Five Brown Kids

This is just such heartbreaking news.  Early in the morning of Nov 13 I started getting texts from my little sister Hannah that Derick had been injured and was at the hospital waiting for surgery. He fell down some steps and crushed his C6 vertebrae and called 911 when he couldn't feel his legs. He went to the local hospital and then was life flighted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He had surgery all day Wednesday.  Taye was super worried and drove all night Wednesday night to be there when Derick woke up from the post surgery drugs Thursday morning. He was so happy to see him.  I flew out Friday and Taye picked me up from the airport and then we went to the hospital.  Derick has good arm movement but chest down has no feeling/paralyzed.  I stayed for a week, sitting next to him in the hospital room, dealing with a thousand medical providors and slowly watching him come back to life. By the time I left he was working hard in physical therapy and starting t...

Went to a Kamala Harris Rally.  I was so hopeful that this exceptionally talented, capable, wise and thoughtful brown woman would be our new president. I'm still crushed that she lost and dreading another four years of hearing about Trump. Ugh.  My favorite co-worker left for a new position.  So sad to see her go.  Georgia and Blythe went trick or treating.   Greenway biking with the girls and a drink stop.  Scotia got to vote for the first time. 

Day 2 we did a hike with rappels in Bow and Arrow Canyon.  No water this time... but some serious scrambling over some rocks. The weather was divine.  Loved everything about this morning.  Along the Green River When we got back we set up a rock climbing rope and practiced. I obviously need some work on that.  Andrew is a beast.  Then we drove back to Salt Lake, showered at Trisha's house and headed to the airport for a red eye flight home. 

We have a favorite canyoneering guide who started out 2 years ago as just a "Half Day Rappelling in Southern Utah" experience guide.  We totally hit it off and now we are friends and we just text her "coming into town, can you take us on an adventure?" and she squeezes us in. We met in Moab this time.  She brought her boyfriend too and he is equally wonderful.  Courtney and I paid for meals and housing and her guiding services of course!  We had such a wonderful time exploring and talking and hanging out. I'm getting braver every time... still need to pick up a little speed rappelling but that will come. We hiked into the Morning Glory Arch the first morning and then did Pool's Arch in the afternoon, maybe 6 rappels total.  And three times getting wet -  shoes, then up to thighs and then up to neck.  That nights shower felt divine! I love a mix of friends, fabulous scenery, amazing views, long hikes, off the grid with the added challenge of rappels....

So much bigger than I ever imagined!  Just gorgeous! Brought pink ladies from NC and ate one everyday Hiked back in the dark