I am currently dual specced as enhance/resto so I have some idea of where you are headed. It is a great time to be a shammy, and patch 3.2 will just make it so much better with the new totem interface.
For gearing up I would highly recommend the heroic's and start dabbling in Naxx. Make...
It is a sad day to see you go.
You are so right that God and Family come first.
As you can see you will be missed and our prayers with be with you friend.
God Bless.