First, let me give all of our family and friends a big fuzzy "Thank you!" Your help and support over the weeks since we've decided to accept Dustin's job offer at Microsoft has meant so much to us. Our parents labored with paint brushes, hammers and cans of Pledge to prepare our house for sale. And as the time to say "good-bye" has grown near, we've been the guests of honor at several bittersweet going-away parties. I can't imagine how much more difficult the moving process could be without everyone's encouragement.

We're finally in the closing stretch of the marathon that ends with our one-way flight from Detroit to Seattle. The house is ready. It's even been shown once. I'm frantically trying to determine which of our belongings we can't function without during the two months we'll spend in corporate housing. I have to pack boxes, go to the bank and the post office, keep the washing machine full so we have clean clothes to pack, clean out the refrigerator, and remember to do those things that I know I'm forgetting right now...all while taking care of a social little 5 month old. And then Dustin suggested that I really should post a new blog entry today. What? Is he serious? I mean, how can I sit here and write when I haven't even figured out how to fit the Baby Einstein Discover and Play back into its box for shipping? But he's right. (sigh.) This is important.

This week has been a whole wash of emotions. I'm oscillating between two ends of a wide spectrum. On one side, I feel excitement at seeing my new home for the first time and pride at Dustin's career achievements. On the other, I feel anxiousness at leaving everything that is safe and familiar. Somewhere in the middle is the sadness of leaving friends and family behind at such a distance. No more impromptu weekend visits. Seeing each other will require planning and flights and vacations. But I really do see this as an opportunity. An amazing one. And I am excited. Who wouldn't be excited about going to a place where sea otters are part of the local wildlife?

For those of you who don't know yet, here's a breakdown of what the next stages of our move will look like.

• On Friday (TOMORROW!), our cars will be picked up for shipping to Seattle.
• On Saturday, we'll fly to Seattle, taking Bethany, Foster and whatever will fit into the trunk of a midsize rental car.
• Our first thing to do after we arrive is to drive to a location near the Microsoft campus to pick up the keys and a map to our temporary housing. Only then, can we go find the apartment where we'll be staying. It'll be like a scavenger hunt. Yay.
• Dustin's first day of work is Monday, May 19th.
• We'll live in temporary housing for 60 days. During that time, we'll find a place to rent for the first year.

After that? Time will tell. It'll be an adventure!