The Only Constant in Life is Change

Moments before they hoped into their van and rode off for Idaho.

If the smile on my face appears pasted on it's only because it was!

Breakfast on our last sleepover morning with the kids.

Last swim in our sweet neighbor's pool. She has welcomed us "whenever". She always says, "Diane, my pool is your pool."

I am going to blog about this life changing event and then try to never think of it again. Our prayers were answered when Travis got his job transfer to Idaho. It was a difficult thing to pray for in spite of the fact that we believe getting our precious grandchildren into a better area and in a state that values education was of the utmost importance. It meant losing the sunshine in our lives. It has been bad enough not living where we can enjoy Aubrey's family but now to lose our Kaity and Brayden seems unbearable. I can't count the times one of us has to turned to the other and said, "I'm bored. Let's call the kids and see what they're doing." Bryce is also sad that they are gone but he does keep busy with single's ward responsibilities and activities. I'm grateful for that. Ariann has been such a big help to me in planning and carrying out the ward activities. I don't know what I will do without her. I don't know how I will get my house ready to sell without my interior decorator here to help me. Travis is my tech guy whenever I have a computer question or problem. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have a single "tune" on my IPOD. Gary's breathing situation is not improving much. He has pretty bad asthma attacks quite regularly. I don't know if it's safe for him to fly all the way across the country and as much as I am dying to hold my new grandson, I am too afraid to leave him home alone. Besides, I think I would have to hog tie him and run for the airport because he wants to head west as much as I do. Life holds challenges but joys as well and I have faith that one day we will feel joyful again. I hope I can develop patience as I wait for that day and for God to reveal his plan for us. They had only been gone from our house about 15 minutes on moving morning when Ariann called to say, "Kaity just remembered your wheelbarrow is still in our backyard. You'd better go get it before someone else does. Take anything else you want." We jumped in the truck and remembered to take a shovel to dig up some of her flowering plants that attract butterflies. I told Gary as we walked around the empty, dead feeling place that it reminded me of a cemetary and I felt like a grave robber as we dug up some of the plants that Ariann had taken such great care of. I couldn't wait to get out of there. I don't think I will ever go back. The last thing I said to Kaity as I hugged her and checked her seat-belt was, "It's your job to pray us to the west." I may have to remind her often of her assignment from grandma but it will be worth it. How could Heavenly Father refuse a sincere request from that sweet little girl of mine?! Life goes on, I just have to find a "new normal" while I wait for the time when I feel like I'm living again and not just existing. It will come. I know it will!
This was a very scattered post and a bit of a downer. I apologize and promise to do better next time. Really, I will.......it just may be a while!

These Shots Go With the Post Below

We Finally Spotted One!

In fact, we finally spotted 3! Gary has seen alligators on this particular board walk several times and Bryce has been with him to see them too, but every time I have gone along for the ride they have been non-existent. Today we had Brayden and Kaity with us and got lucky......3 different sightings. It was hot and sticky but the first day of summer vacation and we thought it would make for a fun outing. It did. We also spotted a huge congregation of turkey vultures. They are without a doubt some of the ugliest creatures on this earth. The tree that was full of them was right in front of the lighthouse we were walking to and we literally ran under the tree hoping to dodge any droppings. Not one of us got hit! The park had a fabulous play area and the kids had a ball while we sat in the shade and recovered from the walk. Finished off the day making cookies and playing UNO and Boggle. It was a fun day.