Saying Goodbye...

I've decided part of the reason that packing and moving and cleaning are so hard is to help you take your mind off the fact that you're leaving.


10 years ago this week I moved to Rexburg. Really - it was my 15th birthday and I was pretty upset about having to move (not to mention moving on my birthday and a box of presents from my friends got lost  - note: I had forgotten that had happened until my parents reminded me this week.)

Where would I have been if my family had never moved to Rexburg? I never would have met Sam - at least, definitely not in high school and likely I never would have wanted to go to BYU-I. I suppose when things are meant to happen they do - but it would have been a lot more work in heaven to get Sam and I together.

If I'd never met Sam where would I be in my life? It's hard to imagine. I guess I just can't imagine life without my sweetheart and our two precious boys. I love them too much. I'm so glad I have them. I suppose hind sight is everything. Looking back it really wasn't as big of a deal to move to Rexburg, even on my birthday as I made it that day. It was a hard day - but sometimes you just have to get over having a hard day. And sometimes that hard day will put you in a position that will change your life forever.

I am so grateful for all the friends I've made here in Rexburg. There are so many to name and for fear of leaving someone out, I suppose I better not start naming names. But if you met me during the last 10 years in Rexburg - I'm specifically talking to you.

I really hate goodbyes. I'm afraid I may have made some people think I was being calloused or uncaring by not seeming sad about leaving Rexburg. Truth be told, though - I just hate saying goodbye. So I try to just think of all the great things about moving and why I should be excited to move on - until the last minute. Otherwise I'd just cry for way too long. And as Sister Hinckley is quoted to say, "Crying gives me a headache."

I love Rexburg. I'm going to miss this place. I'm going to miss the people. But I am so grateful for all the wonderful experiences I've had here. My life has been changed so many, many times in the past 10 years. Goodbye for now, Rexburg. I know we'll be back to visit and to tell the truth - I wouldn't be surprised if we come back here to live someday. Rexburg is a great place. I will miss living here - too much. In fact - I think I better stop talking about it so I don't start crying.

Love you all, my Rexburg folks. If I didn't get a chance to say goodbye please know that it's not because I won't miss you - it's just that I really hate goodbyes. We'll be back to visit on occasion, I'm sure. Look out, Utah - here we come!

First and Last

Tomorrow we're moving to Utah. It's been a great 4 years in Rexburg (though it's 10 years to the week that my family moved to Rexburg - crazy huh?)

These pictures are from my last photo shoot here.

She's one of the first photo shoots I did here in Rexburg. I guess it's fitting.

It's hard to believe this little sweetheart is old enough for school. Love you Marinda!!!

Baby Does the Blogging - 7 months

Hi again! Mom says it's a good thing I want to update the blog once a month cause otherwise there wouldn't be many updates.

I'm now 7 months old. I still don't have any teeth but I've been pretty cranky lately. Might be teeth or it might be the heat or a combination. I really, really don't like being too hot. Lots of days I lay in front of the box fan when it's hot. I also don't fall asleep easily when it's hot - even if I have a fan or two blowing on me. It's been up in the 90s for the past several weeks. Our house just wasn't built for 90 degrees, Mom says.

I am very mobile. I can get anything and anywhere I want. I army crawl, scoot, and roll and sometimes I even get a crawl or two. I love crawling into Caleb's room. I also love putting everything in my mouth. Today alone I've tried cardboard, paper, a wrench, paper, and carrots. I enjoyed the carrots. Mom says she is surprised that she hasn't found any food I haven't enjoyed. I wasn't crazy about my first taste of popsicle but the next time I loved it. I've also tried watermelon and mango this week. I am a big fan of both! I love eating real food.

I have gotten very squirmy. I always want to look where I'm going. I don't really enjoy being snuggled much any more - except when I'm tired or don't feel well - or when I forget I want to look at what is going on around me. Mom says she often feels like she is wrestling when she holds me. She says church is getting exhausting just from trying to hold me.

I have turned into quite a chatterbox lately, especially when I'm getting hungry. I often say, "Dad! Dad! Dad!" Though Mom says it doesn't count until I really know what I'm saying. I love to say Dad over and over again. I babble a lot and I love to have people talk to me.

Update

First off - a new scrapbook page that I absolutely love:

And the Mother's Day invitations I made. 

I know it's been a while since I made these - but the kit just came out so now I can post it.

And now for the updates.

Emmett has not had to have a breathing treatment in weeks! He hates the heat still and is pretty miserable on these 90 degree days. Our place just wasn't meant for days that hot. Actually, most of Rexburg isn't meant for that hot. 

Caleb has been learning SO much and now has great conversations. He is talking like crazy and most people can understand him pretty well now. At least most of the time. Sometimes he still doesn't make much sense. Plus he has a crazy imagination. This week he keeps saying "Names Emmett's brother" (my name is Emmett's brother.) He's a funny little guy.

Sam's still job hunting. And playing frisbee golf. And fishing.

I don't have much new except I've been taking tons of pictures this month - I'm well over 1000 pictures since the first of June when I emptied my camera cards. Of course, that includes an engagement shoot and Emmett's 6 month pictures...but still - that's a lot of pictures.

Sam, Emmett, and I went to Denver for job searching just before Father's Day. Caleb spent the week with my parents. He had so much fun! He got to go to Big Springs for Camp Fire on Thursday night. He is still talking about the chicken that was scared (a skit). We went to the zoo the day after Father's Day and I have tons of pictures from that. I'll have to get them posted soon. For now - an update's good, right?

Baby Does the Blogging - 6 Months

Mom says I better hurry up and update the blog before we leave this afternoon. I say I'm not sure I really have time to update the blog. I'm learning so many new things these days!

I am sitting pretty well all of the sudden but I'm not terribly crazy about sitting. I'd rather roll/scoot because then I can get to anything I want. And then I grab it and it goes into my mouth. I'm getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth pretty often. I figure that's the best way to propel myself forward. I am very anxious to be on the move. Sometimes Caleb runs past and I flip over to try to follow him and start crying because I can't quite keep up. Don't worry, he comes back to play with me. He's my best
friend.

Sometimes Caleb mauls me - but I love it. I always try to play with his toys, but luckily he is good at giving me good toys for babies to play with. He loves to lay down on the floor with me (when he's not laying down on top of me to give me hugs.) Caleb always gets me laughing the hardest of anyone.

I enjoy eating solid food, squash is my favorite so far.

I still don't have any teeth. Mom says it looks like I will have a bunch come in all at the same time. My mouth has been pretty red and swollen this past week.

Is that enough? I have lots of rolling to do! I'll be back in a few weeks.