Grateful

A couple of life updates:

*We are moving back to Craven County!
*JJ got a wonderful job opportunity at Cherry Point. He leaves for training in MD tonight. He will miss all his former coworkers and bosses in Elizabeth City.
*I am going to start *hopefully* working at Swansboro High School at the end of the month. I am finish up at Perquimans in two weeks. I will be teaching Teen Living and Interior Design I & II.
*We will be living in New Bern with JJ's father Jim to help offset some of his bills and take care of him. Mainly we want to be with him and spend time together as a family

So we spent this whole weekend packing with my parents. My parents surprised me with a laptop with Windows 8 since I have to return my work computer. I am using it as a type :) My parents will be here with a U-Haul when I get off of work on Friday. I am having two boys load the truck. Saturday we plan to work on the New Bern house and get it ready for us to live there and also to do some projects around the place before Jim returns. I have to come back to Perquimans to finish out  my last week of work then I will be in New Bern for good.

I get sad when I realize what we are leaving here in Hertford/Elizabeth City. This is the place where we really grew close as husband and wife. I know for a fact I would NOT be who I am today if it wasn't for all the experiences I have had in the area. We have met some awesome people while we have been here! Laura Biggs: the best clinical teacher and friend in the world!, Cindi, Will, Becky, John, Erin, Brandon, Corey, Willie & his family, Amy & Wayne & their family, Angel (my mentor), J's coworkers, soccer players & their families, my coworkers (Ashley, Bob, Sarah, Hannah). Everyone has been wonderful to us and taught us lots. We have had great times with everyone here and will cherish them forever. It's not goodbye forever but see ya later!

But then I realize what moving home means. Here is the list of why I am SO happy to move home!!!!!!

*Family. Family. Family.
*We are so blessed to be able to go home to care for Jim and be with him with everything happening. I wouldn't trade this for anything. It will be nice for J and Kara to know exactly what is going on with their Dad. I can make sure he is eating well and is being spoiled;)
*My parents are the BOMB. Every time J and me hang out with them we always have a fun time. J and Dan get along so well and me and my mama are two peas in a pod. I cannot wait to call my mama up to hang out on a Saturday. Since 2008 when I moved we have had so many long phone conversations and I am happy we can actually go do more things together. J and Dan already have plans to go shooting guns and play golf. When the time comes for us to have kids I will be happy they will REALLY know their Grammy and Pappy.
*Mallory and her family. I have been gone since Aubrey was born. I moved to Greenville two months before she was born. J and me are happy we will be able to be around them as they grow. We cannot wait to pick them up and take them to do fun things. I am happy when they have sporting or school events we will be able to be there. I love them and cannot wait to be their "full time Aunt!" Who knows, maybe one day Aubrey will be babysitting our kids!
*Lauren Beth. I don't even know how to begin to share my excitement on this one! Lauren is "my person". I can tell her anything and she always has an open heart and accepts me for who I am. I love her dearly. It will be a good feeling to call her up for drinks after work or to kick it with her and her hubby on the weekends. I am happy for the adventures in store for us! I know this is not in the immediate future but if and when the time comes for us to have kids I am so happy my kids will have their "Aunt Lauren" in their lives. She will be such a genuine influence.
*Ashley Bambina will only be a 40 minute drive. Even though it isn't "across the hall" close I am still happy to be close to her again. We were together almost everyday in college but the past two years we have had to be apart but for good reasons (working overseas, moving for jobs). I am ecstatic to be able to spend time with her again like the good ol' days. Dog walking, Netflix veg sessions and the likes are in store for us. We won't think twice before throwing our crap into a car and riding off on a adventure. I look forward to more adventures with my bambeanie baby. ;)
*Jake, Renee & Con Man! Jake is JJ's cousin (more like brother). Renee has become one of my absolute closest friends and Conor is growing like a weed. We are happy to be closer to them to watch Conor grow and spend quality time with all three of them.
*JJ to be around his friend Tim, who is like his brother!
*J has some family is Havelock as well and it will be good to be close to them too.
*Mrs. Allmon & her husband. I am happy that I can go enjoy Sundays with the Allmon's at their country home in Vanceboro. I have some of my fondest college memories driving out to her house when I was stressed beyond belief. The rides home always came with a sense a clarity as to what was important in life. I am a better person and wife from spending time with them. Their marriage is an inspiration to mine. I love sitting outside with them watching her chickens, going through her garden and enjoying a glass of sweet tea. She is the one who taught me how to sew and I spent endless hours working on projects there. If they ever need anything I would jump up and drive to them with zero reservations.
*Mario's Pizza..and Paula's Pizza....La Rosas...and Musashi!
*Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle
*Annunciation
*More drives out to Cherry Branch!
*There are coffee shops *hallelujah*
*We will be close to family so our vacations won't be spent driving, although we will be going to visit Kara, Tom, Tyler Anne & the new walnut of course, so we can actually take trips WE want to take.
*I am happy to reconnect with old friends in the area too. I look forward to spending time with Caroline and Ashley Holder. I am looking forward to catching up with friends of my youngster days, Christy and Jessica Drake.

I am sure I am forgetting some people/things/food places (such a fatty!). I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday ahead of them.

Much Love, Marcy