The last four weeks have been a whirlwind. And as Heath would attest, I have been on an emotional roller coaster.
It all began in March... Heath was asked to apply for a job at the corporate office of Tractor Supply Co. So he did just that. Well, then we waited, and waited and finally we just assumed nothing was going to materialize. So, we did what anyone would and just sort of forgot about it. Then Heath got an invitation to interview for the job at the end of April. Long story, short - He was offered the job as an Associate Buyer in Brentwood, Tennessee and he took it.
Looking back at the past months I can really understand why Heath might think I'm crazy or unstable. When he first applied for the job my initial reaction was, "Wow, how exciting!" "What a great opportunity!" "Wouldn't that be fun to live in a brand new place, with brand new people, and brand new adventures!" But, the moment (and I do mean the very instant) that he told me he was given an offer my thought pattern took a dramatic turn. "Wow, now what?" "Are you sure?" "You mean we have to move to a brand new place, with brand new people so I can still just stay at home with the kids?" Lets just say that weekend was a little scary for me and I spent a lot, I mean a LOT of time on my knees. But needless to say, Heath and I both felt very good about the opportunity and we knew that it was the right move for our family.
So, for the following three weeks we prepared for our move. Heath finished out working at his store. The kids and I began to pack, we made typical arrangements to go out of town, and on the 22 of May we packed up our car and drove to Tennessee. Heath began work on the 24th and it was my task to find us a home. Our goal was to do so in a week and then go back to Big Spring to complete the move. That first week came and went, then the long holiday weekend was upon us and still nowhere to live! I was a wreck! We were staying in a hotel room with three children all under the age of 4. I was trying to find us a safe, affordable, place to call home within a reasonable distance from Heath's office. This may have been easy for some, but for me it was a little stressful. I would get the kids ready get out the door and into the car then some one would need a diaper change or someone else was throwing up, meanwhile the baby is screaming and hungry while I'm looking for an apartment in a town that I don't know and have never been to in my life...yeah I was stressed!
The search continued into the following week after Memorial Day and it was then when I reached my breaking point. The news of my Grandfather's death brought everything inside of me tumbling down. My heart ached for my dad, my grandmother, my whole family, all those who had loved Marcellus Smith. I was heart broken that I was unable to attend his funeral to share the one last earthly memory of his life and to feel the comfort of our eternal family with those who still remain. But my quiet grieving was comforted by my loving husband and my caring family who kept me informed on everything.
Moving on...We finally found an apartment and yes, it's safe and in our budget, and within a reasonable distance from Heath's office. And yes, (as Heath continually assured me) it all worked out. Heath took off the next few days and we drove back to Big Spring to gather up our things and bring them to our new home. We were greeted with open arms and helping hands and could not have made the move without the help and support that we received from our family and friends. We pack up and cleaned up and said our sad good bye's and we were back on the road again.
We made the trip back to Tennessee in two days, driving to Little Rock the first day and the remainder the second day. What a flood of emotions I felt leaving the little town of Big Spring that morning. When we first moved to Big Spring I had said that I hoped we wouldn't stay and settle there, but I was very sad to move away. Driving that morning I felt sad to be leaving our family and friends behind ; sad to say good bye to my parents-in-law who loved me as their own. I was sad to say good bye to my sisters-in-law I had come to know so dearly, who shared their life and their family with me. They helped me in more ways than they'll ever know. I was sad to leave the place where I had brought home my two baby boys into this world. I felt awful taking Ellie away from the comforts of her life that she has come to depend on, her friends, and cousins and her Papa and Neenie and her dog. It was hard to say good bye to the kind and loving friends we had there.
But driving the second day was almost refreshing. As the miles past I couldn't help but feel excited and anxious for the new things that lay ahead. I again had that confirmation that I needed to know that this is where we need to be right now.
So here we are! Nashville, Tennessee. I never in a million years would have thought I would be living here, but here we are. It's beautiful and green. There are hills and trees everywhere you look. When we first arrived here Heath had asked Ellie what she thought of Tennessee and she said, "I can' t see anything, there's too many trees." It has also been very hot and humid. The people are friendly and there are lots of things to do. We live right around the corner from the lake and the water is great. Heath LOVES his job and we LOVE having him home every night and on the weekends.
So all in all things are great in the Harrison household. We are settling in nicely and it's beginning to feel like home.
