Moving to Virginia Part I

It's been ages since I've posted on this blog, but the other day I realized that so much has happened and it would be a shame not to have a record of it. Of course we will always remember when we moved, but the emotions felt will not always be so raw. This has been the closest thing to a journal that I have gotten, so now with a bit more time on my hands I feel like there is no excuse. Rather than play catch up I will just start from the most recent, pivotal event to take place...our relocation across the country. Part I will be dedicated to everything leading up to us leaving Oregon. That last sentence is still painful to say. This isn't to complain or be dramatic, it was our choice to leave. This is just a place to write our story, emotions and all.  I will preface all my comments by saying that both Tom and I are proud Oregonians. Tom was born and raised, and I was born there, raised in Utah and then quickly returned back to Oregon after high school. If you asked anybody we were true blue or "green" Oregonians and the thought of leaving was never truly on our radar.

When the job opportunity in Virginia came up for Tom we laughed about the thought of moving there. We did, however feel like it was something we needed to look into more, and that was the way the process continued to go with each decision that needed to be made. We learned a lot about trying to rely on the spirit because the decision was never completely obvious. After lots of prayers, tears, pros and cons lists, and repeat we felt like this was the best decision for our family right now. And so the process of preparing our home to be put on the market, leaving jobs we both loved, looking for a new place to live in Virginia, squeezing Jessie's baptism in before leaving, and saying goodbye to some of the most amazing people we know (the hardest part) started. Again we learned a thing or two about the spirit as people were put into our path to help us along the whole process.

Before we knew it the giant trailer was all packed up, bound for Virginia and we were off to see family and friends along the way, knowing it might be a while before we see them again.

 Tom and I in Virginia for interview process. This is at Thomas Jefferson's home-Monticello.

 My BFF Andrea. I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry when I see this photo. Maybe both...

After the decision was made it was all about doing some things that we knew we would miss. Portland to Eugene with great friends and family, movie in the park, and watching my girls enjoy time in a yard they've become very familiar with. It was frustrating at times because what we really wanted to do was just enjoy everything we love about a place so familiar to us, but the reality was we had a lot of work to do.

 Tom's Dad was a super hero for us and so was my Dad. Tom Sr made several trips from Portland to Salem to help repair this and that and put up part of our fence in preparation for selling the home. My dad squeezed under a sink to change out some faucets. Meals were brought, our kids were watched over and over again etc., I will never forget all the help that we received. We felt so loved.

Saying goodbye to Jessie and Tegan's best friends Malia and Aubrey. Oddly this was one of the hardest parts of moving. I still get emotional thinking about this sweet friendship.

 Can't think of a better way to say goodbye to these fine ladies then by pelting them in dodgeball, and running full force into the foam pits together. They are the best!!!

This was an emotional day, partly because our oldest, sweetest girl Jess was baptized, and also because we knew we were leaving in two days. We felt so much love and support from family and friends. Jess looked so beautiful to me. She really did have a special glow about her that day. We are so proud of her.

Two days later, after buckets of tears we were off on our adventure. We said goodbye to our happy life there with big hopes that we would find happiness in a practically foreign place to us. More on that to come.