I’ve been in Florida now for just under 9 months. So what’s up with all of the dreams, goals, and everything involved in the move?

First and foremost: It has been HARD. I mean, really hard.

There’s been wonderful, great, amazing things–but it’s been HARD.

Moving across country, being separated from my family, the girls utter homesickness when they arrived (and some still lingering)…not to mention my job situation?

Hard.

Was it worth it?

Yes.

I truly love being here. I feel so at home. I am where I’m meant to be.  I knew life would not be perfect (and said so many times), and I knew that life would encroach on the wonderful things I was looking forward to (and it has).  I didn’t expect all of our problems to resolve the minute we crossed the state line. I mostly expected to be home, and some bonuses along the way.

I’ll get the bad out of the way super quick b/c I don’t want to focus on them. My job – it’s a nightmare, but a possible light at the end of the tunnel is coming.  Finances – due to several situations (that nightmare job being one of them), it’s taken us longer to level out and get back on our feet than I’d hoped for. Homesickness – primary in the middle teen, she’s fighting tooth and nail.

The good? That’s better to focus on…

Our home: Though we’re paying more per month, it’s bigger, it’s sound, and though the yard needs a lot of work and we have to pay pest control monthly, I really love the house. The girls really love that they each have their own rooms.

Disney: Duh. Though I now haven’t been since November (I hope to rectify this quite soon) we went tons during food & wine, and even stayed on site. We’ve more than made up for the cost of passes, and it’s nice to know it’s right there. It’s a benefit we use often.

Nursing school: Not something I ever thought I’d do, I’m in it to win it. It’s right around the corner too. Considering we’re both putting many more miles on the vehicles, that’s a big benefit.

The Market: Big flea market about a quarter mile from our house. Way too much 45 shit on display, but if you avoid that and head straight for the fresh fruit & veggies on display all year long, it’s a huge benefit.

The school:  While I’m not overly pleased w/ the middle school…the high school has been amazing and in a few months I won’t have to worry about any more kids in the middle.  The education they’re getting is great, challenging, and the school has been amazing about the IEP. Biggest downsize is that we have to take them and pick them up every blasted day. Is it summer yet? Does Molly have her license yet? Please? Soon?

Erik’s job:  Big positive over his last. BIG.

While Erik and I know we aren’t going to settle in this particular area permanently (I want to be closer to water and further south…north-central is meh)…it’s been a good place to land. We plan to stay until the kids are out of school and then cart ourselves further south & west. For now, we’re happy where we are despite the struggles.

It hasn’t been easy, not by a long shot. I feel like we are finally turning a bend, though. I’m trusting that this year is going to shake off some of those bad areas so we can focus even more on the good ones.