Moving

Moving was so easy when I was single (remaining petless helped). I could go anywhere, live with anyone, and not worry too much if it was or wasn't going to work out 'cause moving again would be such an easy option. When I moved to Portland from New Jersey, I just looked at a map online of where my job would be, hopped on Craigslist, and found the nearest place within my price range.

Trying to find a place in a new town with an entire family is a whole different game. Although we applied to get into the student family housing as soon as it was possible for us to apply, we were told about a month or two ago that the earliest we could expect to get a spot would be in January or so.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I opened up an email that said there was a spot opening up July 10th, and we were at the top of the list. The timing could not be more perfect!

Now, I can take that summer class at OSU rather than here at PSU... which may mean I don't have to take it again next summer (which was the advisor's original request). The dates of classes will be the same (July 20th-August 15) but I won't have to commute and I'll only be IN classes two days a week instead of four. Now, I won't have to deal with moving during the same time as Joshua and Chelsea's wedding - which will make the nuptials all the more enjoyable.

Also, Erik doesn't have to stress about the necessity of a job now. (He's still keeping eyes and ears open for a good opportunity that can work around my school schedule, though.) Rent will be much less than elsewhere, and commuting costs will be less - plus we won't have to move again after we get there.

We're so excited to get to live in a community of other student families. That should make the transition so much easier, for Jasper especially.

At this point, I can only see one down side to the whole thing - and that's the fact that we're moving at all. I think this will be my first move ever where I'll be truly sad to leave where I am. I'm going to miss being here with my in-laws and the wonderful four little kids. The Lanes are truly an awesome family, and it's obvious to me why Erik has always wanted to live as close as possible to them. We'll only be two hours away, so visits won't be too difficult - but the thought of leaving them is already breaking my heart a little.

(My littlest sis-in-law told me tonight that I could just take their picture and write their name on the back so that when I missed them, I could look and remember who they were. So precious! I told them I could never forget... and snapped a photo of her anyway.)