Saying Good-Bye to Iowa

I can't believe it's actually time to say good-bye.  Ankeny is actually the place I have lived the longest since growing up in California!  Crazy!  5 years in MI for college, 4 years in Chicago, 2 years in Sioux City.... and 6 years in Ankeny.  We have definitely put down roots here and that makes it so hard to leave and say good-bye.  We are leaving so much behind!

This house. 

Our little twinhome, half a house, really!  But it was our first home, the first house we bought.  We have been through a LOT in this home!  We brought home our puppy, and later our first baby!  Went through the sorrow of a miscarriage.  We have been through many ups and downs, joy, pain, excitement, struggles.... all of it here in this house.  Sure, there were things that annoyed us about it, but we love this little house and will miss it so much!!

Our church.

Where Jeremiah was baptized. Where we worked in nursery, taught Sunday School, ushered, tried to get involved.  Where we met wonderful people and amazing friends!  Finding a church is hard, and I don't look forward to that search in a new place.  After having a church where we "fit," it's going to be hard to find that again (but I know we will.... it will just take time)!

Speaking of amazing friends.

Our small group and friends we met at church.  Good friends are so hard to find!!  We started as a group of 6 couples and only 1 child-- we expanded to 8 couples and, um..... like 12+ kids between us.  We played summer volleyball (when we were young and kid-free!), had BBQ's, prayed together, studied the Bible together, laughed together (a LOT), our kids have become friends.... this is not something easily found either!  We will miss this group of people so much!  They have been along with us on our ride of ups and downs and have prayed for us and supported us.  Love you guys so much!!!

Shell's House.

1st Day at Shell's house!  6 months old.

End of Pre-School picnic, last time at Shell's house. 4 years old.

Best buddies!!!

J's home away from home, J's second family!  So hard to say to good-bye Michelle--the person who has lovingly cared for our son for the past 4 years!  And J and his buddy Grady-- they are 2 peas in a pod and will miss each other so much.  They love each other and pretty much act like brothers!  They will be lost without each other, and that makes me so sad.  From their early days of being the pacifier boys, to playing with Legos and trucks-- these 2 have been through it all together!  Such a precious friendship they have.  I know for a fact we will never find a childcare provider as good as Michelle!!!  Thankfully, I know we will stay in touch.  These boys will be having playdates via Skype! :)

And my school.  Oh, I may have complained from time to time about politics or rules or how things go.... but United Community School is the school where I have taught the longest-- 6 years!  I know the routines, the curricula, the kids, the families, the teachers and staff.  I will miss this school a lot, especially my co-workers and the kids.  On Friday, I got to watch my first class of 1st graders at this school graduate from 6th grade!  I saw one class go all the way through the school.  United is a unique and special school (no other school I have taught at has a tall grass prairie and outdoor classroom!).  I know, that if I teach next year or the year after, I will not find a school like United.

At United, I know how things go.  I know people, I know the routines, I know the traditions.  The thought of starting over at a new school (if that's what I end up doing) is not appealing at all!  However, I have done it before, and I know I can do it again.  It's just sad.

12 years worth of teaching, in boxes.  Sad.

It is hard to leave all of this.  It's especially hard to leave all of these wonderful things, places, people...  (plus more than I even mentioned here) when we are going to a place with a lot of unknowns right now.  Things will fall into place, I know.  But leaving a place where everything is ALREADY in place..... it's hard.

Have I mentioned that this is hard?!?!?  I have shed my share of tears over the past few days, but honestly I don't think this has fully hit me yet.  Maybe when I don't kwhen we unload in Michigan?  I don't know. 

But don't get me wrong, there IS excitement in going to a new place (and also having our family together again after 6 months!), and seeing what God has in store for us in Michigan.  I just pray that God will guide us and help us to do His will as we make this move (and go from a family of 3 to a family of 4....!!!!)!