here we go again!!!

yes, it's official! the first week of august we will be moving back to the lone star state! after much discussion, debate, prayer and consideration of all the options, matt and i have decided that texas is where we want and need to be. it's where we have decided we would like to raise a family and the job opportunities are better for both myself and my now non-academic husband. yes, we are SUPER excited!

at the same time, it's bittersweet as we will have to say goodbye to all our friends and family here in the columbus area. while i've always been a texas girl at heart (no surprise there, i know!) i do appreciate all the things i have experienced, the opportunities we've had and the time we've spent here in ohio. matt and i have grown individually and as a couple and we are so thankful that we had the chance to live here, even if it was only for a short while.

and yes, i will miss the snow in the winter....but NOT the salt!

here's a video of a semi-appropriate song ("semi" because i didn't move here because of a guy named leeland!). it was actually one of matt and my favorite songs before we moved up here because of the ohio/texas connection... and because it's by bowling for soup (an awesome band). an extra bit of trivia....this song is the reason i initially *met* my husband!

the song that started it all:

a little more info on the move:

it truly became official on july 16th when i turned in my two week notice at work and we gave notice to our apartment complex, but we have been talking about it since the last part of april. yes, our many trips to texas did include some semi-covert interviews and house-hunting and there has been *lots* of planning involved in all of this. we are truly appreciative of the support of our friends and family through all this, and hope that this is the last time (at least for a couple years) that we will have to ask your help in moving us ;)

and for those who are curious, we will be living in plano and i have accepted a job as a staff nurse in the ER at children's medical center in dallas.

some pics of the preparation for your viewing pleasure....

getting started on the packing...matt tries to keep his energy up

lexi helps out by providing comic relief

the office after the first "round" of packing is done

another night of packing chaos

and no, right now it doesn't look like this...you know i couldn't sleep at night!

the office after "round two" of packing

and, for my fellow texans:

You Know You're In Texas In July When

• The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
• The trees are whistling for the dogs.
• The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
• Hot water now comes out of both taps.
• You can make sun tea instantly.
• You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron!
• The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.
• You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.
• You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.
• You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
• You break into a sweat the instant you step outside... at 7:30 a.m.
• Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and get cooked to death?"
• You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
• The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.
• Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.
• The cows are giving evaporated milk.

Ah, what a place to call home.