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!