The Final Countdown

I always knew it was going to happen. It happens every single year but it never ever gets any easier. When you live in a place like this where people tend to go you are going to have to say goodbye. I will have lived here for eight years and you can imagine all the people that have come and gone. I remember six year ago when I was getting ready to move wondering how in the world I was going to survive in a place as remote as Ohio. That being said, I also remember having this distinct impression that I would meet so many wonderful people that would be important to me. So though I must say goodbye to so many, I am so so very appreciative that I was able to have them in my life for a small moment. We were able to start our families together, talk about child-rearing woes, share some sad times, share even more happy times and really become like family. I am so thankful for that.

This is a picture of Julia's 2nd birthday with Hannah and Jansen. We said goodbye to Hannah two years ago and now we have to say goodbye to Jansen and Aiden. She has been saying in her prayers this week, "Please don't let Jansen and Aiden move away." Oh it makes me so sad.
Here she is today with her best boyfriends. They have helped teach her to share, stand up for herself, play trains, give a really good "ALLLLLL ABOOARRRDD," play superheroes, laugh and most of all to have fun.





Dang it I get teary eyed seeing these kids together. (thanks for the beautiful pictures Monica)
Not only Julia but I have to say goodbye to these wonderful women. They have been such examples to me. I have known fewer women that have more faith, patience, humor, selflessness and kindness than they. I will strive daily to become more like them and hope hope hope I can someday be a mother and friend like they are. Oh my heck here come those dang tears again...

They even celebrated my birthday two weeks early because Jessica is leaving next week.
Julia's little buddies came and watched her dance recital this week. She was THRILLED. She was disappointed though because when it came time to clap she told me, "Jansen and Aiden didn't clap they just stared." I told her it was because they were staring at her awesomeness. They are seriously the cutest little boys.
Audrey and sweet Natalie. Every day Audrey asks to play with "Nateee and Soapie." (Sofie ran away before I could snap these pictures). They are such fun girls to play with.
The squinty kids.
Even the boys got to have one last hurrah before moving day and went canoeing.

So to all those wonderful people I have said goodbye to already, to those I will say goodbye to in the next month and to those that I will say goodbye to in a couple of years, thank you. You have all made me cry. I hope you are happy. Lucky for me there are so many wonderful people here in Ohio to keep me company...and then of course move away in a year. It is a never ending yet wonderful cycle.