Saying Goodbye

For the seven years that we lived in Bartlett, Tennessee I always talked about coming back to Nashville. We moved to Bartlett because Matthew decided to go to Law School at the University of Memphis. We thought that we would be there for the three years of school and get a job back in Nashville shortly after. Plans don't go like we always think they will...

For the longest time, I had in my head that we were going to move at any time. Matthew would apply off and on for different job postings in the Nashville area. When he interviewed in September it took me by surprise when he called me from work a week or so later and told me they made him an offer. I started crying. We had two weeks to pack up and get to Nashville. I was happy and sad. Happy to be closer to family but so sad to leave the people I had come to care about so very much and our little house.

We ended up finishing all the little house repairs that you always say, you will do later. We put her up on the market started packing up and two weeks later we headed to Smyrna. It all happened so fast. The kids were crying and didn't want to leave...it was hard.

My parents asked us to move in with them. When we told them that Matthew got the job they started filling out mounds and mounds of paper work to go on a mission for our church. A couple weeks after being in Smyrna we got an offer on our house. It was really sad to let it go, but we did. We went back down one last time and got the rest of our things. The kids were so excited to sleep in their beds again. Eli walked in and was so excited to be there. He was smiling ear to ear. He sad, "I remember this place! I love it!"

When the moving van was packed we gathered together and thanked Heavenly Father for our blessing and all the sweet wonderful memories we shared in our home. We were all crying as we pulled away. Is everyone this emotional about moving out of their home or are we a nut job?!

We have been in Smyrna for three months now. The kids are finally adjusting to their new school. I, well, its harder for adults to deal with change than kids, I think. I love being so close to my parents, being able to visit with my mom every day. I love being able to visit with my sweet friends that I have missed so dearly over the years. I love Matthew's new job and the people that he works with. I love feeling a little safer.

I never thought that I would say that I miss Memphis but I do! I miss my sweet wonderful Primary kids. Their hugs and sweet stories. The great ladies that I served with. My close friends. The kids school. My tiny little house. The close access to just about anything you could think of. The sweet little kids I use to watch...

It is so humbling to look back the the events over the last seven years, things that I thought at that time should be different, and see the guiding hand of my Heavenly Father watching over my family. All those sweet blessings and experiences I hold dear to my heart and will be ever so grateful for.