Broken

Well, it's official. We're moving. And, we're all broken-hearted about it. In fact, some days I'm so sad about it, it hurts to take a breath in.

Many people in the school ask if we have family here, and when I tell them no, they say, "Well, at least you don't have to leave family." And what I want to tell them, is that what we have is probably just as good. While we don't have extended family here, my little family has thrived here. We've been so blessed to call this place home. We have a ward family who love us and we love right back. We have so many wonderful neighbors who we absolutely trust and love. I have loved the 5 years at our elementary school and come to know so many of the staff there. It is so hard to know we're walking away from all of this. I just feel broken as I think of it.

For the past two years I have had the greatest church calling! I have been lucky enough to be our ward Young Women's President. I have been given an amazing opportunity to be blessed by getting to know, and spending time with, 30 girls who I look up to. They are unwavering examples to me of faith, self worth, charity, love, laughter, compassion, generosity, virtue, fun (!), service and integrity. To say I will miss them is a gross understatement. To say that I will leave a part of my heart back in Illinois with those girls is completely true. I want nothing more than for them to know that they are loved. They are loved not only by me and their families, but most importantly by their Savior. And if they truly understand that love, they will never feel alone. They will always feel "of worth". And knowing their self-worth, they will be unstoppable in the things they will be able to accomplish!

So, where are we going? What the heck are we doing?

Chasing a dream, really. 8 years ago when Jeff was in business school he took an entrepreneurship class with a friend, and they wrote a business plan. They have carefully worked to make that plan a reality. And, the day has finally arrived.

I am thrilled for Jeff that he has gotten to this point. I wish I could say I'd been 100% supportive of every step. There have been many long hours over several years as he would work at night, after his "regular" job, to make this a success. And as is often the case in life, there are still no guarantees. However, the time is right. We are in a position in our family right now where it's either now or never. So, we're making a leap of faith, leaving a home we love and starting new. And, of course, Jeff couldn't be happier. And because of that, I couldn't be happier for him.

We are embarking on our new adventure in Washington. State. Not DC. We are leaving crummy winters behind for crummy rain all year! For some reason we can't score in the weather department.

Mother Nature is prepping us for the move, though. Here's what my favorite local weatherman had to say about April in Chicago.

"April's produced the most measurable rain days of any the past 50 yrs. It's still on track to become Chi's cloudiest April on record here. Sunshine records begin in 1893 and to date, April 2011's produced 31% of its possible sun!"

Right as we told the kids we were moving to the Northwest, the weather turned on us and brought the Northwest to us! We do hear it's beautiful up there, and I'm excited to get to see first hand, in a few weeks. In fact, that's the first thing people say when they hear where we're going..."I hear it's beautiful up there!"

Are we crazy? Probably. Do I feel crazy? Absolutely. Are we doing the right thing? Yes, and I'm sure. Am I broken, having to leave? Of course...but we are blessed and for that I am grateful.