August 2022

 

We have arrived in Texas!  As we have gotten oriented to our new neighborhood and town we have noticed expansive skies, wide open spaces, and lots of new plants and insects.  One of our favorite things to do on Sundays is to walk around our 4 acre property.  Here is Matt surveying our piece of land

 Matt got a  new tractor which will be great for mowing, digging/planting trees, creating a walking path around our pond, working on the existing damn, and eventually deepening the pond.

It's also good for giving a ride.  This is in our back yard.

We are getting used to our new surroundings.  The cats don't quite know what to think.

  Rascal never did settle and was very nervous being kept inside.  We let him out for short explorations, but one day he never came home.  We have prayed for his return, and posted on our neighborhood Facebook page, with no luck.  We are so sad to lose our sweetest, most snuggly cat, Rascal.

Our belongings arrived Thursday, August 4th.  We had boxes everywhere!

The next week involved lots of unpacking, registering the kids for school, school shopping, registering vehicles and sending Sterling back to California to retake his drivers license test.  (The Turlock DMV testers are notorious for being harsh and failing lots of  kids.)  Sterling took his test at a different DMV and passed with flying colors.  I am so grateful for friends who helped transport, house, and take care of Sterling while he enjoyed one more weekend with everyone in CA. (Bishop Day, Krissy Hamilton, Matt and Michelle Grizzle, Louisa W.)

 The next week was more unpacking, getting medicine prescriptions filled, and last preparations for school.  Here is Christian at new student/school orientation night.

In the kids' spare time, they have had fun riding our new mini 4 wheeler and go kart around the neighborhood.  It's nice to have lots of space to explore.

Speaking of exploring, Matt found this rattlesnake on our land and captured it to relocate it.  Yikes!  He was sorely tempted to pick it up, but thought better of it.  Thank goodness!

Tuesday. August 16th was the first day of school.  Sterling is a junior, Sheri a freshman, and Christian is in 4th grade.  

A few days later we got a sudden downpour, It was quite impressive!  Eve and Christian danced in the rain.  Snuggles with a hot rice pad were in order to warm up.

All August long Eve and I were getting her ready for college.  As we unpacked from the move we packed her for school.  She practiced making more meals and navigating her new grain and dairy free diet (a part of her new autoimmune thyroid disease treatment plan)  We have relished the extra time together in her last few weeks with us.

On the night before we took her to Utah we went to The Big Texan stake house.  It is famous for the stake dinner challenge which none of us tried.  It was the most fun to take pictures together afterward.  We also enjoyed the serenades by request during dinner.

Eve and I drove to Utah on the 20th and enjoyed a potluck/birthday celebration with the Murrays.  We loved catching up on each others' news, listening to each other sing and play the piano, watching the little ones, and enjoying yummy food!  Happy birthday to Dad and Annie (both in August).

On Sunday the 21st we went to Sacrament meeting and then drove to Utah.  We were able to stay with Ivan that night and relished his fresh garden abundance including cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes. raspberries and his homemade hummus.  We loved hearing about his career.  It was so lovely to be with him!

Monday, the 22nd Eve was able to check into her apartment.  We LOVE the beauty of Provo and the BYU campus.  I think I was more excited for her than when I was going to school.

This is the view from her dorm.

We did lots of shopping to get her equipped.  Here is her new tool set. :)  We even used it on her bike.

She had fun organizing her bedroom and getting everything in order.

She is so excited to be roommates with Camille and Sabey, her 2 Smith cousins.  They will be a great support to each other and have lots of fun!

I was able to give the girls a personal tour of campus to help them get a feel of where things are and get a jump on orientation.. The girls even got  PE wristbands to give them access to the athletic/wellness classes.  I am more impressed by the campus than ever!  We even saw a deer.

Taralie and I were able to stay with Patty Sabey and loved getting caught up with her!  She is truly sweet and generous!  

Taralie and I also went to the Provo City Center Temple for an endowment session and the cousins decided to do baptisms.  What a great way to start the school year!

Eve and I really soaked in the joy of being together while in Provo.  She will definitely be ready to have more independence, but also seems to appreciate and love me.  

Here she is before her first opening social with her ward.

Thursday, August 25th was new student orientation and parent orientation.  I am grateful for all the resources and supports BYU offers students and families!  Our combined session in the Marriot Center was impressive.  It is cool to be a part of something so great!

In the breakout sessions I ran into my old college roommate, Erica Griggs IN one of my old class rooms.  What fun to catch up with each other and remember my classes here!

It was fun to run into friends from California and Ohio too!

I am so excited for my brand new BYU Cougar!  She is in for an adventure!  I have done my best to prepare her and she has done the hard work to get here.  Now she gets to take flight.

Leaving Eve in Provo was one of the most painful things I've had to do.  After 18 years of nurturing her, it was SO difficult to leave her!  My only consolations were my faith in her, in God, and the reassurance that she had lots of support around her.  She has her ward, her friends from many states, the university supports, Ivan, Patty, and sweet cousins.  I am so grateful that she has such a great support system, and such a wonderful opportunity to grow.  We have prepared her in many ways and now she is ready to fly on her own a bit more.  Still, the drive home was very tearful.

I drove home on Thursday, the 26th and arrived around midnight.

Friday morning I went walking with Jen, Annie, and Hannah, and then went to visit Catherine and her family.  It was fun to catch up and see all the cool things the nieces and nephews are learning.  I especially enjoyed watching Augustine and Valentine learn to swim.

Saturday morning we were able to go on a hike in the mountains.  It was so beautiful!

We met Christina and her fiancé, Len for lunch.  It felt really great to reconnect with her.  In the late afternoon Jen and I were able to do a session at the Denver Temple.  I am so glad I could go twice this month since I missed in May or June.

In the evening I had a lovely time having dinner and playing games with Jen, Scott, Joseph, Hannah, and her family.  I am glad to live a bit closer so that I will be able to visit more in the future.  2 1/2 days was very short for a visit. 

 I drove home Sunday after sacrament meeting and was welcomed by one of the beautiful Texas sunsets.  I am so richly blessed!  That was one transitional month!  A new home, navigating a new town and new schools, taking Eve to BYU, reconnecting with friends and family, and meeting lots of great new people!  I am ready to get settled into a new rhythm.  Also, thank goodness Eve can call/Duo me everyday!