----> this was my advice to myself this week.
I do not like change. Never have and never will. So moving SIX times in almost 10 years of marriage was not the life I envisioned for myself. Don't get me wrong---being in the army has been a great experience. We have been so many places and met fabulous life-time friends along the way. But it has also been tough.
My husband and I just returned from a trip to Pennsylvania to buy a house.... A house that we plan to move into in just a little over two months and a house we plan to stay in for the foreseeable future. We had several days to accomplish our goal and actually put a bid on a house at one point that we both really liked and it was in the school district I really wanted my kids to be in. But, our bid ended up causing a bidding war between us an another couple who had put in a much lower bid a few days earlier.
At that point, they came back higher and we just walked. After all, there were a few things that made us reticent about the property. Going back to the drawing board after that excitement and after already putting in a contract late the previous night was not easy. We did have another house that I really liked but my husband was not as excited about at first. After another visit, he came around a bit. The only thing problem with it (in my mind) was that the two car garage was a tight fit. But everything else was perfect.
And....this is the house we eventually settled on. We are back home now and the reality of the move has set in. My kids flip from being excited to lamenting that "I have 50 friends here and none there and now I have to leave my 50 friends here." Although this made me laugh, it also made me painfully aware at how difficult the next few months will be.
Changing homes.
Changing states.
Changing climates.
Changing schools.
Leaving friends.
Leaving comfort.
We will get through it. We always do. After all....we all have each other AND we are moving close to my little sister, which will be so much fun to have family close by.
...just breathe!
Big hugs Cammie, I have not had to endure this with my kids (although, I as a kid did endure it). They are resilient and encourage them to keep in touch with their friends. My BFF from 4th grade finally moved to where I am.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the house and the move. Let me know where you settled in PA as I'm covering that territory for work so maybe during my stay we can meet up if you like?
Cammie -
ReplyDeleteAll will be well. Wishing you loads of luck and an easy move.
Elaine Allen
This is not easy...I can't imagine...but I am so lucky and happy to have family moving close by...so many memories and fun times to come!!!XOXOXOXO! Megan loves her Aunt Cammie and "your Daddy Kevin"!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new house! Moving is always tough but as you say, you'll get through it and things will settle back into place. It's always nice to have family near. Sometimes it makes all the difference. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteEven though my husband is in the Army, we have only moved from CA to KY to GA, and we've lived here in GA for going on 7 years. I think we may move next year, but not sure. I feel for you and your kids, and hope the transition is smooth :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely... "Always remember to breathe." is what my husband always tells me. Things will all work out. I guess because your kids move so much they hate doing it again as well... but MY kids would LOVE to move... anywhere!!! LOL Kids adjust quicker than you think. *HUGS*
ReplyDeleteand you will be closer to me, in Massachusetts. Heck, it's like we're neighbors! Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteNew opportunities---new challenges---new joys. It will work out the way it should and you'll find lots of good things in your new life.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Carolyn. I moved a lot as a child and remember how hard it can be. Like you said, at least your kids have each other. I hope it proves to be a great move and maybe a bit more stable for a while (I told my mom I WAS not leaving once I started high school...that I'd sleep in a tent if I had to, but I was staying at least at that one school until I was done...LOL). Best of luck to you. Remember not to let yourself get too wrapped up in the stress...it's just one more thing to get through in life, and "this too, shall pass."
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, moving is very stressful, so please take care of yourself. My husband and I moved our two kids 5 times in 10 years and they survived. We're not in the military, but my husbands job in sales kept us moving state to state. We have found that moving so often gives you an opportunity to search out the best schools for your children and for us, it has payed off. I hope your children have a scrapbook of each of the house they lived in to remind them of their time spent in that home. Remember, it's just a house. You and your husband are the HOME that the children will always come back to no matter where you are living. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteBIG HUGS Cammie - sorry about the first house, but I am a big believer that stuff like that happens for a reason. I can relate to the moving moving moving - My hubby and I have been together for 9 years this June (married for 5 of them) and we have lived in 5 different places (not including all of the TLFs) and will be moving PA as well this summer for a whopping 10-11 months before we have to move AGAIN! I hope all goes well with this move for you my friend. HUGS! ~Meredith
ReplyDeleteHugs to you during this time of change....
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you...but I don't envy you the move...I couldn't even imagine having to pack all my "creative stuff"...let alone everything else, and 3 kids to boot...but I bet you love it and they will too once they are there and because you are now staying put...and it will be great to have your sister near.....take care!1
ReplyDeleteSo gald you found a new home. And, how great to by near your sister! Hope the move goes well. Will be thinking of you.
ReplyDeletehugs...
ReplyDeleteYes, its hard but the kids will be just fine and you will too. At least you will all be together! Wish you the best!
ReplyDeleteBreathing is good! It's a start... Moving is always the pits, but once you get it over with, it won't be long before it'll feel like you've been there forever. And you'll be back in your homestate, closer to family. Farther from me, which I know is a sacrifice and the unspoken heartache of your post. But I'll come visit. And stay for WEEKS at a time... ;)
ReplyDeleteYou are strong like bull, girl. You amaze me.
ReplyDeleteAnd you just kick Carole out when she starts to snore and hog the remote control in PA :)
xxxooooooooooooooo
Aw Cammie! Hugs to you and your family during this stressful time!
ReplyDeleteOne day at a time will work...each day brings its own gifts!!!
ReplyDeleteJan
Wishing you all the best in your upcoming move. I know it can be tough, but with your positive nature I know all will be well. I'm so pleased that you will be closer to family.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know how you do it! I don't think I could. . .I don't like change either. I'm so glad to hear you finally settled on a house. That in itself can be stressful, I know. I for one can't wait until you get here! :) And I think I know a few kids who would LOVE to play with other kids and make new friends! ;) Sending you BIG HUGS!
ReplyDeleteI hear you. My daughter married Marine. The oldest grandchild was born in Missouri, the second in North Carolina, then the 3rd in Pensacola, now they're back in NC and the oldest is 9. My daughter had a wonderful job and a ton of great friends in Pensacola and hated to leave there after 3 years, but back in NC, she has found a great job and has tons of friends once more, and has been there just over a year. You can do it. Breathe....it will all be good.
ReplyDeleteGood advice to yourself. I wish you (and your family) the best with all the changes. It will all be good and you'll be close to your sister!
ReplyDeleteCammie, sending you big hugs! Where in Pa will you be moving to? I know once you are all there you'll soon feel like you've been there forever! How great it will be to be near your family!
ReplyDeleteYour scrappy page of your dd and friends is adorable Carolyn. I just talked to Deb last week and she was telling me about her move. I didn't know you were moving also. I have to tell you that I have big kudos to you and your family for the moves you have to make. Thank you for the sacrifices you make for our safety at home. I am sure the move will be perfect and the kids will make even more friends at the new place! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteCammie, "Just Breathe" are wonderful words for me today, I am caregiver to my Mom who has Alzheimers and today was very stressful. I am going to take your words and use them every day.
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best in your upcoming move and I pass on to you words that inspire me. "If God brought you to it, he'll bring you through it."
Sorry to hear about how stressful things are. Breathing is always a good thing! I feel your pain (me=6 moves in 4 states in 10 years). At least it's always a new adventure. Hope the move goes well and you like your new house! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Cammie, I am not in the Army, but my husband and I recently moved to North Carolina from Texas. It has been extremely difficult. I miss home so much. I realized that I never moved from El Paso, because I loved El Paso. I definitely feel your pain. Saying a prayer for you today and wishing you well on your move and new home.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it lovely. And the kids....it'll be hard for them to start all over once again....but they'll soon settle in and make new friends. I've moved house more times than I can even remember now as an adult, though always within this city so my friends have stayed the same - but it sucks. However, I'm an Army brat and so did a fair bit of moving around as a child. Everywhere we moved though we soon settled in and made a new group of friends and life went on. Just remind yourself this is the final time you will be boxing everything up and finding new homes for it when you do get to your final destination as you are setting up a more permanent home - YAY!!
ReplyDeleteAnd you'll be closer to family, how lovely!!
Praying all goes well with the removal and transition to your new house and it feels like "HOME" real quick.
xxxxxxx
Good luck with your move.......hope you all settle in nicely
ReplyDeleteHugs
Vicki
Eleven years ago this Memorial Day our family visited Naperville, IL and found our house. We then returned to Portland, OR and found out the couple decided not to sell. With 4 small kids what were we to do, we returned in Aug and it was months till we found the house. Looking back on it now that first house wasn't the right one. We have been blessed in our home of 10 years and can't imagine us in the other house. I drove by it today with 2 of my kids in the car. God bless you and yours with your move. My belief is that if the Mom puts on a good face the family will be just fine. She sets the tone. Michelle Mallett michellemallett@wowway.com
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that the Lord will bless you and your family anywhere you go. Just remember that a house is just a house - it's the family's love that makes it a home. Good luck to you! Packing up all your belongings and moving the family is a little scary - and a lot of hard work - but it'll be ok. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDelete