I seriously wish I could fly to a dozen different states, scoop you all up, and take you to my neighborhood (wherever it shall be…)! You guys would be the best neighbors ever! Just think Lucy and Ethel without the crazy antics- although if you’re living next to me I can’t make any promises that there won’t be any of those.
I want to say thank you to all of you that sent me lots of encouraging words the last two days. I felt incredibly loved and thought of. Thought of… okay you English teachers, get over yourselves. Anyway, thank you so much for your friendship. I truly count you all as my personal friends. My 3 years here did not bring me very many “real life” friends, and so many times I came to you all and you were there- even when it was across an ocean. Now- now we’ll be in the same country! Like- “Hey, why don’t we meet and it will only be a 5 hour drive!” same country!
Don’t tell Will, but you’re all invited to a gigantic house warming party when we move. I may hand you a paint brush and put you to work, but hey- everything is more fun with friends (and perhaps wine). Plus half of you have either bought a place or redecorated your houses since I’ve known you- so you’re FULL of ideas! This is the best idea ever! Painting Party Weekend 08!
Okay- I guess I better run that by Will before I have 60 ladies from all over the US show up at my door. That goes a little beyond a girl’s weekend. That’s more like college sorority house gone mid twenties with husbands and babies. Yeah- Will would LOVE grown women giggling and acting like high schoolers- all with paint, wine, and sharp tools within reach. Not…
I started looking for houses yesterday. Ladies, it’s a dangerous, dangerous thing to allow a woman to look for houses. I had us living in 3,500 sq. foot homes with heated floors and in ground pools. Yeah, looking was lots of fun, but I seriously need to buckle down and lock into reality- which is far from heated floors! But it’s so darn fun…
To answer some of your questions- Will is hanging around and helping us get ready for the big move. We’ll fly out together (with the doggies) in a couple weeks. From there we’ll begin the house hunt- which I’m officially dreading. I hate the idea of trying to find “the perfect house” in a matter of days, but thus far God has worked everything else out so I expect this situation to be no different. Will has called family that live near where we’ll be, so we have a few ideas of places to start looking. To answer your question about where we’ll be living- we’ll be close enough to drive to OU games each weekend- which is all you really need in life right (ha)?
Oh guys- now all I need is for us to have a Big Huge Decorating Party Weekend! Oh- and a house and a car and some other (very) important things… but you get the point.
I just wanted to write to say thank you so much for helping me through these 3 years. I’m not sure you’ll ever know how much I appreciate you guys, and to have you share in my joy and be excited for me makes me so happy. I’m glad we can celebrate things with each other.
Continuing to keep you posted… <3
Big Huge Decorating Party Weekend 08- be there or be square.
Oh, and I’ll keep you posted on any houses for sale next door to ours- (so you can run away in fear and tell any prospective buyers to do the same!)!
I’m sure Will wouldn’t mind if we held back the wine until after painting! haha 
And I know you won’t have any trouble finding a great house. I mean, the people on House Hunters on HGTV only look at three houses and pick one!!! AND on the international version, they are only there for like, three days, and they buy a house! :D haha But seriously, I know that you guys will find a great place. I’m going to live vicariously through your house buying experience, since we can’t buy a house yet. Ok? :D :D :D
Why do I feel like I did the three weeks before high school graduation? It’s so exciting, but also kinda sad. But also, um… not happening to me. I am vicariously re-graduating high school through you - is that weird?
Looking for houses is an exhausting process - it’s actually a good thing you have a time frame in which to make a decision. I’m sure you’ll find something you just love, and when you do, you’ll know. Much luck to you! I can’t wait to read how it goes.