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.