Good-Bye Georgia

Sterling and I have spent the last few days in Savannah helping the Brown family get settled in. While we’ve enjoyed organizing and decorating, the last day or two have been pretty solemn because we’ve known the inevitable was going to happen.

We would have to say good-bye.

I took this picture this morning, hours before we actually left, because I knew the actual good-bye would probably be much more tearful than any of us would like.

And I was right.

I’ve needed the hours-long flight home to get myself under control. Our time in Georgia was productive, I’m exhausted, and it’s time to move on.

I’m kind of a move-on girl, so while this good-bye was very difficult (I won’t see my Brown grandbabies until Christmas!—or at least that was the plan. . . hmmm), I’ve had several good cries and I’m determined to look forward.

And there’s much to concentrate on. We have all-day strategy meetings for the next three days at Stampin’ Up!--as well as current issues at hand--which will keep my mind plenty occupied. In addition, Sara, Sean, and the Douglass children are still at our house. Their moving truck arrives Thursday, and I’m planning on helping Sara with all that she has as she juggles unpacking, organizing, and mothering five children. 

So life marches on—in Georgia and Utah!

Comments

[connie]

Your family ties are so tight that this will only be a growing experience for all of you. This will make the holidays that much more special to you all!

[Diana Gibbs]

Shelli, my heart aches for you as the grandbabies grow so fast, at least in this day and age of blogs and webcams it won't be so bad.
Sending hugs your way,
Diana

[Terry Molineux]

Wow Shelli is there anything you don't do! You are a fantastic MOTHER and GRANDMOTHER! I envy your family. You are so wonderful with all your children and even being so busy with SU you always find the time to be with your daughters and their families. Kudos to you!

Good Luck to the Brown family on their new home. Congratulations to the Douglass family on their return!

Thank you Shelli for bringing us into your family life. I feel like I know each and everyone of them!

Inky Hugs,
Terry~~

[Robyn Ryan]

Brown Family -- "Welcome to Georgia!" I'm in Northeast Georgia, closer to Atlanta, but I LOVE Savannah! WELCOME!

Shelli:
I'd love to send the Brown Family a "Welcome to Georgia" card...would you like for me to send it to you at the Home Office?

Sara:
WELCOME home!

[Christina]

I know how tearful goodbyes can be. I live in MA and my family is all in Texas. It is hard everytime to say goodbye.

Internet helps, webcams to see the grandbabies (that is how my parents see our children) and plenty of chats on the phone and emails.

[SHH]

"Life's about changing. Nothing ever stays the same." A line from a favorite country song. So true!
While being away from family will be hard, I'm sure the Brown family will LOVE Georgia. I grew up in the south and there is nothing like it. They will soon have a new "family" in their LDS ward there.
How nice to have your other daughter and her family back. We would love to see pictures of their new place when you get a chance,
Thanks for sharing so much. Best of luck to you - and all of your family - with this new phase of life.

[Deb]

Thinking of you all....it is never easy, but time marches on and before you know it, you will all be together again! Keep on keeping on.... Blessings to you all!

Deb M

[KathyC]

I can completely sympathize with you! We just sent my son off to college several hours away which is really emotional for me.Both of my siblings live many states away from us and it is incredibly difficult for both my mom and me every time we have to let them go back home. Here's hoping that you can get lots of web time visits with them!

[Elizabeth Knehans]

I just said goodbye to my first born son,now 18 and attending college for the first time. He's in Syracuse, NY and the rest of our immediate family is in St. Louis, MO. I had 15 hours in the car to try to pull myself together, but it's been difficult. I miss him like crazy, so I can only imagine what it is like to miss your child and your grandchildren. I'll understand if you sneak a visit in before Christmas!

[Cindy Channell]

I just signed on to post a comment to you about my son who left for Irac yesterday and saw your post about Georgia. I would like to send some cards to our soldiers with a pryer cloth inside letting them know that we are praying for them. I would like to use the stamp set Service and Sacrifice and would like to know if I need to put a copy right on the back for Stampin Up. I am going to see if I can get an address to send as many as we can make to other soldiers. This maybe something that demonstrators and their customers can get involved in too. I will let you know when I have an address to send these items too.

[JCA]

I was looking at the pictures in the new catalog to see how the Brown children have grown. There seems to be a typo. There are two children labeled Seth and none labeled Cooper.

[rachel]

My heart goes out to you...

[Linda]

Hang in there, time will go faster than you think. My son is in South Korea with the USAF and internet goes a long way. Of course, if you present at the Cincinnati Ohio Regional you will at least be east of the Mississippi and may be able to justify a side trip. I realize this is a shameless plug. Just a thought!

[Linda]

Hang in there, time will go faster than you think. My son is in South Korea with the USAF and internet goes a long way. Of course, if you present at the Cincinnati Ohio Regional you will at least be east of the Mississippi and may be able to justify a side trip. I realize this is a shameless plug. Just a thought!

[Debi Pippin]

Shelli
I know you will miss the Grandbabies but perhaps they need this time away. I know we try to keep our family close but the time they are away they grow more independence and do things they never thought possible without mom there. My 3 older children out of the nest have their own families now and are attempting things they never would have with mom holding their hand. They are able to make their own decisions with out my interference and have done well. All things work together for those who love the Lord. Time will pass quickly and they will be back before you know it. Christmas is not that far away. Be thankful for the time you spend together whenever and wherever you spend it with the ones you love. I know I appreicate the time I have with my love ones. Much love
Debi Pippin
Inverness FL

[cottagemom]

Shelli~
I can complettely empathize.
We have recently returned to setting up our son in his first dorm room quite literally half the country away....(Seattle-Omaha) we have never been separated for more than the"summer camp" week every year.
I didn't have a decent nights' sleep for days before and still haven't days after.
We have one in college nearby and two still at home but between the shift in dynamics at home and the distance ~the adjustment has not been easy at all.
The term "growing pains" takes on an entirely new meaning.

I am hoping that he will enjoy the frequent cards ;) and surprises we send...I have a feeling that family members who hadn't thought they would ever get inky and creative with me ~soon will!
May Peace be with You All~

[Michelle]

Shelli, I know what its like to have tearful goodbyes my family all lives in Canada while I live here in West Aussie.. so when I see my family.. it will be a while before I see them again.. sometimes it is very hard.. especially for my parents since our kids are the only grand kids they have, although now they do have one there now!

All the best!

[Sue_B]

Shelli -
I am just smiling little Phobe looks so much like her mama.

[Jeanna]

I just went to a garden center and got a wall hanging that says "If there were no changes in life then we wouldn't have butterflies".

Blessings to you and your family...

Shelli....is there any way to contact you directly? Can I send a letter to the SU headquarters?

[Sharon Bridwell]

So one returns "to the nest" so to speak and one leaves....I know it was hard for you to leave. Just think though it won't be long until Shanna returns home as well. I know you are both looking forward to that! HUGS Shelli, I know it's been a tough week for you!

[Pennie M]

Shelli, I found that airplanes fly coast to coast about evey six weeks with me on one of them!

[Tyler Cummings]

Jeff Bezos from Amazon:

http://myventurepad.com/MVP/74451

[Lucia Kaiser]

Oh my, that's too many miles for any grandmother. I suggest a camera on your computer so they can see you and hear your voice. My grandchildren always loved our Sunday chats on the computer with the camera!

Lucia Kaiser
West Yarmouth, MA on Cape Cod

[Valerie Durham]

Golly - and I complain about my mom and dad being too far away - they live 2 hours and haven't gotten to see us for 6 weeks! I can't imagine. At least Savannah is a great place! Tell her to eat at Uncle Bubba's - it is Paula Deen's brother - terrific food!

[Dawnmarie]

I just want to say that I appreciate everything you try to do - I know that this has been a rough week - Just remember, the majority is with you.

And I thought you might like to see an industry article that was balanced - it's in my URL instead of my blog address.