See You Soon!

Street Performer in Baltimore
Kaneesha after waiting
for our flight to arrive
(notice the fingernail marks)
Our family is facing some of the largest changes we've ever experienced. It has been a fun but difficult week. On Friday, we took Tanner to Idaho, to stay with Becky and for Kaneesha to say goodbye to family in Idaho.

Saturday, Kaneesha, Myranda, Selina (our former exchange student), Noell, and I then returned for our flight out of Salt Lake. Noell's brother, Tyson, took us to the airport for our "red-eye" flight to Charlotte. At the airport I realized that I didn't have my driver's license. It was a little awkward, but I was able to make it through security. After arriving in Charlotte, Kaneesha took an earlier flight to Baltimore and we arrived two hours after her. By the time we arrived at our hotel, we were exhausted and slept for hours.
Myranda wonders if
this is the typical size

White House
We saw some of Baltimore that night: The baseball stadium, the football stadium, the Preakness race track, several historic boats on the harbor, a street performer, and several other interesting items. We even had a special dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. While we enjoyed seeing a number of unique items, we were quite surprised with the lack of friendliness of the people in the Baltimore area. We all agreed that the people were the least welcoming of any on the trip.

Kaneesha & Noell
at Smithsonian
We drove to Washington DC, went through several Smithsonian Institute buildings, visited the Arlington Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, and saw the temple. When we arrived in Lexington Virginia, we were all exhausted and slept in the next morning.
Arlington Cemetary

During the week we did a number of things to help Kaneesha get ready for school at Southern Virginia University. We went on a tour of campus, visited with school counselors and financial counselors, and shopped for items Kaneesha needed that we couldn't bring on the plane.

Kaneesha also applied for a music scholarship. In the scholarship she played the piano and sang (it has been about a decade since Kaneesha has sung much but she did excellent). Kaneesha was awarded the highest music scholarship they offer at SVU.
Myranda Examines Large
Crystal at Smithsonian
Myranda & Selina with
Lincoln Memorial

On Thursday Kaneesha's soccer team began having three practices each day. We enjoyed watching some of the practices and were impressed with how good the team is. While the players are very good, Kaneesha fits in excellently with them. I believe that she will be an excellent asset to the team. I suspect that if things continue as they are, Kaneesha will play a fair amount and will be greatly appreciated.

We took a ride along the Blue Ridge Mountain Scenic Byway. We drove the byway as the sun was setting. There were some amazing vistas. We enjoyed standing up and sticking our head out the top as we drove (our rental car had a sunroof).

Washington DC Temple
When Friday night arrived (our last night together) we picked Kaneesha up from practice and went out for a nice dinner. We then returned to the hotel to swim. After swimming we went to the movie theater to watch "Planes." While the evening was fun, it was not fun to take Kaneesha back to her hotel after the movie. We did not want to say, "Goodbye."
On the Blue Ridge
Mountain Scenic Byway

As we said our, "Goodbyes" Kaneesha was considerate and allowed each of us some special time with her. When the hugs and kisses ended we returned to our hotel in Lexington. While we'd informed Kaneesha that would be our farewell, when we got in the car, we all decided that we'd happily awaken earlier to see her one more time before leaving to the airport on Saturday morning (even though it would add another 45 minutes to our long day of travel).
On Saturday morning it was so fun to arrive at the soccer field and see that they were just finishing practice. As Kaneesha was walking off the field, Myranda began to whistle Kaneesha's special whistle. When Kaneesha heard the whistle she looked up in surprise. We then visited briefly as we drove her back to her apartment and said a quick, "See you in a few months."
Selina on the Byway

We then drove through Washington DC to the Baltimore airport. Even though it was Saturday, the traffic was not good. We were glad to arrive at the airport two hours before our flight (we left early enough to arrive nearly four hours before te flight). I'm grateful that Noell was thinking ahead and anticipated the traffic. Security in Baltimore was a little kinder than in Salt Lake, and I made it through without my driver's license again. 
Myranda on the Byway

Upon arriving in Phoenix, we were dreading our twelve hour layover. The dread quickly became a highlight of the trip. Noell's sister, Ali picked us up at the airport and took us to their new home. Their home teachers arranged for some of the Elders from the ward to help them move the day we arrived. All of their belongings were in boxes in the new home and they were trying to find everything in the boxes.

We enjoyed visiting with the family, a nice dinner, and excellent beds. We then woke up in time for Ali to drive us to the airport at 5:30 am. After being in hotels and eating out for over a week, it was so nice to be able to relax with family, Ali's family is always so great to be with.
Noell & Kaneesha at SVU

Tyson and Laura met us at the Salt Lake airport with our van. It was a quick, "Thank you," and then we drove home. When we returned home, I called Walmart. Sure enough, when I purchased a fishing license a couple weeks ago, I failed to get my driver's license back. We picked it up today and Noell and I went to sacrament meeting with the Page Ward. It was a mission report for Christian? Stuart, who recently returned from Japan. A great meeting.
Myranda & Selina in SVU Ballroom

When we arrived home from the airport, I pondered the words of a lady to her grandson (they rode on a bus with us from the car rental place in Baltimore to the airport). The grandmother told her grandson, "I have never been on vacation long enought that I looked forward to returning home."

Selina next to a
Saguaro Cactus in Phoenix
As I pulled into the garage, I chuckled to myself. I love being home. There has never been a time that I wanted to stay away very long. I always look forward to returning home -- that includes my home with my wife and children as well as my home I grew up in with my parents and siblings. I believe that if I could remember much about our heavenly home, I would greatly look forward to the return to my heavenly Home.

Noell, Kaneesna,
& Myranda at SVU
It was so nice to spend time in the East and to see Kaneesha on campus and with her soccer team. It was also very hard to say, "Goodbye," or "See you soon." I look forward to the end of the semester, when Kaneesha returns for Christmas break. I hope she enjoys her new home at SVU but hope she also looks forward to a return to our home as much as I look forward to her return.

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