After three days of driving, we finally made it to our new home: South Carolina! The drive was long. Very long. But we snapped a few cool pictures along the way. It was fun watching the scenery change. At first, it was a complete desert. But as we drove further east, it became more and more green. It's pretty amazing this is all part of the United States. 

We managed to move from Utah to South Carolina without renting a moving truck! It was sure a lot of work! We boxed up 26 boxes and shipped them on a Greyhound bus to Charleston. It was MUCH cheaper than the postal service. This worked out well for us because we do not own any furniture; our Provo apartment came furnished. So we did not have to pay for a moving truck or pod. Go us! 

My first day in South Carolina went something like this. I struggled to deposit a check at the bank-I'd never sent a check flying up a tube before! I couldn't see where I was driving-there are so many trees! I almost ran into another car-there were two streets with the same name "Johnny Dodds." I got asked out on a date at the library-by a man with a braided ponytail. I took a wrong turn on the Isle of Palms Connector-I couldn't turn back until I was at the beach! Luckily, Kori and I got to chat for a while. And that made my day a whole lot better. I just felt so out of place. Like I didn't belong. I still feel that way a little bit. And I know it will just take some time. 

Sometimes, change is hard just because it is, well, change. For five years, I surrounded myself with friends I'd made. I had a wonderful teaching job. I knew where everything was. I had a purpose. Now, I have few friends, no job, and I don't know where anything is. I think I was so excited to start a new adventure, I forgot to account for the adjustment period. I know it will get easier as I get used to this new place that will be my home for a while. And I am excited for that. :)

Also, I experienced a SICK thunderstorm this afternoon. It shook the house like crazy! I went outside to watch it and ran back inside for a second because I was legitimately SCARED. 

There are no amount of words or tears to describe what it's like leaving. I've left so much behind me in the past few weeks, and as excited as I am to move forward, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on what is now the past.

I never thought I would be sad to leave Provo, Utah. But in my final few weeks in the bubble, I couldn't help but think about all that I accomplished there. I started and graduated college. I met my husband and got married. I made lifelong friends. I started and finished my first year as a teacher. That's A LOT of stuff. Meaningful stuff. I guess it's just the sentimentality of it all that made it hard. I've grown so much in the past five years I've been in Provo. 

As oddly sentimental as I was about leaving Provo, I was even more torn up about leaving my first class and school where I taught. Eight months ago, I knew close to nothing about teaching a class full of students! And although I know I still have lots to learn, I really felt like I accomplished so much. I really grew to LOVE all 28 of my students and I am still constantly thinking about them haha. It made me SO sad to know that when they walked out my classroom door, I would probably never see any of them again. I spent every day with these kids. And I put my heart and soul into helping them grow. It just seemed such a sudden thing to say goodbye. Needless to say, I cried like a baby on the last day of school, and so did my kids. South Carolina is just, well, far away. I will never forget this year. I made so many wonderful friends at East Meadows Elementary. I had the best team of fifth grade teachers I could ever ask for. I learned so much from them. My facilitator was amazing and went out of her way to make sure I was successful. You just get attached to these people you see every day. I couldn't ever ask for a better experience as a first year teacher. Not in a million years. 

Now, I am eagerly anticipating my sister's wedding here in California. TWO DAYS. I am so excited! She really is marrying the best guy. Aren't weddings just the best? Following the wedding, it's a short three day drive for Lendrum and me. HOORAY. But every time I complain, I think my ancestors in heaven are rolling their eyes at me. It took them months to travel that far haha. Perspective. 

"Found my foundation,