We made it! & some top 5's...

Well, we left California over a week ago... followed a storm through 5 states, had one very large family dinner in vegas, met some sheep and an adorable horse... and traveled over 1200 miles with two dogs, a cat (for 3 days), a 2 1/2 year old... and way too much stuff!  It was a beautiful drive, even if my suitcase ended up soaking wet from being on top of the car in the epic storm.
I have to say that the last weekend we were in CA was pretty much perfect.  We went to disneyland with Auntie Jenny, had a huge family dinner at Johnny Rebs, attended a wedding and a bachelorette party, had breakfast with 2 of my best girlfriends, followed by a ton of football with the husbands and kids.  We pretty much go to see every person that means the most to us in 3 very busy days.  I was exhausted, but so happy that we got in visits with everyonee!  We arrived in CO last Thursday and spent the first night on air mattresses.  Our moving truck arrived the next morning... just as I was walking out the door to a final interview.  Since then, we have been... exhausted and busy!  There are still a few boxes to unpack and a lot of things to find a home in our new home.  But, we've also spent a lot of time shopping.... Emery is now in her very big girl full size bed, I have a fab new (ish) 2010 Chevy Equinox, and I GOT A JOB!!! 
I had a 3rd and final interview with the National Stroke Association and an hour and a half after I left I found out I got the job as their new special events manager!  I am so excited to get to work on their special events programming!  I start next Wednesday!
So, that means we had to find Emery a pre-school!  After a ton of phone calls, website visits and review research we set up a few visits and found the perfect school.  She did a "test run" today and really loved it.  Her new teacher said she adjusted really well and loved the song and dance part of the day!  She told us she loves her school and wants to see her new friends... which was quickly followed up by asking where "bubbs" was and if he had his blue mickey that she picked out for him at Disneyland.... she's adjusting...
Pictures will follow... both of our trip and of Emery's first day of school (which I am considering as monday)...

Ok, now for some top 5's.
five reasons why I love California
#5

Proximity to Disneyland, Big Bear, Sea World, the beach.

 

Everything thing you could ever want to do is here.  We have farmer's markets walking distance from the beach.  You can camp in Big Bear one weekend and swim with dolphins at sea world the next.  You can wear flip flops 360 days a year... and if it does rain I strongly consider that a California Snow day.

 

In California you have the world at your finger tips.

 

#4

This is where my little girl was born.  She was born inthe same hospital that I was... and I had visions of her going to the same elementary school, Mark Twain.  I wanted her to go to the same girl scout camps and share so many of my amazing childhood experiences.

 

And, I never envisioned raising her away from her grandparents.  My grandparents were extended parents.  I love them like my parents.  I saw them nearly every day.  They were essentail to my upbringing and are still essential to my life.  That is one of the hardest parts for me....

 

And, I one day hoped to move my girl into the dorms at CSULB and get a picture of her on the pyramid steps to match the one below from Homecoming last fall.  I wanted my girl to be a 49er.  I guess she still can be.... with the added benefit of out of state tuition for mommy and daddy... =)

#3

I have been blessed with some of the best girlfriends ever!  They are my sorority sisters and friends from college.... and work and life.  I'm going to miss them more than I care to admit.  These girls have been my bridesmaids, gotten me through the stresses of motherhood, stayed overnight in a hospital waiting room while I was in labor, laughed with me, cried with me, celebrated life with me.  And, I've gotten to share these same sweet memories and celebrations in their lives.  I cherish the loyalty of my girls.  And, I hope that they visit as often as we've talked about. 

#2

Message body

The women of my family...

 

These women are the strongest, most opinionated, compassionate, crazy, and loving women in the world.  They tell it like it is, fight hard, and love hard.  That is just how it is.  We yell, we cry, we laugh, and support one another no matter what.  They have taught me to be confident, practical, hard working.... I learned how to be a mother from their example.  I learned how to be a friend.  A wife.  A successful women.

 

Everything I know about being me...sassy, organized, anxious, loving, strong... I learned from them.  And, I'm going to miss them.  I'm going to miss our regular sass back and forth.  I'll miss their hugs.  I'll miss their kicks in the pants when I'm being lame.  I'll miss the comfort of knowing they are just a 5 minute drive away....

 

I'll miss everything.

 

#1

This is where I fell in love and married the most amazing man and father.

 

We were just kids.  Met at 18, engaged at 20, married at 22, baby at 24.  Some people still think we were crazy for doing it all so quickly and so young.  We knew, so why wait.  It was the best decision I ever made.  He's my partner in life, in parenting and in love.  And so many of our first and favorite memories are in our hometown, Long Beach (which is hardly a "town," but rather a major city).  One of my favorite things about working on my college campus is remembering the  feeling of butterflys the first time he walked me to class.  Or how proud I was to hold hands on campus together.... They were innocent, sweet moments.  And they all happened here.

 

Thank goodness we'll visit often.  This will always be home.

 

Thanks CA for giving me the most amazing life.  I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

 

And watch out CO, here comes the Blaylock family!