Jaina is 13, Cohen is 9. When we decided it was time to make a change, we quickly realized if we didn't to it now, before Jaina hit high-school, we'd not move for another decade. A smooth transition for our kids was a major priority. We planted the seed last year that we were thinking to move, but didn't know where. We brought them into the conversation, asking broad what if questions, if anywhere in the world, if any house, if any ...
They love Santa Cruz. They love the beach, our house, their friends. But they also really love spending time with their cousins, in So. California, Louisiana, and Missouri. They imagined a house with room to play, space for a trampoline, basketball hoop, and lakes to swim in.
When we gravitated to Arkansas, we took the hole family house hunting, to further include them in the possibilities. They had a blast looking at ranch style homes, imaging use of storm cellars, gabled roofs, wrap around porches, and of course fighting over the biggest rooms and personal bathrooms.
Back at home, the kids would ask, "are we really moving?". At times it followed with, "I'll be sad to leave...". Other times I'd hear them say, "I'm so board, can't wait till I can play with cousins." To Todd and I, this signaled they were ready.
Todd flew out on 24 hrs notice, with 5 houses on the top of the list, and I said, don't come back till you've made an offer (same as my mom told my dad years ago)...and he came through. When we showed the kids the house (before final inking), they approved and didn't even fight over the rooms! The gaming room (with a promised Nintendo Switch), a reading window, and a large yard (with promised trampoline), sealed the deal.
I remember sitting at Crows Nest in Santa Cruz, eating dinner with the kids, when I showed them the house, they said yes, I said yes, and the papers where complete. I sat back and wept with joy and disbelief, much to their chagrin - "mom really? why are you crying? geez"
Now there is an new future for us, and we are all excited to see what this journey holds.
