Leaving Louisiana

I am currently sitting in our house full of boxes worrying about things I cannot control. For instance, I am worried about Brighton's health, worried about getting all of our stuff on the big truck tomorrow and whether it will all make it to Salt Lake City unscathed, worried about flying again, worried about the hurricane threatning Eastern VA and the outerbanks, worried about being sad (yes, I worry about my own emotions sometimes). I hate worrying and I hate pity parties. I decided to blog our recent beach trip, but then I realized I loaded all of the pictures on the other computer and not on the notebook. So I will have to blog about our wonderful trip to the Outerbanks where we stayed at Wendy and Geoff's (Jon's sis and BIL) new beach house, which I hope and pray stays completely intact, after we get to Utah and get the computer set up. Brighton's health problems have definitely gotten me worked up. She did very well through her colonoscopy, but she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, which is an autoimmune disease that she will have to deal with for the rest of her life. We are very thankful that the biopsy did not show anything more serious, and I am currently gathering as much information on a daily basis that I can about managing her disease. She does not act sick and the new medication seems to be working. We already have an appointment with her new doctor on Monday. She will see her new pediatric gasterontologist before she even has a chance to get into our new house! So, for now, I know I need to stop worrying. I am going to try and turn my thoughts to happy thoughts. Instead of thinking about how sad I am to leave Louisiana, I'm going to think about how happy I am that I had the opportunity to live here. I will say it again--this place is unlike any other on earth and we have absolutely been more blessed than I could have ever imagined in the last three years. So because of this, I've decided to make a list--not of things we will miss most, but things we will take with us because we have been so blessed. And so, WE WILL TAKE...

...an appreciation for food prepared by people who yes love to eat, and yes love to cook, but also who cook for the purpose of bringing people together--for hours and hours and hours because the food is so good!
...along with the appreciation for good food comes a subsequent disdain for all chain restraunts, especially those serving what is falsely marketed as "seafood." I realize how haughty this sounds but it's unfortunately true.
...scars, both emotional and physical: the physical scars come from old mosquito bites received from mosquitos that are so evil and huge, they bite through jeans, and ant bites from the most vile creatures on the earth--fire ants. The emotional scars come from living in fear that the tickling sensation going down my back is most likely a cockroach of prehistoric proportion that has fallen off of the ceiling and down my shirt. Fear and dread for three years=scars.
...a surprising love of NFL football, or mainly just a love for the Saints. While Jon grew up a Redskins fan, I never paid attention to pro football until moving down here. Enthusiasm for Saints football is absolutely infectious! WHO DAT!
...mental pictures of green frog and green lizard bellies that stick to the doors and windows on steamy nights.
...an appreciation for excellent music, and sitting in a public park listening to excellent music, and drinking adult beverages while sitting in a public park listening to excellent music.
....the belief that the holidays do not end until the last parade stops rolling on Fat Tuesday. I don't think I will be able to live without king cake and Abita Mardi Gras bock--just can't do it. We might be the only ones celebrating but Salt Lake City will have Mardi Gras next year!
...memories of some fun-loving ladies that showed me how to loosen up a little now and then.
...a friendship with Nikki and James Slaton that I hope will continue for years to come. Will is definitely going to need to see his girlfriend from time to time :) We have loved spending time with you all--thanks for so so many good times!
...the love of a church family that was just what we needed with our family so far away. I will so miss the friendships we have made with you all. You are a blessed and very special church. I will be thinking about you, especially on Sunday and Wednesday mornings. I cannot think of a more fantastic group of ladies than my Bible study ladies. I will miss the study and the conversations!Thank you thank you thank you for welcoming us into your church family. Pam and May, thank you for loving my children and teaching them about Jesus. Thank you for making it that much harder for me to leave. ;)
...the desire to return to this place soon.
...the best thing we will leave with is our own little Louisianian, Brighton Rae. She has to come back to her swamp roots from time to time so please keep in touch because we'd love to see you again!

Goodbye Louisiana, we love you!