Jill-Marie's Blog

So- it's been one year ago that we moved to good ol' TN! I cannot believe it! the time has just about flown by faster than a speeding Vol fan, or Smokie Bear or BIG HAIR BOW! :-)

I have spent the last few days doing the "a year ago today I was/ we were..." Let's see there was the last baseball game where we said the "final see ya later" to our close friends- some of whom came to the game just to say good bye. There was the trip down here where I cried like a baby from 5am to 9am in the car with ALL our animals. There was the first morning waking up here to QUIET and not listening to motorcycles on Hopeman Parkway. I seem to have blocked out the unpacking- I can't remember much of that. I remember the kids being so happy- running around the house just thrilled with their rooms. There were the mornings I sat on the deck, drank coffee and just cried and cried and cried.

After all of those memories come ones about being greeted by our neighbors with fans to help out b/c our AC was broken and gifts of Ice cream and plants and being welcomed by a family that opened their arms and hearts wider than those BIG BOWS I was talking about.

There were certainly some dark days. I felt lost and lonely and guilty and..... like a puzzle piece that did not fit. Over the last year I think I've gotten turned right side up. Looking back I can feel God shifting me, turning me, rearranging my heart so that I could fit in my puzzle spot. Of course- I was made to fit I was just trying to find my own way and not letting Him put me where and how and when He wanted me. It's a hard lesson but I am grateful for it and proud that I seem to have gotten the message- at least for now.

I learned so many things this year- mostly about people and relationships and myself.

My husband is amazing!!! I am more in love with him than ever before and this year was worth coming to the re-realization that he is my #1 partner and friend and support. He put up with a lot and we got through the absolute hardest time we have faced yet in our marriage. I thank God for his patience and love and understanding!!

We are closer to my family now than when we lived 10 minutes down the road. We have an appreciation for the time together- we don't take it for granted, we are open and honest and REAL with each other. I am actually thankful for Knoxville if only for this reason!!

Being a friend to someone that you can't hug or touch is not easy- but it is possible! I have struggled over showing my support to friends that are in need. I can't give little gifts, make meals, babysit or visit. But I can pray for them, I can call and email and text and let them know that distance does not matter in relationships- I love this lesson!

Some friends are not friends forever but friends none the less. There is a line from "Wicked" that I love and it says, "who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you I have been changed for good." I hope I have learned to appreciate what gifts people have and to have a peace about endings- endings are ok sometimes. That was very hard for me!

People do what they want to do. Enough said.

Whoever invented unlimited long distance is my friend and should receive the Noble Peace Award- truly- it is a necessity to my life.

I am so thankful to everyone who has kept us in their hearts and prayers. So many have made it a commitment to maintain contact with us!!! And those that have visited????? THANK YOU! it is a long trip and I know it can be expensive to travel right now but it makes me feel so good to have my friends here!!! Those visits have really gotten me through this first year!! Everyone is welcome!!! If I haven't' invited you recently- consider this an invitation!!!

So- there it is! thank you all for reading. i'm sorry I'm not a big blogger but I hope to get better now that baseball adn softball adn VBS are over! I love youa dn miss you! Hope to see and/or hear from you soon!!