This is getting real

The company my husband is going to work for is packing us up, so here we are 5 days from our move date, and we haven’t packed anything yet.  It really hasn’t seemed real, until today.  Yesterday was my husband’s last day in the office.  This morning, they movers came to pick up his car.  This is really happening.

People always say, you find out who your true friends really were when you move, and I’ve found that to be the case throughout my life.  With the exception of family (of course) and the casual Facebook “friends,” I haven’t kept in touch with very many people from Michigan, where I grew up and spent 18 years of my life.  And, after spending 9 years in Miami, I only have 1 person I keep in touch with from there, except for those Facebook “friends.”  Now, I’ve been in Central Florida for 10 years, 4 years in Lakeland and the last 6 years here in Orlando.

Everyone has very busy lives, but for those that you care about, you make time.  It doesn’t have to be hours on the phone every week, or even tons of letters.  It’s more of a meaningful connection, like what my friend from Miami and I have.  We don’t have to talk every day, or even every week.  But, we know that when either of us needs someone for anything, the other person will be there.  We keep in touch and keep up with each other’s lives.  We are there for the important events. We know, and we understand that life in two different cities and two different places in our lives make it difficult.  But, it doesn’t matter.  We are friends.

Will anyone from here continue to be a friend once we’re not here?  Or, will we all change to casual Facebook friends?

Craziness of Moving

I can’t believe that in 2 weeks we will be on the road headed to our new home.  I never envisioned myself a Texan, but in 2 weeks, that is just what I will be.  Wow! I’m excited! I’m nervous!  I’m freaking out!

There is so much to do  to get ready.  We’re trying to sell things that we don’t want or need before we move, which is a pain.  We’re trying to organize.  Plus, I’m trying to keep life as normal as possible so that the kids don’t freak out too much.

Sadly, I think I’m failing, because Maxwell is clinging to me, so I think he knows something is up.

What’s worse is that we are just now signing a lease for a place to live today.  It was difficult finding something that we both liked and that was in our price range and that we could agree to the lease terms.  At least that stress is now behind us and we have a place secured.

Now, with less than 2 weeks left in Orlando, we are so busy!  We don’t have a free night for the next 2 weeks!  It’s just crazy!  How am I supposed to get anything done? How am I supposed to get any relaxing in?  Can I cry now?

Plus, we’re moving right before the holidays. I’m worried about my hubby.  He’s never been away from here before, and for us to do this  move right before the biggest family time of the year, I’m nervous.  I hope he’ll be ok away from everyone.  I hope I can make Thanksgiving and Christmas nice enough for him.

Wish me luck! I’m going to need it!

We’re moving on!

Yee-haw! The Breidings are moving to Texas!

Jeremy has accepted a very good offer with Rackspace and we’re moving to San Antonio, TX in 1 month!  It’s exciting!  It’s scary!  There is so much to do and so little time to do it in!  And, I feel like nothing is in my control right now!

So, I’m cooking a lot!  And, I’m going to Disney a lot!

More details to come as I find out more.  If anyone has any tips on places to live, pediatricians, preschools, etc., in San Antonio, send them my way, please!

I’m waiting on a decision for our future

So, when last we spoke, we had just gone out to Washington for an interview.  Now, here we are 3 weeks later, and Jeremy is in Texas for another interview.  What will our future hold?  Where will we be next year at this time?  Who knows.

Jeremy really had his heart set on Washington, but so far, they have not made him an offer, so it is not looking too good. While waiting for that to come through, he has continued to pursue other options, including one at his current company, and one in San Antonio, TX.  This is ironic because about a week before we went to Washington, I bought Jade 3 pairs of shoes, a pair of rain boots, a pair of flip flops, and a pair of cowgirl boots.

So, here we are with three jobs on  the table (or around the table, since we have no offers yet): One in Washington (rain boots), one in Orlando (flip flops),and one in Texas (cowgirl boots).

For my husband’s ego’s sake, I’m hoping that by the end of this week we have a decision to make.  I’m hoping that he will have at least 2 (hopefully 3) offers on the table to decide from.  Will we take flip flops and stay where we are at?  Will we take cowgirl boots and move to Texas?  Will we take rain boots and move to Washington?

I know that if all three were on the table, my husband would prefer Washington for MANY reasons.  Sadly, I think that one is the least likely of the three to be on the table.  If he had to choose between Orlando and Texas, I’m not sure what he would prefer, though.

But, this isn’t a blog about what my husband wants and thinks, is it?  It’s about me and my thoughts.  What are my thoughts?

Well, politically and educationally, Washington would be the better place for us.  Weather and health-wise, Orlando is the better place for me, although I think Jade and Jeremy would do better in Washington due to their seasonal allergies.  The idea of going somewhere where it is cold, again, does not sound fun to me, but I like the idea of going some place new and starting OUR life together.

Here in Orlando, we live in the house my husband bought with his ex-wife.  We are surrounded by his family and friends. He has lived his entire life here.  I was just fit in and made to adapt, which I do very well.  The plus-side to Orlando is that we have family, if we need them, and Jade can see her great-grandparents all the time (which is really cool).  Also, we have Disney, and I can load the kids up and go there whenever I want, which I’ve done twice this month already.

But, in Texas or Washington, we would be starting new as our own family.  I would get a say in where we live.  We would be doing everything new and together, not based around his old life.

It’s exciting and scary.  I’m hoping we have something more to talk about next week, with actual offers on the table. Send him good vibes and wish us luck!

Are we ready for a plot twist?

Last weekend, my family had an adventure that was really nice, but filled with a bit of a scary thought.  My husband interviewed with a very big company out in Washington, and the family went with him to check out the area.  Are the Breidings ready for a change, a reboot, as my husband keeps saying?

Seattle was an interesting place.  There seemed to be a lot to do out there.  But, it is gray.  We were there for 3 days, and we only saw the sun for a total of about 15 minutes.  Can I live in a place that is gray all the time?  Can I survive without the sun?  Can I survive without warmth?

Luckily, my two kids are hot boxes.  They both radiate heat. As long as they like to give me hugs, they can keep me warm.  But, when they grow up and get to the “I hate you, Mom” stage, I’m going to be cold and gray. I hope they don’t get to that stage any time soon, and I hope they don’t stay in it long.

I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m scared. I am doing my best to only think rationally about this.  I’m doing my best to stay strong and think positive.  I will not bring this family down. I will not hold our family back.

Can anyone really like me?

I’ve spent much of my life wanting a friend, someone who likes me, and wants to spend time with me for no reason other than to spend time with me. But, people have never liked me enough to get close.

I’ve had a lot of male friends through my life.  Of course, most of them ended up not really being friends.  They all wanted something more, well all except for one, who unfortunately lives in a different state.

Of course, there is my husband.  He is my best friend.  He loves me for me.  He wants to spend time with me before anyone else.  But, everyone needs someone to complain about their husband to, right?

Women, on the other hand, never even pretend to like me.  Sure, they’ll be slightly friendly to my face, but then most will talk about me behind my back.  Some will even pretend to like me when I’m around them, but would never even think about calling me to hang out.  I just want to be called every now and then.

Then, I moved to Central Florida.  I met a wonderful group of ladies when I worked at Publix.  They invited me to parties and asked me to hang out every now and then.  None of them ever called me to talk, or wanted to hang out, just to hang out.  But, it was closer to having a friend than I had ever had.

Then, I became a Mom and I found MOMS Club.  I met a bunch of wonderful ladies.  Then, they started moving away, one by one.  I was about to give up on the idea of having a friend, when a new group of moms joined the club.

I think I have friends now. There is a group of ladies who invite me to things, to hang out now and then.  Some will call to do something for no reason other than to hang out with me and my family.  Their kids like my kids.  My kids like their kids.

I know I’m not their first choice.  I know sometimes they call each other to do things and don’t include me. But, they do call me sometimes, and that is more than I ever had before.  Sure, it makes me sad that none of them would consider me a best friend, but I have more than I ever had before, so I will not dwell on it and take what I can get.

Ugh, the pain and emotions!

I didn’t expect this day to come for a few more months, but here it is.

When I had Jade, she was 11 months when it came back.  It was right before Christmas, and I was visiting my family up in Michigan. I had to get a pad from my mom before I headed to the airport.  It was so painful, and the emotions were so great.  I had to fight the tears for an entire week, because I always wanted to be strong for my daughter.  I still want to be strong for my daughter.

So, here I am again. Maxwell is 7 months.  It’s too early!

The first period after you have a baby or a miscarriage is the most painful period you will have in your life.  Even if you are used to very painful periods, this one is the worst.  I normally have one day of cramps that are so bad that it makes me throw up, and then it isn’t so bad after that.  I have headaches for the entire week.  It’s a miserable full 7 days, usually.  But the first one,it is worse.  The pain is so bad, for the full 7 days.  The headaches are unbearable.   The flow is so heavy.  This is the 4th and last time I will have to go through this.

No one talks about this.  This is not one of the things that people talk about. Why do women only share the positives that surround having a child?  Why don’t they talk about the challenges?  Why don’t they warn you about what you are going to have to go through?

Is it because their afraid that no one will have children if they know all of the truths?  Why can’t women look out for other women and warn them of what is to come?  I’m sure most would still have children, because the joy of having a child outweighs all pains and challenges.  I would go through, and have gone through so much, so that I could have my two dear lovely, wonderful children.  I just wish this one pain didn’t have to come so soon.