CHICAGO!! Ready or not......here we come!
I can't believe we are less than a month away from leaving Arizona to travel across the country to Illinois. The last few months have been, shall we say: crazy, stressful, exciting, stressful, fun, stressful.....got it? From the day we found out Jared got into Midwestern University in Downers Grove, and that he did not get accepted to the school here that we were hoping for (booooo!), we have been checking into all sorts of things: where to live, cost of moving (driving ourselves vs. having someone else do it for us), cost of living, jobs, car stuff (insurance, registration, etc.), how to get out of our current lease, etc., etc. We have also been slowly packing up stuff we don't use on a regular basis (some of which I am already missing). Our apartments feels a little less like our home with pictures and momentos packed away.......sigh. We have loved living where we are and are definitely go to miss it, but we are stoked for our next adventure!
One thing you learn really quickly while getting ready for your great adventure is how much it is going to cost you: moving half-way across the country, packing supplies, getting in to a new place to live, getting out of a lease, registering cars in new state, etc. It definitely hurts the pocket book, but we are making it work and in a few years we will have so much to pay back in students loans that it will seem like chump change.
We were originally looking further out from the school (approx. 30 minutes) to rent a place because it was cheaper. But pending a job offer (more on than later) we have found a home to rent that is less than 10 minutes from the school! My mom's cousin lives on the north side of Chicago and her husband's cousin's son owns the home. They are moving to a bigger home the end of July and made the decision to rent theirs out. We are getting a fantastic deal for the area and what it is. If we moved further out, we would have a smaller place, be spending more on gas and not being able to see Jared as much each day. It really balances out and it will be nice to be in one place for the next 4 years.
Sunday I am flying to Chicago for a couple of job interviews on Monday. I was not planning on flying out, but the place I am the most interested in working (mainly because of the hours and benefits) said she would put me on the top of their list until I got there and could meet with them in person and would see what they had available at that time. Jared and I talked and felt it was worth the investment to pursue this opportunity, plus another one. I have done phone interviews with each of them already and I am hopeful one (or both!) of them with result in a job offer. Wish me luck! I am also excited to go see the house we are possibly going to rent....pending a job offer.
I admit that I have been on an emotional rollercoaster. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought I was pregnant. I am so proud of Jared and all that he has been able to accomplish through hard work and dedication. I am so grateful for this opportunity to grow and learn. But I feel like the last little while I have gotten a little off track with what is important...the last few months especially. I want to be a better wife to Jared, a better momma to Jamison, a better neighbor and friend to those in our community, a better member of the church..........I just want to be better. I am trying to take steps to being better in all of these areas, but I don't want to be overwhelmed with everything I want to accomplish either. I know from past experiences that if I take on too much at once I get frustrated that I am not doing everything perfect and backtrack. I only want to move forward.
I have also been a huge slacker when it comes to taking pictures. Something I definitely plan on fixing in the very near future. The first picture is the only one taken with a decent camera. All the rest are from my phone.
Some family time in St. George
Watching Cars or Toy Story
Eating a sucker while waiting for ear infection meds
Grandma Loralie came to stay a few days while I was recovering from my appendectomy, which I really appreciated! Jamison, and Livingston, loved having her there. Jamison even shared her salad with her.
Driving to St. George to visit Jona, Jaci, Emma, and Liam.
Jamison and Liam bonding with their uncles while playing the Wii.
"Cheese!!"
