Feeling Like Home

Right after I posted my last blog post, the movers got here. And I had never been so excited! We started moving all of our things in. Because we're staying in one of J's houses, it is already furnished. And beautiful! Lola designed the entire thing. Wow!

I'm really in love with the house. So we're going to store our furniture. The movers were able to put it all nicely in a storage shed. We did pick some things to stay in the house. But not a whole lot.



But all of our other stuff, knick knacks, clothes, personal items...I've been unpacking them. For a few days. Boxes and boxes. Seriously when did we collect so much stuff? But our home is starting to feel like home.

There are a few pieces of furniture I want to buy. Because going from a house designed from a man, to one for a couple, well there are a few key pieces missing. Like a nice vanity table. And some little things like that. I also want to pick up a few decorative items. Paul and I don't plan to stay here forever. But we want it to feel like home.

Now all that is left to do, is find a job. I still haven't heard back from my 2 interviews. But I've been looking around. Lola is trying to get me a job at the hospital where she works. I'm just hoping for the best. But I'm taking this time off as a blessing. Because it gives me time to settle into our home. And to make it a home. ♥E

Our Weekend

There is so much going on this weekend. Lola's goddaughter is turning 4. And we're invited to the birthday party. There is the local fair. And hopefully some more settling into our new home.



The movers still aren't here. Looks like they won't be here until Monday. We're not sure what the hold up is. But I will definitely be doing lots of laundry today. We need clean clothes. Because we didn't pack much. Our stuff was supposed to be here by today. But it's not. What are you going to do?

Laundry, shopping, and cooking...those are my plans for today. I hope I can get everything done. Wish me luck. I'm definitely going to need it! And I hope that our furniture gets here by Monday. ♥E

It's Here!!

Today is moving day. It's a little bittersweet. We're sad to be leaving our "Florida Family." But we're excited to be heading home! Paul and I didn't get much sleep last night. Because somehow, there was still a lot packing left to do. I'm very shocked at how much stuff we've collected. We've only lived here, for just over 3 years.



But we have a lot of odds and ends. Things that needed to be packed well. It's crazy how we finished, giving us just 2 hours of sleep. I'm glad our packing is done. At least for a few days. When we have to begin our unpacking. Now it's time, to move across the country! ♥E

Closing this Chapter

It's crazy. In 2 days, the movers come. And we decided to take the day off of packing. We wanted to go to the lake one last time. It was an incredible day. Just me and Paul enjoying one of our favorite parts of Florida.

This chapter of our lives is quickly closing. We're both a little sad. We're leaving a part of our lives behind. Friends we've made. A routine we were used to. A life that we enjoyed.



As I look around tonight, our house is almost completely packed up. I hope we finish before the movers get here. But it's a little sad. I mean, this has been our home. And now, we're leaving. It's a little like a break up. I know, it's just a house. And a state. But it's still tough.

I know that the next chapter of our lives is going to be a good one. I'm excited. So is Paul. We hope to start a family in a few years. And all of this, it's worth being happy and planning a bright future with my husband.

But it has been an emotional day. Something about the lake just made me realize how final this was. And it made me sad. I'm going to miss all of this. I cried a lot today. Paul and I took a bunch of pictures of our favorite spots around here. And lots at the lake. It really was our favorite place to be.

I'm ready for what's ahead of us. All we have to do is get our stuff loaded and moved. Oh, and turn over our keys to our landlord. But this is something that we both need, and want. And we really are excited about moving home!! ♥E

Last Day at Work

Today was my last day of work. It feels strange even typing that. It was my first professional job. And I loved it. I loved the people I worked with. The location. Everything about my job. And here I am leaving it.



I packed up my office. And was very tearing eyed. Why? I really don't know. Our office isn't anything too special to cry about. It's a large room. With a bunch of desks. All of the RDs share it. But it was a nice place to be. A comforting place. A warm environment.

And then, my coworkers through me a "Going Away" party. Presents included. I cried. I couldn't help it. They are so much like family. I'm going to miss them. I'll never forget my first job. It was a good experience. I just hope my next job is just as blessed. There are so many good memories over the last few years. I did my internship at this hospital. And was offered a job here. The people will always have a special place in my heart. ♥E

Our Saturday

How are we spending our Saturday? Packing. I know. It sounds so glamorous. But it needs to be done. I can't believe, how much stuff we've accumulated over the last few years. It just makes me wonder.



I'm completely exhausted. And it's not even 2pm. I'm thinking we might have to do takeout again. And hopefully, we can get the main living areas all packed up by Monday. That's my plan. I never realized how much work was going into our move.

Paul is also working on the yard. We have a lot of plants we want to take with us. Hopefully we're able to take them with us. And that they survive the move. There is so much to do. And not a lot of time. I better get back to work. ♥E

On Our Way Home

We're on our way home. Right now, we're in GA. stuck. Our flight is delayed 3 hours. I wish we were already home. Because I'm tired. And not a big fan of airports.



Paul and I are definitely moving. And all I can think of is packing up our home. I think I'm just anxious to get home and pack. I already miss the SW. And our family and friends. Is that crazy? I think it is. But I don't care. We're ready to be home. Where we belong.

Paul has a job. We have a place to live. And I've already had 2 job interviews. We're ready. And I personally, can't wait to be moved. But it's also going to be sad leaving our home. This is where we've lived for the last few years. As newlyweds. And we have a life here. It's going to be tough. But it's time. ♥E

Being Honest

It's time to be honest about Paul and I's plans. When we decided to leave for Florida, we always knew that we would return. We liked the small community where we had met. Paul could have easily finished his degrees at our university. But I would have to move 3 hours away to get my masters degree and become an RD. We didn't want to live 3 hours apart! Especially for 3+ years.

Paul and I looked for a school that offered both of our degree programs. That is how we ended up in Florida. I graduated before Paul. I got licensed and became an RD. I was also very lucky when it came time to finding a job. The hospital where I did my RD internship, they offered me a job immediately. And I took it. Paul needed some more time to finish his PhD. And his training.

In May, Paul received his hard earned PhD. He had some training to finish up though. But at the beginning of the month, it was complete. And our talks became more real. In June, we had talked about moving home. Paul called J to ask him for a job. And J found him one. Not only that, but he offered us a home to live in. I also asked Lola to help me find a job. She has some good connections in the area hospitals. Soon, I had 2 good jobs to choose from.

I gave my 2 week notice last week. I will work the remainder of this week. Then next week I am am taking my vacation time. We are heading home for a visit. When we get back, I will have 1 week of work left. I have 2 job interviews set up back home. One for the DOH and one for a trauma center hospital. Paul and I hope to solidify our plans while we are on this trip. Paul will be signing a contract with J. And we will get to look at our new house.



Paul and I are just ready to start the next chapter of our lives. The entire time we have known each other, we have been in college. The last few years, we have grown up so much. Being so far away from our friends and family, we really learned how to depend on each other.

Florida wasn't all a "business" situation. We have built a nice life here. We met friends. Paul and I rented a nice home from an elderly couple when we first moved. And we have enjoyed making it our home. Spending lots of time gardening and hosting cookouts. We have also made amazing connections for our careers.

But it is time to go home. To begin our new careers. To make our new house, our home. We are anxious to be closer to family and friends. Paul and I are also excited to start new phases of our own life. To potentially explore other areas of our marriage. To begin our own family. We are looking at this move, as a new beginning to our life together. ♥E