We're Moving!

The White Family is moving to Reno, Nevada!

Ben has been interviewing for a new job since April because he is unsatisfied with his current job situation. He was offered several jobs including one in Tennessee and one in Reno. After a lot of prayer and discussion, we decided the job in Reno looked like the best opportunity for our family.

Please allow me one minute to say that I am so proud of Ben. The Reno Hospital staff interviewed many doctors and the recruiter and the hospital Vice President told us that Ben was “their number one choice.” In addition, the CEO of the hospital in Tennessee wanted Ben to join their staff so badly that after Ben declined the job, the CEO called and emailed Ben asking him to reconsider. This process re-opened my eyes to what a wonderful, smart, compassionate person Ben is.

(Wow, that was sort of like reading a Christmas letter from the “perfect family” who live in their dream home and have amazing vacations with their fabulous children who are all on the honor roll and excel in sports.)

Ben and I visited Reno in April even though we knew of Reno’s reputation for prostitution and gambling – before visiting Reno I actually told several people that even though Ben was interviewing, I was “99% sure” we weren’t going to be moving there. (I was…do I have to say it?….I was…wrong.) As we flew into the city we were both shocked at how beautiful the landscape was. Reno is a city that is a little smaller than Toledo and it sort of sits at the bottom of a “bowl” that is surrounded by mountains. It is at one-mile elevation so the year-round temperature is very similar to Ohio, with all the seasons just minus the humidity (yahoo!). The people were so friendly everywhere we went and we immediately felt like we “fit in.” After Ben’s day of interviews, we spent the next day with a realtor looking at houses. We were quite disappointed with how expensive houses are and how SMALL the yards are, but we were amazed at how family-friendly the town is. As the realtor was finishing the tour, I began crying – I knew this was a town in which our family could live and that Ben and I were beginning to fall in love with Reno.

After some negotiations, on Tuesday Ben finally accepted the job offer in Reno. We are looking at moving near the end of summer or early fall and are going to take another trip out there in July to look at houses (particularly looking for houses that are earthquake proof!).

Yes, I will have to be on anti-depressants for several months before and after the move. I cry every time I talk about it, but I know it's in Ben's best interest (which is ultimately in the family's best interest). I will severely miss my family, friends, church, house (yard!) and neighborhood. On the flip-side, we will be 4 hours from San Francisco and just 30-45 minutes from Lake Tahoe! I guess Ben and the boys will have to learn how to ski.

And the best part about living in Reno -- if Ben's job doesn't work out, I can always work at the Bunny Ranch.

The Best Job in the World

Have I ever mentioned that I love this stage in my life? Too often I hear mothers complaining about being home with their children and that they can't wait to "get away." And so many times people say to me, "Being a mother is the hardest job in the world." Well, let me say that I LOVE my job. Don't get me wrong, I definitely have moments where I need some Calgon to "take me away," and, our baby-sitter's number is on speed dial, but I do cherish the time I have with three young boys.

It's so fun to see Joel experiencing a whole new world outside of our four walls. He comes home from school with stories of things that happened that day, nuggets of knowledge he's gained, and/or friends he's made. So many times he surprises me by knowing something that I didn't know he knew yet (i.e. I had no idea he was getting good at telling time). However recently my heart broke when he casually mentioned that another student had made a derogatory comment to him one day; I think it bothered me and hurt my heart more than it bothered him. Joel has also become more knowledgeable and aware of being a Christian. After church one day he told me they spent most of their time in Children's Church worshipping Jesus. He has also occasionally volunteered to pray at the dinner table. I love to watch Joel grow because he's our oldest child; I enjoy experiencing the world over again through the eyes of a first-grader.

Then there's Evan -- he just loves every minute of every day. Evan puts his heart and soul into playing, especially when he's being a four-year-old super-hero or a Power Ranger. He's so good at pretending that he's beginning to "rub off" on Drew and now Drew is getting better at make believe. Evan and Drew play so well together! It amazes me every day how little they even need me for entertainment -- that is until it's time to clean up the mess they've made. Evan has also been extremely polite and well-mannered recently. I'm not sure what's gotten into him, but he says "yes ma'am" and "thanks Mom for ____" twenty times a day! He thanks me for everything! Evan is also very style conscious. Every morning he comes into my bedroom and asks, "Can I wear cool clothes today?" "Cool" to Evan means picking out his own outfit and the shirt must have something on it -- a football shirt with lightening bolts on it is his current favorite, especially because it makes him go fast. I dread the thought of Evan going off to school in a year because quite frankly, he is my entertainment every day.

At this point in Drew's two-and-a-half year-old life, he's all about Mommy. When he's hurt -- it's Mommy he chooses (even over Daddy) to soothe him. And when he's somewhere new or he's unsure in a situation, it's Mommy he clings to. I love this so much because the other two boys would choose Daddy ANY day over me, but Drew is a mamma's boy -- at least for now. (There is one exception to the rule -- if Daddy's calling the boys to wrestle, Drew is all about DAD!) Drew also loves to help me cook. No matter what I'm making, he wants to be seated on the counter watching and helping. However, Drew is the most ornery of the three boys -- many times he laughs while being disciplined because Evan laughs when Drew gets in trouble and if Evan thinks it's funny, then Drew thinks it's funny. And one thing that is hysterically funny to both a 2 year-old and a four year-old -- poop and butts. My friend Shelley, mother of an 18 year-old boy, tells me boys think that's funny even when they're 18. I guess I'd better get used to it!

I just wish my boys would stop growing right now; they seem to be at the perfect age for my maximum enjoyment. There have been times through the last 7 years that I wanted them to grow out of certain stages, but right now I am in heaven! I just love where they are now. I was telling my sister, Mindy, recently how much I have been enjoying the boys and, wondering where my optimism was coming from, she questioned my caffeine consumption for the day. I laughed but also wondered if it was true -- did I have an extra cup of coffee that day that made me feel euphoric? But now I know for sure that I really do love this stage of my life -- because it's 11:30 p.m. and I haven't had any coffee since this morning, yet I'm still blogging about how much I thoroughly enjoy my boys.

So, if I knew there was a job opening that was posted as "the hardest job in the world," I'd be the person filling out the first application because this is the BEST job in the world. I love being a mom!