A Weekend and Illinois

So we left Texas on Sunday, July 25 . . . A sad day, well let's just say it was overall a sad week. I am not good at saying goodbye. We had to say goodbye to our families, dear friends, baby sitters and my coworkers who had become my dear friends. I did more crying in the course of the week than I have done in I do not know how long. I still get that lump in my throat just thinking about it.

We made it to Illinois on Sunday July 25 late afternoon after a 10 hour travel excursion. You see we literally live in the middle of the corn fields. I am talking the middle of nowhere. We are fortunate that there is Internet. You have to pay your water and sewer bill in person. Everyone in town knows each other and are not so friendly to strangers. I have tried to start numerous conversations only to be given one word answers or to be shrugged off, really! That is when I get that lump in my throat again and miss all those people mentioned above. I think for a few minutes about packing my bags and heading back to Texas. But, then I remember that I need to put on my big girl pants and make it work.

Before we left Texas we were able to partake in two really amazing events, Z Man's 7th birthday party and Jill Pill's wedding.

Z decided that he wanted a party at Mt. Aggie, but I decided that we need to have a water park party at Adamson's Lagoon with our friends the Vestal's. It was also Kenley's 11th birthday, so together we rented the pool for a private party. Summer birthday's are hard since everyone is on vacation, so between the two of them I think there were 35 children and 14 life guards and then the parents. They all had so much fun! We had to say goodbye to the Vestal's, so hard they were our neighbors at our first house in College Station and became our dear friends. We have traveled with them and made so many memories.

Jill Pill's wedding was beautiful. Jill looked amazing! We went with Anna, Ross and Jen Jen and then the girls and I. Z and Rob had already left for Illinois. The children enjoyed dancing and in true typical M form she stuck to Jill like glue. M loves Jill! The rest of us do as well, but M has a special attachment since Jill babysat her from 3 months until 2 1/2. Jill is also the sister of my dear friend Allison, you know the one who takes all the amazing pictures! M had a major meltdown when it was time to leave, which made Allison, Jill and I all cry even more. I am so thankful to have Jill, Allison and Jen in our lives. They are truly like sisters to me and Aunt's to my children.

So we had some fun before we said good bye, but it was still really hard and now I am in Illinois in the corn fields . . .