Our time here in Nebraska is nearly over. We leave in less than two weeks. I can't help but think of the things I'll miss (and the things I won't) as we head to our next adventure. We moved to Nebraska from Durham, North Carolina where the trees invade the skyline (though beautifully). So when we arrived in Nebraska, I couldn't help but notice the SKY! It is gorgeous here and there is so much of it to look at since nothing but corn and a few trees invade its space. The weather here is dynamic and you can watch the sky change literally before your eyes. I love the open feel of it. The people here are simple, really, and I like that. In our branch of the church, character is rampant. Where else can I find a Brother Carley? A tall, thin man with an exuberance of personality who farms goats and who faithfully greets every single person in front of the church every Sunday and on every other day of the week can be seen wearing the most hideous denim overalls ever? Where else is there a Brother Lindquist? A serious, thoughtful man who was recently made the Branch President and who wears cowboy boots every single day and yes, even with his suit. Or a Brother Jones. A man who can say "I hate babies" and make you love him even more for it. Where else will I get to go to dozens of convert baptisms in a single year and feel the energy that comes with new members?
I'll miss the quiet streets where I feel absolutely comfortable walking or running alone or with Lydia in a stroller. I admit that I am a HUGE wimp when it comes to trusting the world I live in and the streets of Salt Lake do scare me a little.
I'll probably miss my huge apartment with its super cheap rent. We're definitely down-sizing in space with the next move so we can still save money for a house.
I will NOT miss Nebraska winters. They are bitter and even longer than Utah winters. I will not miss having to drive two hours to get to the temple, stake conference, or a city that has decent restaurants or a Target. And I will definitely NOT miss the 13 hour drive we have taken too many times to go see our family in Utah.
I WILL miss our friends. There are a few families here that I especially love, but one in particular and we will miss them a lot. Lydia spends a lot of time with Claire and I spend almost the same amount of time with Claire's mother, Mandy. Claire asks for us by name and Lydia has taken up some of Claire's mannerisms and expressions so that gives you an idea of how good of friends they are for their age. We always say the world is small and it could be that we live close again, but in all reality, there is just as much chance that we won't.
So we prepare to move. I'm not excited to start over again. I honestly feel like we haven't been here long enough to merit all the work of starting some place else already. It's hard the first little while until you can make new friends, get to know the ward, learn the area where you live, etc. That's the part I'm not excited about. But I know once we get over that, we'll love it just like we've loved every other place we've been. We'll get to see family a lot more this summer and we, of course, are looking forward to having our little baby in September. So here's to the changes of life and all that comes with them as we say goodbye to the flatland of Nebraska.