going out in texas style

there were very few things about leaving utah that put a smile on my face. but anticipating our going away party did just that. it helped that logan's most talented event planner, who just happens to be my one of my very dearest friends, took charge of the night. it was a perfect evening, full of old, new and long lost friends.

to look at a few more fun pictures of work done by crazy talented people who wanted to help make a memorable night for the ripp's and succeeded, go here.  whew!

faq's

what is taking you to texas?

work. doing the same thing he has been doing, but for a different company, one that makes stainless steel tanks used for chemical storage, both off shore and on. developing a tank monitoring system to be used on the tanks that remotely monitors tank levels.

are you excited?

yes. i have never wanted to live my entire life in one place(but would have happily) and it is a great opportunity. and since ripp grew up there, and the rest of his family is there, we already have family and friends waiting. plus, texas is a pretty rad place and i love cowboy boots.

how are your parents taking it?

of course they don't want us to leave, but they are being super supportive and excited for us. my mom is also a little jealous, she has never left her birthplace and thinks it sounds fun. she does wish it wasn't so far away. but it's not that far away either.

what about andi?

we didn't talk about it much, but i think it is funny that concern for her was close behind my parents. she chose to focus on throwing us an amazing going away party (pics to come) and being supportive too.

isn't it hot down there?

more like a sauna and we are relocating at the worst time. it would probably be better to wait and go in january. that is why it was so important to find a house with or in close proximity to a pool. we were lucky enough to find both.

is this forever?

doubt it, but who really knows. a four year plan sounds good, but i am staying open to the possibility that we may love it there. lots of people do and i am going to find out why.

when do you leave?

uh...already have. in fact, we are here. and while i may not be busy blogging initially, you can find me on instagram though, it is only because i will be busy tending to a new home, settling children, making up for lost time with ripp, and in general, settling in to life as a texan. bbq and boots included, should be fun.

i heart home

our new home is under construction in texas, the moving company packed our hillsborough home monday, and right now we are just a couple hours from the state that we will be calling home for the next few years.

i can't decipher the range of emotions i know we are all feeling. for three of us in the car, this is foreign territory. for the other, it is getting back to his roots after a 20 year hiatus in utah. it's scary, exciting, scary, adventurous, scary and overall, an amazing opportunity for growth for our family.

i already miss old home, but i think i did before i even left. i won't soon forget the look on my dad's face or the moment when ripp finally crumbled my mother. i am positive my grandfather wasn't kidding when he said he would pray for us everyday hour and i am positively glad he has. i admire my sweet daughter for being so brave up to the last minute with her dearest friends, but admire her more for not being afraid to let them see how deeply she cares. and i am so glad it was ripp who was there to comfort the pill when reality finally hit him in a dumpy hotel in rawlins, wy.

but as much as that place has a hold on my heart, it will eventually loosen its grip.
my heart will transition along with the rest of us, because it ultimately belongs with my family and wherever we are calling home.