We will not be here forever.

We found out earlier this week that our rental agency has secured a 12 month lease for our house in VA.  This is what we have been waiting and praying for.   Having a renter or buyer for the house in VA is the cornerstone on which all of our plans for our future rely upon.  We had always believed that it would work out the way God has planned.  And we had always believed that it was God's plan for our family to move here.  So having this very important piece in place feels like a confirmation that we are where God wants us to be.It is also a confirmation to all of us that we will not live here, in this house, with my sister's family, forever. 

One day, probably sometime in July, we will get to move into our new house and my sister and her family will get the whole of their house back.  The house that we keep driving by and "checking on" will one day be our home. It will have the tile and carpeting that we have picked out.  It will have our kitties.  It will be in a neighborhood filled with kids around the same age as our kids.  And it will have all of the stuff that is currently housed in 3 jam packed storage units...our stuff, stuff that the kids keep asking for, or we keep wishing we had. Erin's family will get their guest room, Lego room, and J's room back.  And they will get some peace and quiet back. 

There will be things we will miss about living together too.  But that is another post.  Right now we are rejoicing in the path that is becoming clearer.

One big (happy) family

We all made it to and fro our separate spring vacations.   Our family drove down to VA for a long weekend.  We packed quite a lot into that little getaway.  We stayed with our besties right in our old neighborhood, so the kids had easy access to friends, and R and I had easy access to down time with "Mr. and Mrs. Friends4Life".  B and W took turns spending a night at R's mom's (Nana) and a night with a friend.  We got to catch a dinner and church service with R's brother and family. We saved B's birthday bash for that while we were there, since that is still where the bulk of her friends are.  R and I cleaned some carpets in the old house, putting the finishing touch on it's readiness for rental. And I got to catch up with all my VA book club girls, they even let me pick the book and made special arrangements to meet while I was in town...so sweet. 

Erin's family also headed to warmer climates.  P went all the way to Aruba (LUCKY!) with family friends.  While Erin, M , A and a friend went to FL.  From what I have been told, there was lots of sun and fun had in both places.

In addition to our official vacations we also had a bit of a vacation from each other.  Our family leaving 3-4 days before Erin's, and Erin's family returning home 3-4 days after ours.  It was not really planned that way but it was a nice little bonus.  I know it was good for us to kind of reconnect as a family of 5 instead of  9-10.  However, I think some kids (mostly my own) are now having a hard time going back to having 4 parents.

As, family leaders, couples, or even parents, the four of us adults may not agree on everything.  We may not agree on what should be done before everyone goes to bed and what can wait til the next day.  We may not agree on how much time kids spend in front of a screen.  We may not even agree on when kids should go to bed and how to get them to stay there.  But one thing we do agree on is respect.  It is on the top of all of our priority lists.  When an adult speaks to a child, that child should respond with respect.  When an adult asks a child to do something ,even something that child knows is not top priority to their own parent, that child should do what they are asked to do.  And they should do it without arguing or complaining.  And they should do it the first time they are asked.  This concept is non-negotiable for all of us.  And so this is what we are working on this week..all adults are parents (yours or not) and therefore to be respected.