Departure Day - Saturday, August 4, 2018

The morning started off with last minute packing and surprisingly very few last minute jitters. Ms. Mary, our amazing neighbor and as close to us a grandmother, was up early and waiting to see us off. We were awake before 6, and by 8 am we had three more neighbors come over to say goodbye. We left and headed to Teta and Papous (Grandma and Grandpa), so we could say goodbye to the family. Nadia, The Hill Family and Uncle John and George were there to see us off. Praying in a loving family circle, we waited for Nadia to gather herself. Fighting back tears, she prayed over us. In true southern fashion, which for those of you who don’t know----is saying goodbye, walking ten feet, then saying goodbye, repeat, repeat, repeat.

We left with the feel of rock stars as everyone waved and took pictures. My sister, Layla, and her husband Jason met us in Jacksonville and led the way.

Driving at a whopping 63 mph, the in I95 traffic loved us. During the 8 hour haul, the kids were great, splitting time between Playdo, toy cars, imagining, sitting copilot for dad, and watching Moana. Maro was managing the goings on, and as always is the hero here.

Once we arrived, we grilled burgers with Momo and Papa, Layla and Jason and cousins Diane and Aaron. We ended the evening chasing fire flies and going to sleep early. With everyone worn out from the day, the pillows were calling.