Time is flying!

How is it already June? Where did the month of May go? I feel like it came and went and didn't even say good-bye. Geeze. Reality is setting in. We have less than 2 months until we leave Oki. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time on the island, but we are anxious and ready to move on to our next adventure.

With that being said, 2 months feels like it's going to go by very quickly and we haven't barely started to get anything done/ready in preparation for the move. I have 2 long weeks of school left. I can do it. I can make it without losing my sanity. I think. I have yet to pack one single box. The good news is that TMO will actually pack my entire classroom up and crate it - same day. Probably why I'm completely procrastinating on getting started. I have a lot of cleaning out to do. How is it I've only been teaching for two years, but I have accumulated so much junk useful educational materials? Mind boggling.

I'll probably put my 21 Tasmanian devils to work the next few weeks and help me sort/clean/recycle/throw-junk-away. I need to get started on my 2 page clearance checklist. Hmmph.

Three days after school lets out our unaccompanied baggage shipment is scheduled. I need to pull out everything we want sent (it'll hopefully be there when we get to AL).  With a normal move, you'd send the necessities you'd want right away while you wait for the rest of your household goods arrive. You know, sheets, towels, kitchen items (plates, pots/pans, plates, silverware, etc.), some toys for kids, maybe a small TV. Well for us, this stuff is going to be what we will have (aside from whatever we pack in our suitcases) for 3-6 months until we find a house and move to Vegas.  Of course Ty and I will be staying with my parents so we will have everything (and more) that we'll need, but it's hard to choose what things you will need for 3 different seasons.  I thought moving just with Joe and I here was difficult. Throw a toddler into the mix and it's a whole new ball game.

I need to pull fall/winter clothes, send some of Ty's favorite toys so we don't have to lug them in our suitcases, a stroller, his pack-n-play, and some other essentials to help us make it through this long transition. I didn't know where to really start. I just looked in our closets and pulled what I thought we might need. *sigh*.

I haven't even begun to think about what things to pack in our suitcases and how we will look ridiculous with our stuff at check-in. It's look like 2 rolling duffel bags each for Joe and I, one for Ty's things, umbrella stroller, 2 backpacks for carry on (laptops, iPads, DVD player for Ty, snacks/drinks/toys/clothes), diaper bag/purse, small backpack for Ty, and not to mention Ty's humungo carseat that we bought little wheels for it to become a traveling "stroller" while we wheel through the airports. The thought of dragging all of that and hoping none of it gets lost makes my stomach turn. At least we don't have to worry about the dogs traveling with us too. Now that would be a nightmare.

We're looking forward to what the rest of the year holds for us.  Weddings, reunions with old friends, quality time with family, traveling, buying our first time, and settling down in Vegas is all so exciting. We're trying to keep plans flexible and we're hoping for the best.

For the first time the other day, I got a little sad thinking about how I won't have my own class next year. Sure, they're little rascals at times and I've had the most challenging class this year, but in the end I'll miss them and I'll miss teaching. I really want to share my talents with Tyler and teach him all the things he needs to know and spend that quality time with him that I know I can never get back. Who knows when I'll return back to the classroom. By the time we settle in, we'll probably try for baby #2 and then that'll add another few years until I am ready to go back. And you know what, I think I'm okay with that. My best friend and I have been contemplating the pro's and con's about being a SAHM vs. working. It's such a hard choice and it's different for everyone. I've done the working side, and now I want a hand at being a SAHM. I can't guarantee that it'll be for me. I might feel like I'm missing out and itch to go back, but I'd like to try both so I can know for sure.  Going back to work after Tyler was born was the hardest choice I had to make. I missed him terribly and felt like the few precious hours I got to spend with him while he was awake when I got home, just wasn't enough.  Pushing through and working this year was tough, but we were able to save a good amount of money to help us when we move and will be beneficial to Tyler in the long run.

When we settle in at Vegas, we'll have a lot of adjusting to do.  Financially, we'll be fine. Joe makes more than enough money for our family, but the luxury of buying all the things we want will take a cut and we will just have to budget better. In my mind I have all of these visions of how great it will be to stay at home. All the things I'll be able to do that I haven't been able to do while working. My house will be clean (maybe cleaner?), I'll be able to stay on top of errands, I will have time to do things for myself (this is a huge bonus since I never have time for anything other than grade papers, get assessment data completed, make lesson plans, prepare work and events, etc.), and have that quality time with Tyler at this fascinating and fun age he is at.

So this is one of those long rambling posts with no pictures. Boring. Sorry. Goes back to not having time to do anything for myself. Although the last few days I have been reading on my new iPad and I forgot how much I enjoy reading. I haven' read a single book for myself this school year until now!

Anyway, all in all, we're excited for everything. I just hope everything goes smoothly and we make it to Vegas in one piece. Only time will tell...