Ready or not, it’s almost time to go! The truck is loaded up with 11 suitcases and 4 backpacks for our Moline departure tomorrow morning.

The past few weeks have been full of lasts and goodbyes. I have been surprisingly OK throughout all of them – only shedding a few tears. The goodbyes are not permanent, rather see ya laters. Two years really isn’t that long, and we have already started penciling in visitors, so I am focused more on enjoying the moments instead of being sad (mostly).

Lily’s going away party was so much fun. I might have been a little crazy to agree to a slumber party with ~20 girls, but I can’t really say no to her since she said yes to moving away. And, Lily’s friends are pretty fabulous young ladies, so that helps. We drank root beer, baked pretzels, had a German word competition, took a bazillion Polaroids, and squealed/shrieked/screamed all night long. Over the years I have spent a lot of time with many of these girls coaching basketball and softball. I’m going to miss them (and their parents) as much as Lily.

Speaking of parents….well, at least moms…. I had a little shindig with some of my favorite ladies at a wine bar in town. (Swirl is a great venue for smallish parties.) I have been fortunate to have such a strong, beautiful, smart, hilarious tribe of mamas as my support network.

Unfortunately teenage boys are not as excited about photo ops so I don’t have any of Ty’s party, but it sounded like the boys all had a great time!

Denver

All the ladies understand how hard my last hair appointment goodbye was…

Shearer Family Christmas. We went to Circa 21 Dinner Theater to see a friend’s son star in A Christmas Story. So great!!

Phew! I have done about all I can do at this point. I think I am as ready as I could hope to be. Moving is a LOT of work! Hopefully I can get some sleep tonight. I need the rest for the trip tomorrow!