The stress continued the next day as my hair dresser didn't have power for all of us to get our hair done and the church parking lot was a disaster. But you know what? It all worked out. It was a beautiful day with family and friends and we have such wonderful memories to look back on, even if it started off a bit rocky.
By nature I am a planner. I love lists. (Shopping lists, grocery lists, to-do lists.) I love checking things off my lists even more than making them. I love schedules and routines, meal plans,lesson plans, and structure. It's just who I am. (much to Mark's dismay) I have decided that it helps me to feel a bit more in control among the chaos of life. I have, however learned from 8 years of teaching and raising little ones that flexibility has to join the party. When you have 25 little faces looking at you like you are speaking another language.....you go to plan B. When your kiddo gets sick on vacation or has a melt down in the middle of the store.....you go to plan B.
In the last 9 years of marriage things have not always gone as we (I) have "planned". I have learned that my plans don't always align with God's. We have had to go to plan B more times than I can count. And you know what? Plan B usually turns out so much better than we could have ever dreamed. Mark and I had a major change in our plans very recently. An amazing job opportunity came up for Mark. This is his dream job, and a big promotion. Not only is it a pretty significant pay increase (there may be hope to pay off his student loans after all!), but Mark will be home every day for dinner. What?? This is so important to me! The kids really miss their Dad when he is not here and truly have no time with him 4 days of out of the week.
After being offered the position we had some serious things to consider, you see this job means a move. A move away from the only city either of us have ever known. A move away from our family, friends, church, etc. This was not a decision to be taken lightly. After much thought, consideration, and prayer Mark accepted the job and the craziness of preparing our house to sell began. And can I just say....I do not recommend trying to try to sell a house with 3 little ones. I can't even count how many times in the last 10 days I have been cleaning or Mark has been fixing something and the kids are literally right behind us dumping something on the floor or breaking something else. What in the world?!
You guys, my "plans" were to live in this house forever, or until we couldn't get up and down the stairs anymore. 😉 I planned to take the kids' homecoming pictures in the yard out front. I planned to see them grow into young adults in this house. To be here, forever.
When we first decided to make this change I had some serious mixed feelings. Mostly because I love our house. I love the memories we have made here. It is the perfect set up for this phase of our life. I know it's silly. It's house, and I realize that, it just took a little time to digest such a big change. Now, I feel excited. We are moving to an amazing small town in Iowa. The kids are going to grow up in a completely different community than we did. One is not better than the other, but we are thankful to be able to move out of the city. Slow down. Unplug. Take time each day to enjoy each other and all that God has provided for us.
So as I look back at our 9 years of marriage and almost 15 years together I realize it has been quite the wild ride. There have been so many times that things have not gone as I have planned. It is hard on me at first,. Ht I am learning to walk in faith and trust God's plan for our family. I am so thankful to have my best friend to share it with. Here is to new adventures...I can't wait to see what is in store for us!
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| One of our 1st pictures together as high school juniors. |
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| Our most recent picture. Lol! |
-Katie-
P.S. If you know anyone interested in moving to a great house in an awesome neighborhood close to a city pool and park....send them our way. 😀
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