When we saw the rotations we knew logically, just by looking, what the obvious decision would be. But we wanted to really look into everything, like I said there is so much more we look at than just where he is the most for clinical. But that does play a huge role in it.
Let me explain the best I can how these next two years of rotations work. Starting in September he begins clinical for the next 2 years, the remaining time we have here in TN. He goes by 2 month rotations so for example: September and October will be at the same hospital. Then November and December will be at the same hospital on and on for the next two years. There are SO many clinical sites all over Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky. So for example even though it changes every two months he could have 8 straight months in the same city but every 2 he changes hospitals. I don't know if that makes any sense. So overall we were trying to see if he had any that back up to each other in the same city and if so how many. And he only got three for the whole two years here in Jackson and one of those rotations we will be here for. So that means he would have to commute to Memphis all two years except the 4 months he is placed in Jackson.
That brings me to our decision and it is to make the move to Memphis. It is what Mitch wanted all along and I have been torn bc I don't like Jackson at all, there is nothing here to offer, but we are settled in, have friends, church and a great house. But I have always said, and Mitch too, if we were just in a bigger city with some stuff to do, we would both enjoy our time here a lot more. So when it comes down to it we are both crazy excited to make this move!
We knew this was a big possibility so we have been researching towns for the past month or so and figuring out where exactly we want to be. There are 3-4 towns we like that aren't considered "in Memphis". I mean either way we will pretty much be in Memphis, the line is very vague where Memphis starts and ends but as long as you stay on the outskirts you're fine. So after talking with several people here and lots of his that classmates already live there, (they decided to live there from the beginning) and everyone we talk to recommends Bartlett, TN. And after looking into it we LOVE it! It is in Shelby County, is located in the northeast corner of Memphis and it is a part of the Memphis metropolitan area. So basically we will be in Memphis and have the benefits of Memphis at our fingertips, but without having a Memphis address, which we soon figured was the key ha! I'll talk more about this later but we went and drove around the other day and we were in an area where one side of the road was Memphis and one side was Bartlett and it was like night and day. We both agree we will be finding a house in Bartlett city limits! We don't know if it is because of Jackson, we now think any town is better or it just is a really nice town, but either way we love it. And it is in the best location for all his clinicals. If you are traveling on I-40 from Jackson to Memphis it is the first city you come to before actually getting into downtown Memphis. So that will make his commute shorter when he does have to commute to Jackson. Also several of the hospitals he will be at are in suburbs of Memphis and he has some in Bartlett too. So overall it is the perfect location for us, it couldn't be better! Lots of people from his class live in Bartlett and just love it. So after taking everything into consideration we have decided on Bartlett, TN. Well I mean I guess that's where we want to be, now we have to pray we find a house.
So we will be officially moving in October. Mitch was lucky and got his first rotation, September and October, here in Jackson and our landlord has been so wonderful to work with. Our lease is up August 1 but he is letting us rent month to month for however long or until we find a house. So that takes a lot of pressure off. So that will eliminate two months of commuting then when he starts in Memphis in November hopefully we will be all moved in and settled in Memphis! We have been praying for a good schedule and one that will be obvious on what we need to do and that's just what we got. So even though we have to move AGAIN, we couldn't be more excited about this next journey. I really think we will be so much happier. Not many couples can say they have been married 5 years and moved 4 times ha! But with his school this is just a crazy season of life and it will make settling down in Tulsa so wonderful!!
When I think about it, October seems far away but with everything we have going on I think it's going to fly by. Mitch only has 1 month left of summer semester, thank goodness, and then when he is done he has a week off we are going to go back and visit friends in Tulsa. Then when we get back he starts clinical and we start house hunting and packing!
Since we decided Bartlett is where we want to be, and we have only been there to eat (we make the drive frequently bc there are so many good restaurants there) we decided to spent some time there last Friday and we just looked at some houses, neighborhoods, etc. and to say we are excited about moving there is an understatement! I mean Jackson doesn't have the worst food options at all but there is so much a bigger city has that we don't have. For instance, in Bartlett, within a minute of where we will be living we have Bahama Breeze, chipotle, Pei Wei, Firebirds and J. Alexander's just to name a few! This is big for us coming from Jackson! And then not to mention we will be a 10-15 min drive away from downtown Memphis at our favorite places there! Not only food, even though yes we love our food, there are parks, biking and running trails and just so much to offer that Jackson doesn't have. We miss that so much. We are also excited about being in a "decent" neighborhood again. Ours is okay, it's definitely in a better part of Jackson but still not the best. I know I would feel safe with Mitch being gone and he doesn't want me there alone. So being back in a safe neighborhood will be so wonderful.
So if you can't tell we are ecstatic about this move. We have 2 years left here in TN and although we are ready to be done and move back to OK, this will make our experience so much better. I don't know how many times a day we say this experience wouldn't be so bad if we were in a city with stuff to do and now we will be! Of course we miss home and family and friends but we know this is a season of life and this makes our adventure a little more interesting! Also thank you to all our family and friends who have come to visit us. With Mitch's school schedule it's hard to come home but we've been blessed with lots of visitors!
So thank y'all so much for the prayers and messages! I say this a lot but we seriously have the best friends and family. I couldn't of got through this year and first half of summer without y'all. The daily encouraging messages and verses keep me going in tough times. Mitch are I are so fortunate to have such good friends that even though they are far away, I feel like they are here with us. Oh and I also forgot to mention one of the best parts about this move..... It makes us an hour closer to home!!!!! I know that doesn't seem like much, but when you already have a long drive that almost always consists of backed up traffic this is wonderful news!
So needless to say these next few months are going to be busy, but a good busy. We will do our best to keep you updated as we continue this exciting process!
