Last One Standing

Okay.  So, it's been a while since I posted.  We got back about ten days ago from a wonderful family vacation in southern Utah by Zion National Park.  Awesome!  There's simply nothing better than spending time with people that you love.  I've also found that you HAVE to get away from home for that reunion to be truly effective.  Yes, people still found us--the hospital called like four times on my cell phone--but it's so good to get away from the daily demands.  I highly recommend it.  (I'll post more about our trip later this week.)

Just one bad thing happened while we were gone:  we found out our good friends, the Holmsteads, were moving to Florida.  What?!  Talk about being blindsided.  Oh my!  Steve found a new job in Fort Lauderdale, so they are off on a new adventure.  I was devastated when I found out they were leaving, but the good thing about it is that it all happened so quickly.  We got back on July 1st, and they flew out yesterday morning.  It was kind of like ripping off a band-aid quickly.  If it has to happen, it's better to get it over with fast.

We have been friends with the Holmsteads for a LONG time.  We moved to Boise sixteen years ago, and they were one of the first families we invited over.  I loved them instantly.  Their kids--Heather, Devyn, and Derek--were the same ages as our kids, and Kendra and I are just three weeks apart as well.  Steve and Mike share the same birthday, just a year apart.  We've been blessed to watch our kids grow up together, and I honestly feel like Kendra has been a second mom for my children.  I trust her implicitly and used/abused her frequently.  (I hope that's not why they left.)  It was tough to see them go.

To be honest, I feel a little like I'm the last one standing or something.  My good friend and next-door neighbor (the middle one in the photo), Kathy Sanders, moved to Idaho Falls almost six years ago, and at that time I felt especially blessed that Kendra was still close by.  Now it must be time for me to grow up or something.  There have been lots of tears, but my sister helped me to realize that the pain you feel when someone you love moves on is a blessing.  It lets you know that you opened your heart to someone and had the joy of giving and receiving love.  So, I'm trying to keep a stiff upper lip and move on to the next phase of life.  I've learned that God always provides, but the Final Four party will never be quite the same again.

A.P.=All Passed

In other completely unrelated news, I came home from work on Friday and was met by a grinning Matt at the door.  He was holding the results of his three A.P. exams in his hand.  He was thrilled that he passed English, Chemistry, and Calculus.  I was proud of him, and I'm guessing that his grandparents would be pleased as well.  Since this blog is largely for the four of them, I thought I'd pass on the news.  Good job, Matt!

P.S.  I had to look for a while to find a picture of Matt where he looked semi-serious with his "game face" on (and, yes, he's obviously posing here.)  He is a pretty laid-back kid, and I've always been grateful for his fun-loving nature.