So we’re coming close to the one year mark of being in the new house and we’ve gone through so much. This time last year we were living with the in-laws and at no fixed address. We were trying desperately to reassure the kids that the move was not the end of the world and that things would in fact be alright.

We’ve learnt so much about the kids and ourselves in the past year. The move has challenged us as individuals and as a family and I completely understand now why people say that a move is one of the most stressful events in a life. But, in admist the turmoil of craziness and agruments and hauling the kids to school kicking and screaming we take a retrospective look back and I can only think of how much stronger we are.

What we’ve gained in the past year has been remarkable and these are just a few things:

• Have a number of kids on the street that they can play with
• We constantly have people banging on our door to come over
• The activity level of riding bikes, skateboards, scooters is constant
• We have amazing neighbours
• I have made some incrediable new friends
• The kids have made some great friends
• The saying “An oldie but a goodie” rings true for the friends from the old place. We are further away but surely not forgotten
• Sydney will walk over to the neighbours house in search of her little friend and instead of me holding her hand the whole way she yells from the front door…”Okay I’m going across the street just wanted you to know so you know where I am”.
• Sydney will engage without force or pushing and ride a bike, then flip to a scooter, then run around the front lawn and laugh
• Sydney wants to do things and go places and is always asking to help
• Sydney is talking and some days the chatter is non-stop
• We’ve learned as a family that we can do anything together
• Sydney has no problem sharing her “worry” book with her friends
• The school has been a nuturing, caring, challenging environment

There are so many more advantages to our world here and this move although one of the hardest things we’ve done has been the best thing for all of us. The kids will see it soon enough although at 7 and 9 they are reluctant to agree with us on anything they too will realize just how much this place has to offer.

Almost a year later and we are now able to have friends from the old house over without good-bye tears. One of my dear friends came by the other day with Sydney’s good friend. The last two times they visited it ended up in tears for both of the girls. Well, the other day after an amazing visit it was ended with the girls giving each other a hug, Sydney asking if they can come back one day and a secret whispered in my ear. “Do you want to know a secret Mommy? but you can’t tell anyone, not even Ehren.” I’d love to hear a secret! “Even though we don’t go to the same school we decided that my BFF is…” Goes to show you that all good things come to those who wait. Being here, right now has been a hard adjustment but it’s a good thing.