Hardest Part Over? Pffft Nope...

So picture this: The mini-van backing out of the empty garage painfully slow, leaving the familiar, white front door in the black, while the front steps and the shelves turn into simple silhouettes; all the while the garage door is closing solemnly...

           You can imagine the teary vision and hot eyes while the key turned over in the ignition. It seemed so much more heartbreaking in the cover of the night. Honestly, for me, it felt like I was leaving forever. Home is where the heart is, right? I can tell you - rolling down my driveway and out into the sleeping substavision at four in the morning wasn't comfortable. And neither was the ride to the airport. 

            So now everyone in the car is emitting soft sobs and muffled cries when the Chris and Emilee show comes on. Maybe this will help? Nope. I swear, they knew the day and time we would be on the road. Incredible songs, one after another came on and pretty much induced the backseat chorus of weeping kids and increased the sniffles of torn parents. Not sure where we were wiping our runny noses... We had most of it together once we got to the airport in Detroit. Or at least we liked to think and look like we did. Until we had one last heart-wrenching goodbye to say. The grandparents. The two very incredible people who love you in every way possible. And then find more ways. Hugging them goodbye was the worst feeling yet. I felt sick to my stomach every time I looked back. But I knew that they wanted us to go. God's call is God's call. Best not to end up in a large aquatic vertebrate. Taking off was almost calming, knowing that the goodbyes were done, but plunging into a whole new world, and acclimating to a culture that isn't your own isn't as easy done as it is is said. I wouldn't say the hardest part was over...

Grandparents and grandchildren. So blessed with those two!

You can't just BOOM - move. It takes more than you to make such a transition. I couldn't have done it without friends! And this isn't all of them, believe me. Nor is the family photo up top all of the family that has blessed my life in so many ways, and helped us pick up and go.  I just need more pictures!