Saying goodbye to 2013 and hello to new opportunities!

As 2013 comes to an end, I thought it would be a good time to give an update on the babies and our upcoming move. Everything has been so busy with all the holiday festivities. As much fun as they are, I will have a lot less to do now that they are over. I am sure the move will keep us plenty busy though. Its very surreal, this whole move, and honestly I have gone from being scared to being very excited! I know it is a huge change but I'm really looking forward to continuing our journey in Virgina.

2013 has been another amazing year for our family. We started off a little rocky with both Georgia and Mickey spending some time in the hospital with RSV and Pneumonia, but they are little fighters like always and beat it. Now they are better than ever.

On the professional side, I had new opportunities to learn and grow in my career with Club Med. It will be so hard for me to let go of that part of my life when we move, but so wonderful to focus on my most important job, being a mommy and focusing all my time and energy on my three miracles. I will truly miss so many people at work though and being a part of that team. On a personal side, this year I got to take a trip with Christina to Club Med in Florida, a much needed girls trip, and Tommy and I got to visit Cancun. We got to tour the Mayan ruins, learn about the people and the culture, swim in underground caves, zip line over crocodile infested lagoons and snorkel with the fishies. The margaritas and sunsets weren't bad either.

In May, Tommy finished his Doctorate degree earning himself the title Dr. Comer.  I still cant believe I am married to a doctor. Hee Hee. I am so proud of him. In August I had to have another surgery but am feeling much better now and much more myself. No pain, no gain I guess. I hate that I had to go through it and how difficult it is on Tommy when I do, but am healthy now and that's all that matters.

This year the babies turned two years old and they have made the most progress of us all. This time last year, Georgia and Jo were still crawling. In fact Georgia didn't start walking until April but now she is a pro. They are running all over this house, climbing on the furniture, pushing each other and us out of the way. Just when we think the house is toddler proof they learn to get into something else. They have recently learned how to open doors! All three of them have become very good at expressing themselves. We know when they need something or want something and for the most part what that is. They have all started speech therapy and we can already tell a big difference. Georgia says the most words and puts the two words together a lot. Sometimes she speaks for the other two even though they are able to say the same things. Jolynne is quiet but you know she knows what to do, she just likes to be defiant and talk when she wants, not when we want her too. Mickey has full on conversations with us and himself but he still struggles with the words. He is getting better though and know someday, he will be the chatterbox. Their new favorite activity is having me read to them. They love books and sometimes could care less about all the other toys. Its a great way for them to learn. I am really excited to take them places in our new city, read to them and teach them new words, and watch them continue to learn and grow. They are amazing to me in every way possible. I am sure I am forgetting a lot here, which is why I need to start blogging more often so I don't forget to note all the new little things they do every day.

We are finally under contract on our house and the appraisal has gone through, which is a huge relief. The next step is the home inspection which is scheduled for Friday. We are hoping all goes well and nothing too major comes up. While the home inspection is taking place, Tommy and I will actually be on our way to Charlottesville to look at homes. We are so excited to have found a few we think look nice and cant wait to explore Charlottesville. It is supposed to be snowing when we get there. Eeeek. I have really tried to stock up on sweaters the last couple weeks. Its not something I have really needed in Arizona.

When we get back, I will still have two more weeks of work, but Tommy starts his new job on January 13, so he will be in Virginia that week and we will be here. It will likely be that way for two weeks. Our tentative plan is to actually leave together as a family for Charlottesville on February 1st. We plan to stop in Amarillo, Tulsa, and Nashville if the weather cooperates and are hoping to see a few friends and family along the way.

So, as I said, it is still kind of surreal and hard to believe we are actually moving. Lots of thoughts swimming in my head all day, every day. I think leaving my mom will be the hardest part of it all but am thankful for modern technology and things like face time. We also learned with the new SMART TVs, you can actually buy a camera for it and Skype on the TV. Even though we are excited about this next adventure on our lives, we will miss so many things about Arizona. It will always be home to us. So, as we say goodbye to 2013 and to Arizona, we will hold onto all the wonderful memories and people here in our hearts and visit often. We will spend January cherishing the time we have left here with our friends and family before we move, starting with our trip to Pinetop tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone that continues to follow this blog and our journey. The adventure will continue in 2014 with lots of new stories and updates to share. Until then, Happy New Year to all our friends and family near and far. Wishing each and everyone of you health, happiness, and love in 2014.

The Next Chapter Begins...

The last couple weeks have been very exciting and yet, so emotional. I am so proud of my husband, who last week accepted a new position of VP of Human Resources for a successful, growing organization in Charlottesville, Virginia. At 31 years old, he will be a VP, and it really is amazing how much he has accomplished at his age. Obtaining his doctorate earlier this year and now this. I know I have said it before, but I am a very lucky girl.

With his new job, that means we will be making the move to Virginia early next year to start a new chapter in our lives. I will have the opportunity to stay home with the babies for awhile and possibly go back to school, something I never imagined I would be able to do. Its such an important time in the babies lives and their development and I am so excited to be able to spend this time them before they start school in a couple years. As everyone always tells me, you will never get this time back. They will never be this age again and they are growing so fast.  From what I read, Charlottesville offers a fairly laid back lifestyle. Its not a big city, but its not a small town either. I am looking forward to a slightly slower pace of life and even the chance to experience all 4 seasons again.

Of course, this change is very scary as well. My eyes well up with tears when I think of all the goodbyes ahead. We will be leaving our entire support system, my mom, my sister, my nephew, all our friends, our nanny, and my work family will all be tough for me to leave. So many people we love and so many friendships we treasure. We have built a good life here in Phoenix and even though this move is the best thing for our family, a part of us will always be here in Arizona.

My last day at Club Med is January 17th and Tommy starts his new job the week before. Between now and then we will be focused on getting this house sold, so we don't have to live apart for two long. The plan is hopefully to make the move in the start of February if all goes well. Tommy and I will be traveling to Charlottesville at some point to try and find a place to live.

 You can expect many more blog entries in the weeks and months to come, and even more once we move. Something else I look forward to is catching up on my writing. Lots to share with the world. I am so grateful we have been given this new opportunity for our family and am so proud of my husband. Prayers for our family are always appreciated as we make this big, exciting but scary leap across the country.

Someone at work sent me this quote and I loved it! So true!

"You never know what life is going to throw at you so don't be afraid to take a chance, because it might just be the best thing to ever happen to you!" -Abhishek Tiwari