The Beginning of an End; Ode to 501 University Village

It is the end of an era, and it's actually quite bittersweet. Last Saturday we packed up the apartment, and last Sunday we went to church for the last time at the University 4th Ward. That evening we closed the door of apartment 501 for the last time. It has been quite a ride for the last 2 1/2+ years. It's hard to believe it's coming to an end. We're super excited to move on, but this has been a great place for us. Over the last 6 years we've been married, this place has felt the most like home. I'm sure part of that has been because this is the longest we've been in one place during our married life so far, but there are other things as well.

(Best friends, August 2009)

Asher was 3 months old when we moved up here in July 2007. For him this truly is home. He

knows it; it's where he feels comfortable. From his crib, to our bed, to the washing machine, to where we kept the silverware, he knows this place. As much as he loves being at Honey and Papa's house or Grandma and Grandpa's house, eventually he just wants to go back to his home. The boys have spent the last couple of days before we moved with Honey and Papa so that we could get busy with the packing - they'd been sick all week which made it even harder for Abby to try and get anything done while I was at my internship for 10+ hours a day - so they didn't see everything get put into boxes and moved out. We stayed the night here Saturday night so we could go to church in the morning, and as we walked into the now empty apartment Asher began looking around asking where things were. We sat on the floor and ate dinner and

he decided he wanted a fork, so he went to the silverware drawer and opened it only to find it empty. He checked another drawer, and of course that one was empty as well. "Now this is a problem" he said as he commenced opening all of the other drawers. Later that night he asked where the "metal thing" was, meaning the washing machine. This morning he came from his room into ours and said "Daddy, where's your big bed!?" And of course, his show (the TV) is missing as well. When you've been so used to one thing for so long - especially for more than half of your life - it's hard to change. This is a tough thing for us, but I think it's going to really be a rough few weeks at least for him since we're going to be in limbo for a little while until we figure out what to do next. Caleb, I think, isn't as emotionally vested as Asher, but he of course was born and has spent all of his 18 months here. He knows this place every bit as well as

Asher. We're grateful that Abby's parents have let us stay with them for this week, but Asher has said more than once that "I just want to go home!". Poor little boy!

We truly have loved the ward here. We've made some great, lifelong friends and have had opportunities to serve with great people. I'm especially grateful for the opportunity to serve as

ward clerk for a time and to get to know the great men that serve in our bishopric. Abby has also been able to serve with great people as a member of the Relief Society presidency and Primary presidency. The members of this ward and stake have such amazing testimonies of the Savior and his restored gospel, and the men who serve as leaders are amazing examples. Even though it gets harder to hear and pay attention with two kids as energetic and restless as ours, I

looked forward to church every week and the spirit of that ward and stake. They've also all been so great with the boys. Everyone in our ward tells us how fun they are and how much they love to watch them during church. Asher loves his nursery teachers and loved going to nursery to play with them. It really has been a great ward and we'll miss it!

In June 2007 we drove up to Salt Lake to visit Abby's cousin Liz, who was living in "the Village"

with her husband, to check things out. I had just started the program and we decided we wanted to live closer to school. As we left I felt good about things, but Abby was not impressed. I remember the conversation as we left going something like this:

Me: "You know, I like it there, I think it'll work out."

Abby (with wide, distraught-filled eyes): "Really!? Oh no, I didn't like it at all! We can't live there! They're so small and ugly! We can't live there!"

(Interjection from Abby.... I don't remember being quite that dramatic.)

(The day we moved in, July 2007)

Eventually she came around, and what a great blessing it has been. It has been great being so close to school, to have friends close, be in a great area, and attend an amazing ward. We have been blessed with a great experience as we've moved through this chapter of our lives. Our family has grown - literally and figuratively - so much during our time here. It's hard to see

something like that come to an end.

But it is, and so begins the end of this chapter. I'm in California now for my last internship with Abby and the boys joining me in a couple of weeks (thanks John and Nancy for your generosity and excitement for having us stay with you!). Sometime between now and the end of April I plan on taking my board exam. And then May 7th - GRADUATION! That's the good news. The more daunting news is that, at this point, once May 7th rolls around we have no idea what's next. I think that's what makes leaving here just a little harder. A lot of our friends have

graduated and been able to stay in the Village through the summer until they figure out what they're doing. We're going to be transient for at least the next few months. There are a few job possibilities - and hopefully more interviews coming - but nothing concrete yet. Do we stay here if I'm offered a certain job that I'm hoping for? Do we travel like we've been considering for the last little while? It's still so up in the air, and after today we'll have lost one of the only sure and stable things we have - our home.

But, not all is lost. Recently we saw the movie "Julie and Julia", and a line really stuck out to both of us. If I remember correctly, Julia's husband Paul just learned he was being transferred and they'd be moving again. He mentions that they will go home and work on her cookbook. She makes a comment about not having a home, and says "where is home? Where do we live?"

to which Paul responds, "home is wherever we are." Home is wherever we are. That is our mantra for the next little while - and for the rest of our lives for that matter - whether we decide to travel or stay close. Home is wherever we are.

And so, 501 University Village, you were our home because that's where we were, and we thank you. We will miss you and your cinderblock walls, your crooked door frames, your easily stopped up sinks, and all of your spacious 604 square feet. It's been a good 31 months, but it's time for us to go.

(Saying goodbye to our little home, February 2010)

Don't worry about us though, because wherever we end up, that's where home will be.

Skiing on the big hill...

Asher went on his first little ski trip the other day. Thanks to everyone who helped him! Especially Ainsley for letting him use her gloves. This picture was before they got started when he was still feeling a little nervous about the whole thing. Justin said all he wanted to do was sit and eat the snow. Eventually he decided he did want to ride the really big swing (tram) so they headed up the hill and from then on Asher did great! We are so proud of him for trying new and scary things and for having a great time.

Pretty much the cutest little skier I've ever seen!

It might be kind of hard to see, but in this video Asher has his mouth wide open and tongue out trying to catch the snowflakes the whole way down.

He was really excited to come home and tell me and Caleb all about it, but of course he zonked out in the car. Super fun first ski trip!

This morning reminded me of...

this book by Peter Spier called RAIN from my childhood. I don't know why other than it just did. It was kind of raining and we did all have our boots on. I think it was more that feeling of nostalgia. I still remember imagining myself inside that story. The pictures from that book will always be in my head.

We are about to finish a season in our lives. In just over 2 weeks we are moving out of the village. We'll be up in the air for a minute, and then a few months with family, which I think will be just perfect, before we start our next big (and intimidating) adventure. But, I know that the pictures (and feelings, lessons, and friendships) from the last 2 1/2 years here, while we were really learning and growing and struggling, will be in my mind forever. This has really been such a wonderful time for our little family... and I'm so thankful for it.
When we went out for a walk this morning, I asked the boys if they wanted to see a trick. The trick was that the camera could take a picture all by itself. I used the timer and had it set up on an old rusty bar-b-que (which is actually ours now that i think about it. we should really take care of that.) They liked to count how many times the light blinked so we had fun doing that for a while. I'm sure I looked totally ridiculous if any of the neighbors were watching.

Then we continued on our walk in the light rain talking about all the different sounds that trains make. And finished it off with a free monster cookie from the new bakery (i sure wish that place had been here for the last 2 years).

Now, the boys are taking their nap and I'm going to make some lists. Things to do, addresses to change, what to buy/sell, pros and cons of our choices;) Nothing combats the fear of change and uncertainty better than a thorough list, right?!

When Asher gets his own snack...

it looks something like this...

Cold, but colorful...

That's how it seemed outside to me today. I needed a little color on this 3rd day of february. I always get a little sad after groundhog day. I just want winter to be over, but then that rascally little Punxsutawney Phil goes and sees his shadow;) I shouldn't be surprised, that is how it usually goes. But, I guess I just always get my hopes up that Spring will come early this year. Dear Spring, I really miss you. Love, Abby.

Here is Asher giving me his best growl. Ever since Caleb was big enough the boys have liked to ride in the swings this way.

I doubt they'll be able to do it for much longer.

Such great brothers.

They made me some soup in the sand box. So thoughtful.

To prove I was there I took some pictures with me and the boys.

Asher gave Caleb a ride in the car.

And they both took a trip to the moon.

The Big C has a big personality...

Caleb is too funny. I love all the goofy faces he pulls. He's so happy so much of the time, but I wouldn't recommend getting on his bad side. He has a fierce little temper mixed with a stubborn streak, but he's so quick to forgive.
I love all the surprises that we find in our shoes on a consistent basis. I was once all the way to the grocery store before I noticed that I had a small plastic spiderman web in my boot.
Caleb gets so excited about any game that Asher is playing and joins right in. Here they were running as fast as they could under Justin's legs like a bridge.
He also loves to read and sing and dance. Watching him dance is my favorite. He does the most hilarious things with his arms.

Snack time...

My boys love snack time. Asher especially loves helping me get his tray ready for his picnic snack. This day his snacks even had a color scheme.

For the love of a Green Smoothie...

We love a green smoothie in the morning around here. Justin usually makes one and then (if I'm not awake yet...) saves one for me in the fridge. I finally told him the other day that I never actually get any of it because the boys love them so much they ask to "share" which really means drink it all. Now he makes some for all of us. What a guy.