Back in Utah for 2 years

This Sunday will mark the two year anniversary of our family moving back to Utah.  I can't believe its been two years!  Time goes by so quickly.  I'm still really happy with the decision we made to come back.  Here are a few reasons why, in no particular order:

1.  I walk with my sister, Maxine, five days a week.  I look forward to our walk everyday.  It is the one and only thing that I really do just for me (and Max).  I do it for a release that as a stay at home mom, I otherwise would not get.  Maxine and I chat our worries away.  We make each other laugh when we've had a bad day, or cry together when we've had a really bad day, and can always count on each other to vent our frustrations to.  Its amazingly therapeutic and I think we both feel good at the end of the 3.4 miles (at least I do).  It is one of the very best things to come out of this move.

2. We get to spend a lot more time with Scott's parents.  They literally live about 5 minutes from us and it has been great.  Marde gives Corbin piano lessons on Mondays and the two of them have a strong bond.  She and Ross have also been able to attend many school events with the kids because they are just so close and the kids always feel very loved and supported by them.  Not to mention the babysitting Marde does for us quite regularly.  Scott and I didn't go out much living in Boise, now we actually get to spend alone time together and it is so appreciated! Such a fantastic perk to living 5 minutes apart.

3.  Having most of our friends minutes away.  I don't know if its widely known or not, but we have stayed good friends with the same set of people for years and years.  Everyone gets along so great, even spouses and children.  Its an awesome set up.  It seems like we can always find a reason to get together and we love just talking and laughing and hanging out.  I'm so grateful for such amazing friends.

4. We get to see my parents more.  They still live far away in St. George, but its now just a couple of hours instead of several.  Plus since all my siblings but one live in the area, we get to see them whenever they come to visit someone else.  We even get them for Thanksgiving this year!  We love getting to see them more often.

5.  Those freaking mountains!  Utah is amazingly gorgeous.  I didn't realize how much I missed the mountains until after we came back. And now they are practically in our yard!  They look like a painting and take my breath away.  I love getting to see them everyday.

Those are just the reasons I could think of off the top of my head.  There really are a million reasons why this was a good decision, though.  We are so happy here in Utah, and grateful that Scott has a job that allows us to live in the place we love.