The Road from Here

I'm preparing to leave my home for the next two months. I say home loosely. I'm leaving my place of residence and life of responsibilities I have acquired while living in the State of Arizona. 

Nathan and I came here three years ago. We agreed as a family to help him follow his dreams of becoming a doctor. We arrived on the last day of May to temperatures we Idahoains only see at the end of August, and then for only a few days. Arizona welcomed us with the hot kiss of foreboding and the oppressive embrace of sun-scorched days yet to come. We marveled at certain oddities this Martian landscape showed us. Hot tap water when turned to "cold"; lows at night of 98; and empty neighborhood streets until twilight. Our first year of acclamation was painful and the physical change of climate took a mental toll. We told ourselves to make do and look forward to the day when we could live in the cool of the mountains again.

         Each Christmas and each summer, we have made our way back to our home. A place with seasons; 

a place with color; a place with water, and sounds, and smells.  How can it be that ones soul can be bound so fervently to a place? I miss the wave swept waters of Lake Coeur d' Alene, the smell of the burning fields of the Palouse at harvest, the look of the Lilac bushes and their soft purple during the month of May. 

I have made do with the life we've made here. In fact I've made wonderful friends and learned lessons I could not have learned elsewhere. Hard lessons that make me appreciate that which I have left behind. I have found joy in the yellow blossoms of the Palo Verde trees, the swift race of the Geckos across my path as I run, the warmth of the sunrise in the cool winter mornings, the call of the coyotes in the close desert. Yet for all I have accepted, for all I have learned, my heart still aches for home.

Wait for me. I'm coming.

           

 

Brennen @ his B-Day party making flarp.
The science lab filled with wonderfully chemical type things.

Brennen engineers a go-kart.

Audrey eats her creation.

The party set up.

We had a very fun party with Brennen last week. He turned six and invited some friends from the ward. We've decided that summer birthdays stink because no one is around to celebrate with. We'll have to think about that for next year. Daddy put on a great chemistry magic show complete with explosions and dangerous chemicals. There was slime to drink and green cupcakes to eat. Brennen's presents included: Birthday dollars from Great Granny/Grandpa Stevens and Great Grandma/Grandpa Turner. Geo Trax Zoo and railway from nanna, papa, and maddie mango. Birthday outfit, Stewart Little, and transformer placemat w/stickers from Nana Pat and Papa Ron. A chemistry set from Brother and Sister Hunter in our Ward. Fun connect robot building set from Aunt Britty and Uncle Jason. Muddgy Moose from Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Zane. Cowboy dress up from Ethan. A hover helicopter from Kennedee. And from Mom and Dad and Audrey 2 science sets, a money match game, and a violin. Thank you to all for the fun gifts and happy birthday wishes.

Wild and Crazy Fun

Cave were Ambree gave Audrey a Concussion

Tow Truck towing the Van

Boise Temple

Old Penitentiary

Old Penitentiary

Bishop's House

Mining Museum

Mining Museum

Down the mining shaft

Pretend that you like each other!

penitentiary wall

I've been dreaming of true loves kiss

botanical gardens

botanical gardens

botanical gardens

botanical gardens

penitentiary wall

Zoo

Idaho History Museum. M.C. Smith's Bar. Behind us there was a two-headed cow.

Idaho History Museum

Rose Gardens

Idaho History Museum

Idaho History Museum

Powell's Candy Store

Powell's Candy Store

Boise Zoo

Boise Zoo

Boise Zoo

Boise Zoo

Boise Zoo

MK Nature Center

Old Train Depot

Old Train Depot

Wow, everybody looks like they're having fun.
The little einstien's make their "catons"
Her very own big girl bike.

Saylor's first attempt at make-up or auntie being naughty and giving frosting?

Not home made but still tastey.

Happy B-day to Audrey!Birthday girls

Wow, thats a very messy face.

Fun festive-ness Our house exploded!

So we had a very fun Birthday. Thank you to all who called, helped, showed up, or just plain remembered. Audrey deffinately loved turning four and told me she cant wait to be five. Of course that means I'll be 29 so, I dont know how I feel about that. Well we're off to our big fun vacation up North and I'll blog more when I get back.

So we are getting ready for a fun trip in a week or so. We will be gone until the middle of July. I'll try and post along the way but...we'll see. I wanted to write a "thankamony" because I have just felt so very grateful for all the blessings in my life.


First thank you to all the family and friends who have helped us by watching kids, helping with finances, given us fun and exciting oppurtunities, or just listened when we needed to purge. This has been a tough experience but I would never trade it away. We have grown so much as family and as people, that I know we needed it to be tough to make us who we are.


We are grateful for such a nice clean and safe place to live. We could never have been able to live anywhere half as nice if it weren't for the generocity of my Mom. She really has made all this possible. Thank you again Mom.


Thank you to my sweetie. He goes to school full-full time, studies, works, does his calling in our ward, and manages to still take me out on date nights and wrestle with the kids. I love you!





Here is a picture of Brennen and Audrey with some cute friends from down the street. Kids make me smile. I love my calling in the nursery, I didnt know if I could do it but it really has been a blast.

Keep in mind these boys dont have any sisters!

And lastly, thank you to my Heavenly Father. I know with out his watchful eye over this family, things could have been very different. I'm thankful for the guidence of the Holy Ghost and if we stop to listen we can make the best choices for not only ourselves but our families too.

Have a great summer and we'll see most of you soon!

Love Emily

So our Buggy Boy has completed his first year of the institution. Academically his report card was flawless. However his conduct section reports that he has trouble "listening, staying on taks, and exhibiting self control. " Oh well something to work on in first grade right? Brennen enjoyed school and the occasional theme days with "centers". Audrey and I enjoyed coming to school and eating lunch with him. Brennen has set a good example for his peers when it came to choosing the right, and we are so grateful for such a smart young man who already has a strong testimony of the living gospel. Congratulations Brennen, you make us proud!

Here he is in line doing a dance for his end of the year program.

Too cool....or maybe a little shy;)