admin July 4th, 2008
So all of the boxes are packed the mattress slip into the plastic protectors and on Friday night we are officially out of the house in the evenings. It was a humid night, the kids were upset, I was fighting back tears with each box and bag I put in the car and it was one of the worst nights ever. I can understand why they say moving is the biggest stress on people and I know why I’ve never wanted to do it before. I’m hoping this will be one of the last.
Our in-laws have graciously invited us to stay with them and that has made it easier for the kids. I think there is great comfort in the fact that they are able to see them every day. Thank goodness they were away camping while all was happening because it looked like we were moving our whole house into theirs. With the help of a good friend my husband brought over a truckload of things while I attempted to find a temporary place for our suitcases and boxes without overtaking the house. The kids sat watching TV and being patient onlookers.
Oddly enough this transition has been fairly easy for Sydney. She’s had her moments of unexpected misery but nothing too drastic or anything I didn’t foresee. So the evening started with my husband closing the garage door and misjudging where it came down and clunking him smack dab in the nose. Ouch! Ice was put on, I made a funny remark and Sydney was sympathetic that Daddy had been hurt. Other than the kids being a little tired I never expected what came next. Sydney suffers from some pretty severe food allergies and try as best as I can something sometimes manages to pass through and next thing we know at 2:OOa.m. we’re in the bathroom with a bucket. Well, my stomach had already been tied in knots that evening so I lied down around midnight beside Ehren while Sydney decided she wanted to be in the other room with her daddy. Sure enough at 2:30 a.m. only a mere few hours before we had lied down Sydney went to the bathroom and her poor little stomach decided to mass evacuate all the contents from that evening. Not to get too graphic but it was one of those times where it literally took her breath away. Once the nasty stuff was done we came downstairs and turned on the T.V. which helps to take our minds off the event that just occurred. I opened the windows to get us some fresh air and at 5:30 in the morning the thunder and lightning began and the rain came pouring down. I walked over to the window just behind the couch that Syndey was lying on and tried to pull the window shut. Instead of being in front of the window I was slightly off to the side of it and it came out of the sill and landed right on my upper lip. At that moment other than being extremely painful it didn’t faze me until I tasted blood. I went to the bathroom-and sure enough-it left a good gouge. Thirty minutes later with a swollen lip, husband who had a bruised nose and daughter that was finally sleeping from the worst vomiting I realized that if this was a test of my ability to cope I suppose I passed. What I wouldn’t do for my own house, my own bed, my own garbage can for those “just in case” moments. I think that when that day comes in July we’ll all appreciate the new house so much more. They say things come in threes so hopefully we’re finished for now.
admin June 26th, 2008
Well, I have my son beside me fast asleep, my daughter snoring to the other side and a husband who is still tossing around a bit to get settled and now I have one last chance to take in this old place. Oh the memories that this place has lent itself too. From happiness to suprise, sadness to grief each part of this house tells a story. The front room is where I spent countless hours rocking, walking and singing my dear sweet Sydney to sleep. The dining room is where we took a picture of our son only 5 months old holding his first turkey leg (for posterity only, the leg was as big as his arm). The basement TV room was where Ehren spent many a day cuddled in his Babci’s arms while Sydney cried relentlessly in my arms upstairs. It is amazing to me now as I look back on all the morter and cement that this place is so hard to leave behind.
All signs are leading to us having made the right decision, the new school has been fantastic, the house is beautiful, the backyard is already being prepared for many a weekend visitor and it all seems so right. But today while Sydney took charge of the video camera and went around the house taping things as she saw them, I quickly jumped back 35 years or so to the old giggly movie camera my father had taping me taking my first steps along the side of the house. I felt the house today. I thanked the house today. I leave a piece of my heart behind with this house tonight. I hope that for Sydney and Ehren (especially Sydney) that this move will help them in the future. I hope that all the opportunities that we are unable to have here will happen in the new house. I hope for all the things you wish for any children. I wish for Sydney to be happy.
So I bid a fond farewell to the house that I was raised in, the house that gave me such warm shelter, the place that helped me become the person I am today. I draw strength from knowing that as a family we will be able to overcome all the anxiety over new surroundings. I still will shed a tear but I have my life of memories within me and I hope to pass on the strength that my parents instilled in me into my children. For heavens sake if my father could leave all of his family behind and come to a foreign country not knowing the language or the culture than surely I can leave this house behind and only be 20 minutes away from those closest to me.
admin May 30th, 2008
It seems like just yesterday that we were contemplating a move and now we are officially on the 30 day countdown. It has been a crazy couple of months and it is without doubt that the best and worst is yet to come. So far if you ask the kids about moving they will be more than forthcoming about where we are moving to. The big test will come in the following weeks when what little is left in the house gets further boxed up and saying goodbye to friends. I have people telling me now how upset their children are at the prospect of loosing my children and I have to say at that moment in time I feel very guilty from uprooting all that my kids have known for the past 6 and 8 years. But change is good, at least that’s what I keep telling us.
So early next week we are venturing to the new school to register and get a tour and explain to the new school all that we have been through in the last 6 years with Syd. My hope for next week is that Sydney enjoys what she sees and maybe is a little excited about it. Sydney’s opinion I’m sure will differ and the reality is that if it goes the way yesterday went, we visited a friend of mine that works at a school and we had complete meltdown, I think I may need a good strong coffee and strength.
I’m not nieve, I know this is all tough on them and that Sydney must learn to trust everyone all over again. But she’s come such a long way and she is able to work through things better now. I must tell her exactly what we’re doing, what’s going to be happening and then I think it may at least keep her feeling slightly more secure. If I’ve learned anything at all it’s not to make things a surprise. As hard as it may be at least she knows what to expect.
I’ll keep you posted.
If you have an experience or idea that helps your child through rough times please share it with us!
admin May 25th, 2008
We took a drive to the new house today in order to take some measurements, find out if certain furniture will fit in the living room and dining room and most importantly we wanted Sydney to pick out her room. We felt it was important for her to pick out which room would be hers and let her feel like she was in charge. She had two rooms to choose from and in front of our family she proclaimed, “Guess which room I’m choosing?” with the biggest smile on her face she pointed to the room and proudly said, “This one!”. She was so proud of herself and we praised her decision. This is a big deal in the life of a child with Social Anxiety. First of all we’re moving into totally new surroundings, we’re all a little stressed about that. Secondly, her room will be a significant distance further from ours so it’s no surprise that she snuggled herself between her big brother and our room. Perhaps once we’re in the house moving things around the novelty will wear and anxiety will set in but for today the little step of figuring out just where her life will begin in this new house is a big step and she did it!
