photo taken with my iPhone and enhanced with pic tap go
my emotions are so very conflicted right now.
on one hand, i am overjoyed and full of anticipation. we are moving to ITALY!
on the other hand, i am sad and full of trepidation. we are leaving a place where we saw each other every.single.day.
we had dinner as a family every night. jimmy could come to school events and we could go on plenty of date nights.
he was here. the whole year.
photo taken with my iPhone and enhanced with pic tap go
newport isn’t our forever place. but it was magical while we were here. and it’s familiar.
and we are leaving it and that’s a little bit scary.
and let’s be honest…it’s hard to watch your children leave the friends and teachers they love.
but i know, as always, that bigger,better,and more beautiful things are ahead. things we could have never imagined.
but it’s hard to let go.
so as i begin the next two weeks of packing, sorting, donating and letting go…i will let myself be a little bit sad. a little bit nervous.
i will miss the togetherness we had here. but i’ll always have the sweet memories. and i will revisit them time and time again. this blog has given me the avenue to ensure i never forget the time we had here.
reason 2000 i love blogging.
well, off to work. thanks for letting me share what’s on my heart today.
xoxo
S
will you not be together all the time in Italy?
Lots of hugs. Newport is a pretty magical place in itself, I can only imagine how it must be for you after calling it home for a year. Good luck with all your future challenges; I’m sure you’ll meet them with grace and love.
well he will work from very early to very late and there will be trips to germany and a lot of training…so no. certainly not in the sense we were here.
hugs and prayers for your next adventure. xoxo
oh I can’t even imagine being in your shoes. I hope that you enjoy the adventure and that you guys love italy. Best of luck to you and your family.
I have a feeling you guys will make magic wherever you go hang on to that and to each other!
Stephanie, I love how you always so honest about your feeling. It’s okay to be nervous and sad, but I am glad that you also believe that bigger, better things are waiting for you guys in Italy. Do you have to follow the Italian work schedule or US work schedule? Usually the European really limit their work hours compared to the US. All the best. xo
Vera- Definitely the US Army schedule. 🙂
Our packers come a week from today- I’m stuck between trying to organize and plan while also trying to enjoy our final days in this home & city that has been so good to us…. Look forward to hearing about your Italian adventures! Safe travels!
it’s always hard to move, you just have to cherish the memories made and look forward to the one’s you will make in Italy. 🙂
Hugs and prayers to you and you beautiful family as you begin a new journey!
Best wishes as you and your family begin this new journey. I’m sure there are beautiful things that are ahead!
With a heavy heart, Newport lets the 6 of you go too! We have loved having you and enjoy your next adventure! (btw, before you leave you MUST get to Allie’s Doughnuts (https://www.facebook.com/AlliesDonuts)if you haven’t already found this local treasure…get the multi-sprinkles…you will be glad you did!
Sending warm hugs and love. Safe travels and cheers to new beginnings! Will you still blog when you’re settled in Italy?
http://Www.theeverydayscrapbooker.weebly.com
more than ever!!!
I felt all these things for you, but when you were so happy and upbeat I didn’t want to bring you down. You are one brave lady, but you’re gona have such an adventure! Will you not be together everyday in Italy? x
Stephanie, we don’t know each other but we have lots of scrappy friends in common and I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK!!! We are moving from Los Angeles to New Jersey in 2 weeks and I am taking my daughter out of the school she’s been in for 5 years so I totally feel your pain (although you obv have the international thing going on too). It’s bittersweet for sure, and I’ll be thinking of you!
I would be freaking out….in both good and bad ways!!! Doing something new is always hard, esp when it’s something BIG! Just human nature 🙂 I’m sure it’ll be a little hard at first but also exciting. Can’t wait to hear all about it!
ohhhh. That’ll be hard again! Wishing you loads of strength!! But you will enjoy Italy!!! 🙂
Oh gosh, just reading your words brings back all those memories from one short year ago when we moved across the globe. So sad and excited at the same time. And that feeling didn’t go away until about a month into it. As you know it’s an amazingly awesome opportunity and you will not look back once! Best of luck in the coming weeks!
I haven’t moved very much in my life, but I did have to move at one of those ages where it is especially hard. I was 16, and moving from the small town where I had grown up to the suburbs of a big city. Sure there was lots of opportunity and potential, but it was still hard. A quote I learned then has always stuck with me, “If endings signal beginnings, then why is goodbye so hard to say?” Nothing to offer but hugs and excitement, because it is ITALY after all, but I thought of the quote when I read about the sadness that you are feeling too. Looking forward to hearing all about your continuing adventures!
You guys are going to have the most amazing adventure. I know it will be hard and scary to make that move but i’m sure that you will all reap the benefits. Can’t wait to read about your adventures. Victoria 🙂
You are so brave and open to whatever the future holds. I can’t even imagine what it must be like. Me: I’d be scared to move down the street!
I wish you all the luck in the world, “The best of British” as we say here! If anyone can do it, you all can, with humour, courage and love.
((((cyber hugs))))
Love your photos and your honesty. Best of luck to you all.
Just wishing you all the best. Hugs, hugs, and more hugs!
I can’t begin to imagine how you are feeling right now, a move is a big thing let alone to the other side of the world. I’m glad you have your blog to look back on (and you’ll have that for Italy as well) and to know that you have so many people who care about you through your blog. Take lots of deep breaths (sorry, I just thought of Finding Nemo: Just keep swimming, just keep swimming – haha).
Praying. I admire your ability to be flexible and trust good things will come.
Since I have not moved in over 34 years, I can’t even imagine how hard this is for you.
From your blog I have seen how resilient you are. It will be hard at first until you all settle in, but what adventures you all will have. The girls are young enough to be able learn the language much easier than adults, I can see them rattling off in Italian in no time. Relax, and don’t forget to breathe. We will all be looking forward to blog posts about your new adventures.
Best of luck for your packings! Pizza and gelato are waiting for you in Italy!
Hugs sweet girl… Newport will miss you guys too!!!
Oh, I am so sad for you. But it will be okay. It always is 🙂 New memories, right??
I could not even wrap my brain around such an adventure. We moved only 5 miles in July 2006 ( if you’re ever bored -hahahaha!- it’s in my sadly neglected blog archives) after 20 years in the same house and it was just about the undoing of us. Is it helpful, at least, that while you’re moving clear the heck around the world….you’ll have the familiarity of the US Army there? I hope so. I’ll be living vicariously!
Gods speed to you and your little family!! I know that you will make it a GREAT journey!!! Looking forward to hearing all about your moments there 🙂
Wow, has it already been a year? I remember thinking fondly of all the lobster you would get to eat. And you did! When I think of Italy, I think of flowers, wine, fashion, ancient buildings, noise, traffic, food, and countryside. I visited as a young girl. But my brother visits regularly. I told him to just buy some real estate! They adore children so you will feel very loved. But they have a weird justice system. So I am glad you are there with the US Military. The few years you are there will fly by. The children will be so big by the time you move back home. And boy will they be fashion divas! So glad you will continue to try to blog! I am going back to work (yikes!). Both boys will be in college. At the end of a long day it will be fun to read your blog!
I think you (and all the other military families) are so brave. You’re amazing!
Hi Stephanie,
We have a mutual friend (Maria M) who suggested I take a look at your blog. Hello, and so nice to “meet” you!
My husband and I just arrived in Wiesbaden, Germany three weeks ago, and so far, we’re loving it.
I appreciate your honesty about your move, and I wish you the best. I was very excited to come to Germany, but I can certainly understand your conflicted feelings, leaving a post where you felt a sense of community.
Sending you warm hellos from Germany!
Stephanie, this was me a year ago. We left our house in the UK, and moved to Jacksonville, Florida (my RAF DH is on exchange with the USN)The night before we left, both my kids (aged 10 and 13 then) cried like their hearts were breaking, as they didn’t want to leave their friends and teachers. A year has passed, and my now 11 yr old has been on the Honor Roll all year, and LOVES his school. My 14 yr old is just about to leave Jnr High, and has made the best friends and had amazing experiences this year. I was so worried. Worried that we had made the wrong decision. Military kids are so special. They adapt. So much better than us adults 😉 You have moved way more times than I have, but 2 of my moves have been international, so I really understand where your head is at just now. Trust me, it’s all worth it. The first month or two you may not think it, but it is. Enjoy every single minute, as before you know it, you will be saying Ciao 😉
Italy will be wonderful! I’m always amazed at how you adapt & make every home full of love & magic. Your children are so blessed. The for sale sign went up on our house in IN on Friday. We’re ready to move to Savannah full time but it’s really bittersweet. We have lived here 25 years – Amanda was only 4 when we moved in. This house was my dream house & it nurtured, protected & loved us. When I think of all the birthdays, Christmas, sleepovers, cookies baked, stories read, joy & heartbreak, & just everyday days together, I think my heart is going break when it’s no longer home.
This isn’t your first rodeo, but I know the moving and goodbyes don’t get any easier. I’m glad you guys had this year to fill up your cups, before the big fat Italian adventure!
I love your honesty and your faith. You have a wonderful new exciting chapter ahead in your ‘life book’ and I know you will make it as wonderful and memorable as your past ‘chapters’…..life is an adventure and even though I don’t know you personally, I know you’ll handle it with grace and poise and make new wonderful memories with your girls and hubby. God Bless.
God only gives you what you can endure. You can do it…you have all of us that are counting on your great adventures.
I can’t believe it’s been almost a year already, so very very happy that you had this time together. He got to see so much of those sweet girls and make their bond even stronger with him.
It was fun to see your life at this new pretty home, lots of good memories. Can’t wait to see the side of Italy now!!
Hugs and prayers for all of you thru this time, thanks for always sharing from your heart.
you are so very brave, sweet girl. and totally justified in being a bit sad. i’ll be thinking of you and sending hugs and happy thoughts. xo.