Have you ever been keeping a secret so long that by the time you were allowed to tell it became somewhat awkward because it was something so big? Like the time I was pregnant for the second time and by the time I told some of my friends I was 17 weeks along? Well, I kindof have one of those secrets now.
No, I’m not pregnant!
We’re moving…. Out of the house we bought less than a year ago…. from the 5-mile radius we’ve lived in for 12 years… away from the metropolitan area where I was born and lived the entire thirty-three years of my life. It’s going to be a sad good-bye.
I think when you say to each other, “This is the last house we’re going to buy. We can raise the kids here.” God says, “Ha ha ha ha!”
We never thought in July when we signed on our house that we’d be selling in the spring. We wouldn’t have customized the master walk-in closet if we had. I worked so hard staining those lovely shelves and lining them with my shoes and sweaters.
So by now you’re dying to know where we’re moving and why. Henry got a great job offer in Pittsburgh, PA so we will be moving to the ‘burgh. When you say? Well, that’s to be determined; however, we hope around mid-June. Henry starts his job on Monday… yes, three days away. He’ll commute up during the week and we’ll only have him on weekends. We want Natalie to finish school here since there are only 11 weeks left with one of them being spring break.
I’m not looking forward to the separation, but at least there’s an end in sight. Here are some FAQs:
How do I feel about moving?
Uh-Em… well, at first I was a little hesitant. I think my exact word when Henry asked me if I wanted to move to Pittsburgh was “no.” It’s hard to remember exactly because I tend to be verbose, but yeah, I’m pretty sure it was just the one word. Then I asked some questions like: how, when, why, where, and what, like all good journalism students do. After listening and thinking and praying, both of us felt like he should take the job. And of course that meant moving too. So now I’m excited. Excited to learn a new city and meet new people. I’m sad too… to leave my friends behind. I have such wonderful friends.
How is the new insurance?
With the passage of the new health care bill, the new insurance will be comparable to our current insurance, which has been fabulous. Ryan will continue to have no lifetime cap and a low deductable. Whew! That would’ve been a deal-breaker.
Are there doctors for Ryan in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh University has a wonderful Children’s Hospital fully capable of handling our dear boy. Our plan is to continue with our team here and establish an emergency team there. At this point, Ryan only sees his cardiologist every 6-12 months and needs a cath every year. Driving is doable that many times a year to stick with folks who have a proven track record with our son’s twisted, malformed, malfunctioning, anomaly of a heart.
What do the girls think?
We were nervous to tell the girls, but it went over pretty well. Natalie asked if she could pack her things right away and asked for three days straight if we could move that day. She is ready to meet new friends. Slowly though she’s figuring out it means leaving old friends and she’s staring to ask if she can talk to friends on the computer and send letters. She told her kindergarten teacher when she saw her in the hallway to ‘keep in touch.’
I’m worried Ainsley is internalizing her anxiety – she’s quite the introvert – way worse than me so I’ve been asking her questions. I asked her if she’s scared to move. She said, “No, because mommy and daddy are going with me.” I asked if she was sad to move. She said, “No, because I hate this house.” Which I already knew since she asks on a regular basis if we can move back to our old one. So, I will wait to broach the subject again in some other manner.
I think the biggest thing we’re excited about is being able to redefine who we are as a couple and as a family. We can do that here, but sometimes having a fresh environment and fresh slate makes it easier. Henry’s expressed wanting to do more outdoorsy activities like hiking and fishing and I’m considering becoming more feminine. But if it means trading in my Jeep than count me out.
Okay, that’s what I’ve got for now. Feel free to ask me anything you’re interested in knowing. We’re an open book around here!
Comments (23)
We’ve moved 8 times in 15 years. I know exactly what you mean about God laughing when you say it’s the last time. 🙂 But, looking back I can see how each time was a part of His plan to get us to where we are today.
Good luck with the move!
AHHHHHH!!!!!! I had to read this twice. Check the date and make sure I wasn’t reading an old post. Hang on to this roller coaster of a life. Look forward to hearing about your new adventures. 🙂
I hope your cuties will adjust well.
Kelly
WOW! Big news! I hear nothing but good things about that area so GOD SPEED! I know you will be missed here by your friends – those close and those not so close – 🙂
And that is the coolest reassurance from God ever that you were initially recommended to go to CHOP! I’m sure that is probably the 2nd thought to cross any parent of a child with serious med needs…. “but what about the docs?”
Blessings to you all!
Jennifer
…the first thought being… “did you say move?!?!?”
We’re happy for you but sad for us…
we have so much to talk about when I get home on furlough… we need to set aside an afternoon 🙂 hugs
Being from Pittsburgh, I can’t say enough great things about the area! There is SO much for a family to do 🙂 Congrats!
Good luck on your move! It is always exciting to explore a new city and begin anew again. BUT please, please, PLEASE don’t become a Steelers fan! =)~
(Shhhh! CHOP is in Philadelphia …close enough, right?) 🙂
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anonymous – I hate being wrong!! thanks for the correction. chop is philly and chp is pitts. the wonderful thing is that both hospitals are great. 🙂
Leighann…since we are connected through blogging I feel secure that I am not losing you even if you are moving! (smile) That’s the wonderful thing about blogging…you are only a “click” away!
Congratulations to Henry on the new job. And to all of you for being able to go on a new adventure. I am sure that God has some wonderful plans for you!
32 years ago when we had just built a new house that I loved, in Colorado, my husband got a job in Kansas and moved us here to a suburb of Wichita.
The 3 girls and I were dragging our feet the whole way. At first we hated it here…but now 32 years later we see all of the wonderful things that God had for us here…and how it was all in His plan for us. It was all meant to be.
I am sure you are being held in The Father’s hands and He loves you all so much. So it will be exciting to see it all play out.
You are such a trooper…and I admire you girl.
Love,
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
i’m sad.
i had big plans for our friendship 🙂
but, i know His plans are bigger and better.
so…i’m rejoicing with you.
{and still sad…}
just being honest!
Wow – so it’s happening! Good luck to you all. We’ll miss you but know you’ll have a great time in Pittsburgh. If you need a good pediatric dietitian for any reason, I know someone out there.
Yes the Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh are GREAT!! we live about an hour north of Pittsburgh and spend alot of time in Pittsburgh, You will LOVE IT!!
Wow how exciting! And BRAVE!! Every time we think about moving, I think about what our attic looks like and I get tired and say “never.” Ha!
So excited for you and so sad for me…you know because it’s all about me…LOL…I will miss you and your sweet family.
FWIW I think of you as very girlie!
I will miss you and your family bunches.
I live in a suburb of Pittsburgh! Welcome! You will absolutely love it here. -Heather
I was like, “what’s her secret?” haha now I remember. Good luck!! I’ve been praying for a smooth transition and for you while Henry is away. Love you!
I have read your blog for awhile now 🙂 I have never commented I am one of those bad blog readers *tisk* actually it is normally because I do not have two free hands at the keyboard!
First off congrats 🙂 What an exciting and stressful time for you guys. I have lived near Pittsburgh all my life. We currently live in a suburb about 30 minutes from downtown. If you have ANY questions at all about areas/schools/drs, I can help! There are a ton of great little towns around Pittsburgh! We go into the city nearly every weekend to do something with our boys (3 and 3 months). Please do not hesitate to e-mail me anytime!! aleisefrench02@yahoo.com
Leighann, if you have read “The Kissing Hand” to your kids, there is a great book in the series for moving. We used it with our daughter when we moved into our new house (she was 4 at the time). Good luck to all of you!!!
another “blog” friend that lives in Pittsburgh…I can attest to the fact that the U of PItt doctors are fantastic. i love the city and wouldn’t move for anything! i work for Pitt, my husband works for Carnegie Mellon, we are a city family and love it…
if you have any questions or just want a little tour, please don’t hesitate to email!
leahnorthrop@gmail.com
good luck!
– Leah and Wyatt (the littlest cowboy)
the littlest cowboy would love to