GOING HOME...

I decided to blog this post today, b/c I know I will not have time tomorrow to do it...so here are my end of the 'road' reflections in AL...

Today is our last FULL day in AL. I didn't think it would be emotional...but I can't help it...God made me this way to have a heart and to use it often. Despite all that has happened to us in the past couple of months, I look at the entire year as whole and choose to ALSO look at the positives. I am currently trying to finish F's Football 2006 scrapbook b/c I know if I don't finish it here...it might not ever get done :( There are so many great pictures and newspaper articles that commemorate the 'good times' we had here...and what a great season he/we had. [God called us here for a reason, met some AMAZING students and families, home improvement of the entire house this summer w/ quality time w/ our families, F's first head coach season-- restored pride to a football program and for sure a most memorable season for a special group of seniors, frequent road trips to Starkville for football games, weekend getaways to spend memorable moments with our families, an entire an entire 10 months of 'work vacation' for me...it felt so good and I'm so grateful to have had this down time, a great church-Clements Baptist- and pastor we found to bless us indeed and get us through this difficult time, a growing faith in our Sovereign God who cares about each step we take, many lessons learned, a stronger marriage, and last but not least ....our first born coming in October. :) We'll say our goodbyes at graduation tonight and then it's...goodbye probably forever this side of heaven...

I tried to find a song that fit perfectly with the end of this chapter in our lives...last year leaving Waco, TX it was "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts....this year...it seems to be "Home" by Christ Daughtry. As most of you have heard or seen this song performed on American Idol...it has become somewhat of a semi-theme song for our last weeks/ days in AL. We listen to it almost every day when F has to go clock out at work everyday at 3:10pm even though he is finished teaching at 1:20pm. [Too long of a story to share] Those of you who do know the story...I know you are rolling your eyes along with me right now. :) Those of you who know me...know I LOVE music and the lyrics especially that make up a song. Music is so powerful and moves me. This song is no exception. I don't know about you but I find myself listening to a song over and over again until I memorize it and then try to find a way to make it pertain to me and my life. Click it down on my playlist if you wish :)

So thank you Athens, thank you Clements...as the song says, I don't regret this life you gave to me.

HOME
Chris Daughtry

I'm staring out into the night

And trying to hide the pain

I'm going to the place where love and feeling good don't ever cost a thing

And the pain you feel is a different kind of pain

I'm going home to the place where I belong

where your love has always been enough for me

I'm running from, you know I think you got me all wrong

I don't regret this life you chose for me

But these places and these faces are getting old... So I'm going home

I'm going home

The miles are getting longer it seems

The closer I get to you....

I've not always been the best man and friend for you

But your love remains true and I don't know why

You always seem to give me another try

I'm going home to the place where I belong

where your love has always been good enough for me

I'm running from you know I think you got me all wrong

I don't regret this life you chose for me

But these places and these faces are getting old

Be careful what you wish for cause you just might get it all

You just might get it all and then some you don't want

Be careful what you wish for cause you just might get it all

You just might get it all

I'm going home to the place where I belong

where your love has always been enough for me

And I'm running from.. you know I think you got me all wrong

I don't regret this life you chose for me

But these places and these faces are getting old

These places and these faces are getting old

I'm going home

I'm going home

PS-- I'll be sure to take more packing pics, but this was from yesterday afternoon...and poor Bella wanted to get in on the action so bad...well she 'ATTEMPTED' to jump in the truck...BAD NEWS...before I could help her she landed flat and hard on her back...poor puppy--glad she's so tough...that was quite a leap and distance to fall :(