The Greatest Neighbors in the World.

Hello from Utah! It has been a bit since I have had the chance to sit down and put some of my feelings into writing. Many events and changes have happened to our family from where I left off. I have full intentions to record them, and have been encouraged from many that I love to continue blogging! Hopefully, I can find the time to do so, and not leave anyone disappointed. 

We have moved away from our home in Nova Scotia to a new, and transitional phase of our lives here in Utah. There is so much to say, but all of it will come in time. 

I decided I had better get back to a few drafts I had started before we left. As I think back to my Nova Scotian neighbors, it seems only fitting to focus on them for a moment, as they are the people I think about often, and miss the most.

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I have always said we were led to our home in Bedford. 

Before we moved to Nova Scotia I searched for a place to live online. Not knowing where anything was located geographically, and in relation to the school, a lot of my efforts came down to 'a hope and a prayer.' During these search efforts I found a home on 'Oceanview Drive.' No matter how many times I looked at rentals, it was the home on Oceanview that kept returning to my thoughts. Soon, I couldn't get it off my mind, and after great consideration we decided this was the place for our family. 

After arriving and settling into our new home it didn't take long to realize why we were led here. It was clear once again how much Heavenly Father plays a hand in our lives as we were blessed with what I call 'the greatest neighbors in the world.'

Doug and Liz, the kind and caring retired couple across the street. And, the Incredible Leeco Family next door. As a trio of neighbors we have been under a tender and loving watch care.

Our friendships were immediate, and over the years we grew to love one another. The Leeco's felt like the closest thing I had to family in Nova Scotia. Jacalyn was there for me through EVERYTHING, and I very seriously consider her to be a guardian angel. 

 I remember distinctly the day we arrived into town. Jacalyn was at the front door within one hour with a cucumber sandwich, and lemonade lunch for men hard at work unloading our belongings. She is a person who sees a need to serve and does so without hesitation. We were the recipients of her kindness and talents more times than I could ever number. She was a remarkable example to me throughout our years there, and she is someone whom I greatly respect and admire. 

She was my angel, my mentor, and greatest friend. 

Doug and Liz knew just how to stand as proxy for loving and adoring grandparents. Liz would cross the street often to check in on us, always bringing hugs and cheer, and treats too! :)

These two are a loving pair, and wonderful team, and terrific examples of life and living. I loved watching them over the years, they have a wonderful marriage and rich life together. They both can be trusted 100% and I always knew we were safer with them nearby. 

I'll miss hearing Miley and Scotlin call across the street "Hi Doug!" every time we'd open the front door. 

We were simply blessed to have these remarkable people as our neighbors, and I feel it was certainly no mistake. My heart pours with love for the Leeco's and McClain's, these farewells were among our hardest goodbyes.

Liz and Doug came to the house for a final goodbye about a week or so before we left NS. They were heading out of town, and so we wouldn't be seeing them again before they got back. 

They brought special gifts for the kids, and Nova Scotian keepsakes for Justin and I. Their gifts were very touching. We had a few gifts for them as well, and I definitely shed tears at our goodbye. I will miss them greatly.

A few nights before the move the Leeco's invited us over for our last supper together. 

We feasted over a beautiful spread of steak and Lobster (where I actually ate my first Nova Scotian Lobster), Richard and Jacalyn went to a lot of work, and it was amazing. We were so grateful! Most of all, to be in this home, and with this family we love so dearly. I never wanted this night to end. The kids played, and the adults visited. Justin and I tried to convince Richard and Jacalyn of all the many great reasons to visit Utah. :) Maybe one day. 

None of us hesitated to share our feelings of the past four years, and the blessings knowing one another has brought to our lives. 

We exchanged meaningful gifts with one another, and shed many tears. Victoria had put together a video of the kids playing together and so we took a few minutes to sit down together and watch. It was such a tender video, (I need to find a way to get my hands on it!). The video struck many emotions for me, and at that moment, even though I had thought about it a million times before, it hit me again just how much I love the Leeco family, and how I am going to truly miss each of them with all my heart.

If I could hand pick neighbors to have for the rest of my life it would be these two families. I cherish and treasure the time we did have to live next door to one another. There are so many memories I will hold forever in my heart, and many more times in the future I will think of them often and miss them the most of all the people I loved and adored during our years in Nova Scotia. 

I could never thank them enough for all they did for me and my family.