Good Bye Des Moines

Way back when Andy started the medical school process, I never thought we would end up in Des Moines. When he was accepted into DMU and awarded the Rural Family Med Scholarship, I told him I would move away from our families for 4 years but that was it...then he needed to take me back to them as soon as he graduated.

Now here we are - 4 years later at his graduation weekend and he has kept his promise...who knew I would be so sad to leave?

Des Moines has been an absolute adventure for us. So much has changed in our lives since living here... Andy, Charlie, and I moved here in the middle of the night with our high school cars, hand-me-down canoe, and not much else. We bought our first home and completed as many do-it-yourself projects as possible. Fast forward 4 years and we are leaving Des Moines with an older Charlie, more reliable cars, a lot of debt, a nearly 3 year old Marie, and a little (big) guy on the way.

This was such an important move for us. Andy & I were forced to completely rely on each other. With no family within 4 hours, we learned how to handle what life threw at us on our own while trying to maintain and strengthen our marriage and family. Whether it was a broken down car, screaming baby in the middle of the night, or sucking water out of our basement at 4 a.m.- we figured it out together.

I will always be so thankful for these years in Des Moines. Although Andy was very busy with school, he was able to excel in his education here while continuing to be such a present and amazing dad and husband. I had a flexible job that kept us fed and gave me some life-long friends, too. We took advantage of living in a city and all it has to offer.

Marie with "Sweetie"

We are leaving some friends and neighbors who have made these 4 years much easier on us. Whether it was watching Charlie, helping us solve a problem, babysitting Marie, or just chatting about our day in our yards - I will never forget how comforting and helpful it was to have such great friends right across the street. They really made our neighborhood a home.

Marie, Gabe, Lexi, and Sweetie

Then there is Marie's daycare. I have forced myself to be as involved as possible in this small center and it has been an amazing experience. I have seen her teachers in each class fall in love with her, teach her, nurture her, and guide her. I am so grateful for each of them and know how blessed we were to feel so comfortable with her daycare. It was so much more than daycare to her. She loved her teachers and friends; I know she will miss them very much. It will be hard to explain why we don't see them every day, but I am hopeful that our new daycare will give her just as much joy.

So here we are, walking away from this adventure and into a brand new one in Sioux City. It will take some getting used to, but I am very excited for many things: being closer to family, our baby boy's arrival, our new home with so much more room, a certified preschool and pre-k program right in the daycare, and new job opportunities for Andy and me.

Thanks Des Moines - it's been great!