Tag: beach

Welp, it’s been two years!

Some days it feels like we just moved here and other days it feels like we’ve been here 47 years.

The boys and I relocated here to South Carolina on March 3, 2016 and we closed on our new home on April 29, 2016. So, almost two years in our home. Joe moved here in October of 2015.

So, since we are at our two year anniversary, I thought I would give an update on life in The SC… *Warning* this is going to be transparent, if you prefer unicorns and rainbows then move right along.

•  First of all, relocation is HARD!! I mean really hard! At least for me, it is. I feel like I gave up my old life and began a new one. My old life consisted of great friends to have lunch or coffee with. Friends to talk about our kiddos with. Friends to laugh with. Friends to have over for family cook outs. My old life involved our church that we were deeply plugged into; an environment that made us feel “at home.” My old life was running into people that I knew at the grocery store and chatting for a bit. My new life looks nothing like the old one, unfortunately. (*I must say that I do have a really good friend here whom I am SO thankful for though — her and her family have been so good to us!*) Then you add the fact that our kids are now teenagers so they don’t require as much of me as they once did. All of those things combined leaves me feeling a bit empty, BUT also kind of excited about the next thing. I wholeheartedly believe God has good things in store for us just around the corner! 🙂
• I do like being here, but I often wonder at what cost. We gave up precious time with family and friends. Is being near the beach and enjoying warmer weather worth the sacrifice? I’m not sure.
• We think we may have found our church, FINALLY!! We are not currently involved, but we hope to grow and learn and serve there very soon. Can I just say, trying to find a church that fits your family and your family’s needs is SUPER challenging!! I’m not sure why that is. Or, how to even fix that problem. We have been in this situation a few times and we know others that have, as well, and it’s a tough place to be. When I look for a church, I want to talk with and interact with “real” people that do not pretend to have it all together. I crave the authentic church that is outwardly focused. I want to see people helping people. I want to see the hands and feet of Jesus.
• We are nearing the end of the school year and I don’t know who is more excited..the boys or myself?! I. Can. Not. Wait. School needs to be over with by now!! A few months off with no homework worries = BLISS!! Lord willing, Addison will be a freshman and Damian will be a senior next year. 😉 Addison in high school…how in the actual heck did that happen?! Seriously!
• Bradley is in his final weeks of his high school career and I’m still in shock. I feel like I just dropped him off for his first day of (half-day) Kindergarten at Cedar Grove Elementary not that long ago. Recently, his friend from their toddler years! and his family were here visiting. It was so great to hear them tell stories from their childhoods. We reminisced about Halloween costumes, Yu-gi-oh cards, McDonald’s playdates, Sesame Street Live, and on and on. I LOVED it!! So, now that high school is just about over with we are now trying to navigate the whole college thing. After two visits to the University of South Carolina, he’s really leaning towards USC. I think USC would be a great fit for him, it’s a fantastic school with a beautiful campus. The big question…How to pay for it?! It’s SO expensive!! Oh well, we’ll figure it out…I guess. :/

  

  

  

• Caisey’s traveling gig is about to end. Once her time with KD ends (later this month), I believe her plan is to live and work near us in the Charleston area! Considering she has been away from “home” for 6 years, I am SO excited to have her close by!! She’s looking into teaching positions in the tri-county area here. I have no doubt that whatever route she takes in life she will be a success!
• I’m still frustrated with the HOA. That’s not likely to ever change. I still want to paint my door whatever color I want and it not be an issue. Joe still doesn’t really understand my frustration. I’ve tried to “let it go”, but I can’t. If it was as easy to sell a house as it is a car or anything else we’d be out of here! I am a creative person and my outlet is to make things pretty, colorful, different, fun…not keep everything the same as everyone else!! So, it’s a struggle. I asked Joe, “how would you feel if you had to live in a home with all AC window units and you couldn’t change them AND it was a home you were buying–not renting?!” He gave me a puzzled look. I think he may now understand just a bit better. 😉 Next house, you better believe I will read through the HOA rules with a fine tooth comb! Prayerfully, their will be NO HOA.
• In case you were wondering, Matthew and Hannah are getting along these days. That is as long as he doesn’t try to partake in her food. And, as long as she is allowed to partake in his food. If all things go according to Hannah’s plan then he may lay in Addison’s bed beside her. 😉

  

  

• In the last two years we have entertained several peeps and used our guest room lots of times. We’ve even had some folks visit us more than once. We must be doing something right…or, it could be the lure of the beach. 😉 Whatever draws them here, I am grateful! I love to prepare the guest room and get everything ready. My dream is to own a beach condo or rental of some sort one day! I’d like to rent it out some weeks of the year and use it other weeks of the year. Ideally I also would like to be the one to clean it and get it ready for the next guests. 🙂

  

• As for my last update, we’ve made 756,642 trips back and forth to Kentucky! I feel like most of those have been within the last couple of months. Ha! We are actually headed there this weekend for Bradley to attend prom with one of his very best friends. While it’s a long journey, especially when you add in both trips (to and fro) I’m super excited for him!! He will have so much fun!! –When we decided to move here my goal was to always be available to our friends and family (framily) back home. We have tried our best to do that. We may not always be able to make that trip, but we are always just a phone call away.

*In conclusion I feel the need to apologize.*

If I’m complaining too much for your liking in this blog post, I’m sorry. But the truth is, I am complaining. A lot. However, I realize I am beyond blessed! And, most days I am thankful and super grateful to be living this amazing life. I have SO much to be thankful for!!! But, there are days when I question and second guess every decision we made related to this relocation. I’m not sure when that will change. The only thing that keeps me sane on those days is reminding myself that God called us here. He placed the desire to “move to the beach” in us. He made that desire so intense that I believe had we not followed through we would have always wondered ‘what if?’

Ultimately, we choose to listen to Him. His plans are always good! Not easy, but good. We choose to look to Him for guidance and direction. Like the song says, “Wherever He leads I’ll go…”

So, I wonder where he’ll lead us next?! 😉

Thank you for reading! ~Susan