Our First Holiday Card

Merry Bright Greeting Holiday

Shutterfly always has unique designs for our holiday cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Shout Out.

This is the first post since Arizona, since being there two long months, since making the decision to move back to Texas, since being back in San Antonio for almost as much time as we were in Arizona. We left Texas to AZ the last weekend in May, were there all of June and July, and made it back to TX within the first couple of day of August. We made the journey all on our own this time. I think about it every single day we've been back and know that it was the smartest thing to do.

Many people doesn't understand or see how we could just move twice in nearly two months, but I just want people to understand that it was a very hard decision. It wasn't just one of us who thought about coming back, we both did. We knew that it was going to be a difficult process moving to AZ, and not just for me, but for the both of us, and it was. It was very hard. Neither one of us could find a job. We tried every day. When we weren't out looking, we were applying online, we were calling the places we had applied to with no answers. At one point, I almost had a job or at least it felt like I almost had it. I went through what felt like an intensely gruesome interview process, around 5 different types with this one company, just to be told after a couple of weeks that I wasn't what they were looking for. I felt defeated, like I wasn't good enough for anything there. And that was my breaking point and I was pretty set on being back in Texas.

With the help of our good friend Grant and my little sister Nikki, we got everything moved up and inside in just a few hours. I would say it took us about a week or so to get everything in our apartment situated, but Jake would probably think way less. I have to say that we were pretty good about getting things out of the boxes to make room for everything quickly. I went back to work at Spectrum the day after we got back. I am very grateful and thankful for the people there taking me back. It truly has meant so much. Jake went back to MBS that day as well and has just been kicking major butt all over again.

So now that we're both back in the swing of things, we're as happy as ever and loving every minute of it. Being back here has allowed us both to do more things with our lives. It has allowed me to be around my family more, which I love. So being back here is definitely the best thing for us and our future together. I've done my first SA Zoo Run already being back. We went to see our little friend John David play some tackle football. We're getting out there, we're doing more things. As those things happen, I promise to be more up-to-date on everything happening with us. Hopefully, we'll have more exiciting things to talk about. And NO MORE MOVING POSTS! PROMISE!

I want to give a special shout out to my little brother on his 21st birthday! It is so crazy to me that you are 21, that you are old enough for me to even feel old about your 21st! You're an amazing person with so many gifts and talents! I cannot wait to see what you become because I know that no matter what you decide, you're going to be great at it! Happy birthday BoBo! I love you!

Love from AZ.

So we made the trip. We have reached our destination, we are here! This is first time in exactly ONE week that I am able to talk about it, look at pictures, write about it, even think about it. It's been a very difficult process for me. And not because I regret it and not because I want to go back, but because leaving my comfort zone, leaving the people I love most has been the hardest part.

Yes, I have cried. I cried the night we were driving out of San Antonio in the car. I cried a lot. And over the past week, I have cried even more, but I needed to let that out. I needed to somehow be okay with it and I believe crying was my way of doing so. I am not depressed, I am homesick. I miss my family, I miss my friends, I miss my co-workers, my job, the kids. Madison was my hardest goodbye, and not because I think I'll never see her again, because I will, but because I'm scared to death that the day I do get to see her again, she will have no idea who I am, no idea why this random lady just wants to hold her and love her. Sounds silly? Yeah, definitely, but I have a right to feel that way. Don't get me wrong saying bye to everyone was hard, but I tried my best to think of it more like 'See you later'. I think that not having a place to always be at is weird, not going to work and seeing everyone almost everyday is SO weird. Of course I will get used to it once I get myself into another routine, but I truly do miss everyone.

BUT in conclusion to all of that, I love where I am, I love what I'm doing, and I especially love who I am doing everything with. Jake has been my rock through many things in life and he's been even more of a rock now. He's the most amazing man and I can't believe I'm so lucky. I hope and pray that I will remain close to everyone that I miss, and I cannot wait for everyone to visit at some point. I know it's a drive, or a good flight, but it'll be worth it! This place is beautiful. The mountains, the cactus, the weather, everything.

All in all, we've had a good week of exploring. I'm slowing learning where I am and which direction to go to get to places. The weather isn't too bad, I actually like it. I'm not sure why everyone has said it's hotter here because it is, but it sure doesn't feel hotter. There's single digit humidity as oppose to San Antonio where it's almost always 100%. Here, it's just heat and to me, that feels way better than the sticky, suffocating heat.

But it's an adventure and what's an adventure without some twists and turns. I'm excited for this experience. Once there are cooler things to talk about, that will be more entertaining. So for now, I leave with this. I love and miss everyone so much. I thank you all for being a huge part of my life there and for those sticking around to be part of it here.

 

Aiden & Madison.

Avery Girl.

One.

I had a chance to spend some quality time with Ellie and Marshall this week. The two kids that started my babysitting career; they were 18 months and 4 years old when I started and are now 5 and almost 8 years old. So glad I got to do that because I honestly can't say if there will be another time. No matter where I go, those kids will always hold a special place in my heart. I had a conversation with a good friend that was put off for way too long. I began to think it was too late since there is only a week left, but even after I'm in Arizona, we'll keep in touch and be close. I hope. Dinner with girls from work was a nice touch to the week. Friday gave me my first sense of how things might be saying bye. A little boy I've watched and learned to love since he was just a few months old came into work for his last visit. His family is moving to Nashville so his mom brought him in. It definitely wasn't easy to say goodbye to him. Saturday I joined a few of the Spectrum peeps on my last volunteer opportunity for the Get Fit 4k in Port SA. It was really great seeing families interact with each other through fitness and exercise.

A single week is all the time I have left in this wonderous place I call home. In these last couple weeks, I have realized who friends truly are and learned to be aware of who I can or cannot trust. It is weird how moving out of the state can really put a lot of things into perspective. It's hard for me to leave everything/everyone I've ever known, but I'm only sad because it's come to this. I know I have come a long way from even the thought of moving so far away. Over the months, it's only gotten easier. And even more so now, it shouldn't be as hard as I had first expected it to be.

Moving might actually be one of the greatest things what has happened to me. I cannot wait to start over with new people, a new city; to go somewhere different where I know there will be people who care. I'm not very good at goodbyes, so please don't say them. It's just "See you later, Texas!".

 Ellie Kate, my itty bitty. :)

Two.

We had an amazing weekend, all thanks to one of Jake's generous clients. Friday night, we got to go to Best of Mexico at La Villita Assembly Hall. Anywhere we looked, we would find food and drinks and desserts galore! Chicken tacos, rice, beans, beer, margaritas, sangria.. you name it! Our favorite, Horchata Cake! Saturday, we spent the entire day together just hanging out around the apartment. I had plans to babysit, but that didn't happen & that's another story. Sunday afternoon, we went the Burgers, BBQ, & Beer event at the Pearl Brewery. Such delicious food all around. Why I haven't heard of any of this until now? I don't know, but I'm glad we got to experience it all before we leave.

Yesterday I received a very sweet message from an old friend, advising me on how to deal with the separation of leaving. She said, "When you miss home, remember that you will make new friends and you will eventually be ok with living so far away." This girl knows firsthand what it's like to leave home. It's coming close, two weeks and counting. Only two weeks left in Old San Antonio. The time has gone by so fast. During my time left, I really hope to see my closest friends at least once more. It's going to be hard, but I know some day I will see them all again.

With my announcement of leaving, I cannot believe the amount of love and support I have received from so many people. Those of you with your kind words, we will never forget. We are ecstatic for the next few weeks to come and can't wait to share it all. Until next time.

 Pearl Brewery -- May 15, 2011.

End or Beginning?

And so the time has come. I think I have done a pretty good job at keeping it a secret from most. Not because I didn't want to tell everyone, but because telling the one person that matters the most was going to be the most difficult part of all of this. And my mom now knows. 

Yesterday being Mother's Day I was nervous seeing my family, mostly aunts and cousins, but nervous because I knew it would come up. Trying to take my mom's feeling into consideration I didn't want it to be a big deal or talk much about it, but of course they were all curious as to why and/or for how long. But besides the talking about it, I hope my mom ended up having a great Mother's Day with her 3 kids plus Jake.

So I'm moving. We're moving. To Phoenix. We're excited. I'm a little scared and nervous, but I know it'll be for the best and that it's going to be amazing. I am going to miss a lot of people more than I thought before yesterday. And being close to Jake's family is definitely something we are most thrilled about. 

Just 3 short weeks, this Texas girl will be moving 800 miles away from everything she's ever known and loved. But it's about that time to know and love another part of life. I'm ready for this, and I cannot wait! 

Here's to the END of the first 24 years of my life and the BEGINNING of the rest of it!