She is Starting Her New Life...

Micah and I helped Jennie load up her "new" car for another big adventure yesterday morning. After a somewhat eventful trip (she took a wrong turn in Vegas) she arrived safely at her new destination last night. What a relief to get the phone call that all was well. I thought I would share a few farewell photos taken by brother Micah. Please excuse my pajamas and messy hair--its for any of you who accuse me of looking too "put together";-)

As parents you know that it is always hard to have them leave the nest...with Jen it has been a recurring theme. First, when she went off right after high school graduation to apprentice with Colorado Ballet, again after college graduation when she accepted her first "real" job in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, then again when she left on her mission to Chile.

Yesterday she said her goodbyes once more as she left to begin her latest chapter as ballet teacher/Jr. director for the new VISTA Charter School, K-6, in the St. George, Utah area. One would think it would get easier with each farewell, but it doesn't. There are still the "knots" in the stomach as you watch her drive off, concern that she will be "watched over", the normal worries about her safety, and the hardest thing of all...walking past that empty room...

Aloha, Jen, we send you our love and very best wishes for your new adventure...rock on! But we here know the Abbey won't be the same without your special sparkle, limitless energy and sunny smile.

We will miss you kiddo! Come back often.

Just checking in...

Love this picture taken at Mike and Lisa's last winter. Lisa is a master poster maker and we love and appreciate all she does for us.

Wow, hard to believe how time flies! Summer is almost gone and school will soon be starting. Is there anyone else who might want to make a quick trip before then? Addie maybe? (no pressure:-) We are still hoping Amy, Centry and Caide can come too.

Jen will be leaving for St. George and her new teaching job at Vista Charter School on Monday--sure will miss having her around but I know she is excited about trying her wings in a new location!

Happy Birthday to Rachel! Hope it was great. You are such an asset to our crazy family!

I stole this quote from my daughter, Matti's blog and I absolutely love it! She truly IS this kind of Mom and I really want to be this kind of Mom too:-)

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed some one's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."~Marjorie Hinckley

Isn't that just perfect? Thanks Matti!

Thanks everybody for keeping in touch...Love and miss you all...