We're Moving!!

This has been killin' me for quite some time now! I've been DYING to share the news, but was unable for several reasons but...

WE'RE MOVING TO LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA!!!

Jamie got a really spectacular job promotion that is moving us at the end of the summer down to swampville.

Here's where it is on the map for those of you (including myself) who didn't know where it is:

The great thing is that my sister and brother-in-law live in Houston which will be only 3 hours away from me. Super stoked about that! As of now, I have yet to see her in the year 2011. Big time suck. So, I'm glad I'll be so much closer to her once we move :)

You want to know a secret?

Remember when I was in San Antonio for my Wife (Lindsay's) wedding? Well, the 2 days prior to that weekend, I as in Lafayette with Jamie, checking out the city. Tricky tricky, huh? When we went there, we didn't know whether we'd be moving or not, because Jamie didn't know if he was going to accept the job. Well, lo and behold, Jamie loves his new boss, I adore his new boss's wife, we really enjoyed the city and his new job is what he's been wanting to do for a while. We're pretty stoked!

I was going to take some pictures while we were there, but I forgot. I only took this one:
It was whatever the fish of the day was with shrimp etouffee, creamed corn casserole and sugar snap peas. Apparently, seafood is really big in Louisiana which is a-okay with me, because I love me some fishies!

Another plus, we'll be amongst these guys:
(source)

SWAMP PEOPLE!!! For those of you who have never seen this show, you are missing out big time! These guys are professional gator hunters and they are beyond hilarious. I don't want to talk about it anymore because I know I won't do the show justice.

You know, I'll need to get a job down there. Maybe I'll abandon teaching and be a gator hunter instead. Sound like a plan? I think I could handle it...yeah right.
(source)

This guy is my favorite. His name is Troy and I want to be his friend:

Hope you enjoyed it and are quickly adding Swamp People to your DVR (if you're up to date unlike us).

The other cool thing about living in Lafayette is that I'll hopefully get united with my mom's side of the family. My Grandma Bonnie was from Opelousas, LA, which is right down the street from Lafayette. My mom still keeps in contact with my Grandma's niece, Elsie. I've read her e-mails and have heard stories about her and this gal just sounds captivating! I can't wait to meet her! So, that'll be really neat to get to know my mom's family.

All in all, we're unbelievably excited about moving. Super sad about moving away from our friends here in Memphis, but more excited than anything.

I told my kids in my class that I was moving last week. I didn't think I'd get much of a reaction since my 2nd graders last year were practically shoving me out the door when I said we were moving to Memphis. Oh my goodness, you guys. Several of my sweet little 4 year olds cried. Like big boo-hoo's! We're talking sobs! In return, I cried like a child and held them in my arms and we all shared big weeps. That afternoon, one of the girls in my class was lying on her bed during nap time crying big tears. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "Miss Abby, please don't move to Louisiana. Don't leave us." Oh my goodness. I wept. Like a baby. I picked her up, sat in the rocking chair and rocked her until she fell asleep. I cried the whole time. I was pa-the-tic. I've had some tender moments with the sweet kids in my class the past 2 weeks, and I'm so grateful for that. I'm working all next week, but only half a day. I think I'll miss those angels a lot more than I anticipated. Love those sweet faces.

We're moving late August...ish. Please please please pray that our house here sells quickly. I've already got knots in my tummo about our house selling. We're getting new carpet and a new roof. Crap, that stuff is expensive!!! But I truly would appreciate some prayer lifted up that we have great success in selling our casa. Thank you!

Tonight, Jamie and I have had a very successful evening lounging around at home. Love it. I was outside all morning long at the Farmer's Market on our field trip. So fun! We bought fried chocolate pies, baked by the Amish folk, nectarines, blackberries, blueberries and peaches. Yummers! I want to go back on my own sometime and get some goodies :) But, needless to say, I'm exhausted. I'm about to go walk the dog and then take a much needed shower (sorry for those of you who smelled me today), and get in my bed. Glory.

Much love to you all! God Bless ya!