Moving On

As most of you know, we moved in September, hence the stop in posts shortly before that. It was a big deal for me. Well, for all of us really. We had been at our last house for exactly 3 years, ever since I was pregnant with Maddox in 2005. And after nine years of marriage, that was the longest time that Chad and I had actually lived in one home. Three years is not that long for most of you, but it meant a lot to me. 

First of all, this was the only home where we can look back and see ourselves before kids AND after kids. It was an interesting difference. And obviously this was the only home that Maddox had every known. I was sick to my stomach about moving him to an unknown home, but fortunately he did very well. 

Second of all, I was sad to leave "my neck of the woods" around here. All 3 places we've lived (rental apartment/purchased condo/purchased home) while in this area have been within 2 miles of each other. This time we were moving at least 20 miles North. It was for very good reasons and during a good buying market, but still.....I was nervous. 

I was on the brink of tears the whole week before the move and I just felt crushed. It must be a woman thing (or a pregnant thing - haha!) because Chad didn't get it. He didn't understand why I couldn't wait to move since our newer house was much bigger and more beautiful. I know he thought I wasn't thankful, but I am. I'm just a routine kind of person. And I kept having these horrible thoughts of Maddox feeling like he didn't have a "home" or feeling lost or just plain not liking it. So, now I ask myself - "Why?" 

Why was I so afraid? Maddox transferred homes like a pro. He only referred to them as "old house" and "new house" for about 2-3 weeks and now he announces we're home when I pull into the neighborhood. He slept like a champ in his new room from the very beginning. The week after we moved, we were cleaning out the old house before selling it a few days later and once everything was out I took him back over there to see it empty. Just to make sure it was concrete in his mind. He ran through our little old house saying "My toys are gone! They are at the new house! This is the old house." I asked him which one was his home now and he said new house. Thankfully. That was the morning before we signed papers on the sale of that one and I wanted to cry as I locked the doors for the final time and drove away. 

That was the house where I learned to be a Mom, where I literally learned to change diapers, and nurse my baby and give baths to a newborn and stay up all night pacing with a sick little Maddox. That is the little house where Chad would make me lock myself in the bedroom so that he could have learning time with our newborn son without me hovering or micro-managing. I have so many fond memories of that place, I can't even describe them all. Makes me teary-eyed just thinking about it. 

And then I look around at our new house and think 'Wow...we've come a long way in a short time.' And we are blessed. I know we are. I literally thank God every night for all that he has given us. I thank him for giving me a husband who knows how to work hard now so that he won't have to forever. I thank him for giving me a healthy son and for now allowing us to prepare for a daughter...who we prayed incredibly hard and long for. So, I'm not sad now that we moved away from such an amazing memory-incased home, I'm just thankful for all the good things that happened there. I just wish that Maddox would remember our times there. (I did walk through the house right before we moved and took a video of each and every room so that he can look back on it when he's older and maybe trigger some memories we had.)

Anyway, I know this was long and rambling,  but I've been meaning to write about it. Just be thankful I wrote it AFTER I was settled and not still in the crying stage. ;)

Here are the last pictures I have in our old house and then some new ones of fun times just after we moved. Mom and Steve came up on moving weekend and we are SO thankful that they did. Steve helped Chad with some moving before the movers showed up, and then during, and then after. Mom helped me with Maddox so that he didn't feel neglected while we tried to coordinate everything. (I think she really was here to help me stay sane because she and Chad both know how crazy and scattered I get when a big event happens.) And thanks to Chad for being the solid one in the marriage who made me focus and got us unpacked within 2-3 days. Whew. 

Last Days in Old House

Maddox playing trains ON his train table. 

Here's a shot of him showing me what his belly would look like with a baby in it. His idea not mine. I love how kids think....too hilarious.

Mom and Maddox on the weekend of the big move. Bye bye house!

Steve and Maddox at the park near our new house. 

Maddox going down the "big" slide. He likes these because they don't shock him like the plastic ones. =)

It took us awhile to get him to play on the actual playground equipment that day. This is all he wanted to do forever....roll his monster truck "Big Toe" in the dirt. We could have stayed home for that. =)

Finally warming up to the curvy slide. This park is about 1-2 miles from our house and is awesome. We also have little tot lots in our neighborhood and a pool which should be a lot of fun next summer!! I can't wait. 

More posts to follow.