Congratulations!

It's official! Jessica was accepted to BYU Provo. We're so proud of her. She's not only a great student, but an incredible person. She will do well there. And what will we do at home without her? Well, we're not thinking about that. We're focusing on the positive, and there's a lot to be positive about. BYU is a great school. Mark and I have great memories of our time there. I miss those mountains! We're excited for her opportunity. She's already looked at potential classes and teachers. This feels like it's happening so fast. Can my baby really be going to college? It's not that it makes me feel old. I'm OK with that. But I'm starting to feel...I don't know...that mother bear instinct maybe? Over protective? Last week in Sunday school they asked me to describe how it felt to have Jessica leaving for college. I think they wanted me to say that I was ready for her to leave and happy for her to have the opportunity....(They were comparing it to how our Heavenly Father felt about us when He created the earth and sent us here to learn and grow.) ...I started to cry. I certainly feel those things, but I just hope... I don't know how to finish that sentence. I know it's something she needs to do, and we've tried to raise our children to be independent, self-sufficient and all the rest, but now that the time is coming for her to fly the nest, I don't know if I'm ready. Can't I just keep her home one more year?

But look at that beautiful valley! I know there are so many great things waiting for her, how could I ever think of holding her back? One of our returned missionaries came back to Arizona for a visit. He was helping his sister get settled at ASU. It was amazing to see how protective he was of her. That's when I realized, what I needed for a little peace of mind...I'm going to recruit some 'big brothers' to keep an eye on Jessica. Fortunately for us, we have several to choose from! All of our former assistants will be in Provo (except one that's living a little farther north), plus there are several other returned elders and sisters that will be there. I won't have to worry about her, and I know she'll write and call all the time so we won't be lonely for her...right Jess? We have just a few more months with our family all home together...I'm planning on making the most of it. Love you, Jessica. Congratulations!