6 Times in 7 Years

6 times in seven years...the trend continues...we are moving yet again. For those that haven't heard, it is true, Lee and I are moving back west...again! The job market here in Charlotte isn't good sadly. Although neither Lee or I have officially been laid of, we aren't waiting for the inevitable. I have been interviewing for jobs in AZ because there just hasn't been opportunity here for either Lee or I. Too many unemployed bankers battling for the small handful of open positions that are out there. Needles to say I was offered a job with Wachovia/Wells Fargo in AZ and Lee and I decided it would be best for us to move back. There are more opportunities for both of us in AZ since this is one of Wells Fargo's main headquarters, so it just makes more sense. I have to be in AZ the first week in May and Lee will be here in Charlotte until he gets his notice and wraps up everything with the sale of our condo and the transfer of our stuff out to AZ. We will probably be apart for a few months, which will totally suck, but we will make it work. It is all about sacrifice in this day and age. Who would have though two years ago that we would move across the country only to move back in two years? I can tell you NOT ME! Well I have always been an overachiever, I mean we don't do things small in our home. Our motto is go big or go home I guess since we like to move from one side of the country to the next...more than once! So here is to yet another move. Hopefully like our move out here was, it will be for the best.

When Lee asked me two years ago if I would move to Charlotte, I completely shut down the idea. I had no desire to move, I loved AZ, my house, my friends, my job etc. When it came down to it and Lee was offered a job out here I bawled my eyes out. I didn't want to go, leave my comfort zone and family and friends. It was so hard to pack up and move across the country to a place I had never even seen. Not to mention that this was the 5th time in 5 years we had moved. But I went and it turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to us. Not to mention all the nastiness we avoided in AZ with the job and housing market, but I absolutely fell in love with Charlotte.

I am really going to miss it here. Needless to say I cried when I came and I am going to cry when I have to leave. Here are the things I am going to miss the most:

1. Living in the city. Anytime I had to leave the city, and was driving back home, the second I saw the city come into view this decision was reconfirmed for me. It was an amazing feeling that never got old. I especially love driving into the city at night. This is probably the thing I will miss the most.

2. Being able to walk to any restaurant, sports or theater event, museum, and work in 5 min or less.

3. Experiencing life outside of the "Mormon Bubble." Not that this bubble is bad, but I love being the exception, not the norm. I was able to share my beliefs with lots of people because the second I said I was from Utah, the next questions was ALWAYS "are you Mormon?" It is also a lot less critical outside of the bubble.

4. Southern hospitality. I have met some of the nicest people here in the south.

5. Working with a great and might I add eclectic mix of people.

6. My ward out here. The people are amazing. It is the first time I have actually really connected with a ward family and I will really miss all of them.

7. The amazing green trees EVERYWHERE. It is like driving through a forest any time you leave the city.

8. Ron, Odie's amazing groomer. I know it is silly, but I LOVE him. I want to pick him up, put him in my pocket and bring him with me to AZ. He is a poodle fanatic and the only person I have ever met that loves the breed more than I do. I think he owns one in ever color.

9. My doctors. I have an amazing "baby doctor" (the doctor that delivered Sloan) as well as an awesome pediatrician that I love, love, love.

10. Most of all I am going to miss one of the best friends I have ever had. I met Jen pretty much the day I moved here since she works with me. I had no idea at the time, but she was going to become the most amazing and best friend ever. I hate more than anything that I have to leave her. She is a true friend, the kind that you only find once in a lifetime.

11. Second most of all I am going to miss Sarah. She took such AMAZING care of Sloan and I will love her forever for loving Sloan almost as much I do. She was such a great nanny and I wish I had lot's of money so I could move her and her family to Arizona with me...because I totally would!

I could go on and on for days about the things I will miss here, but these are the basics. So it looks like it is an official two year itch, because every two years we move. Even though I always say "this is the last time" it never is. I guess I should admit that I kind of like moving. It is kind of a really expensive way to see different places, meet new and amazing people, and experience new cultures and lifestyles. So while I bawled my eyes out when I learned I had to move to Charlotte, I am definitely going to bawl my eyes out when I leave. It has been a great two years and I wouldn't change living here for a second. Every experience has been awesome and Lee and I have been able to accomplish a lot of our life goals here. I am so sad to leave, but it is on to new adventures and a new chapter in life for us.

Happy 30th Lee

It is official, Lee is 30 years old. I can't believe he isn't in his twenties anymore. I think I am having a harder time coming to grips with it than Lee is. It's just the thought of not being able to say "I am twenty____" that really freaks me out. I am just glad I have three years and one month (don't forget that month) before I have to come to grips with this myself!

I planned to do a big surprise party for him, but then realized that we don't really have that many friends here...LOL. Plus I wasn't sure if I was even going to be around for his birthday due to the interviews I was having in AZ. So we kind of did a low key 30th celebration. I planned to take him to Chima, a brand new restaurant in Uptown. Chima is a Brazilian steakhouse, you know the ones where they walk around with the big skewers of meat. It was really amazing food, but I ate more than I think I have eaten in a few years combined. It was definitely an experience, but I was slightly nauseous when it was all said and done.

Since I didn't spend lots of money on a party, I surprised Lee with a trip to San Diego to go to Comic-Con. I know, please contain your laughter. for those that know my husband, you are surely aware of his Garbage Pail Kid obsession. I think 95%of the worlds Garbage Pail Kids are housed in my 900 square foot condo (can you sense my excitement about this?). We've got cards, boxes, sets, posters, pins, art, wacky packs and even a full set (or two) of cheap toys! Anyway, Lee has always wanted to go to Comic-Com, but I spent years convincing myself it was a phase he would grow out of. Fast forward 7 years and he were are...a 30th birthday spent at Comic-Con...guess it's not a phase. So anyway, happy birthday Lee. I am so glad you were born 30 long years ago.

Should I Be Concerned???

Sloan has always loved TV. I think when she was younger all the lights and flashes were stimulating to her. Pretty much from birth she has loved watching (or at least looking at) the TV. Even when she couldn't really control her own movements she would go out of her way to crank her body around to see a TV if one was on in the room. Recently I have discovered that Sloan LOVES cartoons, particulary Sunday morning episodes of the Care Bears. I really try not to cultivate this new found love as I don't think it is appropriate or mentally good for a 6 1/2 month old to watch full episodes of the Care Bears....but I will say, it is totally funny. I guess she is a girl after my own heart! Let's just hope her love for Care Bears doesn't turn into a love for The Bachelorette...you gotta draw the line somewhere right!