my own private idaho (part 1 of 3)

Justin and I are both from Idaho. And this was our first trip back to the Gem State as a family of four - catching up with family and friends, and showin' off the kids. Now Justin and I are not big fans of the flying. I fly only because I love to travel. I would travel all over the world if I could, even if it meant I had to fly there. But we get big knots in our stomachs as we see the planes descending and taking off all around DIA. Yes, it's a bit of a fear thing. So as we were approaching the airport I hear a little voice from the back of the car singing, "We're going to fly up in the air! We're going to fly to see Jesus!! I can't wait to fly and meet Jesus! We're going to see Jeee-sus!!" Sweet, but unnerving. I had to gently explain that we probably wouldn't be seeing Jesus in the sky that morning and that flying doesn't necessarily mean we'll also be meeting our Savior. I also had to gently pray to God that while I would love to see Jesus face to face, I wasn't quite ready. Not just yet.

Well, we didn't see Jesus in the sky, but we did make it safely to Idaho. We spent the first days there at my Dad's. We rode horses and Amelia rode a horse for the first time and loved it. I loved watching her, hoping this was just the beginning of a love of horses for her. My Dad took her riding with him on a four-wheeler and I had a little lump in my throat as I watched her long, brown hair flying back, looking just like me with my Dad so many, many years ago. Lily spent most of her time playing in the dirt and terrorizing the miniature poodle named Boo. And I rode a real, live motorcycle for the first time. I started out almost driving into an electric fence, recovered and rode like a bad-ass, then practically ended up in a ditch, but it was good while it lasted. We really enjoyed being out on the farm, hanging out with our family, the open space, big sky and the quiet. I also laughed a lot with my Dad. And that was good.

We had a party with my Dad's side of the family and that was good too. I still find it hard to believe that I, along with my first cousins, are the 30 and 40-year-olds in the crowd with the young kiddos running around. When did that happen exactly? And something wonderful I took away from our time in Idaho was wine from my Aunt. The best. Ever. St. Chapelle: soft chenin blanc to be exact. Made in Idaho. Go figure.

It was short, but sweet and great memories and I get excited thinking about the girls going back to visit the farm again. And that is an even better thing to bring back with me.