Nine Days

9

We move to Virginia in nine days.
Nine days.
Whoa.
That’s single digits, folks.

I had a small breakdown yesterday. Poor Keagan. I just couldn’t help it, though. I was standing outside (in the balmy spring weather that we finally got a taste of), admiring two new kittens at his parents’ house, listening to the cows, and looking out at the empty Iowa corn fields that are just begging to be filled with corn and beans. I could smell a hint of thawed manure. It was a glamorous moment. But anyways, I just couldn’t help it.

We had spent the last couple of days enjoying the weather, and family, and friends. People were saying goodbye to us, but no tears were being shed- just smiles, hugs, and sad hearts on the inside. So, when Keagan came outside after me, I broke down a little bit. I never thought I’d love Iowa as much as I do.

I’ve learned a lot in these last 9 months. I’ve learned that barbecues are called taverns, hotdish is casserole, egg bake equals egg dish, and down here they don’t shovel snow, they scoop snow. I’ve enjoyed our cozy little house on our wide open acreage. I’ve made it all the way down the gravel roads without fear of anyone even seeing my pathetic attempt at running (because no cars ever go by). I’ve walked to the mailbox in white athletic socks, brown dress shoes, grey pajama pants, and a grey dressy coat- just because those were the closest clothing items to the door, and no one would see me anyways.

It's all going to be okay, though. Life has been good here- really good. But now it’s time to do what we’ve been waiting for. I know that both of us are so equipped and ready to handle the move ahead, and the moves after that. We’re both flexible and adaptable and God never fails, even when we do. We’re going to miss this place, but we’re going to love what’s ahead as well. After yesterday’s breakdown and a good night of sleep, I feel so much better. I mean, really, now I can look forward to vacationing in Iowa!

We're going to miss all of you here in the Midwest, but you can bet that we'll do our best to keep in touch. I'm really good at posting an unneccesary amount of pictures on facebook and I've been getting better at emails. So, send me an email and I promise I'll reply! Better yet, ask for my address and we'll be pen pals, because nothing is better than getting mail and writing letters.

Thanks to all who have supported us through visits, emails, suprise cards, and smiles. It means more than you know and we are so lucky to have you in our lives. We'll miss you, but I'm done breaking down. Why? Because I've decided that instead of breaking down, I'm going to eat chocolate chip cookies.

And nothing is too bad for a chocolate chip cookie to fix.

-hannah