Nice to be Home

Hey everyone! We just thought it was time for another one of these little things so here we are. On Wednesday of this last week we decided that it was time to go back to Virginia. Working for APX wasn't bad, but it really wasn't for us. So on Thursday we spent the day packing and getting ready for the 7 and a half hour drive home. After we had packed our buns off, we went to see downtown Nashville for the first time all summer. We walked all over that place. There were so many cool things to see. On every block there was at least 3 or 4 bars with the doors wide open with young aspiring artists jamming their country songs, trying to be heard by someone important. There were also a bunch of gift shops! We went in a couple and tried on their cowboy hats-which looked awesome. However, besides all those cool things, my very favorite part of the whole trip was that when we walked by one of the breaks between buildings, we saw two bums! Now Jake has lived in the city his whole life and this was no new thing for him, but to me, it was one of the weirdest things I'd ever seen. Now you're probably wondering why this-of all things-was my favorite. It was because it made me realize how fortunate I am to have a place to live that isn't a cardboard box. It maybe almost as small as one, but it certainly is way better than one. This experience was just such an eye opener, that it really made me more grateful for what I have. We had a great night in Nashville though.

The next day we were on our way-hey, I'm a rhymer...we packed up and headed out. I love to go on adventures like that with Jake because he's so much fun. We laughed and talked and laughed and talked the whole way. Well, we started seeing cars on the side of the road and thought to ourselves, "We should stop and help someone!" So, we came upon this car that was pulled over and so we stopped and Jake got out to go see if they needed help. The lady in the car seemed really freaked out and mad, so Jake turned around and we realized that a police man had pulled up right behind us. The police guy told us we could go. I think what had happened is that the couple had been fighting and one of them had called the police. Hey, maybe because we were there it stopped them from totally killing each other before the police man got there? It was funny.

Anyhow, we kept driving and when we finally pulled into BV and smelled that nasty stinking river, it never felt more like home. Jake and I are so glad to be back. You know, Alaska will always be my home and Pheonix for Jacob, but when we pulled into town the other night, I just knew that this is our home together. I think we'll be here for a long while and I'm pretty excited about that. Going to our own ward today felt like home too. Anyway, I think we both came to realize, that while it's nice to go on vacation, it's even nicer to get home afterwards. :D