Saying goodbye

2009 is going to be a big year! It's already started out with a bang and so much on the horizon for us as well. As I type this, we're pretty much all packed up. John's car is loaded up, some stuff is already at Tina's, and the rest will go in the truck and car tomorrow. John will go to the company and sign out on his leave, then we'll drop his car off at Tina's and be on our way to Florida for seven days of a much needed vacation. Then it's back to GA for a day long enough to pick up our stuff, do the big dinner with the platoon and say our goodbyes...then it's off to NC for a few days to see my family. Then we'll begin the journey to Texas. Much to my dismay, we're driving both vehicles. But in actuality, this is a must unless we rented a uhaul to tow on the back of the truck for all of our stuff, which is probably a disaster waiting to happen considering the fact that I would be the one driving the truck. As it is, I am not sure how we'll get everything to fit-but we'll figure that out eventually. At least we get to break the drive up since we are stopping to see his family for a little bit. It's kind of discouraging that from NC to TX where John's fam is-it's just over 1,000 miles, then from where John's fam is to Ft. Bliss where we will be stationed, it's over 900 miles. So not much difference in where we are now so I guess I'll have to get used to not seeing family for the next 3 years.

But alas, I am somewhat excited about the adventure. I hate hate hate that I am leaving the east coast. I always wanted to leave 'home' and then once I did-I wanted to go back. I love North Carolina and the day will come when we make it back, but it will take time. The south is just where it's at and where I want to be. SouthEAST I should say. I pray that we don't end up in some crappy place like Ft Drum after this assignment. That would be a nightmare!

So after being here for six years, and John being here for almost seven....it's time to say goodbye. This isn't my favorite place on earth but it has been home to me and the memories we've made will last a lifetime. Friends have came and gone, but there have been those few that go beyond being just friends and are family to us. I shouldn't have to say who they are, as they should know already. While I am ready to start this new chapter, I am not ready to leave these select few yet.

Georgia will always hold a very special place for us. Chance was born here, we bought and sold our first house, endured three very long deployments, had three very happy homecomings, Chance had all of his firsts here. It's been good. I look forward to the day when we can come back and visit especially when Chance is a little bit older to remind him of his home since this will forever be his birthplace. Wonder if when he is older, he'll be a dawgs fan?? I just hope he isn't a Falcons fan! Yuck!

Speaking of the little guy. Friday was his last day of school. I was there most of the day and somehow managed to not burst out in tears. I opted not to say goodbye to the kids since I knew that would be the last straw, so instead I just slipped out when they went to lay down after recess. I'm still bummed that his best friend *and* his girlfriend were both absent on Friday (what kind of luck is that?) but everyone keeps assuring me that it is harder on Mom than it is on the kids. I hope they are right b/c I pretty much lost it Friday afternoon. I just hope and pray that kindergarten goes as well for him as prek and he has great teachers just like he did here in Georgia. We will find out soon enough. Maybe he can even get into school when we get there but with it being so close to summer vacation, it wouldn't be a huge deal if we just waited it out until kindergarten started.

Anyways, this has gotten a lot longer than I had hoped, but you know how that goes. If it wasn't so late-I'd add some Savannah pictures I've taken over the last 6 1/2 years. For now a few from Valentines Day weekend will just have to do. Stay tuned for a Disney post!