Whats in a name?

So as we get closer to the move date I find myself appreciating everything around me more. I love the beauty in a drive from Clinton to Conway. I appreciate small talk with friends, family, and people around my hometown. I appreciate the ability to ask someone to babysit and knowing Hudson is in good hands. All of these and more I have taken for granted over the years. I also find myself appreciating being "southern". I had someone tell me I was so southern they couldn't imagine me in Seattle. It was then I decided my title would be Dixie goes grunge. They are just so different. From sweet southern belle to hipster life! I honestly can't imagine the transition either. I've thought about what southern means to me and what I will miss about it. Southern for me isn't cowboy boots and shorts. In fact I believe cowboy boots should never be worn with anything above the knee. Its not riding down a dirt road, fishing on a river bank, or even a big glass of sweet tea. Southern for me is the love for your neighbor that surpasses a friendship and leans more towards family. After the house was packed up we moved to Clinton. We went to church this past Sunday night to hear my Mom and brother speak. I saw my sweet little neighbor Mrs. Wanda. She hugged me and told me how worried she was about my mom and our big move. That next morning I hear mom talking on the phone and then she says I'll send Brittney out to the road. This is where it gets good...after discovering I was home for the week Mrs. Wanda made me a pan of her famous homemade rolls! Are you kidding me?! She said she knew I loved them and would enjoy them before I left. Its just the cutest durn thing I can think of! I saw her today and told her I was enjoying them so much and she responds "Oh those are old, I'll make you a new set"! What! I mean that to me is such a picture what it means to be southern. I'm sure there will be many days where I will sing "I wish I was in Dixie" but for now I will look forward to my grunge adventure!

The ugh of it all!

When we first started this process I just wanted someone to have blogged an example. I wanted it to contain the ins and outs of moving your toddler across the country. I expected someone would tell me what neighborhood to live in, what to pack, how to fly, and the best way to keep in touch. I tried every search I could think of and I could only come up with tiny pieces of information. I would put them all together and try to keep my head above water. I remember sitting in the floor one afternoon having a total meltdown. I was lost! Do I do FSBO? Do we hire an agent? Who do we hire? Do we move out early? Do we? Do we? Do we? I was so angry at the entire process and all the bloggers who failed me! I swore in that moment I would blog every tiny bit of info I could and make sure no other Mom had to go through all of my stresses! It would talk about travel, where to buy furniture, what mom groups to join and more! Now this realization did not talk me off the ledge but it did give me some sense of control. I eventually had to just hit my knees and give it all over to God and a realtor! I just couldn't do it on my own another moment! Well here we are 4 months later and I have not provided a single bit of information to any mom and I can't even begin to type any up! I don't even know how I have gotten this far. The truth is you just buckle up, put your faith in God, and just let go! He has opened every door and shut them just as he said he would. As soon as I shut up and sat back he just took off! I would like to say I will be posting super helpful Mom tips for moving to Kirkland but the truth is you have to just go through it! The perfect list for you is just that...for you! Nobody else is going to write just how you should live your life and why would you want them to! This may but the UGH of it but its also the FUN of it!