July 2013...I guess this is really happening.

We're moving. To Morris.  In about two weeks.

There, I've said it; that makes it official, doesn't it?  We've talked about moving for years now, and I always seem to think about moving like 30-somethings think about retirement.  It's wistful and dreamy, with that little cloudy fog around the edge of my daydream, the sun shines on a lake somewhere, and my friends are walking their golden retriever while they laugh their way onto my porch.  In my head, it's idealized, comfortable and lovely.  However, in reality, it kinda sucks.

I know that people move all the time.  I know that we are not different from others who have moved their families across town, across state lines or across the country.  I know that there is nothing easy about boxing up the life you know and packing it up for the unexpected.  I know that emotions are looming large as the closets become emptier and our comfort zone is stripped of its charm.  I know that people move all the time, I know, I know, I know...

To be fair, I AM in on this whole "moving thing"...Kev's certainly not whisking me away against my will, so understand that I'm excited and anticipating what is to come.  However, I'm in the middle of what my friend, Jen, would call "The Sads."  In fact, I sat down to type this with a light-hearted, airy tone about being eager for our next adventure and looking forward to whatever comes our way.  Then I started to type and my unfiltered heart poured onto this page.

Quite frankly, I'm overwhelmed, in a really good way.  Namely, I'm shocked that this is really going to happen.  In June, shortly after Kevin mentioned the potential new place, Nora and I ran into our friends Katie and Gerard.  While chatting, I mentioned that we were working on finally making the move before the summer was over.  I remember an internal eye-roll and telling myself that it would be an absolute miracle if we got our lives together enough to make that happen before the end of the summer...we've been talking about it for years...and years...and years.  Yet, here we are, tip-toeing into August with boxes packed, children registered and fingers crossed.  Absolutely overwhelmed...apparently we're growing in our ability to get our lives together -- it's about damn time.

There will certainly be a few trade-offs once this move is official.  Namely, the length of my commute, and I will say it here so everyone can know that I understand that the commute will not be fun...especially because I-80 is my main route...especially in the winter.  It seems that everyone wants to weigh in on the absolutely awful nature of my daily commute.  Yes, it will suck.  Thank you for reminding me (remember, I'm a bit unfiltered right now).

My heart is heaviest for my little girl right now, as she is torn between the loss of the little world she's built in Manhattan and the excitement over a new bedroom and new friends at a new school.  She has been having daily crying spells, which she calls "meltdowns" once she's recovered from them...it is remarkable how quickly they come upon her and I'm also impressed by how quickly she recovers.  She's tough, resilient and a really awesome kid...no matter where she lives that's not going to change.  CJ, on the other hand, just doesn't get it.  "Ugh, I wish we moved already!"  When I explain that we need time to pack our things for the new house, he replies with legitimate exasperation and tells me that we can just use the clothes, toys and soap that are already at the new house.  Pure innocence, and I love it.

So, yes.  The Bogards are moving, and despite much of what I wrote above, we are all pretty excited about it.  We're excited about Morris, for a lot of reasons.  We have a church there, and I am looking forward to calling it "Our Church."  We love the river, and can easily walk to it from our new home.  The kids already have favorite restaurants: Faith = Bellacino's, Connor = Corleone's.  Daddy will be working close to home, and we're all very happy about that.  We already know two sets of neighbors, and they're lovely people, who I'm sure will lend us a cup of sugar if we need one.  Faith is already looking forward to her first date, "I think it's going to be at the Sandlot" {Heaven help us}.  And we're going to have a lovely front porch...and it's like the porch in my retirement daydreams -- begging for a porch swing, morning coffee, friendly laughter and easy conversations with those we love.