When people start asking me when I'm going to update my blog, it makes me feel like perhaps too much time has passed since my last entry. So thanks, Julia, for a motivational (if virtual!) kick in the pants. Here's what we've been up to lately:
On July 29th, we loaded our earthly possessions into a trusty 16-foot Budget truck and drove from lovely Coeur d'Alene, ID to lovely Utah. As is always the case when we move, we were sad to say goodbye to the wonderful friends we made during our two years in Coeur d'Alene. I've long wished that I could just pack my friends up in a suitcase and take them with me from place to place, but since that's not possible I am just grateful for the people whose paths we are able to cross. We've truly been blessed with wonderful friends.
Contrary to what you might be thinking at this point, we are not actually moving to Utah. At present, we are on a little vacation, visiting family and preparing for another big move--this time to Minneapolis. Jeremy has a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota this fall, which we are super excited about. Since the fellowship is only four months, though, we decided to put our stuff into storage and travel dustbowl refugee-style to Minnesota, taking only what we can fit into our compact car. It's going to be a good time.
We're quite enjoying our time in Utah. We've been able to visit with a lot of family and see our favorite Utah sites. For example, today we drove to Provo for our traditional BYU campus visit (Go, Cougars!). Clara and Jonathan had a great time running around, visiting old friends (of mine), and eating ice cream in the Cougareat.
When we finished at BYU, we drove to the cemetery to visit Sam's grave. I think it might have been Jonathan's first visit, and though Clara has been there before she seemed to understand more where we were and why we were there. We decorated his grave with pine cones and sticks we collected, then we knelt for a family prayer at his graveside. It was a tender, peaceful, memorable experience.
It's an interesting thing to teach our children about their brother. I want them to know about Sam without worrying them needlessly about death. Today when we were driving home from the cemetery, Clara said, "Why did Sam die?" I said, "I don't know, exactly. He was very sick." She replied, "Why was he very sick?" I said, "Well, he got very, very, very sick in Mommy's tummy, and then he was born and he was still very sick, and then he went back to live with Heavenly Father. We were so sad for him to die, but we're glad that we can remember him and that we can see him again someday." She didn't say much after that, but I hope I said the right things. I'm grateful for Clara and Jonathan, and for Jeremy. Even when our lives are in upheaval, like they are during a move, I always feel safe and at home with my family around me. And it was nice to feel like all five of us were together today, even for just a moment.
10 comments:
Clara keeps getting cuter and cuter, and I want to eat Jonathan with a spoon.
I always love seeing pictures of BYU. Whenever I look back on those days, I always think, 'Man, I should have been like Rachel.'
Ha! You were fantastic at BYU. You were sunshine in my soul everyday I saw you at work. What I thought when I was on campus yesterday was, "Wow. You can't really go back." And that's OK. Good times.
We miss you guys. give us a call as we're in UT now too. Thank you for sharing about your special time visiting Sam's gravesite.
That is really special, Rachel. I always feel the spirit when I read about your feelings about Sam. I am always touched by your example and your courage. Thanks for sharing! By the way, you said the right things to Clara. I think you did a great job!
It's so fun to see a new update and hear what you guys are up to. I am so glad to hear that things are going well and what a sweet experience. Sure miss you and too bad we weren't it Utah when you guys were that would have been so fun!
We did the same "go with what you can pack in a car" thing for a 6 month internship in Delaware when I was pregnant with Maddie. We didn't have a lot of stuff there but it sure made the apartment seem bigger. Where are you going after Minneapolis? If you are ever around Logan Utah stop for a visit.
Rachel you are such an amazing woman... our family all misses your family so much, Jared out of the blue just says, "why do my best friends have to move to minnesota?" I agree, almost to the point of letting you stuff us in a suitcase had you asked. And know you always say the right things.
It was so nice to see you if even for a brief moment. Hope your move to Minnesota is going smoothly! Can't wait to hear all of your new adventures. Also, thanks for the golf clubs. They have not yet lost their appeal and have bought me many hours of alone time. Beautiful.
Wow rock, how great for you guys to get to go to minnesota...... I really hope you start to talk like them in the four months you are there and your kids too :) loved the update, I sneak a peak too to see what you've all been up to!
Good luck with the move the new place. There always seems to be a new adventure around the corner. And thank you for sharing the sweet moment with Sam. It was very touching.
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