Our family is on the move

*WARNING!  This is a VERY long post but one worth reading.*

Dear Family & Friends,

At the end of last year we started to feel the prompting that it was time for us to put ourselves in a position where we could focus on making our family more financially stable and prepared for the future.  As many of you know last month we placed our condo on the market and quickly received an offer.  We are still waiting to find out if the offer will be accepted but in the meantime we have been praying to know what our next step would be.  Originally we thought we would remain here in Arizona so that Bud could remain in his apprenticeship training program with the local plumbers union.  We have be very happy here in Arizona and up to this point have felt that this is where our family should be.  However after much thought, research and prayer we felt that we needed to look into some other options.

We have always had the goal to move closer to family so that our children could grow up near their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  However since Bud's family lives in California and my family lives in Utah were weren't sure exactly where we would end up.  While we prefer the mild winters of Arizona and California we have always tried to remain open to moving anywhere we felt was right for our family.  So after doing some research, praying and discussing several different options we have finally come to the decision that the right move for our family will be to join the rest of the Packard Family in California.  We are still working out all of the details but it looks like we will most likely be moving sometime in mid to late August.  We are thrilled that Bud will be able to transfer and continue his work in the apprenticeship training program with the local union in San Diego and that I will be able to continue singing with the Mormon Choral Organizations of America in the Orange County Choir (that is if they'll have me). :-)

We will be forever grateful for the time we have spent here in Arizona.  Our moves here led us to each other and also led us to meet some of the most incredible and wonderful people.  We have made memories and friendships that will last forever.  We have been loved and served more than we could have ever hoped for.  We have grown and learned so much from the experiences that we have had as we have worked, gone to school, performed, played sports and served in church callings.

To my family here in Arizona, I love you so much.  I could have never made the transition so easily if it weren't for you, Elisia and Kim Richins, Ginnie and Kevin and the rest of Gifford family.  Thank you for treating me as a daughter and a sister instead of just a Cousin.  Thank you for all of the meals, laughs, baby-sitting, fireworks, dry ice bombs, work when times were tough, football on the big screen, heart to heart talks, adjustments when we needed them (Kevin), choir memories, baby blessings, baptisms, pictures and SO much more.

To all of my EVMCO friends...wow what a ride it has been!  It has been an honor to sing such amazing music with so many incredibly talented singers.  I was blessed to be a part of EVMCO from day 1 and can't believe what an incredible force for good that it has become here in Arizona.  To the Alto I section...you ROCK!  I'm sorry I wasn't always the best section leader and I'm sure someone else could have done just as well if not better but I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve you and learn from you not only as musicians but as individuals as well.  I am a better singer, musician and person from having been part of this organization and for having known all of you.  We shall meet again hopefully at our next joint MCO adventure!

To all of our U7 friends...words can not describe what an amazing experience it was to have been lucky enough to be part of that ward.  So many lasting friendships were made and still continue on.  To Bishop Sandstrom for telling us all that it was ok to date in the ward, to "Find a Mate in 2008" and make a list of our "fave five".  We all thought it was the biggest most hilarious joke but he was serious and boy am I glad that he was.

To all of our Galveston 1st ward friends we would not be the people that we are today if we had not been a part of this ward.  There is just something "special" about this ward and the only way to describe it is "love and acceptance".  I have always felt that Heavenly Father sends people to this ward to be healed, to feel loved and accepted, to understand how much Heavenly Father loves them and to stretch them beyond what they ever thought possible so that they can reach their full potential.  Unfortunately for many it seems to be just a temporary stopping point on their journey to becoming who they are and it is always so hard to see people go after you have witnessed incredible changes in their lives, been strengthened by their testimonies and touched by their friendships.  We will never forget you and all of you have a very special place in our hearts.

To my immediate family, we love you so much and wish more than anything that we could live closer to you too.  Mom and Dad you are amazing grandparents and we love you.  Shelley, Cason, Michael, Karlie and Jeff we love you too and are constantly amazed by your determination and examples.   I am sad that our kids won't be able to be there for all of the family home evenings, cousin outings and sleepovers.  But you better believe that we'll be coming to visit a lot and I imagine we can probably talk you into taking some vacations to California too.

To the Packard family (especially the ones that live in Mom and Dad's house) ready or not here we come.  Make room for 3 more bodies (and all our stuff) and get ready to party for a few months!  We are super excited to spend more time with all of you and now you can stop bribing, pestering and convincing us into moving closer.  YOU WIN! ;-)

Thank you all for your love and support during this great time of transition.  We will keep you informed as we get closer to our actual move and will continue to keep in touch through facebook, email, phone calls and texts.

Love,

Kim & Bud Packard

P.S. I read this out loud to Bud before I posted it and started to get choked up.  This is going to be harder than I thought. ;-)