"We are the change that we seek"

Well, today is Zach’s last day at Edison.  It’s kind of a bittersweet day.  I’m reminding myself about my favorite quote from President Obama:  “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek”. Dan and I are leaving behind our house and so many things are changing in life, but these changes are all for the better. We are all making temporary sacrifices, but it’s all for a better future.  I hope Zach knows this too and can adjust well as he starts his new school on Monday. 

Last night, I received a very special email from his teacher.  She wanted to let me know that she has been ill with the flu and will not be in today, but that she and the class have planned a surprise party for Zach, complete with pizza and ice cream.  His classmates have also made him a book that I can’t wait to see.  She ended with:  “I have enjoyed having your son in our classroom.  He will do great at his new school with his upbeat personality and his hard working skills.  I am very proud of him.  Let me know where you would like me to send his report card to.  Good luck to your family and best wishes on the new baby.”  I thought that was very sweet of her and I know she’s right.  Zach has an extremely outgoing/upbeat personality.  We haven’t even moved yet and he’s already met a couple of kids in the new neighborhood.  I know that he will transition well, but it’s still hard not to worry. 

After work today, we’ll be packing up the rest of our stuff to be ready for the mover’s tomorrow morning.  Praying that we can get it all done and that all goes well – and hopefully this rain/snow that’s expected switches directions.  Until my next post, I remain pregnant ;-) and counting down the days until “baby” arrives – today is April 1^st, so only 16 more days until the due date.  Also, as a side note – today is April 1^st, which is April Fools’ Day, which is also my Mom’s Birthday, her 50^th to be exact, so a very Happy Birthday to her! :-)

A House is built with boards and beams; A Home is built with love and dreams

“A House is built with boards and beams; A Home is built with love and dreams”.  This statement hangs on a plaque above the entryway in our dining room.  Now, more than ever, I’m trying to remind myself of this.  The ability for me to remain in my “house” may be lost, but I will always have my “home”. 

It is only Monday and we’ve already received two requests of realtors to show our house this week.  We listed our house about 2 months ago for around $137,000 and our realtor has already dropped the price to under $70,000.  So now, the calls will start rolling in I guess.  It’s surreal and bittersweet.  Purchasing the house 3 and ½ years ago, I never would have imagined that this is where we would be so soon. 

All I can do is warn others of the dangers of modifications.  I often wonder if successful modifications even happen.  Dan and I did everything by the book.   We did every single thing asked of us by our lender.  How did this happen?  Why is it ok for the banks to receive bailout money and then turnaround and do this to their customers?  We are exactly one week away from the first hearing on our case in federal court. It’s only a scheduling conference, but at least it’s a start. 

Next Friday, I will be enrolling Zach in the new school district as well.  I feel bad for him that he’s switching schools again, but I really have no choice.  It makes me feel better though, knowing that at least he doesn’t mind.  Zach adapts to change so easily and is so much more socially adaptable than I am that I’m sure he’ll do fine, but I can’t help but be worried.  I will also register Amber for kindergarten on that same day.  She will begin kindergarten in September and I am excited for her, but she, on the other hand, is not so excited.  Usually when I bring it up, she cries and tells me that she doesn’t want to leave Ms. Tanya.  Amber doesn’t adapt to change as easily as Zach.  She reminds me of myself.  She is shy when she first meets new people, but once she gets to know someone she’s herself, so I’m sure she’ll be fine, it will just take some time. 

In less than one month (25 days), we will make our “home” in a new “house”.  Zach will begin school in a new school district (with only 2 months left in the school year) and we will be preparing for Candace’s arrival which is expected on April 17^th.   So many major things happening all at once, but we will manage. 

Everyone always says that things happen for a reason and that God has a plan for us.  I know that God directs our lives and will never steer us wrong.  Even though things are happening that are beyond our control, God is always in control and will lead the way.  Bad things may be happening (losing the house, going through a lawsuit, having my credit damaged, etc.), but good things are coming with it.  Dan has returned to school and is doing amazingly well.  In 2-3 years, he will have a wonderful career and I am so very proud of him.  After that, we hope that he will receive a job offer in a warm state where I can then begin law school.  Until then, we have something even more exciting to look forward to… in just 41 days, we are expecting our daughter, who will surely bring joy and happiness to our “home”.    

Change

We’re now about two weeks into February and it’s hard to believe how fast the time is flying by.  It’s hard to believe that in just 50 days, we’ll be moving and in 53 days Zach will be starting his new school.  On Monday, I emailed his current teacher to let her know that we’ll be moving and he’ll be switching school districts.  She replied to my email sincerely and with compliment: “I will be sad to see Zach go--he is such a great student and awesome helper!...I will try to think of some way for the kids to say good-bye before he leaves…. Congratulations on your new home and good luck to all of you and especially on your new little one”.  This makes me sad and I realize that not only are Dan and I going through big changes, but the kids are too.  I remember switching schools in 9^th grade and that was tough.  I don’t know what it’ll be like for a fourth grader.  The only good I see in the switching of the schools is that when Amber starts kindergarten in the fall, her and Zach will be in the same school (at least for a year).  Whereas, here in Westland, Zach’s elementary school ends at fourth grade and he would have started the lower middle school in the fall.  I'm happy that Zach will be able to sort of "keep an eye" an Amber during her first year of school.  I also know that Zach is very sociable and he seems to adapt to change well, so even though he’s leaving his friends and his classmates, my hope is that he’ll meet and make even more friends in the new neighborhood and school district.