Left: the view of our backyard in WA ___ Right: the view out our UT living room
The cat is out of the bag! Wait, we don’t have a cat. Yes, we have moved back to Utah, the beehive state (and, boy, do we have bees!)
Now before you get bent out of shape because you didn’t know, let me tell you that it was SO HARD to tell our friends and family about the news. Almost every time I did (for Ben it wasn’t so emotional; remember, I’m a girl), I’d get a guilt trip instead of encouragement. So after the handful of people I told (and made them swear they’d keep it a secret, remember that post?) I decided not to tell people… and I have gotten PLENTY of flack for that choice.
I have been yelled at, belittled, and dragged through the emotional mud that I wasn’t doing things the way “everyone else” does it. If you think you’re one of the people who did that, please don’t contact me asking if it was you. I don’t really remember who said/did what and don’t want to rehash the negativity. I just want to share my experience because apparently I’m the ONLY ONE who would move without telling everyone. Perhaps I cannot convince you of my reasoning. I shouldn’t have to, should I?
But put yourself in my shoes. There are, say, 200 people in Washington for me to tell. You, 1 person, feel super bummed that we’re moving. Me, 1 person, receive those super bummed vibes TWO HUNDRED TIMES! After 10 super bummed vibes I was getting depressed. Not depressed that we were moving, because that decision was clearly the right thing to do, just sad to be moving away from so many great people.
And all the questions! Why?!? Where are you moving to? What about your renters? What are you doing with your house? Will you rent it (SO MANY people asked me that)? How do the kids feel? What if they don’t adjust to the move? What about hubby’s job? When will you come visit? What are you thinking? Why? Why? Why?
At first we didn’t have all the answers, and telling them 200 times was a chore (plus, is it really anyone’s business about the details? I didn’t understand why some people, especially those who we aren’t close to, asked such personal questions.) Then I wanted to surprise my UT friends that we were back (because every time I’d come visit these last four years, that’s the first thing I’d get asked; “When are you moving back?”)
So here are the deets for moving back to UT: the 8yr old custom built (I designed it) house we already own is twice as big for 1/2 the price, has a stellar neighborhood (kids to play with, safe streets to ride bikes/scooters on, easily accessible playground and basketball court across the street, in-ground trampoline, great neighbors), amazing view (you should see it come 4th and 24th of July – we see five cities fireworks; and when it snows it’s beautiful!), camping/hiking/fishing within five minutes, longer motorcycle riding season (lots of long, flat roads to cruise), Carrabba’s restaurant where I get great food and great service, and loads of incredibly wonderful friends who treat us like family. We moved here from Washington for five years and moved back to WA for four years. Now we’re back for at least 10 while the kids finish school.
Now I’m not going to bag on WA. We didn’t move because we didn’t like it (but, I have to be honest, the rain WAS getting annoying, even though we were used to it). We loved it there, we have lived there the longest of anywhere (both our families are from WA), and have incredibly wonderful friends and family there who we’ll miss :( But because we have family there, we’ll be back to visit!
We got here in time for school to start (like a week before) and the kids have adjusted amazingly well. Our son loves his Boy Scout troop and is taking an acting class (performing a play in the spring). Our daughter already has several friends from the neighborhood to play with and enjoys spending the days outside riding her bike and scooter. They both have bigger rooms that are quietly tucked away upstairs and a cozy basement for movie watching. There is less sibling fighting now that they have other people to play with and break up the monotony of always being with each other. The sun is a welcome change to the gloom of the NW, even though the heat of the summer is pretty killer (thank goodness for A/C!) We love to be back at our church that’s around the corner (all the churches here are “around the corner” ha ha).
Please know that if I didn’t tell you myself and this is the first time finding out, it’s not because I don’t like/love you. Once we made the final decision to move, there was so many details to figure out and physically/mentally challenging duties as well. Getting the WA house ready to sell, decide what to pack and what to get rid of, pack all those things, deal with a moving company, all the paperwork to sell the house, show the house, etc. was overwhelming enough then to prep to move back into the UT house after four years of renters added to the stress.
It’s barely been a month and I’m just now feeling like I might have a handle on things. No, all the boxes aren’t unpacked yet. No, I haven’t been able to see all my friend’s here in person to tell them myself. Yes, we are happy with the move and excited for the next chapter of our lives!
Love,
me
