13 days and counting!

So, here we are! T minus 13 days and counting. In that frighteningly short amount of time my backside will be firmly planted on a United Airlines flight (with an international flight connection of course), and headed to Florence! Suffice it to say I'm not entirely sure I actually believed it would become a reality. For those of you out there that may be considering a study abroad program, I can say without a doubt that it takes a lot of time, energy and effort to make it happen but it CAN happen. So don't think it's too far out of reach. Just look at me, a mom of a two-year-old with a husband and responsibilities and we made it happen. If you want it badly enough you do what you have to do. Here's a little something that got me through those days when I thought it would never work out, 

   "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined."

- Henry David Thoreau

So to answer two of the most common questions I've been getting as my departure date inches ever closer:

Am I excited? Very. If you took my brain and compartmentalized it, kind of like a man's (except without that whole "blank stare" compartment), then yes I have to say I am thrilled, excited, and focused on making this experience an incredibly memorable one. The reason I say you have to compartmentalize my brain is because sometimes the excitement gets a tad overshadowed. Which leads me to the next common question I've been asked...

Am I scared/sad to be leaving Noah and Jason? More than I could ever put into words. There isn't enough hours in the day to list, nor enough ink in the world to write down all of the things I worry about in regards to being away from my boys. Many of you who are reading this already know, but for those who don't know me, my husband Jason deployed to Iraq a month and a half after we were married over 5 years ago. So being apart from him, while not something I look forward to, is not something new to me. I'll miss him very much, and be incredibly excited to see him when I come home, but I also know that we've been apart for far longer and survived. However, leaving Noah has become more and more difficult to contemplate. There are days that I have to remind myself that I chose to do this, that I want to do this! These two boys are my entire world and so it will be quite the adjustment to be away. But I just keep telling myself that it's ten weeks. And I know that what I get out of this experience will be so important to who I am as a person that I have to take this leap of faith and follow this dream. I know they will be here cheering me on every step of the way, and I'm lucky enough to have husband that pushes me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things, as well as supports me when I feel like backing down and throwing in the towel. I'm sure there will be many moments through the course of my time abroad that I will find myself asking if the sacrifice of leaving my husband and son is worth the reward of following my dreams, and Jason will be right there to tell me that it is. I would never, could never, have done this without him pushing me to do something for myself. He's the best husband a girl could ever ask for.... most of the time. ;0)

Having said all of that, I feel the need, after a huge deep breath..... to say:                                                                                                                            OhmygodIcan'tbelieveI'mgoingtoItaly! :)

So wish me luck, think good thoughts for me and the boys and check back often for blogs about what I'm doing, where I've been, and what I'm experiencing. I will do my best to be as entertaining as possible and keep everyone informed. I'll miss everyone and hope to hear from you all while I'm gone. Ciao!