Our family recently got back from a 2 week vacation out west. Having not been back to Utah or Idaho for 8 years we finally decided to go as we had the time and most importantly the courage to drive ourselves and our 2 energetic children there.
We made the trip to Utah in 18 hours driving straight through with stops only for gas and potty breaks. Meals were eaten in the car. Thankfully we were smart enough to have purchased a portable DVD player with dual screens to keep the kids happy. Since our children let us know repeatedly that they are deprived of TV, this influx of visual media kept them happy for most of the trip.
I am hoping to blog about this trip in several installations. We all know if I tried to blog a 2 week trip in one posting I would hit some sort of character limitation so I figure small installments are best.
Day One is dedicated to my friend Jodi. We arrived in Kamas, UT (or as my husband calls it "horse country") Friday night. My kids were beside themselves as they spilled out of the car. "Mom, mom!" Jeremiah yelled. "Are those REAL cows?!" I assured him they were very real and perhaps would be sponsoring part of our breakfast in the morning. So while Claire and Jeremiah oohed and ahhed over REAL cows, Stuart and I unloaded the car. I called Jodi an let her know we were in and she let us know she would be home soon.
Until then my kids ran around while Stuart and I enjoyed the chilly air. No humidity! Finally Jodi arrived and it was great. I was so excited to see her. You know how sometimes in life you just get those kind of friends--the kind that you know you'll always be close to? That's Jodi. She was truly my BFF when we were living in Provo. When I found out we were moving to Idaho, Jodi was the person I knew I'd miss the most. She laughed with me over my Angus beef blunder (a story worthy of it's own post), and still claimed to know me. We had serious talks, shed tears together, worked together, laughed together. It was one of those friendships you hope you get to keep on having.
Admittedly it was very hard for me to move away. But now that I'm old and wise I've learned that friends like this are the kind you always do have. It doesn't matter if you live by each other for 2 years or 20. Friends like this are always close. We can sit down and talk like we had seen each other yesterday and pick up where we left off. She's great. I was so glad we got the chance to spend some time together. I busted up as I went downstairs Saturday morning because there we were, both in jeans and a brown shirt, looking identical. Stuart just shook his head, chuckling. Great fun. I miss her. She is a rock for me and I'm grateful for her and all my other rocks that help me get through the rough parts of life and enjoy the good with me as well.
Thanks Jodi. Here's to memories of Raincloud, Lame, Swedish Fish, Volleyball, Leather Pants and Bullet.
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