Sometimes I forget I'm more than just a mom because I must admit it's my favorite title (although wife could be a close tie!). So much has happened lately that I can't remember what I've written about and what I haven't. Plus, any time I sit down to write, Tatum wants to play or eat or something else that completely occupies my time and I don/t mind it a bit. So here we are, almost 3 weeks since we've made our journey across the country and I'm just now getting around to writing and catching up with Tatum's 3 month post. Such a slacker. So bear with me if you've already heard about some of these events...
After California, we finished up life as we know it. My last day of work at Get Away Today was May 20th and we won Best of State for the 5th year in a row so we went and celebrated at the Salt Palace on May 17. After that, I basically stayed home organizing and packing before the moving company picked up all our stuff, and caught up with as many friends as I could.
After a few months of debate, a friend talked me into becoming an independent Senegence distributor! I specialize in Lipsense while I'm testing other products, but I can get my hands on anything that anyone would like! :) Lipsense is amazing and definitely a product I'm passionate about. Obviously, or I wouldn't be doing this hahaha. For anyone that doesn't know what it is, Lipsense is a waterproof, smudge-proof, kiss-proof, vegan, GMO free, wax free, gluten free, lead free, cruelty (not tested on animals) free. You choose a color (or multiple to layer), put 3 coats on, top it with gloss and you have long-lasting color. Not only does it exfoliate and moisturize your lips, but you can kiss your babies and husbands without getting the color all over them, your teeth, etc. If anyone is interested in more information, I have a facebook group called Fabulous Lips by Jess that you're welcome to join!
Brian and I got a bunch of hikes in and Sabra and I got lots of mommy-daughter shopping dates in before we headed! I think that's what I'm going to miss the most! Besides occasional Fizz trips and a frosted sugar cookie. But I'm gaining Panera Bread, Publix buffalo chicken subs, Glory Days at home, and Tropical Smoothie so I'm more than alright with this move.
We started our long journey the Tuesday after Memorial Day so we could avoid as much traffic as possible. Our goal was to spend about 12 hours a day actually driving (knowing we would be stopping a ton for Tatum). She was actually a total champ for the most part and we almost made our goals each night. We estimated it would take us about 4 days realistically to make it, but I made goals based on 3 days to try and make it as far as we could and we wound up making it in those 3 days.
Our first day/s goal was Lincoln, Nebraska. We made it just outside the city, about an hour and a half away. Our second day's goal was Nashville, Tennessee and we made it! We found a cute little hotel on Expedia and stayed on the east side of the city. In the morning we slept in a bit, got some breakfast, then drove through the city and explored some. We saw Vanderbilt University and stopped to walk around the Parthenon which is a full-size replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. That day we drove the longest of the days and arrived at our destination a little after midnight.
The days were long but it was cool to see the sights. We drove through Cheyenne, WY; Kansas City, MO; St. Louis, MO; Atlanta, GA; and right past Gainesville, FL where Brian will hopefully be doing his MBA program in the next year or so. We're staying with my aunt and uncle who have put us up in the whole upstairs of their home while we find an apartment of our own! It has been so incredibly wonderful for them to offer it to us and it's been so nice having basically our own apartment.
Since we've been here, our days have been spent apartment hunting, job interviewing for Brian, and going to the beach around spending time with family. When Brian and I prayed about what we should do, we felt strongly that we should move here before the program started and it's already been a huge blessing. A week after we arrived, my grandma was having some difficulties and has since spent some time in the hospital. This is not her first stay in the hospital this year so it has been a huge blessing that we are so close and able to see her so much. I am so blessed she got to meet Tatum and is getting to spend so much time with her! We even stayed with her a few nights to help her when she started a new medication and it reminded me so much of when I lived here with her 3 years ago.
I'm excited to see where this new adventure takes us and all the exciting new experiences we will have! Here are some photos of life before leaving Utah and our adventures along the way.
