DRUMROLL PLEASE.........

WE'RE MOVING!!!!

Ok, this is why I haven't written. We've been working on this for some time, since February, to be precise. It was getting a bit old constantly saying "big changes are coming, stay tuned!" and then not being able to say what the big changes were going to be. So that'd be why I haven't written in so long. So. Now I can fully explain.

I won't badmouth (as much as I so DESPERATELY want to) the company Frank has worked for, or the boss he's been under, but due to their constant put-down of him (as well as a few other things), it became very apparent that Pensacola was not going to be a place for us to stay long-term. So we began looking into other areas, other job markets.... And we discovered that financially, going with a nursing travel agency was the best option. So we started the process of getting into a travel agency. Frank talked with multiple different recruiters, did research of the different companies online, and then he began beefing up his resume. He took two different courses (ones he'd registered for in January but they didn't have any open classes until March) and then submitted all his information, then found out that Texas seemed to be the best place to go. So then began the long process of getting him licensed in Texas. Finally last week the license came through, so he contacted his recruiter and they began sending his application to hospitals in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. So yesterday, we gave our landlord notice. We'll be moving out of our place the last week of May (here's the part where I start freaking out and almost panicking!). Today Frank put in his 4 week notice at work. So his "official" last day will be May 28th.

So now begins the "AHHHHH!!!!!!" moments. We are having a garage sale this weekend to get most of our stuff gone, and whatever doesn't sell is going straight to the mission. Then from there, we'll either start listing our big stuff on Craigslist, or just put things out at the road for a "large pickup" from ECUA. Of course we'll take some things with us. But we're actually going to begin the lives of wandering nomads. We'll pack some clothing of various weather uses, we'll pack some kitchen appliances, towels and sheets. Of course our "electronics", like our laptops, our Wii, our printer. But most everything else is GONE. THAT'S the scary part.

Of course, I am beyond THRILLED to be headed back to Texas. I've always dreamed of ending up back there. For once, I'll actually have good Tex-Mex, authentic Mexican, and STEAKS at my fingertips!! Muwahahah!! (Ok, so that was a little overzealous... lol. I've just REALLY missed good food!) And, if we're in the Dallas area, we're only about 1.5 hours from Waco (where I have a "cousin"), and 4ish hours from Houston/Katy area (where all the rest of my family is located), and we'll not be that terribly far from Austin and San Antonio, so we can potentially take weekend trips every so often and I can show Frank around!! Eeee!!!! That part is so much fun!I keep holding onto that when I get panicked about the "only 4.5 weeks left".

Ok, benefits of travel nursing explained really quickly. Frank will work his 3 days a week, he'll make about $4 an hour MORE than what he makes now, PLUS they will pay all of our living expenses (minus gas, car insurance, and cell phones)... they even give a grocery stipend!! So we'll be making more, and spending waaaaaaay less. Which means that by our anniversary, the final amount of his student loan will be GONE, and then we can continue setting aside.... for IVF. :) We've decided to look into doing IVF internationally though. I know, it sounds dangerous. But really its not. There are many places that have just as good (if not better) medical care, at a fraction of the cost (just as an example, one round of IVF in Guatemala City is about $7,000, whereas one round in the states is $25,000). So we're going to do our research and save, and hopefully next summer (provided God hasn't stepped in and given us a miracle) take a vacation and begin IVF treatments.

Anyways, quick update on the rest of life. My birthday was last Friday, and my loving wonderful husband took me to one of my favorite fancy restaurants... The Melting Pot. Where I then proceeded to get e.Coli poisoning. Made for a GREAT weekend. Apparently with food poisoning, your stomach stays bloated and has a "full feeling", even though you've not eaten... and you continue to throw up until you've cleared everything out that was bad. Took about two days for that part... so now I'm onto the "resting, rehydrating and starting solids" phase. According to my uncle-doctor, it can take a while to get back to normal. So basically, this couldn't have happened at a worse time! I don't have time to feel yuck or have no energy.....

Wrapping up, please keep us in your prayers. This is a big thing, both of us moving from our families. I know as it gets closer, its going to be really hard on my immediate family.... and me. I'm so used to having them right here, able to help with anything I need.... It's going to be rough not having them nearby. So yeah. Just keep us all in your prayers. Thanks guys!! (And hopefully I'll now update more often!)