getting them home

Reggie and I had a 17 hour trip to Rexburg Idaho to pick up Samantha and Luke.  It wasn't supposed to take that long, but there was a road closure, detour, chains to put on and take off, and all kinds of rough weather to drive through.  We were exhausted but grateful to finally get to our almost deserted hotel.  The scenery, however, was beautiful.

The next morning we picked up Samantha and Luke and packed up the truck.  I say we, as in Reggie and Luke.  There was more than we had anticipated, but with Reggie's skills and patience it was just fine.  We didn't visit anyone in the spirit of social-distancing, which was sad.  We drove all the way through which luckily was the normal 11 hour drive.  We noticed social-distancing reminders on every gas-station convenience store door and on signs along the highways.  We had Panda Express as our main meal and ate it in the car since, just like at home, all restaurants are closed to everything but

take-out.  

I enjoyed the below view of the Snake River along the way.  And in spite of 

it all, I enjoyed the blessings that a road trip can bring a family.  I feel bad that I 

didn't do much of the driving on the way back - I just had the hardest time staying awake.

I traded the front seat with Samantha and Luke, as in let them each have a turn or two.  I know this provided a lot of quality time to each of them with their Dad.  On the last 2 hours I fell asleep to the sounds of the three of them discussing Harry Potter, as Reggie recently found an interest in

the details of the stories.  I was so relieved because  even though I knew I was of no help keeping him alert and awake, they were filling that roll beautifully.

So goodbye BYU Idaho - hope to see you again real soon

for an across-the-stage graduation walk, a trip to some

National Parks, and some fond hello's and goodbyes to

family and friends in the area.

Samantha's book of life, last year of college

A few years ago I blogged about Samantha's desire to go away to college.  Actually, it was more than a desire but one of her life's dreams. If there was anyone in this world who loved college life and the little snowy town of Rexburg Idaho, it is Samantha. I remember how hard it was for me to drop her off at her dorm the first time and drive away without her.  But she had a ball!  Through all of the typical college challenges and activities she had a ball, and excelled at taking care of herself, her finances, and managing her classes.  Some of the classes were pretty difficult but she stuck with them and advocated for herself and got the help she needed. 

She loved the little town of Rexburg.  She embraced her independence.  She enjoyed the "Crossroads" food court on campus that had such a great selection.  She also enjoyed heading on the bus to Walmart - the biggest store in town - for groceries, etc.  She lived in several different apartment complexes and got to know many girls who were her roommates.  This last year she stayed at what we all agree are the nicest apartments in town - not the most expensive - but just clean, well kept, nicely decorated and indoor hallways.

Having family in the area meant she ventured out of town a few times each semester.  Rocio and family live about 20 miles away and took Samantha with them to a temple opening in Wyoming, and weekends away at their house.  My cousin Debra and son Cameron live in Rexburg and invited her over and stored things for her each semester.  She took the shuttle to visit Julia and family in Boise and Hillary and family in Salt Lake City several times.  She visited her Grandpa Chandler's grave often, as it was only about 15 miles away.  She took part in a lot of dorm activities, school activities and church activities.  ( My favorite was seeing her picture in a school advertisement for archery.)

picking raspberries at Aunt Dorothy's with cousin Cameron

She worked so hard and went from the dream of going away to college to the dream of graduating from college.  And now, here she is, 2 weeks away from graduating.

However, she called me at midnight a couple of weeks ago just crying.  To hear that, because of a pandemic that has hit the world, the school was canceling graduation was just devastating to her.  We have all been smiling at the thought of Samantha walking across the stage in her cap and gown - another one of her life's dreams.  She has worked SO hard for this. I comforted her and told her that it was not just her school making this decision, but that high schools and colleges all over the country and world were cancelling their graduation ceremonies.  I also told her that they would probably let her walk across the stage at a future graduation ceremony, when all this is over.  (Thankfully they just sent her an email confirming that fact).   So, in true Samantha fashion she started to see the bright side of things and is happily finishing her last semester.

A few days after that phone call she called to say that the college was encouraging all of the students to go home.  When Reggie and I picked her and Luke up a week later I was surprised that she wasn't sad or more nostalgic or disappointed about leaving. That is because of her optimism - she has a plan! She is now home finishing up her classes online and planning out the things she wants to do when we get to go back:  lots of picture taking in her cap and gown and walking across that stage, saying goodbye to family, and hopefully a celebratory trip to Yellowstone!

A nice walk along calm portions of the Snake River

I am just so proud of Samantha.  She is always an example of picking yourself up and happily carrying on in whatever circumstances life gives you.  I am so happy she got to live out her dream of going away to school and I too am looking forward to going back for all the pomp and circumstance and celebrating that she deserves.

Happy Birthday month Hannah!

We love that 5 year old!  We miss her hugs!  We enjoy her wild spirit!  She makes the world a fun place.

Today I came across a lot of pictures of Hannah getting hugged at New Year's - by me & Reggie, cousins, aunts and uncles.  Maybe I especially noticed them because we are in a "hugless" world right now; a "social distancing, stay 6 feet apart from each other" world - except for those you live with, of course.  When Reggie and I went to get Samantha and Luke (which is a post for another day) it was terrible to keep driving past signs for Salt Lake City, knowing we shouldn't go see the Dobbins - because lets face it, there is no social distancing with grandkids (and we were coming from a place with a lot more Corona-virus cases).  So we are doing our part to stop the spread of this disease, and looking forward to when we can be with the Dobbins and Pinedas again.

And finally, the following song - through the first verse actually - reminds me of our Hannah.  Love her so much!

Luke's book of life, 1st year of college

I can't find the right words to describe Luke's first year of college: unique, tragic, epic, challenging, successful - they all come close.  But as we picked him up a few days ago I couldn't help but dwell on how proud I am of him.

Six weeks into his first semester his roommate died.  It was sad, to say the least. We asked Luke what he wanted to do and told him that anything was possible - he could quit school and come home, or come for a visit, or go anywhere he wanted - to visit his sisters, or just anywhere.  I blogged last November about how Reggie picked him up and they went to visit Julia for the weekend. Luke made the decision to stay at school.  He was offered a different apartment but he and the rest of his roommates wanted to stay together.  People in their complex and ward (congregation) did whatever they could to help.  The "mentors" in their lives - apartment managers, local church leaders and professors offered their love and resources and watchful eyes to help these boys with their mental and emotional health.  Other students wanted to help and did the only thing they could think to do: brought in meals to make sure they were staying healthy and to let them know they were loved. (I think this is so sweet - a new generation of kids bringing casseroles to those who are in need!)  And Samantha was there ready to give him a hug or space - whatever he wanted.  I think just knowing that was helpful.

The rest of the semester was pretty typical. He had to walk to school everyday in the fall and beginning of winter.  It was a new situation for him, being in a small town where he was not the only member of our church but maybe one of just a few democrats.  He turned 18 in the middle of the semester.  He enjoyed his independence and classes and the ammenities of campus living.  Still, we were surprised when he decided to go back for the winter semester, right after Christmas.  The schedule he had been assigned was to go back in the spring, so he had to petition to be able to do winter too.  Lots of people told him how heavy winter was in Idaho but he was determined and ready.

Luke's 2nd semester was going fine.  He did choose to move to a new apartment, a little closer to campus, and endured walking to school in winter.  And then, as we know, a pandemic hit the world.  By March they were encouraging the kids to go back home, as most are from out-of-state.  All of their classes became on-line.  Luke could have stayed, but now he was in a small, shut down town - no more school activities, gatherings, etc.  So he decided to come home.

Luke loves home.  He has always been that way, and I know that through all of these experiences he did get homesick.  And though now he is part of the "shelter-in-place" with several of us living in the house together I can see his enthusiasm.  He is helping Reggie with long-needed household projects.  He is treasuring the ocean, as always, by taking walks and just drinking in the view.

A year ago I was pushing my boy out of the nest, telling him he needed to go and experience new things, independence, etc.  Of course I had no idea what hardships he would face, and I'm sure they will always be a major part of his book of life.  He has certainly gone through the refiner's fire.  But I have confidence that some day - maybe even already - he will be of comfort to someone who has gone through major hardships.  And I think he also had some wonderful experiences that will be a part of his life forever.

So now that the world is upside down he is in a sort of limbo, trying to decide what to do next.  I just wanted to record my thoughts on how proud I am of him for all he has endured, accomplished and become.