Life can be such a wonderfully exciting and wild ride.
After months of waiting, wondering and praying if Mr. Décor would ever find a job the answer came swiftly.
Earlier this week my dear husband left on a whirlwind interview tour across the United States. Before he had even returned home there were two prospects and a large looming Monday deadline to make a choice.
After all that waiting… it was then Hurry! Hurry! HURRY!
It seemed as if life was occurring faster than I could pray.
We had to decide between a life in Manassas, Virginia (near Washington D.C.) and Fort Worth, Texas.
Talk about apples and oranges!!!
There would be NO time to visit each location in person. It was akin to throwing a dart at a dartboard.
I had lived in Dallas for two years in the 1990’s. I loved my church and still have two wonderful friends there. (Hey Kelly and Pam!) One of my favorite places on earth is the Dallas Arboretum.
I have traveled to Virginia to visit my cousin in Arlington and loved my time at Colonial Williamsburg.
On more than one occasion this past week I pleaded with God “What do we do??? Where should we go???”
As you may know God’s timing is very different than man’s timing.
We have also made the decision to invite my 92 year old Grandma “Jingles” and Eric’s 90 year old “Grandma Joyce” to live with us. (Only Grandma “Jingles” has committed at this time.)
There was no clear answer.
I turned to the internet. (It’s ok to laugh. I know that sounds absurd.)
I sought information on two key areas.
Housing and schooling.
What I found regarding housing and the cost of living was that Manassas was three times as expensive as Fort Worth.
Given that the job would have approximately the same salary this gave us pause.
Then there is Sweet Boy. Like many of you, our children’s education is VERY important.
Using sites such as GreatSchools.org and USNews we looked at test scores, parent reviews, etc.
Public schools in the area of Manassas were scoring 2’s, 3’s and 4’s while Fort Worth had 8’s, 9’s and 10’s (ten being the best).
Still I kept thinking about Proverbs 28:26~
“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”
I told Mr. Décor I was going to put out a request for input. I did just that via the blog and facebook.
He spoke with a longtime friend with children living close to Manassas.
It became pretty clear where our future was.
So we’ll have about a month to find a home, sell this one and pack up. No pressure.
We are looking in the Keller and Colleyville School Districts but are open to suggestions.
A new adventure awaits!
Laura
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
So good to have the “weight” of the decision behind you.
I'm so happy for you! Now you can start to get excited! Keller is a nice place and it will be fun to look for houses there. I love to house hunt…wish I was closer! Enjoy your day my friend! Sweet hugs, Diane
Oh I do think Ft. Worth is the best choice. I am so thrilled for you that you have a new adventure starting and can't wait to hear all about it. I am a great packer, so let me help and take some of the pressure off of you.
Laura, what a relief it must be to have come to a decision! The in between places are so hard. I will keep you in prayer. God is with you on this journey of new beginnings♡…
That was a big decision to make, and sounds like you and your husband made the right one for your family. You are going to be a busy lady, but sounds like you are well organized .
I'm glad you were able to make your decision, Laura. It did seem that Texas was going to be the winner based on the information you had for the school and cost of living data. Here's hoping you have a quick sale and can be on your way!
Laura, I am so thrilled for you all! What an answer to prayer, well I mean, multiple prayers. It will be odd to know you're not just down the road from Surprise, but with the blog you'll still be just “down the road”. I think you'll love Texas and can't wait to see your new home and read about your new adventures. God is so good!
Welcome to Texas, Laura! You will absolutely love it here! You need to talk to Julie at Lilacs and Longhorns, I think she lives in Keller (or near there)? And I'm just a little east of there, in the M Streets in Dallas!! I'm so excited for your family, the entire Dallas and Fort Worth area is just a wonderful place to live. Our daughter is at UT and it's amazing 🙂 We will have to meet when you get here!! xoxo Andrea
Having lived in Yorktown and dating in Williamsburg during my teenage years I know it has changed significantly through the years. BUT having lived in Texas twice also, I think I'd have leaned towards Texas. More beneficial to retired soldiers and everything. I love Texas but Virginia has a place in my heart that will be there forever. Financially? A great choice for Texas. Good luck.
xoxo,
Connie
You will love the Fort Worth area!
I am so excited for you and family! Fun in Texas, so many things for you to do. I have never been to Texas, sounds like you will have great schools and rooms for the Grans! Di@Cottage-Wishes
Check out Southlake. Their schools are highly rated.
Oh Laura I know that you are making the right and best decision. So much lies ahead for your family! A new adventure!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
I am so pleased that your DH has a job and you are moving to a place you feel will meet all your family's needs. BUT I am even more excited that you are going to be able to have Grandma Jingles and maybe Grandma Joyce living there with you. What a wonderful way to start your new adventure off by gathering in close family members who love you so much and will be so glad to have you care for them. I teared up when I read that GJ was going to be a part of your close knit lovely family. The lovely moments you folks will share and make memories from. I bet you can hardly wait to load up the moving van and be on the road for your next new adventure! Sending best wishes and good thoughts to get you through the next few crazy busy weeks! Just keep thinking of the peace and satisfaction when you set up your new home on the other end of it all. {{{hugs}}} 🙂
Happy for you all, Laura. I'm sure just having the decision made is a weight lifted. What will Fashionista do – is she going with you? Best wishes for the adventure ahead. I hope you'll have time to keep blogging so we can mark your progress with you.
XO
Rita
Giddyup, y'all! Here come the Gunns!
Psalm 4:8
Hugs,
Kelley~
How wonderful it feels to have indecision behind you and a plan to move forward. Challenges there will be, but you've set your course and that's a huge thing. Blessings as you sell and buy and relocate.
Oh Laura! I have been away for what seems like forever, and there you are with wonderful news about a whole new adventure. As someone who has done the wait and pray and pray and wait for a job for the husband (TWICE!), I love the ending to this story that you actually got to check between two of them. I'm so proud for him, and I'm so proud OF God. He never does anything half way, does he?
I love both places, and I think your choice is excellent.
I have “seen” the aboretum through the blog eyes of Dayle at A Collection of This and That, and it looks wonderful. And how wonderful to invite grandmas to come too!
A new wonderful adventure. With Grandma Jingles along for the ride as well. Laura, I think I can detect a certain 'twang' to your voice already. We here at Boston Manor are very excited for you and at the same time understand how hard this move will be logistically. Another city, another neighborhood, another life. It's all going to be great and I for one wish you all nothing but big beautiful blue Texas skies and some nice friendly new neighbors. Ann
Congrats on the new job and an exciting move. We recently moved to SC, are living in a camper while we look for our next house. It is an adventure, so I understand the need for input when moving to a new area. Will be praying you find the perfect home at the perfect price.
Well! I have to say that I will greatly miss you being here in the Valley of the Sun! I am glad though that you have piece of mind and of course that Hubby has a job. Texas will be a better place and just a little bit prettier too. 🙂
~Liz
First of all!
Congratulations to Mr Decor!
I am soooo envious. In my heart, I think that I was really meant to live in Texas!
Chrislyn and Jason visited the Houston area three years ago, when there was some relocation speculation with his previous corporation. She came back home to tell me that they could live in twice the house, and amenities down there. He was offered a job with another company so they stayed put! I thank God every day because my “grands” are near.
I have several dear blog friends there, now soon to be another!
May God Bless Texas and you and your family as you relocate.
Will “The Fashionista” be moving as well?
Laura, you are always in my thoughts and prayers!
withLove!
Glad to hear God provided a job for your husband. I'll be praying you have supernatural strength, patience and clarity of mind over the next few weeks.
You quoted Proverbs 3:5, one of my favorite verses. My other favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11. Both of those verses apply to your life at the moment. The Lord truly does take care of us. I am glad to hear that your husband found work, even if it does mean a new life in a new location for all of you. I am truly grateful you shared this. You'll be in my prayers as you are making the transition. And Laura, if it isn't too much to ask, I am dealing with a situation in my life right now. Could you pray for me?
I would hate to have to make that decision, but you made the right one, esp. since having a larger house will allow you to have your family members with you in their last years. I hope you enjoy the “Great Central Texas Metroplex!”
Hi Laura,
I'm happy everything is coming together for you all! ♥
As for schools though, I have to differ from most; we settled in a town in Central Illinois that was struggling for a comeback after the closure of an air force base, back when Sarah was just 6 months old. The school system has struggled, but it's where we've lived for her entire life – 18 years – and she is a product of these schools. What we found is that there are students who excel no matter what the school system ranks. The reason the schools here rank as they do (low) is because of a large group of students who moved here from an urban setting have virtually no parental support. Likely those students are always going to struggle, bringing down the statistics of our school system. However, there's a whole other group who excel, and there are excellent teachers here. So, my daughter excelled throughout all of her years of school here, and the diversity that she experienced, which children from other neighboring towns do not receive in their school systems, is a plus to her character and will take her far in life. So, we ignored the school reports and it worked out just fine for us. I can understand choosing the lower cost of living however…. that's another reason we chose to live downstate Illinois where we do…. but in truth, Illinois has some of the highest taxes and we're thinking about our retirement years and possibly living somewhere else.
I think it's wonderful that you offered to house your Grandmas…. Lord bless you all in your new home.
Love, Linda
It's daunting, scary and exciting all in one! Oh my gosh starting a new life is such a wonderful experience! I personally look forward to all the “NEW DECORATING POSSIBILITIES”! So start posting those wonderful pictures and Enjoy this wild ride!
Great choice! 🙂 Honestly, I am thrilled that you are moving to Texas…and in my area too! I highly recommend the Keller area. Colleyville is very nice too, as is Southlake. I'm in Euless and across the street is Colleyville…about 1/4 mile is Bedford. This whole area is growing so much and just sorta melds together. If you have any questions, I would be more than happy to help! Let me know your preference in churches. I can highly recommend a hair stylist, restaurants, etc.
God leads, we just need to follow and yes, everything is in His timing! I love Jeremiah 29:11 too!
Welcome to the Lone Star State!!
xo
Pat
I think Dallas is the best decision for you and your family Laura! Glad God guided you tho this thru the internet!
Such exciting news! My sister is a teacher in the Irving school districts and Texas schools are definitely one of the best in the country. They pay their teachers better than a lot of other districts as well. Having said that about 7 years ago, my husband and I had a choice between a school in Ft Worth and one in Kentucky for his doctorate. We ended up choosing Ky for two reasons – he had always wanted to study with one of the professors at the KY school and it was closer to the rest of our family. We did not regret our decision and felt that God had led us to the right school. Now that he is finished we are searching for work for him and it has been hard – I keep telling myself that God has a plan and right now, being in Ky is necessary due to my mother's health. And even though I hated the Texas heat, and the distance from home, there was a certain excitement about the thought of going there (don't tell my sister). I am so happy for you and your new adventure – and who knows Sweet boy could end up with my sister as a teacher one of these days as she is considering re-locating schools in the general area, so that she doesn't have to relocate. She teaches gifted and talented Language Arts. God bless and keep us updated on all the excitement!
Laura, I'm finally having a minute to stop by to see if there is a job update — and I find you're moving to my native Texas! I'm really excited for you as this Texas girl has a strong affinity for the Lone Star state. I'm so thankful God has given you an answer, and now the “busy” can begin. I pray the move will go smoothly for your family. The fact that you're adding at least one grandma to your in-house family is a beautiful commitment, and I also pray those adjustments will go well for everyone. My parents are 40 min. south of Ft. Worth, and my sister is north of Dallas, so hopefully on one of my visits I'll be able to connect with you. 🙂
Oh Laura, I am sooo happy for you!!! This is wonderful!! I think you've made a wise choice based on the things that matter most to you and your husband. Good schools are very important. I know you will flourish wherever you are, and I think it's wonderful that your Grandma Jingles will be going with you. 🙂 I can't wait to see your “new” Texas blog. 😀
Have a great weekend, Laura!
Warm Hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
I would be doing somersaults…well, in my head….if I could move to Texas! How wonderful. Will miss you here, but I have family in Texas….soooooooooooo, anything is possible!
So glad you have clear direction and know God will use your family mightily in TX!
I'm so happy for you Laura!!! I can't believe how close you will live to my dear friend Lisa in Hurst! I'm sure you will find a beautiful home quickly ~ it was just meant to be! hugs and love, Dawn
Just catching up on my blog reading, Laura. Welcome to Texas!! I have been here since I graduated from college…never wanted to live anywhere else! We LOVE the Dallas area and have no desire to move. LOL!! I think that you and your family will love it, as well! I am so happy for you and your family!