life in slow-shutter speed: bringing the boy home.

I’m bringing a boy home this weekend.

I have been at BYU, 12 hours away from home, almost four years, and I’ve been particular about the guys I bring home. That’s why I've never done it ... until this week :)

When I flew out to visit Kyle’s family in Virginia over Christmas break, he posted a blog called “Holiday Handicapping.” I’m not a sports girl, but I can understand this concept, and have decided to implement it for Kyle’s six-day visit to Arizona. On a scale from 1-5 (5 being the most likely), here are my picks:

a) There will be lots of early mornings.

Fact: I am the oldest of six kids, and the youngest is two. The kids will be waking up for school every morning at 6:30, and for me, that’s a little early. Chances of this happening: 5

b) Kyle will wake up before me, everyday.

With a three-hour time difference, Kyle is bound to be a little jet-lagged for a couple days. But he’s an early riser and I’m just a regular riser. I imagine I’ll wake up one morning and Kyle will be:

1) In the front room playing Rockband by himself.

2) Playing with some type of toy, most likely involving the laundry basket of nerf guns.

3) Eating a bowl of cereal in front of cartoons

4) By the pool tanning and reading.

Pick: 4 (only a 4 because I said everyday. I've been taught you never say always, never, etc.)

c) Dad will get us to go to the Desert Botanical gardens.

This is one of Dad’s favorite places in Arizona, and during the Chihuly exhibit, I think he visited at least 3 times a week. He’s already talked about us going to the gardens and how beautiful they are this time of year. However, they’re a little bit of a drive, so it depends if we have a car that day and if we want to make the journey. Bet: 4

d) Kyle and I will get lost in Prescott or Sedona, or somewhere in between.

My grandparents are expecting us for a visit in Prescott and I have been dying to get back to Sedona, so a day trip is in order. One our way in D.C., and while in D.C., the two of us got miserably lost, the entire day (even with two iPhones!). So I’m going to place a solid bet that we will get lost during a day trip: 5

e) We only see Erik or Dad a couple times the whole week.

Sadly, this is a slight possibility. I was home this weekend and they are busy, busy. Plus, Dad is shooting some families and portraits the weekend Kyle comes (besides a more than full-time job) and Erik has a Cell Bio test that week. However, I know they want to hang out with us, so they’ll make an effort. Pick: 3

f) The family has to shower outside.

Hahaha. So, our house was flooded a few weeks ago, and our poor home is suffering. We have no carpet, the bathroom is in chaos, there are piles of boxes everywhere. This week, the tub and shower in the kids bathroom are supposed to be remodeled, but it takes a few days to dry. If that doesn’t happen until tomorrow, that could mean we all might have to share a bathroom (or we’ll just throw the kids in the pool.) Pick: 2

g) We spend the majority of the time outside.

Today it snowed in Utah. Now I know Kyle has been having wonderful weather in VA (he's been rubbing it in), but I have been denied the opportunity of playing outside since October. So everything I'm planning for us to do - play at the Westgate fountains, go to the zoo, play at Anthem park - involve the outdoors. Pick: 5

h) Everyone loves Kyle.

Here's my logic. Kyle loves Leah. Leah loves Kyle. Everyone he's meeting loves Leah. Ta-da! Actually, I'm really not worried about somebody not liking him. Hopefully, he won't get sick of us after a few days ... :) My pick? 5