May was nothing short of a whirlwind – a month defined by monumental changes, heartfelt farewells, and the thrilling start of a new chapter. We packed up our lives in Illinois and embarked on a significant journey to Michigan, where Ryan would begin his new professional adventure. This “Out of the Kitchen” post chronicles the emotional highs and lows, the practical challenges, and the profound personal reflections that characterized this transformative period.

As we prepared to leave Illinois, my heart was heavy with the thought of saying goodbye to some truly sweet friends. To express my gratitude and ensure a lasting memory, I found these beautiful rustic wood frames at Hobby Lobby and paired them with lovely prints from Etsy. One print featured a charming house illustration, symbolizing home and friendship, while the other held an encouraging Bible verse, a testament to our shared faith journey. They turned out wonderfully, and of course, I made one for myself too, a tangible reminder of the bonds we forged. The second photo captures a moment of pure joy: Ryan and I celebrating our friends’ wedding just before our departure. Amidst the chaos of moving, it was a precious opportunity to let loose and create one last vibrant memory. I always forget just how incredible Ryan’s dance moves are; he truly lights up the dance floor!

Farewells, Flavors, and First Steps

Food, as always, played a role in our emotional farewells. These delectable M&M cupcakes were the very last recipe I had the pleasure of shooting in our old house. Ryan and I, in a testament to their irresistible deliciousness (and perhaps a bit of stress-eating!), managed to consume a half-dozen between the two of us. We jokingly called it “brain food” for the monumental task of moving! The second photo humorously illustrates the realities of packing. When all your silverware is carefully boxed away, improvisation becomes key. Eating a warm bowl of soup with a tablespoon might not be elegant, but it certainly brings a smile and highlights the temporary chaos of transition.

My final night with my bible study group was incredibly poignant. These women have been profoundly influential in my spiritual journey, consistently speaking wisdom and encouragement into my life. Their unwavering support, shared laughter, and deep faith have been a cornerstone of my time in Illinois. I am endlessly thankful that God orchestrated our paths to cross and placed these incredible individuals in my life, shaping me in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

Another tearful farewell was our final dinner with our church small group. The bond we shared, doing life together, hearing about each other’s triumphs and struggles, and lifting one another up in prayer, is something truly special. I already miss those enriching conversations and the profound sense of community. Once again, my heart overflows with gratitude for God’s provision in bringing such genuine and loving friends into our lives.

Celebrating Milestones and Embracing New Titles

Amidst all the moving preparations, Ryan achieved a monumental milestone: he graduated! I confess, I sometimes forget that we can now officially call him Dr. Ryan Baumgartner. Witnessing his unwavering determination, the countless hours of diligent work, and his relentless pursuit of his dream fills me with immense pride. This achievement is a testament to his incredible resolve and intellect. The second photo captures an even more special layer to this celebration – Ryan’s graduation conveniently fell on Mother’s Day! This meant we had the rare and precious opportunity to spend the day with both of our moms. Living eight hours apart, such moments are cherished. Here’s a picture of me and my mom – can you tell the resemblance?

The Journey to Michigan: Packing, Paws, and Perseverance

Gazing at the image of the moving truck parked outside our Illinois home evokes a bittersweet nostalgia. While the excitement of Michigan beckoned, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness for our tiny, cozy house and the beautiful, friendly neighborhood we left behind. It was a place filled with so many memories. The second photo offers a humorous glimpse into the realities of moving. Once the movers whisked away our bed, Ryan, Salsa, and I embraced the adventure of an impromptu slumber party on the floor for a few nights. Salsa, our loyal companion, seemed to thoroughly enjoy the change of scenery and the closeness, but my back definitely voiced its protest after the third night!

Saying goodbye to Lindsay and Sharnell was particularly difficult. These two incredible women are more than just friends; they’ve been steadfast confidantes who consistently listened, offered profound prayers, shared invaluable wisdom, and trusted me with their deepest stories. Their presence in my life has been a tremendous blessing, and our bond transcends distance.

Ashley – my soul twin! God truly placed her in my life at the perfect moment, nurturing a friendship that evolved from workplace camaraderie into a bond strong enough to defy many, many miles. Her understanding and companionship have been a constant source of strength. The second photo captures the very instant before we hopped into the car to begin our long drive to Michigan. The sun was incredibly bright that day, hence our squinty eyes and Salsa’s characteristic refusal to look directly at the camera. It was a moment filled with mixed emotions: the bittersweetness of leaving combined with the undeniable excitement for what lay ahead.

The journey itself presented its own set of challenges. We had to engage in a serious game of “car Tetris” to ensure everything we needed for the first few days would fit. Salsa, our intrepid traveler, wasn’t initially a fan of the ride. He eventually calmed down and found peace in sleep, but our air conditioning decided to give up the ghost, making the drive incredibly hot and a little uncomfortable for all of us. The second photo beautifully illustrates the reward for our packing prowess: all the essentials we managed to squeeze into our tiny car, now neatly arranged in our brand-new kitchen in Michigan. It was a triumphant moment, signaling our arrival and the first step in setting up our new home.

Settling into Our New Home: Surprises, Salsa, and DIY Projects

Arriving at our new house, I was greeted by the most heartwarming surprise: a package waiting for me from my dear bible study girls! How incredibly sweet is that “Home Sweet Home” pillow? It instantly brought a sense of warmth and comfort to our new, still-unpacked surroundings. The second photo shows Salsa finally settling into his new routine, albeit with a few energetic quirks. He loves to sprint across the hardwood floors, often slipping and sliding in a comical fashion, and then bolts up the stairs directly into our bedroom. In this particular photo, he’s happily pawing at me, nestled deeply into his favorite blanket, a clear sign he’s starting to feel truly at home.

We successfully navigated the first three weeks of homeownership, and let me tell you, it was an immediate crash course in DIY and maintenance! Ryan, unfortunately, had the delightful task of fixing all the toilets in the house shortly after we moved in. Beyond interior repairs, we’ve been diligently working to revive our lawn, which was completely overrun with weeds, dead grass, and moss. It’s been a considerable undertaking to bring it back to life. And then there were the wasps! We spent a good two weeks battling numerous nests, tallying up a grand total of nine by the time we were finished. Once the initial flurry of essential repairs and pest control calmed down, we bravely embarked on our first major project: the deck. We meticulously stripped, cleaned, and sanded the entire structure. There was even a moment during the sanding of what felt like a million spindles when I half-jokingly suggested, “Let’s just knock off the stairs to lessen the workload!” It’s a massive project, but we’re looking forward to painting it a fresh new color on an upcoming weekend and finally furnishing it to create a lovely outdoor space for relaxation and entertaining.

OPENING UP: Navigating New Beginnings & Finding Our Way

Reflecting on my previous “Out of the Kitchen” post from last month, I shared about experiencing a small “blip of anxiety” – what I call a 2 or 3-day bout of heightened anxiety. While never a pleasant experience, those moments often serve as powerful teachers. Through them, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about my own strength and capabilities, realizing that “I have anxiety, but I am not anxiety.” This understanding equipped me mentally for the move. I wasn’t really sure what to expect in terms of anxiety surrounding such a massive life change, but I consciously tried to adopt an attitude of preparedness: “If it comes, it comes. I am capable of taking care of myself, and it will end.” This proactive approach helped me avoid the debilitating worry of *anticipating* anxiety.

What unfolded was truly incredible and deeply encouraging: I didn’t experience any anxiety during the long car ride, during the closing of our new home, or even within the first few days of moving in. What’s even more profoundly impactful is how my friends reacted. When they would text or call, asking how I was managing, and heard that I was doing remarkably well, their responses were filled with excitement, surprise, and profound thankfulness. It was through their observations that I truly grasped the magnitude of this achievement. I wasn’t giving myself enough credit, but they consistently pointed out that my composure and resilience during this entire transition were a powerful testament to all the progress I’ve made in managing my anxiety over the past two years. Their external validation was a beautiful reminder of how far I’ve come.

Ryan and I were fortunate to have two weeks off between our move and the start of his new job (he just started this past Monday). These two weeks were a much-needed respite, allowing us to slowly unpack, explore our new town, and begin to get a feel for our surroundings. We enjoyed discovering local gems and simply being together in our new space. However, now that Ryan is at work, and I primarily work from home, things admittedly feel a bit more lonely. I’m genuinely missing the casual meet-ups with friends – grabbing coffee, meeting Ashley at the park, walking over to Lindsay’s, and hearing the daily updates from my bible study girls and our small group. While technology is a wonderful tool for staying connected over long distances, there’s an undeniable and irreplaceable value in face-to-face interaction and shared physical presence. I yearn for that organic community.

Building New Connections: From Cookies to Churches

Before our move, Ryan and I discussed wanting to intentionally build community in our new neighborhood, and I’m so glad we followed through. We baked and delivered cookies to our fifteen closest neighbors. While fifteen might seem like a lot, my initial desire was to reach every single house on our street – I truly want to know the people we live by. This simple gesture led to some wonderful conversations and genuine connections with the neighbors we were able to meet, laying a promising foundation for future friendships.

We’ve also begun the process of checking out local churches, and it’s a journey I sometimes forget can be quite challenging. We went through a similarly lengthy process of church hunting when we first moved to Illinois, and I had naively imagined that this time around, we’d simply walk into the first church we visited and immediately feel at home. However, finding the right spiritual community takes discernment and patience. We are committed to following His leading and trusting that He will guide us to where we belong, even if it takes a little longer than expected.

As I revisited what I wrote in last month’s post, I found immense encouragement in a particular sentiment, and I feel it’s just as fitting, if not more so, for the conclusion of this entry:

Jesus can’t wait for us to fully experience this new season and all that He has meticulously planned for us. He has already picked out the perfect church for us and chosen the friends with whom we will do life. He knows we might feel scared and worried about the unknown, but His comforting voice echoes, saying, “Trust me, It’s going to be good.“

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For more glimpses into our life beyond the kitchen, be sure to explore our previous “Out of the Kitchen” posts.