I feel like the biggest challenge of this move has been trying to keep from feeling guilty about the kids. The subject of moving has been all we've dealt with since May (the cleaning out and packing up, the moving, and the getting settled) and here we are almost in August. I feel like Sarah and Grant have really felt the impact of the change more than I would have liked. I have felt guilty on multiple occasions because of the busy-ness of all this moving situation. But at least they have each other. They really are best little friends. They play so well together and they just love each other. I am so grateful for Sarah's active imagination that creates game after game after game for those two. And I'm so grateful that Grant loves to play Sarah's games. If I can't be there for them as much as I want to this summer while moving and settling in.....at least they have each other. At least they have each other. Steve was asking me how they're adjusting and I feel like they're doing great. Of course, they have friends they miss dearly in Michigan; but because they have each other, they're doing great. They've made a few friends here and for that I'm grateful, but I'm most grateful that they do depend on each other, that they mostly want to be with each other. There is a special bond between siblings and I hope they will always remain close. I hope they will always want to be friends. At bedtime sometimes we play the "I love you because...." game. Grant almost always starts with "I love Sarah because she's a good soccer player." We all laugh and then Sarah takes a turn. It usually goes back and forth a few times and I'm so touched that my kids notice the good things in others and that they're not afraid to say it. I hope this stays with them as they get older too.
On a personal note, I think a lot about growing our family. I feel like I should because two kids just isn't "enough"...but I also really like the groove that we're in right now. Everyone kind of has their role. Steve is the fun dad who comes home tired but ready for a good wrestle before bed. I'm the busy mom who feeds the kids fruit at every meal and is always trying to figure out a better system for my life. Sarah is the stylish five-year-old with an imagination as big as her heart. Grant is all boy who loves showing off his muscles, driving cars, but has a soft spot in his heart for his mama. I just feel like we have a really good thing going right now. It's not that I don't want any more kids, it's just that I want to make sure I experience this stage and love it as much as I should. So I guess that's it....I guess I'm so busy trying to improve my life and home and systems that I'm almost missing out on this very special stage of our family. So, what's the answer? Simplify. Don't get caught up in the meaningless details. Involve myself in my children's life more. Involve them in mine. Don't miss out on this stage. It's too important. I love my Sarah and Grant. They are wonderful and so much more than I ever thought children could be.
This post went in a completely different direction than I was expecting....but that's the way it goes, I guess. So there you have it. We've been in PA for one month. I know how to get to five grocery stores, Wal-Mart, the hospital, the city pool, the church, and Home Depot. We live in a townhouse with pink walls, but it's a perfect fit for our small family. Our neighbors are great....even invited us to a pool party yesterday. So far we like it here and we're looking forward to the next three (maybe four) years. As stressful as moving is, I enjoy the starting over in a new place. I like that it brings our family together. I know we'll always have each other and that makes me happy.
Here's an example of the pink paint....lucky, I know.
