The Wild Move...

We found out we would be taking a wonderful opportunity to move to NC just two weeks before James needed to be in Charlotte to start.

Annie was 6 weeks old.

To my absolute astonishment, I was so certain that this was right for our family that I was able to think through things rationally without any major melt downs.

{major being the key word here}

Of course my very rational and sweet husband helped my rollercoaster of a personality with this accomplishment.

It was decided that James would head out about 10 days before me 

and I would wrap things up in California with my Mom.

Then I'd head to St. George for a few days while our stuff was shipped from sea to shining sea.

It took about 3 days of not showering and staying in my pajamas to figure all this out -

including finding an apartment online.

Whirlwind is the only way I know how to describe it.

One task we had to accomplish before James left was to sell this beauty.

Betsy has been awfully good to me from first kisses to packing up for college -

 she and I had been through a lot.

I try not to get too attached to things but I must admit that a flood of good memories did hit me as I watched our craigslist buyer cruise away.

My Mom arrived the night before James left.

She was literally a saint.

More on that later, of course.

We spent James' last night in Newport Beach with the Attig's and Garcia's.

It was simple - just dinner at the Garcia's with our three babies

Just how we liked it.

I can't say much about this.

Too sad.

 The next day James arrived in our new home - Charlotte, NC.

His first stop - a diner down the street.

He sent me this text imitating the waiter.

Welcome to the south, ya'll.

My Mom and I then had about 4 days to get the place packed up.

Looking back I laugh about how we managed it all.

At the same time James was searching for a new apartment because the one I had chosen online smelled like dog pee and poop.

Nice.

I guess all five senses are needed while choosing a place to live.

Luckily his Dad was able to come down and assist in a 24-hour apartment search.

Thank goodness for family.

Meanwhile, Annie had her two month shots and got a terrible fever.

Insert minor meltdown here - Packing. Fever. Dog pee. You get the picture.

James insisted that my Mom and I have some fun while we moved.

It actually really helped us stay sane through it all.

My Mom honestly packed up the majority of our boxes.

Saint among saints.

It was fun to have just us three girls in the house to catch up, watch hours of morning television and jabber all we wanted. 

We spent a day saying goodbye to the beach

and ate at several fabulous restaurants.

We tried a vegan raw place called 118 degrees.

If you are in Orange County - go! 

It is so delicious and I am sad I didn't go more often.

On the last day we tried a new place that opened literally one block from our apartment called Green Leaf.

Also amazing.

Sad that I won't be able to divulge in it more often.

It was my goodbye lunch with Mercedes.

Love this girl to death.

{don't worry our stuff only took up about 1/4 of this bad boy. It was massive}

And before I could even blink I was saying goodbye to this little beach home of ours.

It was all over so quickly.

Our time in Newport will always be incredibly special for us.

It was where we were supposed to start our careers 

and where we would decide to start having children.

Annie will forever be our little beach babe.

It was a special time in our lives that was meant for a specific purpose.

Goodbye Newport.