Bittersweet

I'm staring at my blank screen wondering exactly how I want to start writing out my feelings right now. It feels so strange to be so close to the end of this chapter of our lives. Our time in the IM program is almost ever! At times during this process, we thought it would never end. And now, here we are at the end, and I'm feeling kind of sad! We have definitely enjoyed the time we have spent at our stores during the IM program. We have made some lifelong friends through this process, and now we're getting ready to leave them all. Not only that, but we have learned so much from our time with the different teams. Ian has grown tremendously as a man and a leader. We will forever be indebted to this program for all the good it has done for us.

Some of the things I will miss...

Saving money (CFA pays for a lot of our bills right now, including rent, electricity, cell phone, etc.)
Our gorgeous Florida home -- tons of running around space and huge closets, not to mention the awesome pool and neighborhood
Being a family (we'll be separated for our longest period yet pretty soon....)
Palm trees
Beautiful views and sunsets
Our friends from Port Charlotte
Living so close to Target (it's my weakness, ok?)
The awesome neighbors that just moved in next door (Cayman LOVES having friends so close, and Deckland and Max are so good to him - they all have a ball together...)

Some of the things I won't miss...

Stainless steel appliances and glass cooktop
The dishwasher in this house (it's not attached to the countertop anymore and it falls out of place if both drawers are pulled out at the same time...and then you have to work it back into place and sometimes the door won't close all the way so you can't turn it on....blah, blah, blah...I can hear you now.. "at least you have a dishwasher, people in third world countries..........." I know, I know. Another weakness, ok?)
Being so far from our family and close friends in GA and NC
The extreme temperatures practically year round
Worrying about keeping white furniture clean (I mean seriously, who puts white furniture in a rental property?! Our kids have marked their territory, if you know what I mean...)
Charis having to sleep in a pack-in-play
The kids playing with the same toys all the time
Daily thunderstorms in the middle of naptime (although both kids have been sleeping through them, but I still don't like thunderstorms, especially with a huge, old tree right outside our bedroom window)
The constant wondering about our future with Chick-fil-A
Ian going through tough interviews only to be disappointed (Praise God there will be no more interviews! Unless we go for an additional restaurant down the road sometime...) :)

We have met people along the way who do not like the IM program for whatever reason. But we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it was perfect for our family. If you happen to be reading this, and are considering the IM program, or know someone who is, we are fairly positive that is the best thing for you as well! There's just something about being COMPLETELY in charge of a store, having no boss, making all the decisions, etc, etc. It has done wonders for Ian's growth and development, and we just think it's the best thing. (Not to mention, there are quite a few perks in the program as well!!! They treat you good....seriously.... I really don't think there's a much better company to work for - period.)

Anyways. I feel better, now that I've gotten all of that off my chest. Now I must get back to my insane packing. Goodwill is gonna love me, because I am definitely in a tossing out mood!

On a totally different note... TOTALLY DIFFERENT....

We have really been working with Cayman about telling us he needs to go potty. Today, he had his "poopy face" on, so I asked him if he needed to go poop on the potty. He gets really frustrated now whenever we try to talk him into going to sit on the potty, so he said, "Ugh! Nooo Mom. I no have to poop! I just pumping gas!" Lord have mercy, I thought I was going to "mark my territory" on our couch also, if you know what I mean! I laughed so hard! AND just so you know. The child woke up dry, stayed dry for 1 hour after he woke up, peed on the potty, and then after the "pumping gas" incident, he was persuaded to go sit on the potty, where he pooped and peed! He got M&Ms and his new favorite candy, a hot tamale! Do you know how spicy those things are?! He LOVES them. Just like his daddy.