Goodbye Raleigh

Monday morning we packed up the car, said our goodbyes to Eric and then to our neighbors and headed out of our neighborhood for the last time. I turned out onto Forestville Road toward the interstate that would bring us "home". I drove past the house that doubles as a Vietnamese temple. It was all decorated for the celebration of the Vietnamese New Year. It was always interesting to see it decorated on top of all the massive figurines in the yard. We waved to the small house sized Buddha and yellow goats as we passed. On the interstate and thinking we were settling in for a long day, we put in a movie and i drive. I cried. Not because i am going to miss Raleigh itself or this job (at all) but because of the wonderful people we met. We had wonderful neighbors that made the time we were there easy. Easy to go out and have people to hang out with and other kids to play with while Eric was working. My Grey's night with the girls every Thursday. It always gave me an excuse to make a sweet treat and eat late. We found a really good church that i never wanted to miss, always a good sign. The kids loved their classes and teachers. Gymnastics was also a hard thing to leave. The teachers were amazing and the kids knew that every Friday was special because it was gymnastics day. We collected e-mails and phone numbers in order to keep in touch with Ella's BFFs. I look forward to hearing back from them all. Three of our friends are expecting and i am sad they won't get to share in our joy as we have another one and i am more sad i won't get to share in their joy as they go through their pregnancies and bring their little ones home. Introductions and goodbyes are just a part of the job. We will go to a new home and find a new church and new activities for the kids but these people will always hold this time in our lives. As we drove it didn't take long before Jack had to go potty so my mind was off to other things. Granted we were only a little over an hour into the trip. I thought it was going to be a much longer day than expected. We only stopped twice before getting to Birmingham. We made a stop at Uncle Wes's for dinner and then on to Grandpa and Grandma's house. 12 hours, 3 stops, 2 gas fill ups, two meals, lots of snacks and countless movies, we were there. Not sure where to go from here but we are good at winging it. Eric was told to try and stay in Raleigh for another few weeks before having movers come in and pack up. He has vacation for two weeks the first of February so i guess he will go back to get the move done. Where to you ask?? We have no idea. :) Mom and Dad rented bunk beds for the month since our length of stay is unknown. I have a doctors appointment set up for Monday and we will go from there. Eric is really ready to finish up this job. Doug has gone and gotten started on his new job so Eric is alone. Still having long days and nights because it all needs to be done NOW. That is just the way it is sometimes. I look forward to him getting here and having some time with us. So for now, i am 26, pregnant with my fourth child and living upstairs in my parents house. 2 adults, 4 kids and 2 dogs upstairs in three bedrooms and one bath. Another adventure God has planned for us. :)