Boise - Day 4

My last day in Idaho. :( As I have mentioned several times, this was a last minute trip - but what I haven't mentioned was that I was already going to be coming out west, but I hadn't planned on coming to Idaho. So, when Karin told me I needed to come home - I rearranged my travel and thus how I was able to get to Boise for a few days. 

On my last day, I had breakfast with my mentor and friend Bonni at the Egg Factor. 

Then I spent the afternoon with my best friend, Marie and her kids. My cousin Ashley also came over. All the children love - I am not sure why... but I do love all of them! 

It was a great day hanging out with the BFF and cousin. Ri and I make it a point to Skype at least once a month, so while we have been apart for 4 years, it doesn't feel like that because we still make each other a priority. Love you Ri! 

After hanging out with Ri - I need to get cash from my bank. Of course Idaho has my bank, but DC doesn't (that was until November when a Chase finally opened! I was a tad too excited that I have a local branch now). 

I so miss the mountains! 

I tried again to see if I could take a picture of Clara like Emily had been taking of Princess. I still can't. I loved Clara, she didn't really like me, but that is okay. Clara went to heaven in October of this year. 

This cracked me up...and only in Idaho! 

This is exactly what Idaho did for me! 

No matter where I go after DC, Idaho is my home. 

Boise - Day 2 & 3

Day 2 in Idaho - I fist went to Eagle Christian (while this new Mere is random, I do still like to do certain things). After church I had brunch with the Boulier's and then I spent the afternoon with Lisa and her family. Forgive me, cause I have sucked at blogging  - I am not going to be able to give every little detail and don't worry, Lisa will show up again because she came to DC in September to see me! I think that Li and I hang out at her house and then we went shopping, wear I did a lot of damage at Maurices. 

Another Emily photo of Princess. 

I tried to do the same thing with Clara (Barb and Paul's cat), but yeah, I'm not a photographer... 

Sunday was a good day with friends. On Monday, I had an early lunch with another wonderful friend, Tonia. Tonia will always hold a special place in my heart and I am so thankful for her! 

Normally when I am in Idaho I go to the dentist, eye doctor and have my hair done. I had been in Idaho just 7 months prior so I couldn't go for my annual eye appointment and I had actually found an okay (not great) dentist in Maryland and went to the dentist in May (remember, I planned this Idaho trip in 2 weeks) so I didn't need to go to any of those appointments. But if I am in Idaho - I want to get my hair done and to hide the grey hair that I do not have. I love the darker color of my hair, but since I only get my hair done about once a year, I need to bring blond back in so the grey could blend with with the blond. 

Marbella is amazing and even from afar I still send her referrals. This photo she took of me is amazing, I love it! I use it for everything and is even my work photo now. This is also the first time I wore this dress, and now you will see I pretty much wore it all summer and fall long. 

After having my hair done, I met Julie for some ice cream at a place in Nampa (I have already forgot the name - but that isn't important), rather it was about spending time with a dear friend who had listened to me during the spring drama. 

I was in love with this dress, I had to show the cousin that I bought something with print on it (she always tell me I am so bland in my dress). 

Dinner was with one of my best friends, Yesenia at Costa Vida. 

After dinner, I got to see my cousin Ashley and her daughter Liah. Man I love them so much and I hadn't seen them since I moved to DC - 4 years prior. We spent the evening having FroYo and chatting for hours. I love you so much Ash and Liah! 

Monday was so busy, but so awesome to be able to reconnect with so many friends and family. I am loved. 

Boise Day 1

It seems fitting to start this intense blog catch up phase with my trip to Idaho in June. Certain events happened this spring that had me making a last minute trip to Idaho. I am a planner. I am usually very efficient. However,  because of these events, I hadn't been myself for a few weeks and this showed as I prepared to go to the west coast for a week. I packed only about an hour before my train left for the airport. In the chaos of random packing, that I am not very good at, I packed 10 pairs of socks and no shoes that needed socks...cool. I also forgot essentials like a tooth brush...awesome! But whatever, I was just happy to remember I am loved and valued. 

Denver and the amazing sign telling me I am almost home! I usually fly through Denver on my way to Boise and when I see the sign that says Boise, I always smile and I begin to breath again - I am home. 

As I normally do I land in Boise around 12am (2am DC time). Karin graciously picks me up and then we chat for hours at her house. No joke - we stayed up until 3am talking. And then like we do, every time I come home we go to the Egg Factory by her house, where I get the best biscuits and gravy that is ever made. 

Then we walk across the street, I know we are in Idaho and we can drive - but it's only across the street. For my first of many Dutch Bros. 

I love this photo - it represents me so well - my love of Dutch Bro's and Idaho. I often where this shirt in DC and people ask me what state it is...umn, the best state ever! 

After brunch, Karen took me over to Barb and Paul's where I would be spending most of my time. Barb and I chilled for a couple hours and then we picked up Alissa and went to downtown Boise for a girls dinner. The Grove has changed so much in the 4 years that I have been gone. I use to work in this area. 

I usually have a get together with my special my MAF friends. But because my trip was so last minute and I didn't plan anything, I thought it would be fun to have dinner in downtown Boise. I always go to Flatbread when I am home, but I hadn't been to the downtown Boise location - it was so much fun. I really needed this time with my friends. This spring in DC had beat me up and I needed people that love me to remind me I am loved, even across the miles. These few days in Idaho helped me remember that I am loved, I am prayed for, I am cherished and miles do not mean anything when you have deep bonds. I am truly blessed. I also think that because of this trip, it has given me the strength to continue on this east coast journey for a little longer. 

These amazing friends, moved their schedules around to accommodate my lack of schedule and came to have an evening with me. I love you all so much and even though it has been 6 months since this photo was taken, it brings me so much joy just to see this. 

I also went to Dutch Bros for the second time (no judging). The DB in downtown Boise is the only location that has seating. 

It was a great first day in Idaho. On a side note, I had to leave Princess with someone besides family. Needless to say, that Princess controls my travel is an understatement, but I love her and I would do anything for her. Something I won't discuss on this blog and Princess lead to a friendship ending, but because of that I had to reach out to strangers in my community and I found a new friend. Emily lives in my building and answered my please to watch Princess for a few days before another friend, Kiarra would come stay with Princess. Emily has turned into a friend and I am thankful to have someone in the building. Emily takes amazing photos of Princess, and many of them will show up in these blog catch up phases. 

Idaho - Day 9

My last day in Idaho...

Lisa likes to take me to places I haven't been too. Last year we hiked around Bogus Basin. This year we walked around some parts of Lake Lowell. It was beautiful. Cold. But beautiful. Can't really see this in the photos but there is snow on the Owyhee Mountain range. 

The silly Haveman boys...

For the afternoon we grabbed Idaho Pizza (shocker I know) and went over to Marie's where Lisa helped on a project and I held baby Cadence for one last time. 

For the evening - Lisa, Tys and I went to Dave and Busters in Meridian to watch the BSU vs UNR game. Even though we are from Nevada we are not Reno fans. BSU is doing well this year and Reno isn't. But it was still super fun to watch the game with friends. I miss watching games.

Amazing drinks!

Goof around with my phone and showing Li the goofy Snapchat filters.

My "special" friend...

Li and I are so bad together. We both have a sweet tooth - she can control it, I can't. But we got this amazing mudslide - so good!

BSU won the game - 41-14, it wasn't so much of a game - but it was fun to watch it with Li and Tys. On the way home the sky looked so beautiful!

My week was over :( It was a wonderful time in Idaho. I miss Idaho more than I can ever explain. My goal is to be back in Idaho in 2 years - if I can get a job that is. My friends are like family to me and I am thankful to each and everyone of them that took time out of their busy lives to spend time with me. I hate leaving Idaho. Each time I am at the airport, I contemplate not getting on the plane. But I'm a responsible adult and I have a life on the east coast. While I would give pretty much almost do anything to get back to Idaho, I do know my time in DC is not over. I have been out here for 3.5 years - 2 more years will go by so fast! 

As I was boarding my plane in Denver to Dulles, I noticed one of the planes that would be leaving from my gate would be going to Boise...not fair, not fair at all :(

Love you Idaho. Love you my friends.