Alabama

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Dear Jack: Moving Day

13 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

Last Friday, your best friend Landon showed up to say goodbye, as his dad and I loaded up the moving truck for our move from Tennessee to Alabama.

I am fully confident the two of you will not grow distant after our move. After all, his entire family drove to Alabama for my 40th birthday party, back when we only had known his parents for a week or so.

Though it happened too quickly for me to capture it on camera last Friday, I did witness what I perceive as the first and only time the two of you hugged.

Because, you know… it’s a guy thing. Gotta play things cool.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Wrapping Up Your 1st Season of Baseball

13 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

We’re now down to the last few games of your very first season you have ever played on a baseball team. The way I see it, this has served as the perfect way for you to prepare and practice for try-outs next school year when you officially transfer to your new school in Alabama.

You have proven to be independently and intrinsically motivated to continue to learn how to approve your skills.

In addition to your dedication, I have also seen your frustration. It has possibly been more of a learning curve than you expected.

But you are still focused on playing baseball on a team once we move.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: We Visited Your New School

7 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

During your Spring Break a few weeks ago in the midst of all the renovations we were working on for our newly purchased home in Alabama, we squeezed in an afternoon to take you to go visit the school you will be transferring to for your 3rd grade year this fall.

We couldn’t help but be thoroughly impressed by not only the building itself, but also all of the teachers and students, as we were given a personal tour by the principal.

I was waiting for any moment, that everyone would break out in song, as if we were in a musical.

As we were getting a tour of the library, a little girl walked up to you and said, “I like your shoes. My name is Isabella.”

Needless to say, you can not wait to transfer to your new school in Alabama.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: The Cake Decorating Class You Attended

7 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

Last week during your Spring Break in Alabama, you got to be part of a Simply Sweet cake decorating class with your cousins.

It was a wonderful glimpse of what life will be like for you when we move to Alabama in a couple of months.

I loved being there to witness you not only learning how to decorate a cake, but also, learning about manners and etiquette; which I personally hold in high regards.

Something else I appreciated about the class is that you were required to introduce yourself to everyone and describe what things you are currently interested in; as you illustrated your name badge accordingly.

It was so sweet, and hilarious, that you chose to feature SpongeBob SquarePants.

Of course, once the two hour class was over, you certainly didn’t go home empty handed.

We were able to enjoy a delicious cake that you decorated!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Our Final 90 Days Living in Tennessee

We are now at the point where this is pretty much our family’s final 90 days remaining of our time here in Tennessee, before we make the move to Alabama.

This week served as a milestone, as the deconstruction process began for some of the renovations that we are hiring contractors for.

Throughout this nesting process, my wife is basically Joanna Gaines… while I am basically Paul Rudd.

By the time we move in around Memorial Day, we will hopefully have brand-new bathrooms, kitchen cabinets, and floors throughout the entire house.

I was dreading having to drive a huge U-Haul for 3 hours across Monteagle for the official moving day.

Fortunately, it shouldn’t be that bad now, as we are microdosing the move each time we visit Fort Payne and when my parents come to Tennessee to visit us.

Last weekend, we fully loaded my dad’s huge F-150 for my parents’ trip back to Alabama. Every little bit helps.

I’m sure there will be a U-Haul involved for the final move, but I am confident the truck we rent will not have to be one of the bigger ones they rent.

Another milestone this week was that this made the first “double payment”: One for the house we bought in Alabama and the other for our house in Tennessee, which will be going on the market next month!