Everyone was so gracious. We felt so loved and appreciated. Our friends, neighbors and colleagues were genuinely sad, but also happy for us to be near our family. We were seriously feeling the love!!
Our Arizona FAMILY will have a piece of our hearts forever!! I know it's not truly a "goodbye" and there will be many ways to stay in touch, but I will miss the daily influence that they once had on mine, Brandon's and our children's lives.
Here's a short tribute to our Arizona people who taught us so much!!!
OUR LITTLE FRIENDS
A big shout out to Holly, Kaylee, Maddox, Emmett & Fisher, Ben, & Brooklyn who were the best friends that my kids could ever ask for! The night we told Rachel that we were moving, the first thing we did was drive over to Holly's house to tell her. We walked in and Rachel heartbreakingly said, "Holly, my dad got a new job and we are moving to Utah!" and then they both cried and hugged each other for two minutes straight. It broke my heart into pieces and I was also sobbing and am writing this now with tears in my eyes!! With Andrew's friends, it is absolutely unbelievable to me to think that he will hardly remember these friends because he is so young and the memories won't be as clear. His friends were his world and they played so well together (the worst punishment I could think of for Andrew was to take away a play date). Brooklyn and Kendall's love for each other was beyond any relationships my other kids have had at that young age. They always greeted each other with the most tender hugs and I loved to watch them play and pretend together.
BEST BUDS
- Kasey Perkinson: She has been a steady rock in my life - she was the best college roommate and we have been best friends for almost 14 years! She is a calm & cool mom to 5 beautiful kids and I often marvel how she handles everything that she does. She knows me so well and has been there for me at so many important life events. They made us feel like we were apart of their extended family and we were often included in holiday and family events. I feel totally comfortable being the real me around her and if I ever need anything, I know that I can always count on her. I am not exaggerating when I say that almost all of her close friends have moved away to Utah (including her sister!) and I was the last of probably five people close to her over the last two years that have moved away - so sad! But now I know that she will spend a good amount of time in Utah every summer!! And now we have a better excuse to plan family vacations together and go on girls' trips!
- Sarah Tolman: I got to know Sarah even better than I thought I did last winter on our long runs while training for a half marathon together. She was the absolute, best long run partner and we could talk for 10 miles straight, no problem. I love her more and more as I get to know her and understand her. I lacked maturity in college and had a hard time understanding where she was coming from when we were at BYU, but she is forgiving and understanding of my shortcomings. I find her to be brave and courageous, stalwart and also an awesome dental hygienist (when I finally let her be the one to clean my teeth, those appointments were so fun)! I often have to be the one to seek her out, but it is always worth it! She is one who is happy for my successes and would be comforting during the hard times.
- Karli Tompkinson: I met Karli when she moved on our same street when we were still in our first house (it was about a year before we built our Lehi Crossing house). She was a breath of fresh air to me and I was so grateful for a good friend in that area (since I hadn't had many since Lore had moved). We had lots in common - one of my favorites being that her kids are early risers just like my kids, so we spent many a morning chatting at the park before it got too hot. She is a mom to 5 boys and is the most crafty, creative and talented person. She gives the best, most thoughtful gifts. I believe that Karli truly loved my kids, and that is something that is so hard to come by, but was so important to me while living away from family.
WARD MEMBERS
- Jessica Hawks: enthusiastic all-boy mom / always willing to trade babysitting / life of the party (whenever Andrew would get mad at me, he'd tell me that he wished Jessica was his mom!)
- Cynthia Patterson: such a supportive & loving wife / running partner / easy-going
- Andrea Gunnell: carpool buddy / go-to neighbor / running partner / patient
- Kate Allred: world's best visiting teacher / compassionate / amazing at everything she does
- Brooke Johnson: one of the nicest people I have ever met / always thinking of others
- Brittany Schmidt: party planner / running partner / real / easy to talk to
- Kelly Nelson: gym buddy / cheerleader - encouraged me and made me feel good / talented
- Tammy Kreutz: "yes" girl (STP) / always ask her for advice / willing / positive
- Annie Wilkins: first person I met / girls camp / funniest & coolest chick / sweetheart
- Jill Caliendo: candy connoisseur / dancing buddy / spotless house
- Jessica Slade: wise beyond her years / always enjoyed her perspective / thoughtful
- Cheryl Stone: I hope to be as generous as her when I grow up (STP) / outgoing
- Amy Rule: charitable / outstanding mom / spiritual giant / perfect Bishop's wife
- Randy & Nancy Hatch: genuine / sincere / loving / played a parent role of sorts
- Kiersten Rule: the very best babysitter / strongest testimony / future leader
- Brenda Sibley (Preston Ward): first person I met / wise / great leader / patient / loving
- Katie Murset (Preston Ward): most faithful blog reader / never gives up / courageous
- Chrissy Olsen (Preston Ward): the kindest / routined / committed / garage sale buddy / loyal (lives in Utah now!)
NEIGHBORS
- Amanda & Trevor: We come from two very different walks of life. In normal circumstances, we probably wouldn't be friends. We have very little in common and we have very different views on many topics. But we respected and cared for each other and she never made me feel like I was strange or peculiar for my views or opinions. When I was in charge of our first neighborhood party, Amanda ponied up some serious cash (in the tune of $600) for an awesome photo booth and I was blown away by her generous contribution.
- Pat & Chuck: They were the sweetest neighborhood grandparents to our kids! They especially loved Rachel because she was extra sweet to Pat while she was in/out of the hospital for some medical challenges. Rachel dropped off notes and was sure to let them know that she was praying for them and I know that they felt strengthened by her prayers. We exchanged goodies with them and tried to take care of each other. It was no surprise when they were Rachel's most generous donors for her school's Dragon Dash fundraiser!
- Jill & Ian: I could always count on them if I needed some help or needed to borrow something. Jill absolutely loves being a mom - so much so that it is infectious. I couldn't help but be a better mom when I was around her. She takes such joy in her family and has a beautiful testimony and I loved seeing them so committed to their church and faith.
- Tom & Leslie: They were such a unique couple and I always enjoyed talking with them and learning more about their life. Their home was always filled to capacity with their kids and they were always stepping in to take care of their grandkids. What should have been a relaxing stage of life, was full of service and helping to support their kids. They were very generous to us and brought us gifts and were very complimentary.
- Elizabeth & John: I loved watching these two become parents to twins! It rocked their world and they handled it beautifully. I especially enjoyed watching them begrudgingly get a minivan to haul all their baby stuff around and of course, they ended up loving their van!
COLLEAGUES
I was so nervous the day Brandon was telling Osborn Maledon that he was leaving because he genuinely loves the people he works with. When we finally got to talk on the phone that day, Brandon said that everything had gone very well that that he felt very loved from so many people that he respected so much. I always enjoyed getting together with Brandon's co-workers. They are a very diverse group - diverse in politics, religion, culture and background. They are also accepting, intelligent, quick-witted, family-oriented and all-around good people.
This is an beautifully written email that Brandon sent to his colleagues at Osborn Maledon -
I have never liked or been good at good-byes, but I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to express my gratitude for the time I have spent here at Osborn Maledon. I seldom make it through a hiring meeting without wondering why you ever agreed to let me join this incredible firm. But I will forever be grateful you did. I could never express how much I have enjoyed working with you all or adequately thank you for your kindness and friendships.
Ditto to what Brandon said. We loved our time and home and the people we met in Mesa, Arizona!
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| Girl's Night to Oregano's then Gel Nails & Dessert |
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| Kendall & Brooklyn |
Rachel & Holly / Rachel & Kaylee
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| Fisher, Emmett, Ben & Andrew |
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| Kiersten - our most favorite babysitter who brought our kids all personalized gifts before we left |
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| Karli & I with all our kids (Garrett, Easton, Rigdon, Brexton, Maddox & us) |
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| Andrew & Maddox |
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| Brandon snapped a quick picture of the kids as we were driving away! And I was in the car crying like a big baby. |
