home sweet home

I'm posting from MY bed (it's been 96 days since I laid in it!) in MY apartment! I'll post more about the move and provide some pics of the new city and the new place soon!!

For now... these are the sites I've enjoyed over the last week! :)

first week

I'm surviving my first week in Iowa at a new job with new co-workers in a completely new and huge city.

I've been in Iowa 5 days now and I can honestly say that my decision to come here has been validated. I love my job. I love my co-workers. I love being closer to the boy. I love Iowa. (well everything except the University of)

I am completely humbled by all of the love and support I've received. I have had co-workers take me to lunch daily and have some happy hours scheduled for next week. I was asked to play co-ed kickball (insert LOUD laugh here). I have had multiple people in Iowa ask me to hang out, go to dinner, etc. With the help of my peeps, I found the nearest Wal-Mart, Super Target, and Maurices (necessities ya know?). It's humbling. Plain and simple. Thank you to every person that has helped me get here.

This week, I am staying in Ames near the Iowa State campus (Thanks Em for letting me crash on your couch, eat dinner with you, and watch Honey Boo Boo on your TV.) My apartment will be ready to move into on Saturday. It's a 1 bedroom that is going to cost me my right arm, leg, and lung but it's mine. And I'm going to finally call it home. Oh, and my apt has internet and cable included since the boy told me he wouldn't come to Des Moines to hang out if he just had to sit and stare at me all weekend. :)

The boy's aunt and uncle are being SO generous and are going to Indiana this weekend for a reunion and offered to pick up some of my stuff. Special shout out to them, my mom, and my brother D who are going to help me out and get all of my crap packed and here this weekend. You guys ROCK!

I hate moving but I'm looking forward to getting everything in it's place.

And since I know you're all concerned with my well-being, after seeing this last weekend,

YES - A pony in the back of a truck! (I mean, is this real freaking life??)

I can honestly say that the transition

from Indiana to Iowa

has been entertaining and everything I imagined it to be. :)

Thanks for following my journey.

emotions

Excited. Anxious. Nervous. Overwhelmed. Surprised. Blessed. Thankful. 
The emotions that have taken over me during the last week while I have come to the realization that I'm moving away (in 49 hours to be exact) from the only place I've ever called home. 

Excited. For a new beginning.  A chance to start over. To follow my dreams.

Anxious.  To be working for a company that appreciates me and genuinely cares about my personal and professional success.

Nervous.  26 years ago, I started in a place with about 800 people. College took me to a place with 30,000. Next up, 210,000. That's a lot of strangers. :)

Overwhelmed.  I'm a planner. Let's be real.

Surprised.  It all happened very quickly.  My first correspondence with this amazing company was only a month ago. 

Blessed. By the good Lord for an opportunity that fits my personality to a t and will allow me to reach for and exceed my potential and grow while doing something I am passionate about.

Thankful. For: God - After all, He is the one that answered this prayer. My family - who serve as my rocks and my biggest support system. My friends - who have encouraged me and supported my decisions no. matter. what. The Boy - who has supported me from the very beginning and has made me laugh when I wanted to cry during this process. And last but not least, my support system in Iowa, who have helped me determine that this truly is the perfect place for me.

Des Moines, I can't wait to call you home.

five days

Who needs a to-do list anyways?  oh, that's right... I do! 

If you would have asked me 2 weeks ago what my to-do list constisted of, I would have probably shrugged my shoulders and sipped on my wine... but here I am now still sipping wine trying to get it together!  

I have 5 days left in Indiana - yes, FIVE.

packing is a lot easier with a glass of merlot :)

So here it is...

1. Accept offer for the opportunity I've been waiting a long, long time for.
2. Submit my 2-week notice.
3. Doctor's appointment to get a recommendation for an endocronologist in Iowa
4. Finishing packing. Shoes, clothes, a ginormous tote of hair products, my stock in Bath and Body Works, and Jewelry that filled a 14 gallon Rubbermaid tote. 
5. Find a place to live. Minor detail, ya know. Ok but really. I'm going to find a place this weekend. I must.
6. Get a few last minute things to take with me.
7. Finalize any paperwork for the new job.
8. Get my nephew Brady a birthday gift - he's 2 on the 19th!
9. Grab dinner with a couple friends.
10. Go through storage and some boxes at my mom's.
11. Clean out the trunk of my car. This will take the entire 5 days, alone. :)
12. Say a few goodbyes.
13. Visit Harry's. You know, that local estabilishment was my second home while I was at Purdue so it's only fair to say goodbye to him as well.
14. Oh, and work 4 more 8+ hour days at my current job.

Prayers are apprecaited over the next couple of days as I tackle this to-do list,

especially number 12.