Goodbye, Wichtia.

In 2 weeks, I get to say goodbye to this apartment. My children have always lived here, in this very apartment, since before birth. Tim and I have lived in this complex since we were married, nearly 9 years ago. It hasn't been too bad. We've been safe, and the rent has been low. We've been able to survive hard times here because it is an inexpensive place to rent and heat. I won't complain. What I will do is celebrate getting to leave!

In 2 weeks, I get to say goodbye to my upstairs neighbors who chain smoke around the clock, the stench of which always seems to find its way into my open windows. I pray to God our new place does not share this issue. I wish we weren't ending up in a rental, but for now, it makes sense. I'm also praying that the new place doesn't make Tim as sick as this place always has. He has bad animal and environmental allergies, and for some reason, this apartment is crazy dusty.

I've been surprised by the little things that I have realized I will miss. I've never been crazy about Wichita. It's not that it's a bad place to live; it is a decent enough place to raise a family, but there is little to do outside, and I grew up in northern California, where there is tons to do outside. I spent so much of my childhood and adolescence out-doors. The problem is twofold, stemming from the flatness and extreme weather in the area. There is nothing geographically appealing about the outdoors here, and the weather prevents most days from being pleasant outside.

I don't know exactly what the weather will be like in Kansas City, but I know there is a lot to do! I'm excited about all the lakes and parks and stuff. I've heard the weather is similar, but less sticky in the summer, and less icy in the winter, but with more rain and snow. I have a feeling it will be less windy since there are trees and hills to break up the wind. Wichita is like one big wind tunnel most of the year. I have always said there are 1 or 2 nice days a year here. Days when the temperature and humidity and wind are all suitable to spend the day outside. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but just a bit. The Spring and Fall are short, the Winter and Summer are long. It gets into single digit highs in the winter, and triple digit highs in the summer. I'm hoping what I've heard about KC is true.

Besides the obvious things (my family and church), there is a short list of other things that I expect to miss. I will miss the well-maintained roads, and the lack of traffic. I will miss the familiar faces at my local Walmart and Dillons. I will miss knowing my way around. I will miss Freddy's Frozen Custard. I don't know what else I will miss yet, because I don't yet know in which ways our new home will differ from the old.

I figure I can look it as a challenge or as an adventure. As something to overcome, or something to experience. Some people crave adventure. I know that there have been times over the last year that I have felt that way. I just wanted to experience something different and to push myself beyond my comfort zone. I want to look at this as an adventure and strive to take it all in. I don't want to just learn from overcoming a series of roadblocks, I want to enjoy the ride. I'm a deeply introspective person, so I look forward to observing my own reactions to the changes we will go through. How will I change? Will I grow? Will I stretch? What does God have in store for us up there? It's exciting!

The packing... that's another story! Not really looking forward to packing, but at least the company is paying for a moving company to pick up and deliver our stuff. And I don't think we really have all that much to pack. Clothes will be easy. Dishes, books, dvds, what else? Bathroom items, probably lots of miscellaneous crap. The place we live now is small, and has no storage space, so we should be ok. I hope my mom will come help me. She's awesome at getting me to do things I don't want to do alone... by doing them with me :) Moms are the best.

I can't think about the sad stuff yet. I'll be sad, I know it. No use in going through that now. I need to be strong and focused and motivated now. The rest will come after the storm. That's how I work. I'm great in a crisis, but afterward I feel it all. Gotta press on. It's my job. I know I'm not alone.