Here's What I Want to Remember About: Oklahoma

Just in case you are wondering, I am sitting here in our cute little hotel room in Flagstaff, Arizona (situated at the base of a gorgeous mountain with the perfect snow-covered tip). I am watching the internet crawl slower than the last time I tried to run a mile, as I try to upload the 22 pictures I took today to Facebook – because the place we went was breathtaking and I get double enjoyment out of sharing it with others, even if the pictures don’t do the real thing justice. I am drinking Cinnamon Apple Tea (courtesy of my lovely sister-in-law), and just finished reading a lovely blog post from my inspiring and honest friend, Lindsey over at http://weareolsons.blogspot.com/. And, all of these things combined told me it was time to finish a blog post that I started weeks ago.

So much has happened in the last month - Keagan graduated and we left Oklahoma for nearly three weeks in Iowa and Minnesota. Then, we went back to Oklahoma to tie up some loose ends. Currently, we are taking our time on I-40 in the process of moving to California. Whoa. This last month has been so, very, busy, but so, very, good. I have felt incredibly at peace and incredibly blessed (even though we both don't sleep at night thanks to endless coughing and Zulu growling - she hates hearing people through the thin hotel walls). 

These are the days I want to remember, so I need to write about them before letting the memories fade away too quickly...

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Here's What I Want to Remember About: Oklahoma

I want to remember pulling in the first night we got to our apartment, and seeing the sun set over the mountains that I didn't know existed.
I want to remember the first time I walked the trail behind our apartment - it was the first thing that really made me feel like Oklahoma was going to be an okay place to live.
I want to remember all of the times that I walked the trail behind our apartment - the colorful sunsets, the wildflowers, the grass, the pond...and especially how happy and healthy it kept Zulu and I.
I want to remember some really great friends that truly made Oklahoma a better place and didn't allow me to be too anti-social.
I want to remember driving around the base for the first time and seeing the landscape.
I want to remember summer/fall days at the pool and the cooler days simply walking.
I want to remember the nice weather - even though it was too hot, too windy, and too gloomy a lot of the time. The beautiful days, though, they were amazing.
I want to remember the wide open, dreamy skies that seemed to go on forever.
I want to remember the night Keagan and I went swimming at 9 PM.
I want to remember Braums ice-cream - and then I want someone to bring me some more.
I want to remember Harry Potter marathons and suppers with Carly, Lindsey, and Jax when our husbands were out in the field.
I want to remember driving up Mount Scott, The Wildlife Refuge, Wayne's Drive-Inn, some delicious (and spicy) Pad Thai, and picnicking at Sonic.
I want to remember the time Keagan and I drove down the main streets late at night, with the windows down, blaring Hunter Hayes and laughing our heads off.
I want to remember that Oklahoma was where I finally felt the most comfortable in my role.
I want to remember visits from our families.
I want to remember the feelings of freedom and accomplishment of working from home and managing my own schedule.
I want to remember that fajita recipe that we became obsessed with.
I want to remember how "close" we were to home.
I want to remember that I trained for and ran a 5K - and that Keagan got a giant trophy.
I want to remember the uncomfortable furniture that came with the apartment - because it will make me appreciate our new furniture so much more.
I want to remember Sundays at Mike's with friends.
I want to remember the time I simply needed to get out of the house and went to see Medicine Bluff - it was simple, but awe-inspiring, and exactly what I needed.
I want to remember what it was like living 6 months without most of our possessions - because things really don't matter as much as we like to think they do.
I want to remember the anniversary weekend that we spent out by the mountains in a cute little cabin (even though it rained the whole time and we set off the fire alarm while frying bacon).
I want to remember the Birthday Ball - because it was just all out fantastic.
I want to remember the 70+ year old Marine who danced like crazy in the middle of the dance floor.
I want to remember the time that our neighbors got sick of our other neighbor's annoying music and blasted Justin Bieber.
I want to remember being totally weirded out by and scared of Wheel Bugs.
I want to remember to remember - but to spend more time in the present, rather than looking forward or looking back.

Well, here's to remembering - and hoping that the internet posts this - and hoping to write again in a few days (after enjoying the Grand Canyon, of course).