Living at the End of the United States

Tyler told us the other day that he loves living at the "end of the United States" Annabelle refers to it as the "united stakes"

Side note: other funny things she says:

• "lasterday" instead of yesterday
• "two cocoa bugs" instead of 2 turtle doves in the 12 days of Christmas
• "oppameal" instead of oatmeal

there are more but that is all I can think of now. She also speaks everything with a German accent.

Anyway...
A few weekends ago we had a beautiful, sunny, 60 degree day. When a day like this happens here, you embrace it. We drove to the city and spent our first experience on a Puget Sound Beach. It was indescribably gorgeous.

We are Moving!

The boys used to ask me if we would ever move to a new house and I was too quick to answer, no. I told them we would probably always live in this house. I know realize how futile our plans can be and that we really do not know what tomorrow holds.

I never thought we would leave Maplewood and I absolutely did not imagine moving to the other side of the country. We will be two hours from Canada!!!

To read a time line of how the possibility of moving started read here

To read how I've been processing the possibility, read here

Last Wednesday, Brian and I sat down to make a final decision about accepting the offer. It didn't have to be that long of a discussion, as we have hardly talked about anything else for the last few months.

He told his work the next day, his last day will be November 11th. We will leave that night to go to Seattle for a little less than a week to find a rental house.

We told the kids on Friday morning. We took them to donughts, a huge treat for them. Brian started by reminding them of how we have been telling them how awesome Seattle is and they guessed that we were taking them on a trip. We explained we would be living there and they immediately cheered and were very excited. The younger two have maintained that feeling. Grayson is mostly excited about the huge truck that is going to come and take all our stuff...even our bikes.

Tyler's emotions are more complex. His excitement faded when Brian explained he would be going to a new school. The first thing he said was that he didn't want to leave his house. Brian could not hold it together at that point and I had to take the lead. We explained that it is okay to be sad and scared. That is is also okay to be sad and excited at the same time. We talked about the things we were sad to leave but also the things we were excited about. We showed the kids pictures of Seattle and a map and talked more about all the things we can do there. Tyler summarized it up: "I feel mostly excited, a little scared and a little sad."

We then drove to the Pumpkin Patch and had the best time. The weather was gorgeous and Brian and I smiled more than we have in a long time. There was such a huge weight lifted off after telling them. We knew they would be fine. Brian might still be struggling with a little guilt...he bought us the biggest pumpkin I've ever had. It really was fun.

On the way home from the Pumpkin Patch we started singing "God is so good." Grayson added versus he's learned at preschool one of which was "God gives us friends." Tyler exlaimed, "That's the one we really need to sing because we are going to need God to give us new friends in Seattle." So we all sang it together. I then asked them what other things we needed to ask God to give us for Seattle. Tyler responded, "God gives us hope" and "God makes us strong."

I am beyond thankful for those conversations and confirmation that God will use this in my children's lives to show them how they can turn to God when they are scared, how he goes before us and that they can trust Him. These are the very things I am having to cling to as well.

Time is moving fast. We have less than six week until we move and 2 of those weeks we will be out of town. That means I have four weeks left in my house and four weeks left to say good-bye. It all seems very unreal at times.

Is Seattle the place for a new season?

A brief timeline:

In the spring Microsoft, one of Brian's current clients, begins to talk to him about the possibility of him coming to work full time for them (instead of as a contract energy consultant).
By the way, if you want to know more about what Brian does, you'll have to talk to
him. I can give a vague description and I am always surprised when Brian says I
described it mostly correctly.

In the spring we laugh. We would never leave. We would never want to work at Corporate America.

In the summer Brian is more intrigued. Could he do this job from St. Louis? He finds out more about the job, it seems like it could be an incredible fit. His current jobs fails him more and more. Still we say...How could we ever move.

In August, Brian receives the job description. He is giddy. I have never seen him come alive like he does when he talks about this job. He is like an artist who has been working with minimal supplies whose been offered the possibility of getting to create on a huge canvas with unlimited art supplies. If he could have written the job himself, he couldn't have written it better.

Wife, who has been amazingly, surprisingly supportive begins to panic. In theory, I say I will move anywhere in the world for my talented artist. Reality feels much different. All my daily events and interactions begin to be viewed with the lens of loss. I cry everyday. Wife, mother, friend...the little girl who cried when our carpets would change in my house growing up. "I love you linoleum, I'll miss you so much" as I lay on the floor stroking the white faux brick with gray trim. Change does not feel safe.

Last week Brian flies to Seattle on Monday for six interviews. They go incredibly well. We fly to Seattle together on Tuesday evening. He has meetings Wednesday and Thursday. I drive around enjoying quiet time in the car with tea and music. Thankful for the GPS on my phone.

It is cold, cloudy and drizzly all week. I get a good taste of a normal Seattle day. I meet very friendly people. I speak with a woman walking in a neighborhood (just roll down my window and ask her about the area). The man behind the counter of a local coffee shop picks out my accent and speaks to me for 10 minutes about how the area of Kirkland is the best. A mom with a 3 year old tells me about preschools then offers her email and phone number so I can contact her with questions. I meet a realtor who specializes in the Kirkland area and he offers to email me rentals when they come up. I drive till I am carsick.

Wednesday night I meet Brian at dinner with his main contact at Microsoft, TJ. She has been his biggest cheerleader and support along the way. He works with her more than anyone. We meet, she gives me the biggest, most sincere hug. We are joined by two men who represent wind turbine manufacturers. They want Microsoft's business. I am a little of a fifth wheel but they don't make me feel like it. Though I do feel like I've entered a foreign world. "Have you been to Florence lately, Kim?" I want to say: "I'm sorry, did you ask if I've mopped my floors lately?" I feel Midwest. I feel different. But the conversation moves to things of truth and importance. These corporate individuals still long for integrity. They long to leave their children with things that matter. I am surprised by the depth of the conversation and I have a heart for this corporate world.

The next day I leave the suburban "Eastside," cross Lake Washington to the main part of Seattle. This part of Seattle intimidates me. The streets don't make sense. I get lost multiple times. I am intimidated by the culture there. People appear to either be "grunge" or "alternative." I wonder if I could fit in being "mainstream."

I have lunch with my childhood best friend, Molly. We haven't seen each other in 13 years, though we were inseparable for the first 10. We have a wonderful lunch. We even meet up again for dinner so she can meet Brian. She chooses a vegan restaurant. It is divine. There are multiple gluten and dairy free menu options. I have the most delicious gluten free dairy free brownie with peanut butter ice cream. Could this be God's goodness to me and my families diet restrictions?

We close the restaurant down. I am so thankful to reconnect with her. I imagine many more times together.

Friday, Brian and I get to explore together. We wonder upon this quaint French cafe in Queen Anne. We drive around Wallingford, the area of Seattle where most young families live. We head back over to the Eastside. I realize I feel more comfortable on this side. It is suburban but feels more familiar.

That night, we are invited to dinner with Brian's potential new boss at a fancy steak restaurant at the top of a hotel overlooking all of Seattle. Real life Pretty Woman. I feel like I am on an interview. My first in 10 years. We have a great time. Again, I am surprised by the depth of the conversation. Christian has an amazing heart and he really cares about Brian as a person not just for what he can offer Microsoft. He asks honest questions about me and our kids. He really cares. After dinner, I thank him, especially for wanting to meet me and valuing that Brian has a life outside of work. He agrees that life is more important than work. Wow. Different.

"Great job, eye candy!" Brian complements me after dinner. I'll toot my own horn. I think I did well. Christian emails Brian later that night to thank me for coming to dinner, to say how much he enjoyed meeting me and that he can tell I am a big part of Brian's success. He knows the way to my heart.

After dinner, we meet some acquaintances for wine. A long time friend of my mom has a daughter my age with a life story so familiar to mine. She and her family of 5 have just moved to Seattle 3 weeks ago. Funny. We have a great time. Her husband teaches Philosophy at Seattle University. Did you know Brian has a major in Philosophy? They have had a wonderful time so far in Seattle. Their 2 boys and 1 girl (almost the same ages as our kids) have adjusted well.

The next morning we meet another acquaintance for breakfast. Mike Sabracco, his wife and 2 kids. He has been in Seattle 7 years at Grace Seattle Church. Another fantastic time. We enjoy their family and they fill us in on Seattle and what is like for Christians to live in a culture so hostile to things of the gospel.

We spent the rest of the day driving in neighborhoods. We decided we want a new house, with a big yard, sidewalks, cul-de-sac, view of mountains/lakes, walkable to a school and stores/coffee shops. Asking for too much? We go to bed early. Exhausted. This is the first night we've stayed in the same hotel as the night before. We get up early and head home.

We hope to hear something from Microsoft by the end of next week. For now we wait.

I realize those are just the facts. I'll write more later about how we are processing.