at the hotel while watching our first ever episode of Gilmore Girls.  I've never seen that show before, but I know it is a literal obsession for many people.  In 2016, the number one googled item in the state of Utah was "The Gilmore Girls."  We decided to check it out.  The first episode was cute, a mom and her daughter, but I'll bet it gets better.

And speaking of getting better.  Saturday was so much fun for me.  I love watching my kids perform. After all of the hours of practice and the times when I make snacks and fill water bottles and make sure the correct practice jerseys are washed and ready on the correct days, watching them play is my reward.  And what a reward!

Julia and Emma are on the same team.  They both played so well!  They both have an amazing jump serve.  Emma is such a great setter and she made many scrappy saves for her team.  Julia had some great kills and also made some great plays along the back row.  It was just so fun to be there.  Mom and Dad even got to come watch a couple of games and that was double the fun.

We drove home through some intense fog, which really freaked out the girls, but to keep us entertained, Emma and I swapped stories about boys and friends and funny teenager experiences.  We laughed until we realized Julia had fallen asleep.  By the time we got home, we were all exhausted.  Happy and exhausted.  I was so grateful to Greg for holding down the fort while I was gone.

I love my girls.  They are among the greatest treasures in my life.  I love that we got to spend a few days together.  We live in a house full of boys.  We, girls, have got to stick together!