Our Move to Wisconsin from Georgia

This Thanksgiving was probably the best Thanksgiving that I have had so far in my life. This year, I got to come home. Home is Wisconsin and always has been, no matter what other state I have lived in. I didn't even change my driver's license until I got married. That is how much I wanted to keep my roots in Wisconsin. This story of thankfulness started last year, right after Thanksgiving.

I received a card in the mail that got me thinking about some of my colleagues at the many institutions that I attended for my varying degrees of school. As I was haunting the different websites, I started to wonder if there were any openings at any of the universities that I had attended. I was, at the time, a stay at home mom but I knew that someday I wanted to get back into academia and use the doctorate that I worked so hard for.

As I was looking through all of the different positions that were available, I came across one that took my breath away. It said WISCONSIN and it was a position in dairy management. I had to read through it about eight times before it finally sank in that THIS might be the position that I was meant to have. I read through the position announcement and called my husband. Then I called the university to discuss that position. I only had a few weeks before the January deadline to get all of the application materials in order but I was determined to at least take a shot. I sent in the application and waited.

At the beginning of February I got the call. I was slated for an interview at the end of February. I travelled home to Wisconsin with my husband and children in tow for the interview. It was an intense day but I felt confident that I presented myself well. I really liked the people and the school seemed like a good fit. We visited my parents and relaxed before our delayed trip back to Georgia.

Many grueling weeks went by as I waited for the outcome. Finally the day came that they called and offered me the job. With very little hesitation I accepted. I was going home! The year has been one of intense preparation for the move back home. Oh there were so many things to get done! We moved in June and my husband finished up his job at the end of July. We vacationed with family and then I started my job in August. Here it is November and I still can't believe it.

I am thankful for the opportunities I have had in my life that have led me to this place, to this job. I am thankful to have found a wonderful man that was willing to leave the South to move to my home with me. I am thankful that my girls were at just the right age to start the preschool on campus when we arrived. I am thankful that I am close to my family again and that we can spend quality time together making memories for my children like I did when I was young. I am thankful that we will have snow this year for winter. I am thankful for this wonderful job that allows me to teach and to have a job with flexibility and challenges. I am thankful that God saw fit to bless me with His Grace and that all of THIS was His Plan all along. Oh yes, I am thankful.