Parting is such sweet sorrow...

Parade in downtown Lebanon

Lebanon NH...There is so much I will miss about this small town.  I will truly miss the ISCU at Dartmouth...I have made some great friends...you guys are great!  This has been one of the best nursing jobs ever...and its from the wonderful people who work there!  The people from NH are genuinely nice...we have met some great neighbors and friends (Zoe's friend Kevin will especially be missed!).  I will miss how safe it is here...no need to lock up your car or house.  Children can still play in the streets and be safe...very rare in today's world.  There is never a line in the grocery store...the parks are green and beautiful...rush hour traffic - wait...there is none.  You can actually see stars....the moon is full and clear.  At night you can sleep to the sounds of wind, rain and bugs.  The next town down the road is adorable as the one you just passed.  The only negatives about Lebanon is the dump...it really smells!  Also...I hate to say it, but NH and VT have the WORST drivers in the world!  Drive the speed limit because the cops have nothing better to do than run radar!  
Forth of July...this picture says it all.  A small community sitting together watching the fireworks over the small ski hill.  I just sat with my two older girls thinking how great this year has been...one that I will never forget.  Our beautiful Jazz was born here...our daughters got the opportunity to live in a safe community and I have made friends that I hope last a long time.  If we ever come back to the States...I would move to New Hampshire in a second!   Good bye green hospital...goodbye Lebanon....goodbye New Hampshire.  Virginia here we come...it's time to say goodbye to the those I hold most dear (tear). 

Little steps...Big steps

Auckland New Zealand

So...my husband and I decided to move to New Zealand, he got a fantastic job opportunity as a Fellow in Cardiothoracic Critical Care and Anesthesia.   I never would have imagined this for myself 10 years ago...moving across the world.  I'm so excited to get out and see the world...see another country...meet new people.  I acutally got a job as well....working in the CVICU - with my husband :)  Lots of things to do and BIG checklists to accomplish.  We are everyday working on this endless to do list...throwing our money out to get us there.  Passports...EOI...FBI checks...Visa paperwork...plane tickets...English testing...medical / nursing licensing...it goes on and on.  I have to say...as stressful as this has been, especially for my husband who does 90% of the work...it will be worth it in the end.  Everyday as we get closer to leaving, I get more butterflies know that this is really happening.  The biggest challenge that I see is moving our stuff in a 5x8 shipping container.  It feels great to cleanse yourself of all the little things in life, but I do feel bad throwing away our belongings we have worked hard for all these years.  The kids will be giving up most of their toys...which will be a challenge, they just don't understand.  We move back to Virginia in August...I plan on spending most of that time with my family...saying goodbyes.  We start our new life November 27...its a lot sooner than you think!