Moving

I don't even know how or where to start this post.

 When we moved to Gallup a little over two years ago, we didn't know what our game plan was. Travis was just an employee at the practice. We hadn't bought in and therefore had no reason to stay long term. But Bron was almost instantly trying to convince Travis to buy in and become a partner. So I feel like very quickly we started praying. What were we supposed to do? How long should we stay? If we were to leave, where would we even go? Bron and Travis tossed around the idea of Las Vegas for a while, but that fizzled out. And we continued to waffle. That's easy to do when you have a new baby and time consuming callings, right?

After living there about a year, I had an experience one night. I couldn't sleep and was just laying in bed, staring at the ceiling. This rarely happens. I'm usually snoozing seconds after I hit the pillow. I don't know what I was thinking about, but very softly an impression came to me. It's always hard to verbalize impressions. But it essentially said, "You won't be in Gallup for long." It caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting that. And even more so, I wasn't expecting the feelings that followed. I was SO SAD. Tears leaked out the sides of my eyes as I processed this. I suddenly realized everything that I had in Gallup and that it wouldn't last forever and my heart literally ached. This of course was a shocking revelation to even myself! I don't think I had realized up until that moment how happy I was there or how blessed we had been. How could I possibly be sad about leaving Gallup?! But it was true. I remember instantly thinking of Megan and my friends there when that impression came and how heartbroken I'd be to leave them. But like I said before, it's hard to verbalize impressions and the "long" part was very ambiguous. What did that time frame actually mean? Was "long" 2 years? 10 years? I didn't know. But I never forgot that feeling.

Fast forward another year and a lot more praying. Travis said he never could feel right about buying in.

Then one night he felt prompted in his prayers to pray if Arizona was the right place to move. I was really surprised. I had honestly come to a place in my heart that if we weren't supposed to stay in Gallup, then we could go anywhere. I knew we could move to Virginia or South Carolina or WHEREVER and I could be happy. It would be fine. We could do it. But of course none of those options could materialize on their own. We'd need to do some researching and reaching out to make an opportunity happen. And we weren't exactly sure how to do that. So Arizona became the probability. We went there at least once a month anyway, so we started looking at practices. Not too extensively, but we checked out several on a couple different occasions. Nothing seemed viable. Then, my sister in law, Karen, told us that she had gone to lunch with a friend who happened to do billing for a doctor who was selling his practice. She put us in touch with her and Travis drove down to meet with the doctor a few weeks later. His name was Robert Castledine and he had a practice in Mesa on Gilbert and University. It was a high producing practice so it was being sold as such and that made me nervous. Big loans tend to do that to a person. But he loved Travis and after a few weeks of conversations, he agreed to sell the practice to him. First, we needed to be approved for the loan though. That took a while and became more of a process than we anticipated. I was beginning to think we wouldn't get one, when Travis text me one day a picture of the email from Chase bank congratulating us on our approval. I about jumped out of my seat! It seemed as big a letter as his dental school acceptance. But then came the contract negotiations. My dad was incredibly helpful on that front. Things were looking good, until we realized there was a problem with the building lease. I won't go into details, but it was nearly a deal breaker. My stress levels were at an all time high.

I still could not definitely say that I had felt the Spirit confirm that this is what we were supposed to be doing.

This quote brings me peace when I reflect back on this time.

This whole time we had been praying so hard. Praying that if this wasn't right, to please stop us. Put up a blockade. Don't let it happen. I felt like I had been on such an emotional rollercoaster. It was going to happen. It wasn't. It was. It wasn't. And with each up and down I would be happy then disappointed, then reconciled; just not sure what our next step would be. The night before we bought it, Travis and I were talking and I was a nervous WRECK. I thought I would choke on my anxiety. Then I'll never forget my prayers that night. I went to the Lord with every aspect of what was giving me anxiety. And he took it away and washed me over with undeniable peace. I felt so peaceful, it was confusing at first. I didn't understand. I told Travis my feelings and he said that was how he felt every time he had begun to get nervous. In that moment, I knew that this was supposed to happen. And then just like that all negotiations were over and we were buying the practice. And moving in a matter of days. 

I had been packing for about a week anyway, anticipating things would work out, but now the pressure was on. We considered having me stay behind and take my time packing while he worked in Mesa for a week or two, but then we found out it was fall break in a week and our friends would be gone anyway. Plus there was another family that needed the house we were living in, so the sooner we could move out, the better for them.

Brinn and Megan were invaluable through this whole process. There is flat out no way I could have packed up my house that quickly without them. Megan had my kids over countless hours. Especially, Olive, who was the hardest to have home. She also came over to help me pack one night. Brinn had my kids over a bunch too and just showed up at my house two different times to spend hours helping me pack and clean. I don't know if I've ever felt more grateful for anything in my whole life. It's not like they didn't have incredibly busy lives and long to- do lists of their own right then. But they literally dropped everything to help me. Makes me want to cry thinking about it. I will never be able to repay them or adequately thank them for those gifts. Our friendships literally took on new meaning to me after that week.

Throughout all of this, I was going through the motions, but it didn't feel real. When we moved to Gallup, I was a HOT MESS. I've never cried harder in my life. I'm the biggest drama queen and specifically remember telling Travis that I'd rather have my right arm cut off. And I meant it. Moving to Gallup was the worst thing that could have ever happened to me, in my eyes. I can't even count the crying headaches I got anticipating it. I thought my life was over and I was moving to hell. Couple that with all the pity and judgment of every person we knew, because everyone that lives in Mesa knows Gallup. It's the gross place they drive through to get to their cabins in Colorado and they just hope to heaven they don't get a flat tire while passing through. Are we getting the picture here?  (The only bone I'll throw myself is that I was 8 months pregnant and hormones are not my friend.) Regardless, I know there are worse trials, of course. It really doesn't even compare to actual ones, but for me, this was hard. Harder than hard.

(I think this picture deserves to be shown again. I took this on the day we moved to Gallup, driving in.

Horses.

Galloping.

Into Gallup.

I seriously think it was meant to tickle my cheesy funny bone and let me know it was all going to be OK.)

I really have to thank Olive. I think having a baby right after the move distracted me. I became too busy to be sad and even though there was always a gripe to be had about Gallup, I started making more friends. We got to visit our families once a month and eat yummy food there and be a part of their lives again. We immersed ourselves in our ward and callings and discovered there was very much a community in Gallup. There wasn't lots to do, but we figured out what there WAS to do and we did it! We went hiking. We went to rodeos, sketchy carnies, and a circus. We braved the gross children's library. We rode bikes at the "train park". We spent many a night roasting marshmallows at McGaffey while the kids rode bikes. We enjoyed backyard BBQ's with friends and meeting everyone's family that came to visit. And we always made sure to catch any musical performances from traveling groups that stopped in Gallup.  ;) Collin played soccer and baseball. Both boys were in school. We spent many afternoons at the park. I enjoyed book club and cub scouts.

 We met Terry in Gallup and made a lifelong friendship with him. Sharing the gospel with him and being a part of his discussions and conversion will forever be one of the sweetest experiences of my life. With considerable sacrifice of our time and efforts, we participated in the 5 stake trek, which I know will be an indelible blessing I'll draw strength from for the rest of my life.

Travis was always gone with the stake president, visiting branches and participating in meetings. Even though his calling was extremely time consuming, I was very grateful for what he was learning and the men he got to associate with regularly. I started to notice that even though I didn't have a husband much of the time to help me, my burdens were being lifted. This will sound like such a blasphemous analogy, but one day when I was reading in the Book of Mormon about the Nephites who were made slaves and working tirelessly, praying for deliverance, it said that their burdens were not taken but were made light. That resonated with me and I realized how the burden of living in a place like Gallup was actually not a burden at all. I could honestly and truthfully say I was very happy there. It came as a sort of "aha" moment and I was so grateful for it.

 In Gallup, just like Farmington and Buffalo, Travis and I relied on each other. Extended family wasn't far but it also wasn't a daily aspect of our lives. It was a time to just be "us". I cannot express the gratitude in my heart that I have for that blessing. I feel humbled and so so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the life he provided for me that was so far from what I would have chosen on my own, but was EXACTLY what I needed.

 Of course, when you don't have blood family nearby, you find friends that are the exact same. The quote, "Friends are the family you choose" could not better describe how we feel about the Shaheens and Kings. I love Megan and Brinn like sisters. And even saying that doesn't do justice to my feelings for them!! They are incredible women. Megan's fame has spread far and wide. It's kind of become our family "joke" that no one can do it as good as Megan. I've seriously never met a more talented person. Ever. She is a skilled photographer and editor, seamstress and cook. She sews amazing quilts, makes amazing food and has had a filing cabinet chock full of handmade FHE lessons she made before she got married! She can play the cello, has travelled all over the world, makes clothes for her girls AND their dolls, shops the best sales, is the MOST thoughtful gift giver and talented graphic designer. She bakes award winning cookies, has a craft room that rivals Michaels and is always, always giving of herself. She lifts other people up and is always complimenting and noticing what other people are good at rather than flaunting her own amazingness. I could write a novel about the skills of Megan Shaheen. And I got to be friends with her!!!!(Of course, I still am! But being in each other's life daily for 2 years was like getting Martha Stewart for a tutor. In fact, I like to call her the Mormon Martha.) It's like winning the friend lottery! It would take me 5 more pages to list all the things she taught me or gifted me with. And that's not including all the long conversations and emotional support. We regularly had each other's children over for play dates, met at the park and doubled on date night. I always knew I could call her to talk, vent, ask for advice or seek help. Her ideas and opinions always inspired me and made me a better person. I am in Heavenly Father's debt for putting her in my life. But the most amazing part to me, is that she treated me like I was worth having around. I constantly dealt with feelings of inadequacy for not "bringing" anything to the table in our friendship. I mean, lets get real, I don't have skills. (No bow hunting skills.. num chuck skills... haha) But seriously, it's true and I had to keep telling myself to not have a complex about it. Let me share with you an illustrative example.... One time she came over to my house because she was so excited about this leather she had found at City Electric and now, "We can make moccasins!!" she happily exclaimed. I remember suddenly thinking, "Uhh, did she just saw 'we'. I think she just said 'we". Crappp. How do I break it to her that there is no way I'm that crafty. I could sooner build a rocket ship and fly to the moon than I could sew moccasins." Poor Megan... I felt so guilty I couldn't be that friend to her. But she never once made me feel bad about it! Quite the opposite. She'd always act like I was something amazing and worthwhile. That's a true, blue friend for you.

Brinn. Brinny Brinners. She is a riot. It is one of the things I love the most about her. She has a playful, fun personality and is always poking fun at herself or whatever situation we were in. I can't count how many times she made me burst out laughing. One of my favorite memories of her was at the Ulibarri's Halloween party. She had come dressed as a Dalmatian and Megan was Cruella Deville. Instead of just walking in the door, I see the door crack open and Brinn's head pop through, puppy ears swinging. Then she playfully glanced around and started high pitched barking, "RUFF RUFF!! Seriously! Maybe you had to be there but it was hysterical!! Then pounced in with hands in front of her like paws. I about fell on the floor laughing!! The thing about Brinn is she is always smiling. No matter what. And she's always interested in everyone else. She will never be at a party talking about herself. She's always asking questions and trying to get to know other people. Her house is immaculate. It's one of those crazy things that doesn't even seem possible, but it is. She has 6 flippin' kids and her house is ALWAYS clean. This is no joke or exaggeration. She once told me she mops her floor multiple times a week. Say wha???!!! AND as if that alone wouldn't consume every second of your day, she homeschools her kids, now teaches early morning seminary and is always doing some sort of service for someone else. She recently got this brand new HUGE van (I forget how many seats) but it's essentially a metro bus. And why? Because she not only wants to drive her kids around, she wants to cart around the whole neighborhood! She was always swinging by my house to pick up my kids to take them to the park or her house. The more the merrier! Oy! It stressed me out just to watch her. I finally came to the conclusion that she is the only person I knew that I would not be surprised if she was called as a member of a presidency of the General Board of the church. It would completely make sense. She has a very obvious, innate desire to do what is right. The amount of service that Brinn gave me over those two years and especially those last two weeks, cannot be quantified. I love her with all my heart and will always look up to and admire her.

OK, are we beginning to see why I was such a mess when it was time to leave?! I wouldn't even let myself think about it. The second I thought about what I was giving up, I instantly regretted our decision and wanted to stay. And this isn't even going into detail about all the other amazing women I became friends with!! Organized, intelligent Ashley, kind and well spoken Emily, crafty and dedicated Tania, calm Mikelle who makes the most ridiculously beautiful quilts. Bethany had just moved in two months prior, but already I knew I was missing out on getting to know a GREAT person. She even insisted on taking Olive for me one morning when I was packing and acted like I had done HER a huge favor. I would miss Eileen's easy smile and laugh and having the Haws over for dinner and games. We really felt as comfortable with them as our own parents and siblings and loved them just as much. I didn't feel like we were just leaving a home, we were leaving dear, dear friends that had changed our lives. I can't enumerate the times the I felt my heart literally ache. Like it was being squeezed too hard and if I let myself start crying, I would never stop. 

I'll never forget the first time I looked up and saw this view. It is what you see when coming down our street. Our house is on the left behind those big trees. It had been several weeks after we moved here and I was still nursing my resentment of this place. Then one day on a walk with the kids I just happened to look up. And my breath caught.

I had no idea the beauty that surrounded me. And I scolded myself for being so blinded by my pessimism that it had taken me that long to just look up and smell the pinons. ;)

I always loved looking at the red rocks in the distance when the sun was setting. This was a road regularly taken from our house to get to Mossman park... or Dairy Queen. ;)

We went on walks often and it was almost always to the very exciting fountain. ;) (Just a regular 'ol fountain in someone's yard that only ran during the warm months. The boys loved taking note of when it was turned off or back on.)

This Albertsons was very close to our house so I found myself there once a week to get odds and ends. It was just too expensive and not very nice inside to do the big, weekly trip. It was in Zecca Plaza which was constantly roamed by homeless people and/or questionable characters. 

 (Ok, at the risk of sounding self righteous, there's another side story I just have to document. So, when I make a batch of homemade bread, it makes 5 loaves, so I'd usually go take one to a homeless person. And this was generally the area I'd go to, to do that. But I swear! There are a ton of homeless people walking around ALWAYS, until the second I have a loaf of bread to give away. Then there are none to be found! I had driven around for quite some time and needed to be somewhere so I called back to the kids, "Hey, guys! Mom needs your help. Can you look around while I'm driving and let me know if you see any homeless people?!" Just as the words finished leaving my lips, I cringed. Thattttt's not such a normal thing to request of your 6 and 4 year old, is it?! I was suddenly looking from the outside, in, at the situation and had to laugh slash grimace. What was I doing?!  But they happily perked up, excited to have a "mission", and slowly I started hearing, "Oh hey! Over there, Mom! That guy looks homeless!" Ay yi yi. And I'd pull the suburban over to hand off the bread. Actually, I have several stories that can go in the "giving bread to needy people" book. It was while doing that, that I first saw what a woman looks like completely high and not coherent, eyes bouncing. And it was the first time I felt truly grateful for the Community Vans that I could call to get her help. It's such a cold feeling, handing bread to someone that needs so, so much more. It was while giving bread to someone that I learned I needed to have more conversations with my children about what they can take from strangers!! We had been at a very sketchy park by ourselves (so my nerves were on high alert anyway) and while we were there I noticed a weathered looking man sitting nearby at a table. I had a loaf of bread in my car that I was wanting to give away, so before we left, I handed it to Collin and Weston with strict instructions. I told them to take the bread to the man and tell him, "My mom made this to share and we wanted you to have it. Hope you have a good day." I rehearsed this with them, then sent them off, not far, while I watched (In hindsight, maybeee not the best idea). Anyway, I couldn't hear what was being said, but while I watched, they handed him the bread and more conversation seemed to be taking place. I started thinking, Ok, what are you doing, get back here. I was about to start walking over when they turned and ran back to me. As they piled into the car I asked, "What happened? What did he say to you?" So Collin started filling me in, "Oh, he just said thanks and asked if I wanted a drink!"

"A drink?!!" I exclaimed. Why would he offer you a drink?! (I'm scanning my memory and not remembering seeing any sort of drink by him."

But Collin continues, "Oh I don't know."

So I asked, "Well, what did you say?"

"I said no thanks."

With relief, I said, "Would you ever take a drink from a stranger?

With about 3 seconds of pondering he chirped, "Well, if it looked normal!"

Bahhh!! "NO. I emphasized. You say NO. NEVER take a drink from a stranger, Collin!!!" As I'm mentally smacking myself that my child would even consider such an offer. He seemed nonplussed by the whole situation while I started rethinking all parenting tactics. Just a sampling for ya, about the normal goings on in Gallup.



OK, sorry for the deviations. Back to moving!

I had been serving in Young Women's and came home from mutual one night to find our door heart attacked by the Beehives. It made me feel so loved! The girls all seemed so sad when they heard I was moving which filled me with guilt and love at the same time.

Lucky Weston was treated to a snow cone after a playdate with Kreighton. 

 Another one of Weston's favorite friends was Everett. He so loved Everett! Tania took these pictures of them on their last playdate. I'm obsessed! I feel like they could be brothers. Once again, I'm so lucky to have such talented friends! Spidey and Ironman forever!

As a parting gift, Everett handed Weston a big, red, manila envelope. Inside was a thick stack of stationery that Tania made, along with envelopes, cute stamps and individualized address labels! Look at that adorable paper!! I can't.even. This blew me away. Tania is so crazy thoughtful!! What a great idea to put together a pen pal pack. Weston was so excited to send off his first letter.

 Two weeks before we moved, the Shaheens blessed their baby, Ivie. I was so glad we got to be there and Travis could be in the circle. We went to McGaffey the day before for what's become a very anticipated meal of Dutch oven chicken, potatoes and beans! Her parents and brother's family were in town for the event. Bron's parents came later for the blessing, along with his sister's family. Megan had us all over for a yummy lunch on Sunday and we enjoyed visiting with everyone. I've loved getting to know their parents and siblings.

 Why do I love Virgil so much? ;)

 Little did I know, Megan was bringing her camera to all these "lasts" to have some good pictures for her gift to us. I'm so grateful! I love them all! The water store close to our house has sno cones that we treat ourselves to often. But the place we've really spent all our time at, is Mossaman park!! Soooo many playdates here! We surely have worn our bum marks into those benches. ;)

 Weston has had the hardest time of all of us leaving these two, sweet babes. He has cried on multiple occasions that he just wants to see Baby Kamden and Baby Ivie. Break my heart. One day, Mommy will get you a baby, kid!

 Megan told us to stand there while she was getting her exposure right. So we decided to be really cool models. I'll spare you the cleavage one, haha!

 I love love love this one.

 Moms just wanna have fun, amiright?!

The weekend before we moved, we went on our last group date with the Shaheens and Kings to Zens. Ironically enough, Zens was the first restaurant we went on a date to after we moved here. We met up with the Shaheens and McPhersons and enjoyed a steak and sushi and I remember relaxing a little and thinking, "OK... that was pretty good. I think I can do this." Haha. Just give me sushi, and I can live anywhere. ;)



We moved on a Friday and it was a very busy week leading up to it.

Monday night, Megan took our family pictures.

Then, on Tuesday night, Brinn hosted a goodbye party for us at her house.

Do you see the adorable, cactus banner behind Travis's head?! Tania made that. 

She also made these cactus cookies! Are you kidding me right now?! Because she's not the YW's president or has 4 little kids to take care of or anything, you know. She said that she saw the cactus cookie cutter online and thought how cute it would be to buy for when we ended up moving. But by the time she found out we were actually leaving and ordered it, it wasn't going to get here in time. So she took a circle cookie cutter, handed it to her husband and said, "Here. Make this into a cactus." Hahaha! So he did! I guess when you're crafty, your husband gets to be too.

We had told our friends we didn't want a goodbye party and we meant it. For both of us, that felt awkward and unnecessary and not our style. But they did it anyway and I'm so grateful they did! So many people came and it was so nice to have everyone in one place to say goodbye to. It was just a fun night of talking, laughing and eating. A really good night all around.

On Wednesday, we sent Collin off to school, then drove to Mesa with the other two, to finally sign all the bank and practice papers. A big day indeed, and a very surreal feeling.



This was the first time I even met Dr. Castledine and his wife!

The biggest blessing out of having to do that in the middle of packing was getting to leave Weston and Olive with our parents. My mom had them on Wednesday and Friday and Paula had them on Thursday. It was such a relief to drive back to Gallup and know we could finish packing and cleaning without worrying about them. Family is amazing!



Collin gave me this drawing in the midst of all the packing. It says, "Great day for packing!"

The only problem I see here is the figure is smiling.

We had planned on getting the U-Haul truck on Friday, but thanks to Wes Jones, we got it on Thursday instead. On a whim, Travis called a few guys and they started loading it Thursday night. Brinn had invited us over for dinner, so right after, Travis and Michael left to start loading. I was so emotional. I was crying before I even walked into Brinn's house. I felt like I was walking into my own funeral. (Side note: in actuality, this whole process DID feel quite a lot like being at your own funeral! Even though you know people care, you REALLY feel it when you move. Everyone says nice things about you and acts really broken up that you're "gone". So if you ever get to feeling down about yourself, just move. ;)

 We had a yummy dinner, and then Megan and Brinn whip out these little, wrapped jewelry boxes. I didn't even want to open them. Getting generous gifts puts me in such a pickle. I'm SO grateful, but it causes so much guilt and unworthy type feelings. It's just not necessary and I feel in their debt.... I don't know how to describe it. But inside, were the most beautiful sets of earrings and bracelet. My jaw dropped. I had recently bought similar jewelry for a friend's wedding and knew just how much this kind of thing costs. And these were BIG gems of turquoise! I couldn't believe it. The bracelet was the exact one I had bought for my friend and loved so much, but knew I'd never spend that kind of money on jewelry for myself. Unfortunately, I recalled saying that very thing to Megan and knew this was why she chose it for me. What do you even do with such kindness?? Their generosity amazes me. I wear this jewelry all the time. And think of these two, dear friends and Gallup every time.

After we visited for a while, I left to get Drumsticks and Gatorade at the store for the men moving. Here is the "before" ...

After I was done packing boxes, Travis would move them into the big, main room. So here are most of our belongings in one place! I had thrown out SO much stuff. It's amazing what you collect. It felt so good to trash or donate bags and bags of things. I for sure filled the back of my car 10x over with stuff I got rid of. Best.feeling.ever.

And yet, we still had all this stuff!!! Oy!

"PIVOT!"

FRIENDS applies to everything, I swear.

Apparently, I left my phone unattended for too long that night. This was my new home screen I discovered after everyone left. Ha!

I know of no comparable feeling to being served. Your heart just goes out in gratitude for everything people do for you. I always feel that so acutely when we move. The High Priest group here is a young bunch indeed, but there were two older men that came to help too and they were no lightweights! I felt awful watching them pick up heavy things, but they protested every time I tried to get them to stop. They were so happy to help and even asked Travis what time they could come back to finish in the morning. Amazing, I tell you.

After the guys left and Collin was asleep, I headed over to Megan's house for one last tutorial. For at least a year, I've wanted to ask her to teach me a little about editing pictures. Nothing like waiting til the last minute, huh?!

After a quick lesson, she handed me some more wrapped boxes. I could not even handle this. One had the sweetest little silver and turquoise bracelets for Olive. There was a really nice, New Mexico shaped cutting board which I thought was awesome. And then. For the big, orange box.

I unwrapped a Shutterfly photo book made especially for us and filled with pictures of our families, from not only the past two years, but from the beginning- 7 years ago in Buffalo!!!! My fingers traced over the cover photo just taken the week before at McGaffey. I was emotional just looking at that first picture, how was I going to make it through the rest?!! As I turned each page, I didn't just cry, I sobbed. Going along with the pictures, was the most heart felt poem I'd ever read. Megan told me she had been working on this for months and had been telling her Mom what she wanted it to say, and then her Mom wrote most of the verses. I always knew her mother was a saint but this sealed the deal. I don't think I've ever been given a more thoughtful gift in my entire life. So many memories flooded my mind as I looked over the pictures. Our little families had grown up together! It was so fun looking back over baby pictures of Lilly and Collin together. Such good little buddies. They are truly cut from the same cloth. We have spent holidays together, celebrated birthdays, gone on vacations, and been a part of each other's daily lives. Our husbands have been in the circles of our babies being blessed. We've always known we could call each other in an emergency or ask each other for a favor you'd only ask of family. The Shaheens are incredible people. It all began when the head cheerleader married the star football player and it just got better from there. Stalwart examples of charity and living the gospel. They are powerhouses raising the cutest little girls in existence, alongside the spunkiest boy. Oh, I will miss his grin! And sweet, little Rubi. That girl melts my heart. Lilly will grow up to be just like her mama, beautiful and talented. Living in Gallup was primarily enjoyable because of the Shaheens. They were our people. :) We love them more than we could express.

The sting of the move is only lessened by the fact that we will just be 4 hours away. There will still be plenty more memories to be made.

 I just wish that fact could have lessened my crying headache that night. :(

Friday finally came and you know how that goes. You think you're done and somehow there's still hours left of cleaning and last minute things. We made ourselves stop for an hour though, and met Brinn and Megan at Angela's Café for lunch. It was divine. And I felt myself soaking in every last second with them. Afterward, they went to Red Rock to pick up Collin to keep him until we were ready to pull out. And Travis went back to the U-Haul yard to pick up a trailer, because we couldn't fit it all in the truck.

By about 5:30 pm, it seemed we were ready to leave. I text Brinn and Megan and they came over with all their kids to say goodbye and see us off. All the kids were crying. Collin seemed excited to go, but I don't think he totally understood what was happening. He just saw a big, fun moving truck and knew he got to drive in it with Dad! Megan brought her camera and took pictures. We hugged and hugged and cried and hugged some more. Lilly and Brielle retreated the mini van to sob longer. It was seriously breaking my heart. I almost couldn't be sad for myself because I was so distraught over these sweet kids' emotions! Megan handed us big plates of her to die for Swig cookies, still warm from the oven. When Brinn heard that I still needed to drop our house key off at a hotel the landlords own, she quickly offered to do it for me. Giving service to the bitter end! I tearfully got in the suburban and tried to take pictures while Brinn videotaped us pulling away. I'm sobbing all over again just looking at these pictures.



Heading toward Route 66 for the last time. 

As I got onto the I-40, crying and feeling at such a loss, I tried to eat one of Megan's cookies to help myself feel better and it just made me cry harder! How could we be doing this?! I was so choked up it was getting unmanageable.  

This is a part of what I wrote on Instagram...

Seeing those red rocks in my rear view mirror meant a wonderful chapter in my life was closing and I truly am mourning that loss. From now on, when I mention to people that we lived in Gallup and get the inevitable grimace and pitied looks, I will feel such a swell of pride and love for a place that allowed me to grow, learn and love like I never knew was possible. And I will MISS it.

We stopped once in Holbrook for some dinnerish snacks and then pulled into Mesa around 10pm. Collin was conked out. He slept with Travis at his parents house, then went with him bright and early the next morning to start unloading the truck at our new house.

I slept at my parent's house where Olive and Weston were. We got donuts and Gatorade in the morning and headed over after the truck was unloaded. Super grateful for all the guys that came to help!

Ta-Da!

We finally made it.

Gilbert, AZ is now our home.

I'm still not sure I comprehend it.