another year in Philly

(David here.)

Well, after months of wondering what we were going to do and feeling like we were on a see-saw trying to decide between a quick move to North Carolina or stay another year in Philadelphia, we decided a couple of weeks ago to stay here in the city of brotherly corruptio - - - love. While we feel a sense of relief, I still have questions about whether it's the right thing or not. Ultimately, we plan to be in North Carolina so we can live near some family—hopefully by this time next year.  But with the uncertainly of where we'd be in North Carolina, the quick set of decisions that would have to be made regarding finding a house there, getting an office going, selling my practice in New York, selling our house, and trying to make arrangements for the practice here in Philly, AND taking into account the changes that would be required for updates to our immigration paperwork and background checks, etc . . . it seemed like the best choice to stay here.

So for the time being, we're getting ready to move (again) to a much bigger house. We will have 2 empty rooms and extra bathroom if anyone wants to visit before the kids arrive!

A page from the lease we signed the other day for a bigger house. Yikes!!

We can feel the gears starting to turn faster and that snow-ball feeling of fear and unpreparedness that is really churning along. In between looking up remedies for stress-induced heart-burn, we've looked up home school, regular school, soccer leagues, ESL classes, Peruvian cultural opportunities, and about a 100 other things.  I'm sure it will all work out, but we will readily admit at this point—we have no idea what we are doing. 

I'd be lying if I said it never crossed my mind to bail out.  I won't  . . . but it's crossed my mind. One of the benefits of not having had children yet is that we've had a pretty charmed life. Travel, friends, restaurants, more travel, some traveling, family events, food, hobbies, friends, traveling, eating, relaxing, staying up late, getting up late, and a little work and some weekend trips mixed in there. It all added up to the best 8 years that anybody could ask for. I'll be a little sad to see it go. We hope, pray and trust that what we are doing is the right thing and that ultimately our lives, time and energy are used by God to make a difference in this world. We love this verse that's posted on the sidebar of our blog: "Be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God." Matthew 5:16 

Hopefully we feel the same way after this next crazy year in Philly!