Goodbye, California

The last couple of weeks have been such a whirlwind that I'm not sure I've been able to process the fact that we've moved halfway across the country. It doesn't help that we're staying with my mom and family is in town so it just feels like a long vacation so far. 99% of our stuff is in storage and we've been living out of suitcases for two weeks now! It's been fun but I think these kids especially will be ready to get back to a semi-normal schedule and life once we're able to move into our home in a few weeks.We spent just over four years in San Jose, CA and it was just what our family needed. We've always lived within 30 minutes of both of our families (and we both have big families) so most of our time was determined by what soccer game, birthday party, family dinner was going on that evening or weekend. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE family time buuuuuut I just remember the first weekend in San Francisco...we both looked at each other and said, "What do we want to do?! We can literally do whatever we want!" We grew and blossomed and leaned on each other in the last four years. It's been just what our family needed.Another beautiful side effect of us not having family close to us is that we really made friends that became family. That's what we're going to miss most about California -- the people. Hands down. The weather's great, the sights are great, but the people are what made it home for us. We are so thankful for all of the wonderful people who stepped in when we needed them and spent holidays with us so they didn't feel as lonely. We're really trying to sell Austin so people will come visit us or even better...move there! We'll have a guest room all ready for you guys if you ever wanna test the Austin area out! Just saying.The one thing I wanted to do most before we left the Bay Area was take family pictures by the bridge and I'm so grateful we were able to squeeze it in before we left! Our family will always hold our time in California close to our hearts and looking at these pictures will give us all the feels our whole lives, I know it.Thank you, California, for your lack of bugs, beautiful weather that always cools off at night, the Golden Gate Bridge, the redwoods, amazing hiking, being the place we brought our sweet baby Sawyer home to, Boudin, your incredible fruit trees in everyone's yards, for being the place we learned more about our amazing son Holden, our San Francisco trips, the beach, and the amazing people who live there. We definitely left part of our hearts there but we are excited to see what adventures living back in Texas bring our family.-LWPHall photos by Rachel Zee Photography