Long Overdue Adieu

(I wrote this almost three months ago, and it's been sitting in my drafts folder waiting for me to add pictures.)

In the midst of graduation, vacations, moving, and having a baby I’ve failed to give proper attention to a place that will always hold a special place in our hearts—Des Moines. I feel this blog would be lacking if it didn’t reflect, in part, the love we have for the people there and the mixed emotions we felt saying goodbye to that stage of our lives.

It’s been two months (four months at the time I’m posting this) since we left Des Moines, and I’m embarrassed to admit that I said goodbye to hardly anyone. If you’re one of the many, many people I didn’t give a proper adieu, please know that I just don’t like goodbyes (especially because I plan to see you again).

Matt and I called Des Moines home for four years. Despite the frigid winters and the sweat-drenched summers, Iowa grew on me and I came to love it—so much that I’d dare say that I could live there forever.

Perhaps I’m already seeing Iowa through rose-colored lenses, but I’d like to take note of a few of the features that made Iowa so great. Here goes!

• Walks around Greenwood Pond and the Rose Gardens
• Bike rides and runs on the Bill Riley and Clive Greenbelt Trail
• Paddle boating at Grey’s Lake
• Play dates at the many splash pads and parks
• Sampling food at the farmers’ markets
• Playing with Skylie at the Center Grove Apple Orchard (For some reason with fall approaching I’m especially missing this outing. Someone recently told me about an apple orchard here in Indianapolis. They must have thought I was nuts when I excited asked if they had cool activities for kids there, too.)
• Spending many, many mornings in the mall play areas
• The great state parks—Big Creek State Park and Ledges State Park were my favorites
• Going to the drive-in movie theater with the Ellis’s
• Pella's Tulip Festival
• Group dates, murder mystery dinners, holiday get-togethers, favorite things parties, and girls’ nights

But more than anything I loved the people in Iowa, especially the women. They were there for me during the tough times and the best times. They helped me transition into my role as mother and gave me many, many models to follow as I tried to figure out the whole parenting gig. Matt was traveling a lot the last year we lived in Iowa, and I felt so cared for by loving friends and ward members.

I'm thankful that every time I've moved, it's been with sadness to be leaving. I consider that a token of a blessed life. I lived a fairytale life growing up in Heber City, college at BYU-Idaho couldn't have been better, and Iowa treated us well for the four years Matt attended medical school. I'm sure Indy will be the same.

I'm really happy here in Indy. I am. But once and a while I find myself daydreaming about Iowa and missing the people and places there. Iowa, you were good to me. Thank you and adieu.

Hello Winter

Church was cancelled today due to the hazardous road conditions. (I can't lie; snow days are nice!) It would have been better if Matt were home to spend the day with, but he's at his tenth and final interview. Hurray!

Other than the power being out in my bedroom and bathroom and having to do some crazy finagling so my Internet would work, the day in PJ's was great!

Snow fell for the first time on Saturday, and I am already sick of the cold. Spring, please come again soon.

Thank You

Words don't do justice to the appreciation I feel.

Over the past six weeks I've felt an overwhelming amount of love from the good people here in Iowa. Friends, neighbors, ward members, co-workers, and even those I don't know well have offered me such support and love. Some of the acts of kindness include:

• Play date invites
• Lunch, dinner, and party invites
• Phone calls and emails
• Bringing me fresh produce and goodies
• Many, many offers to watch Skylie
• Babysitting Skylie during a stake interview
• Inviting me to the movies and arranging a husband to babysit Skylie
• Understanding co-workers and bosses who allowed me to work from Texas for a while
• Offering to keep an eye on my baby so I could get food at a ward breakfast
• Asking how Matt and I are doing and genuinely wanting to know
• Letting me borrow their Mockingjay book (It's A+, by the way.)
• Keeping me company at Girls' Nights
• And many, many more...

I feel so fortunate.

When Matt began medical school, we committed that we weren't going to use that as an excuse to get out of helping those around us. We've tried to lend a hand whenever we've been able during the past three years, but any small deeds we may have done in no way compares to all the love and kindness that's been shown us over the last six weeks.

Iowa, we are completely in your debt. Thank you.

Exhibit A: Iowa Flooding

This is a nearby trail we frequently visit. Since last week it's been underwater. Crazy, I know, but I'll gladly take spring flooding if it means the torturous Iowa winter is finally over.