We finally made it to Rochester!! We left at 9am Wednesday morning from Charlotte and arrived here Thursday evening at 5pm. The kids did so great in the car and we made some fun memories along the way. PLUS getting to drive through the snow-covered mountains of West Virginia was absolutely beautiful! The Lord provided us with good weather and safety the whole way. We saw so many accidents, people changing tires on the side of the road and even one car who hit a deer! So, we praised God that we had no problems driving both our cars across 4 states!!
Once we got to our new apartment, it was a bit of a shock. It was the only place available that Ryan could find and even though I had seen pictures, it was a little scarier in person. Walking around, I could see the hinges on the doors were all rusted. The tile grout in the bathroom was a dark grey from grime and dirt and the towels and sheets were scratchy. Panic started to come over me - I thought, "How can we possibly live here? Is this even safe for my kids?" I wanted to break down and cry, thinking this was home for the next 2 months.
But then the Lord brought some things to mind. This small, dingy apartment would be like a mansion for some people. We were blessed with a big beautiful house in North Carolina...but this small space is better than some families have their whole lives. Is there a roof over our heads? Is there hot water and heat? Do we all have beds to sleep in? Is there a working toilet? YES. It really brought things into perspective for me and I was able to praise God and realize how blessed we have been!
The best part was getting to share these same thoughts with my daughter when she had her emotional breakdown and asked if we could go home. I'm so thankful that she has Jesus in her heart and the Spirit has already worked to change her fear into joy. So, we have decided not just to "endure" this place, but to make the best of it and to CHOOSE to be happy here. The most important things have come with us on this journey - we have our memories, we have each other...and God is with us wherever we go! :)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Countdown Has Begun
Only 1 week from now, we will wave goodbye to our NC home and embark on the 12-hour drive to Rochester, NY. It is happening so fast and there is still alot to be done. There is an almost fully packed bag or box in every room of our house right now and I keep adding to each one as I remember more things we will need up there! We were able to sell Nolan's crib, changing table and dresser on Craig's List, so he is currently sleeping on a mattress on the floor (we plan to buy him a twin bedroom set once we get settled in our new house). Each of the kids get their own Rubbermaid tote they can fill with the toys/animals they want to bring. But, with two smaller-size cars, we are quickly running out of room!
At the same time, in addition to packing, we are working hard to get our house ready to sell. Ryan has done a great job of organizing and cleaning out the garage. We had pressure-washers come out yesterday to clean the outside of the house and the gutters. Next comes the window-washing and deep cleaning of everything else indoors, plus a little touch-up painting. It's hard for it to truly feel like Christmas with all this moving busyness we have going on. But, we are doing our best to take little breaks and do some fun activities with the kids so they aren't robbed of their Christmas experience.
Despite all the craziness of our lives, we are excited for this new adventure. The kids are looking forward to our first family road trip and they think it is hilarious that Casey (our cat) will be in the car with us the whole way! They also will get to share a room in the corporate apartment where we will spend our first 60 days, so they can't wait for that. It will be a much smaller space for all of us to live in, but hopefully, it will bring us closer and we will make some fun memories!
Lauren has now "recovered" emotionally from saying goodbye to her friends and her old school. So, she is ready to make new friends and start at Webster Christian School in January. Ryan spent all last week working at his new job and is thrilled about the opportunity, the family-focused atmosphere and the great people he is working with. As for Nolan & I, we will be hanging out in the apartment alot, playing in the snow and going to the YMCA as much as possible! :)
At the same time, in addition to packing, we are working hard to get our house ready to sell. Ryan has done a great job of organizing and cleaning out the garage. We had pressure-washers come out yesterday to clean the outside of the house and the gutters. Next comes the window-washing and deep cleaning of everything else indoors, plus a little touch-up painting. It's hard for it to truly feel like Christmas with all this moving busyness we have going on. But, we are doing our best to take little breaks and do some fun activities with the kids so they aren't robbed of their Christmas experience.
Despite all the craziness of our lives, we are excited for this new adventure. The kids are looking forward to our first family road trip and they think it is hilarious that Casey (our cat) will be in the car with us the whole way! They also will get to share a room in the corporate apartment where we will spend our first 60 days, so they can't wait for that. It will be a much smaller space for all of us to live in, but hopefully, it will bring us closer and we will make some fun memories!
Lauren has now "recovered" emotionally from saying goodbye to her friends and her old school. So, she is ready to make new friends and start at Webster Christian School in January. Ryan spent all last week working at his new job and is thrilled about the opportunity, the family-focused atmosphere and the great people he is working with. As for Nolan & I, we will be hanging out in the apartment alot, playing in the snow and going to the YMCA as much as possible! :)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
New York or Bust!
Most of you already know that yesterday Ryan officially accepted the offer from SentrySafe in Rochester, NY. He is very excited as it seems like a great family-oriented company and will be step up for his career. They are equally excited to have him join the team and can't wait for him to get started.
From here, things now go into hyper-drive! We are flying up this Sunday-Wednesday to visit and pick a Christian school for Lauren. Then, Ryan will have his first week of work December 13-17th. Then we can enjoy the holidays as a family, but the day after Christmas, we have to take down all the decorations (including the tree) and get the house cleaned up and ready to sell...plus pack up our things to move to New York. We will begin the 12 hour drive on Wednesday, December 29th (both cars, the kids and our cat).
Once we arrive, they are providing 60 days temporary housing in a Residence Inn. If our house hasn't sold at the end of that time, they will pay for us to live up to 6 months in a rental property. And, of course, once our house in North Carolina sells, we can begin looking for a new home in New York.
The kids are taking all of the change very well so far. It really helps that Lauren is such an easy-going girl and that she has a strong walk with the Lord. She has expressed her fears and sadness, but she also trusts in her Savior...as do we! We are doing our best to view this move as a great adventure (even though none of it makes sense to us right now)!!
Thank you to everyone who has prayerfully supported us through this time of unemployment - we are grateful for each one of you! We will be sure to post new address and phone information as we get it and lots of pictures of our new city!
From here, things now go into hyper-drive! We are flying up this Sunday-Wednesday to visit and pick a Christian school for Lauren. Then, Ryan will have his first week of work December 13-17th. Then we can enjoy the holidays as a family, but the day after Christmas, we have to take down all the decorations (including the tree) and get the house cleaned up and ready to sell...plus pack up our things to move to New York. We will begin the 12 hour drive on Wednesday, December 29th (both cars, the kids and our cat).
Once we arrive, they are providing 60 days temporary housing in a Residence Inn. If our house hasn't sold at the end of that time, they will pay for us to live up to 6 months in a rental property. And, of course, once our house in North Carolina sells, we can begin looking for a new home in New York.
The kids are taking all of the change very well so far. It really helps that Lauren is such an easy-going girl and that she has a strong walk with the Lord. She has expressed her fears and sadness, but she also trusts in her Savior...as do we! We are doing our best to view this move as a great adventure (even though none of it makes sense to us right now)!!
Thank you to everyone who has prayerfully supported us through this time of unemployment - we are grateful for each one of you! We will be sure to post new address and phone information as we get it and lots of pictures of our new city!
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