Changes

Everything changes with Jason's job! These past 3 months have been quite the roller coaster ride... we were originally planning to go to Ponca City, OK where Jason was to manage the Osage wind farm. Well, a few legal battles and delays later (on the company's part, not ours!), that plan fell through. I was SO bummed when I found out we wouldn't be moving back to OK, but I know that God has a plan for us. He will lead us where we need to be.
In March, a few days after Osage fell through, Jason got another opportunity to go to Flat Ridge II near Wichita, KS. It's going to be a HUGE site, and a major challenge for Jason (which he LOVES a challenge!). We prayed about it, a lot. I was very hesitant because it's not what "I" wanted... but then again, life never goes the way "I" plan, it's all about God's plan. Sometimes trusting that plan is hard, but it always works out in the end. After a few days of prayers and careful consideration, and research, we decided we would accept the position.
Making the decision to move when you have children is so much more difficult than if we didn't have children. We have to consider their friends, their school, their activities, their safety.... it's more than just thinking about whether it's what WE want to do. How's it going to affect them? Will they be happy with their new school? Will our new church be as good as the one we are at now? Will there be other activities for the kids to participate in? So many questions... so much time spent researching.
Once we accepted the position, things started happening really fast. It was mid-March by the time we had decided everything, and Jason's start date is May 7, and school ends May 25. That gives us just over 2 months to figure things out. Obviously, we're not going to pull the girls out of school 2 weeks early, so we'll finish out the year here. We immediately began looking for a house and researching the schools/churches. The town we're going to... it's not exactly OKC. It's T I N Y. Very. Tiny. Very.... Very... TINY. It's going to be a culture shock once we move. The closest Wal-Mart is going to be 1/2 hr drive away. There are no *real* restaurants in town, however, there is a Sonic! ;o) We found our house... and we're in love! It's beautiful, on 1.4 acres, each girl gets their own room. I wouldn't say it's our dream home, but the land is gorgeous, and the house is great too. We are currently in the buying process, which is NOT fun at all. We went back and forth with our offer and their counter offer a couple of times. Then the inspection, which was pretty good, then the appraisal.... now to re-negotiate! It appraised a little under our contract price, so the sellers have to make some adjustments. House hunting is SO much fun, but once you pass that point, it's not so fun anymore. The paperwork is extensive, the phone calls seem to never end, it's one inspection after another, one hurdle after another. Eventually it will be over with and we can close the deal.... then I will be able to rest again.
One good thing, we don't have to move ourselves this time! The company is going to move everything for us... AWESOME! Of course, I found this out AFTER I had packed about 20-30 boxes... that they will un-pack and re-pack. Oh well, I don't have to do it. I think I'll be a bit anxious watching these random strangers messing with all my stuff, but from what I've been told, I'll never want to move any other way again.
This move comes with so many mixed emotions. I'm excited for our next phase in our lives, but I am a bit nervous about all the changes to come as well. One of the best things about moving is that we'll be a LOT closer to 'home', and my brother in law and his family will only be about 45-50 minutes away from us!