Let's move across the country again, because that's fun!

Well, we did it. We made probably THE toughest and most humbling decision yet in our entire marriage and decided to pack (and sell) all of our belongings and make the trek back to our roots in California. Our last day here in the state made for Lovers will be September 25th. I am so many sorts of emotions right now, but I can honestly say the overall feeling I have is peace. And that is always a good sign that you're heading in the right direction.

We left California for Virginia two years ago, hoping Virginia held some promise for us as Jared started grad school. While the fruits of his labor haven't been immediate, we have faith in the future. I don't know what California holds for us this second time around, but I know it will be good to be surrounded by family. Jared has 3 different great career leads that would only be possible to pursue if we were in California, so until one of those (hopefully) gets sorted out, we'll be bunking up with my family for a couple of months until we know where we will certainly be. Jared and I are from the same hometown, so lucky for our kids, they will have two sets of grandparents to play with and exhaust :)

On the flipside, that means we're leaving behind beloved Virginia, a state that has been nothing but kind to us! Well, I take that back, the winters are downright AWFUL, but I guess 90% of the states have terrible winters, so Virginia isn't alone with that. But Virginia, oh, is a beauty. My heart is aching about leaving just a smidgen too early to witness the changing of the leaves and the crispness in the air. There is nothing like an East Coast Autumn. Mostly, we are sad to leave our lovely friends whom we love so dearly. This really hasn't hit me yet that we are leaving, so I'm sure a blubbering post will be up here within the month once the truck is packed and farewells have been said :( Our friends have been like family to us.

What's making this transition easier to bear is that I'm kinda looking at this as "going home for the holidays," since we'll be there October - December. And that seems nice. But I'd be lying if I said the California ventricle of my heart isn't speeding double time at the thought of being under palm trees again. So I'm letting out a big boo-hoo for leaving Virginia, but a loud hoorah for returning to the Golden State!