THIS IS IT:

I originally created this blog so that our friends from the Bay Area could keep up to our family's growth, progress, and overall activity as we relocated to southern California in '04. While I have not been the most diligent in keeping up with my posts here (no excuse, I know) I've tried to hit the highlights and give everyone the sense that we're still alive down here! I have been better about posting pictures of the kids in their blog here.

So as I sit here in the lobby of the Marriott Hotel writing this, I'm reminded of a journey that began almost 3 years ago - our move from the Bay Area to southern California felt a lot like this... the same but different. It has only been 3 years, but we've been blessed with so much in that time. Our kids have flourished here - Mia's completed her Kindergarten, and Jacob... well, it seems every day he reaches a new milestone. The growth of our kids is easily the best thing we've experienced here. Right up there would be the friendships we've developed with a group who will always be our closest friends.

Here's some advice: If you have young ones, consider looking at activities that are offered by the local parks and recreaction, or community college. There you will find kids who are in the same age group as yours, and more than that, you will find their parents who take the same genuine interest in their kids as you do. I can't promise that you'll meet a group as special as ours (in fact, it's highly unlikely), but you certainly stand a better chance of it by getting yourself in the right place. ;-)

I also want to mention our friends at the First Step Montessori School where Mia attended for 2-1/2 years. I never knew that teachers could grow so close to our daughter, and take such a genuine interest in her development. You have done a wonderful job in laying the foundation for Mia that will help her progress for years to come. I only wish her brother could attend your school - he would have loved being there (especially during snack time).

Thank you, dear friends, for making Woodland Hills our home. We will miss you all so much. Please keep in touch with us as we will do our best to do the same. I am certain our paths will cross again, and I imagine when they do it will be as if we've never left. It's hard enough to leave our home (which you helped become so) without also having to say goodbye. So instead, we will say that we're going to go for now, and we will see you soon. Here's to love, laughter, friendship.... and to the days we'll be together again.