Flo-Rida Fun: The long goodbye (by Amy)

The last couple of weeks we have been completely immersed into summer fun. Nathan has been off with school and hockey friends, especially his friend Braden. They have been to the farm, riding the 4-wheelers, out on the lake and shooting pellet guns. He also has been playing with the neighbors Matthew and Michael. I feel like he has been gone more than he has been here. Sarah has been off with MacKenzie and some friends from school. She has been to the water park, to the fair, and to a million sleepovers. Tonight she is going to the movies and is gone right now at Mackie's for a sleepover. The littles are enjoying the bigs being home and playing with Mara from next door. Both the bigs are now 11 and we had parties for each of them. Nathan's was mostly hockey boys and Sarah's mostly cheerleaders. They both had some kids from school as well and it is so crazy to think that we have been here for 6 years. At Sarah's party, our dear friends Kim and Mackie made the most beautiful Imovie of pictures of Sarah over the last 3 years. I was in tears with the first picture.

Also last week, my friend Kara from Chicago came to go out to dinner with me and some other friends including Plank, Clarissa, Gwenn, Laurie, Sarah, Christina and Keri. The next day I went out with two other friends Kim and Kelly. I hope to get together with a few more people before I leave.

We have come so far and done so much here. When we got here it was Dave, the bigs, Dexter and Duncan. We came here thinking we would be here a couple of years before moving on. We came here thinking out family was complete. Over the past 6 years we lost our two sweet bulldogs and gained Tank. We had the double miracle of Z and then baby Ike. We made friends, some of whom came in and out of our lives and some we will keep forever. It is so hard to say goodbye, but I have to remember that our goal has always been to go out and seek and claim the life we want and not just the one that comes to us. I know that life is what we make of it and as long as we are together it will be even more amazing than I can imagine, but I really wish I could take some of you with us!