We have been in North Carolina for 10 days. The movers came and went, everything is unpacked and slowly finding a place in our new house. My husband is back in the swing of work and is coming home late every day.
It's been an exhausting week but we are happy. Tired, but happy. Still, there were definitely bumps along the way.
This was my first move with two kiddos and it has definitely been challenging. I knew I would have a lot of work to do but I underestimated how much extra work my boys would create.
The baby is walking now which means he is running and getting into everything. My two-year-old says he loves his new house but he is out of his routine and acting out because of it. When he notices that we are busy he becomes a little Dennis the Menace to seek any sort of attention.
I buzzed around the house to get everything done. I thought, the quicker we were settled, the better we would all be. But between the kids’ acting out and my husband’s absence from home as he spent long days at work, I burned out quickly and spent a few nights sobbing.
I have realized that being settled doesn't happen overnight. Just because you unpack your whole household in a day doesn't mean the move is over. It takes time to get into a new routine and make a home. My family comes first and I cannot do it all in a week. Our house is livable and pictures can be put up later. The closets can be sorted when the boys are in bed. The boxes of keepsakes and memories can wait for me in the garage. As much as my kids crave routine, so do I.
Now, we are exploring playgrounds and things to do in our new little town. For the first time in a year we even have our own yard to play in. I played outside with my kids and found myself laughing for the first time in days. Being together and making new memories makes a home. Slowly but surely we will be "moved in" and settled. But for now, my family needs me and most importantly, I need them.