A year ago we flew to and interview in Juneau Alaska and had no idea what to expect. We took this big trip to a place both our parents had always dreamed of going and were given the opportunity to make a huge decision. That decision changed A LOT!

I remember before we took the trip being extra nervous because not only did we have a 3 month old that would be flying for the first time but this was also the first time I’ve ever flown and gone on a big trip with D. We have done tons for road trips and they are always amazing so I don’t know what I was so worried about. BB did fantastic on the plane and traveling in general and we got the hang of it all pretty quickly. BB however was not a fan of sleeping this trip which made things a little tough!

Our only full day in Juneau D had his interview and BB and I were left to explore. We went for a walk downtown and then went for a drive out the road. We had no idea where we were going and were just trying to get a feel for this new place that we might be calling home soon.

D let me know that BB and I were invited to go for a tour and so we met up with him and then proceeded to meet up with a couple that had moved to Juneau just a year earlier. They were so kind and answered all of my silly questions such as, “what do you do about all the rain?”. After the tour D had to go back and continue the interview so BB and I settled into the hotel room (which was terrible) and took a rest.

I had a feeling that D was going to come back with news that he got the job and so during this time I tried to figure out how I felt about the chance of moving here. He came into the room and I knew right away. I could feel his excitement and he just seemed really proud of himself. We talked about it and made a decision that same day but decided to take some time and get back home and talk about it before he let them know.

The day we left we went out and visited the Glacier. Thinking back now everything that is so familiar to me now, a year later, was so strange and awe inspiring then. I remember thinking we were going into this amazing land and that the people who live here really had this gem in the scenery and place they call home. We flew home to Phoenix where the next day D and his dad were going to the Superbowl.

Everyone asked us what we were going to do about this decision and it took a lot to not tell them we were pretty decided that we were going to move. It was a hard and delicate decision and not one we made lightly. We had no idea what to expect from this move and how it would change everything in our lives.

I believe that even though this decision was incredibly hard and we miss our families dearly everyday, we made the best decision for our family at the time and it has allowed us to have more options in the future.