The most natural thing in the world

It was such a delight to have the Jorgensens visit.  They are like family.  It's like we're siblings and our kids are cousins.  I even scolded Eric for not getting to shredding the chicken fast enough.  We interrupt each other and love each other (and each others' children) and disagree and agree and never run out of things to say.

The big kids went out and the adults and little girls (who we're eventually going to have to stop calling the little girls because they are 8 and 11) sat on the deck and enjoyed the evening.  Eric found  Saturn with our telescope which was amazing and Eric also caught a katydid for Britta.  With shining eyes of admiration she told me that her dad was master of catching things.

We named it Leaf Jorgensen.  Then he let it go.

Saturday was a tumble of people everywhere and lots of conversations and Emma and Freja singing.  Janet and I cried a little, like we do, when we're talking about things closest to the soul.  We watched The Phone Call because they hadn't seen it before.  (What kind of friends are we anyway that we hadn't shown them it by now?)  Adam was in charge of making a plan for making the afternoon work--there were dorms and apartments to be moved into and cars going hither and yon and Adam is good at logistics.  Whenever any of the kids wanted to know what was happening, we'd say, "Ask Adam."

Like a posse, we hauled boxes and moved Leif into his dorm.  Lots of kids had a parent or two helping.  No one else seemed to have two entire families.  But we made quick work of it.  Adam and Eric went to pick up a bike, Janet and I went to Costco and the kids all stayed and unpacked.  Then there was the Costco stuff to unload.  The entire parking lot was a zoo and it was a crazy time but with all our enlisted help, we got things done.  Finally Adam and Mark and I and Eric and the little girls made our escape to JCW's for burgers and shakes while everyone else continued to work (except Braeden--he had also escaped for a social engagement).

Sunday we all went to church together but the Jorgensens didn't sit in our front row with us (not everyone's flavor).  They sat in the row where they've sat for as long as we've known them (which has been 14+ years) so I liked that even better.

After sacrament meeting we had tearful good-byes and Eric and Janet and Britta and Inge drove away and left Leif and Freja for college.  My heart broke a little for Janet, because I can imagine how hard that was.  I'm such a lucky duck that college is so close for our kids.

We took a selfie before they left (utilizing Braeden's long arm):

Braeden, Leif, Britta, Inge, Janet, Freja, Eric, Emma, Adam, Mark and me--you can tell I'd already been crying a little....

It's hard to say good-bye to each other but I do take comfort that we're all going to live in the same cul-de-sac in heaven someday.

Leif and Freja came over after church and ate with us.  I made sure I had their numbers in my phone and made sure they knew they could call us for whatever they need.  We also issued our standing invitation for Sunday dinners to Leif and Freja.  Eric and Janet's loss is our gain on this one.