Reality Sets In

The past week down here in Alabama with Mike and Jack has been great, but Sunday afternoon I got an email from my Dad with all of the Summer date and activities going on and reality set in that this year and next year things are going to be very different. Even though we are planning to come home once a month it seems like there is something to do every weekend. We are a family of "traditions", Cubs games, Ravinia, Birthdays, Graduations, Sunday Dinners...it hurts my heart to know that I am not going to be around for them all and that Jack will not get to be there either. 


Never did I think while I was pregnant with Jack that after he was born I would move him away from my family and closest friends. I mean we live in Chicago there are plenty of finance jobs, or so one would think. I thought this is perfect I'm not going back to work, I will have so much time to spend with Mom, take road trips to go visit Oma & Opa and Uncle Mike & Aunt Debbie, have week day dinners with Ben & Dad, we will be able to go up to Grand Rapids on the weekends and I will have all the time in the world to wedding plan with Leah on Sundays! I feel so guilty that Dutch and Sam who are now the best of friends won't get to play and walk with each other all of the time. 


Now everything is changing. Family is the most important thing to me in the world and I can honestly say that I cherish every moment. I was given such an amazing family and I love them with all my heart. I try to blog and post pictures, call and text, but I'm afraid that nothing will replace getting to see them on almost a daily basis. I want Jack to know his family and have a special place in his heart for each of them. It's probably not normal how close we are, that's what we keep telling ourselves, that this distance will be healthy:) But I really wish it didn't have to be this way.


That's where I am torn. I don't want to be upset because Mike has worked so hard to get this amazing opportunity and this job means better a lot of things for our little family of 3.5 (Dutch is a half). Jack and I get to see Mike every night and I love that! I like the warm weather and rolling hills:) So I need to remember the positive things of this move but I am not going to lie right now it is really hard balancing it all. Not making Mike feel bad that he is moving us because I really don't want him to be I am excited for him and for us, but I don't want too excited about moving because there are so many people I am leaving. 


I truly believe that this is God's plan. I prayed that Mike would get a great job opportunity but not just take one due to only money but that it has so much more to offer him, and this one seemed to fit the bill. It is just far away from Home, everything else about it is perfect. So I just have to keep praying about it and trust that God will make it all work out, just have to take it day but day. 

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Be content with what you have, for God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." Hebrews 13:5,6

Cast your cares upon the Lord for he cares about you.                                                                                       - I Peter 5:7

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23

So while I know I am going to be sad and it is going to be hard I am not going to let it rob me of my daily joys with Jack and Mike. Really I had to go through this when Mike went back to Marmon and started traveling all the time again, it was just the reverse I missed him so much but had my family as my daily support. Now I will have Mike as my daily support and miss them. Oh I had plans and of course you know what happens when "We" plan! Well know that was a lot of rambling when I know you all mostly just want pictures! One last quote to leave you with that I love!
"Where we love is home-home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." 
Oliver Wendell Homes, Sr.