Has it really been a year??

I can't believe it has been a year since we broke everyone's heart and picked up our things and moved all the way to Ohio!  I really and truly believe this experience has brought our family closer, we are all we have.  Ohio really isn't that "bad", but it definitely isn't Texas! We have had so many new experiences and had to really put ourselves out there to establish a new network.  Derek and I have even found a "hobby" that we can do together...and the plus is that we are getting in shape while doing it.  The kids assimilated very quickly and never skipped a beat.  It took Derek and I a little bit longer, but we have come a long way.  As much as we miss our family, we really miss our Texas friends.  When you have lived somewhere for over 30 years...that is really hard to leave behind.  It has been interesting to see who of the friends has made an effort to stay in touch, but the ones that have are pretty darn good friends to keep (you know who you are).

Everyone wants to know how our first winter was...and shockingly it was "okay".  Yes, it was FA-REEZING!  But we made it through.  I have a new appreciation and definition of what "cold" is.  There are varying levels.  There is crisp, cool, chilly, cold, really cold and holy shit balls!  We have had to completely make over our wardrobe.  Not as many flip flops and shorts as we have boots and coats.  Derek still doesn't understand why I MUST have 100 pairs of boots.  I need rain boots, snow boots, riding boots, uggs, wedge boots...and yes I need them all...and so does Jocelyn.  I also have 100 coats...and so does Jocelyn :)  Apparently, the key is to dress in layers...but we haven't quite mastered that yet.  I also find it humorous that 60 degrees in April vs. 60 degrees in August mean two totally different things.  It is so weird.  I also had no idea it was so humid here?  Everyone always talked about the cold and the snow...hello people...this curly headed chick needed a heads up.  My hair has been a hot mess all summer.  I am looking forward to the Fall when my hair will return to normal.

We finally moved into our house we were building back in February, and we love it.  Our neighborhood is wonderful and we have met so many fun families with kids to J&G to play with.  Everyone here is so friendly and nice and so welcoming.  We are constantly having driveway cookouts and co parenting...it is a lot of fun.  Hopefully the fun will continue through the winter...just in our basements.

Derek found a job he loves with a company called Legends who does all of the merchandising at many major league team across the U.S.  So, he is working at the Brown's football stadium doing their merchandise.  It is a pretty flexible job which is good for us, and it keeps him in the sport's industry.

My job (the whole reason for the move) is great!  I still can't believe I have been in this role for a year?  It has been an incredible learning experience professionally.  While I don't necessarily miss the travel piece from my old job, it does get old going to the same office...every day.  But for now, I am very very happy.  I feel like I have grown a lot in in this job and I do not regret the decision we made as a family one bit.  Very thankful Derek has been so supportive.  Not many men would give up their super cool sexy sports job and move to Ohio (of all places) to follow their wives career.  If anything, hopefully our story and experience can be an inspiration to families out there who want to go against the "norm" and put yourself out there!

I am looking forward to this next year.  I feel like I actually know what I am supposed to be doing at work now, Derek is excited for football season, the kids are thriving...and we have a HOUSE!  Woo hoo!  Many more memories to be had for sure!