You Might Be in Rexburg, Idaho If...

Friday evening, Gerald, Eli, Seth, and I loaded into our little red car and set out for Rexburg, Idaho. This was not the original plan. When I first planned out this trip, I intended to drive myself and Seth to Utah for my spring break (which is now!), stopping in Rexburg to visit Lindsey for a couple days both on the way down and on the way back. What a great plan, right? I miss Lindsey terribly, and Rexburg is the perfect location to break up the long drive to Salt Lake City. It never occurred to me that during SPRING BREAK (!), the weather would interfere with my plans. I should have considered this, I suppose, considering this has been the worst winter in Billings in the seven years we've lived here, and it's usually even worse in Idaho.

The week before we were scheduled to leave, the forecast was horrible! Snow was predicted in Billings, Rexburg, Salt Lake City, and on every mountain pass in between, with a high temperature of just one degree. Bleh! I was sad and worried. I really dislike driving in snow, especially by myself with Seth in the car. So many things could go wrong. Aside from the obvious fear of sliding out of control into a ditch or (worse!) into another car, there's this issue of the terrible cold. What if the car broke down or got a flat tire, and Seth and I were stuck in below- zero weather by the side of the road? Sensing my discouragement and anxiety, Gerald kindly volunteered to drive Seth and me to Rexburg Friday evening. Seth and I would spend the weekend with Lindsey and then ride the shuttle down to Salt Lake City Sunday. Gerald would spend one night in Rexburg and return to Billings Saturday. Then he would come back and pick us up in Rexburg the following weekend. Plan B, for sure, but a good Plan B. When Eli heard about this, he decided to come too, so he could tour the campus of BYU-Idaho where he will be attending in the fall.

Plan B worked flawlessly. It was cold for sure, but the roads were actually much better than we expected. I really could have driven it myself, but I'm glad I didn't have to. I far prefer being a passenger. I can relax, read, and write blog posts. How perfectly lovely! I spent Friday night and all day Saturday in Rexburg with Lindsey and her family. It wasn't a long time, but we made the most of every second. Emma, Jase, and Hanna are growing so quickly. I don't realize how much I miss them until I'm with them. Hanna fell asleep at the bowling alley, and I got to hold her in my arms for a nice long time: pure delight. Lindsey and I got some good time to ourselves as well. Saturday morning we attended a women's conference where Relief Society General President Julie B. Beck was the speaker/presenter. It was so, so good. Then we bought beads, so Lindsey could make beautiful watch band bracelets for Shulamith and me. Saturday night we went to see "The Tourist," a good movie, by the way; I recommend it.

I had never spent much time in Rexburg until Lindsey moved there, and I'm still discovering new and interesting things. Since Eli will be there this fall, it's good that I am familiarizing myself with the little town. In case you're interested, you might be in Rexburg, Idaho if...

...it's so cold and snowy, you actually wish you were in Billings, Montana.

...on Sunday, you feel like you're in a ghost town because almost nothing is open.

...you go to a movie, and it costs $3.00 for your ticket, plus $7.00 for a "date night" package that includes a large popcorn and two large drinks.

...before the movie starts, the advertisements on the screen say "Got honor?" or "Got integrity?" and tell you how wrong it is to sneak food into the theatre.

...you find CTR rings for sale in Walmart.

...there seems to be a disproportionate number of jewelry stores and bridal shops.

I look forward to returning to Rexburg again this weekend, probably again in May, and most certainly many times this fall when Eli is there. It is a quaint little town with a personality all its own.