i won't miss the chiggars

Seems like just yesterday, I wrote this post about moving across the country to a new place where I didn't know anyone and everything was so different.  It's now been 5 years and this summer we're moving back across the country to Phoenix, AZ.  It has been a fun and happy time living in the South, but we're happy to be moving on to a long-term job and exciting career for Wade.  I always read and re-read my posts many times and as I read through the paragraphs below I'm blown away by how much I will miss about this place!  If you ever have the chance to live in Nashville, TN, I highly recommend it.

Courteous drivers-  People don't try to speed up and cut you off, they are very willing to let others in. Rarely do I see anyone speed up to try and make it through a yellow light.  I lost count of how many times people have waved me on at four way stops, rather than hurry and try to be the first one (even legitimately being first, but still let me go).   Basically, drivers in Tennessee are not aggressive and it makes for a much kinder commute.

Percy Warner/Edwin Warner Park- These two parks in Nashville have given us endless hours of hikes, runs, bike rides, marshmallow roasts, bird-watching, firefly catching, flower photography, and on and on.  They have a fantastic Nature Center with programs for kids and adults.  Most of the programs are free and we've been able to do everything from searching for salamanders in the creek bed to kayak down the Harpeth River, all with amazing staff and for free!

Spring Runs- After a dull winter, it is invigorating to run outside and see the flowers blooming, and trees turning green again.  Nothing like a spring run in Percy or Edwin Warner park! Don't forget the muddy shoes/legs.

Fall Runs-  I've loved running through the gorgeous scenery of colorful trees in perfect warm weather, especially in Edwin or Percy Warner park.

Sweet CeCe's- A cup full of original tart frozen yogurt, topped with strawberries, blueberries, pinneapple, coconut, and finished off with hot fudge. Best yogurt ever!

Trees- At first it was strange to have so many trees everywhere.  You can't see very far because of the thickness of forest.  I still love going out West and being able to see for miles, but I know I'll miss the trees when we're gone.

Rain- I'm talking about those crazy TN downpours and the big fat rain you can't go outside in without getting drenched through. Makes everything so green!

Spring- Even after 5 years of living here, I'm always surprised how green it gets in the spring! The best are the blossoms everywhere!  It is like a new world every Spring.

Fireflies-  I feel nostalgic when my boys run around outside in the summer catching fireflies.  Even though I had never even seen one until we moved here 5 years ago, it just feels like something that every child should get to grow up doing.

YMCA-  Our local YMCA is the best gym I have ever seen.  It has literally saved my sanity.  I joined when the twins were about 2 and it has provided a fun/safe place for them to play while allowing me to de-stress and get in shape.  It's value cannot be underestimated for me and my life during this time.  I've loved the classes (particularly spin, yoga or pilates, sculpt or bodypump).  I also couldn't have done my running training without it.  I can't say how many miles I've logged on those treadmills.  Not to mention the kid play area and the people who work there.  It's a first rate set up with an outdoor playground included.  My kids almost always love going and are a little disappointed when it's time to leave.  We've also had swimming lessons and numerous family swims at the indoor pool.  The icing on the cake is the income based monthly fee :).

Volleyball-  A group of women in our church would get together every Monday morning and play volleyball. None of us were any good (correction: MOST of us weren't any good), but it was a great way to build friendships and burn off steam while the kids played together.  It was a very important part of my life for some months when I needed an extra dose of adult interaction during the week.

BBQ-  We'll miss the abundance of smoked meat available at many bbq joints.  We particularly liked Whitt's BBQ, but there are many others.

Music- One of our favorite spots is the Station Inn, but we've also visited some of the many other places in Nashville that you can go and see amazing live music almost any night of the week.  It's truly a great place to be if you are a music fan (and not just Country music).  During our time here Wade and I were introduced to some amazing Folk, Bluegrass, Newgrass style music that we love and will be fans for life.

State Parks-  Tennessee has been called the the state with the best state parks system.  All of them are free to visit and there are so many amazing places that we've gone to over and over.  Some of our favorites are Fall Creek Falls, Big South Fork, Radnor Lake.

The Great Smoky Mountains-  They are as amazing as you think.  If you ever get a chance to visit in the Fall, do it!  It's a great visit anytime, but the Fall in particular is spectacular.

The Four Seasons-  Okay, so my favorite by far are Spring and Fall.  Absolutely gorgeous green Spring with blossoms everywhere and beautiful weather before it gets too hot.  Fall is unbelievably beautiful with the colors and trees everywhere.  Winter is rough since it gets quite cold, but doesn't snow often and all the leaves are gone from the trees.  This makes for a dull and brown, cold winter.  Luckily, winters in Nashville are short with warm summer weather well into November sometimes and spring starting as early as February.  Summer wouldn't be so bad but for the intense humidity.  There are some days you just have to stay inside or in the pool since the shade doesn't really help with the humid air. It also stays quite hot at night which means no cool air and windows open :(.  I don't mind the summers, but Spring and Fall are definitely going to be missed most!

Nashville Public Library (particularly the downtown library)- Admittedly, we did not take advantage of it as much as we should have.  Nashville has an amazing library and story time with puppet shows and live music, etc., etc.  We've also come to watch movies for free with popcorn and treats for everyone!

Our church congregation and ward, dear friends, and new acquaintances-  We have made some very close friends in Nashville that we will always keep in touch with.  Our ward has been a great place to learn and grow the past 5 years.  We will miss it.  We will miss you.