A Few More Goodbyes. . .

"Grandpa" Terry, who loves Emma as if she were his own! Rob and Kevin played together on the worship team. Great drummer, great guy! We'll miss you!

My friend Tammy had twins about 6 months ago so I haven't seen her much, but it's always good to catch up with her. She and her family (husband and all 5 kids!!) are so sweet and loving and we will miss them so much! Tammy also sang with Kevin on the worship team over the last few years. Traci was new to Ottumwa in August, but we connected pretty quickly. Traci's a photographer and a fun mom and her husband works with Kevin. We've had a great 8 months to get to know each other and hopefully, through the Deere world, we'll live near them again!

Karla and Leah are great friends of ours! Leah is only 2 months older than Emma, so they've grown up together over the last 2 years. They've had many playdates and time in the church nursery together. Karla has been a deep friend over the last 2 years and I am sooo thankful for the friendship we have! She bought me a phone card this week to use while we're in the hotels, and I'm pretty sure I'll be using it all to talk to her:) Yep, Karla, all 500 minutes are coming your way!! We'll be in touch!

Maggie is our next door neighbor that I've blogged about before. I thought it was fitting that we finally took a picture together. . . outside, where we always run into each other! She's taught me sooo much about landscaping, gardening, and parenting over the last year! They have been the best neighbors and we will miss them so much! Joy is a friend from church. I met her through teaching her boys in Sunday school. They took a liking to me and I took a liking to them! She has four boys and a couple of them really like Emma. We got to have our first real "couch" time, on the floor of her home a few weeks ago. She showered me with maternity clothes that I hope to use sometime in the future. We've shared some good laughs and some good tears in the last year. Joy's one of those people I wish I would have spent more time with. She's a sweet girl and seems to have a lot of depth to her! I love her boys but it's kind of sad to watch them grow up so quickly!

On Friday, Emma and I went to John Deere for Kevin's going away party, or roasting, as we called it! I laughed so much at the things his boss had to say! It was fun to meet so many of the people that Kevin worked with here in Ottumwa. So many of them have impacted his life, both personally and professionally. On the left is Miles and the right is Kevin's boss Mike. Miles and his wife Cortney are K-State grads and they spent 15 months in Horizontina, where we're moving! They've shared so much of their experience with us and I am thankful for all I've learned from them! Mike has been a great manager for Kevin! He's really enjoyed working for Mike and respects him quite a bit. Again, with the Deere family, I'm sure we'll meet again!