I've been sitting on some information for a couple weeks now as we try and sort through details and specifics, but now everything is happening so quickly that it's time to write about it. Earlier this month, Aaron was offered the Director of Athletics position at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. As in west coast Washington. The state that borders Canada. About as far across the country as one can get. Close enough to Alaska that Aaron could visit there on his lunch break, as my mother has so kindly pointed out. (note the pained sarcasm there)
Why is this such big news? A couple reasons.
1. First off, this is one of Aaron's dreams. His dream job of becoming a Director of Athletics is finally coming true. I am so proud of my husband, I can't even put it into words. Aaron is a hard worker and has made this move from the ground up. It wasn't handed to him. He has proved himself over and over and now it's his turn to be that guy. What's also pretty incredible about it is that Aaron is just 33. This is a big deal for someone his age in this type of work. For those of you not very familiar with the collegiate athletics world, a Director of Athletics oversees the ENTIRE athletic program and Whitworth's has 20 sports. He reports directly to the President of the University.
2. In the process of Aaron realizing one of his dreams, I get to see one of my own come to fruition. Effective next month, I will get to be a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) with my 2 girls. I don't think it's really hit me yet. I've never not worked. I started working at the age of 13 and have done so ever since. When we had Avery, I had a job where I could work from home for part of the week so I was able to ease back into my job after my maternity leave. I felt it was a good balance for her and me. My job was extremely flexible in that if she were sick or had a doctor's appointment, I simply worked from home that day or worked on my laptop at night after she went to bed. Not so with Emmersen. I am employed at a different company now and though given an extremely generous maternity leave of 12 weeks paid, when it was time to return to work, that was it. No work from home option. That, coupled with Emmersen's severe reflux and GI-testing, etc, I felt completely torn. Before getting Em correctly diagnosed with her testings and medications accurately in place, we had so many sleepless nights or extremely rough mornings. Emmersen was sick, never felt 100%, and I felt rotten each morning dragging both girls out of the house by 7:20am. I felt as if she needed me and I couldn't give her anymore. It was a nagging that I can't explain. Something deep inside that told me each day that I needed to be at home with the girls. And now, here we are.
3. Did I mention this is in Spokane, Washington? Just slightly farther than the 2.5 hour drive from my family that I'm used to. Try 30 hours. Not just a quick, jump in the car-type of weekend trip. It's a big deal. I've never lived far from home. I believe Jonesboro, AR was the farthest at roughly 4 hours. Aaron is used to living a bit of a distance from his hometown of Dallas. Me, not really. Going home is now going to require planning and thought well ahead of schedule. Watching for airfare specials, price drops, and booking it with "miles" if at all possible. It's hard to swallow if I think about it too much. This, by far, was the biggest sticking point for us on this decision- the distance. We've prayed over this again and again. Our prayer has been for God to put us where He wants us and make it obvious. Through several turn of events, He has done just that, and we know that Spokane is our next home, where He wants us.
So that's my news. And that's only the beginning of this huge transition. Aaron starts his new position on Friday, July 8th. If you're trying to do the math in your head, that's 2 weeks from today. One week after that I will stop working to become a SAHM. And hopefully not long after that our house will sell so that the girls and I can join Aaron in Spokane. I'm pretty anxious to see this new town I will call home. If you're one of those that thinks I'm crazy for agreeing to move across the country before ever having stepped foot in the state itself, you can stop. I've heard that from many by now. But I'm not crazy. My husband and my kids will be there. Wherever they are, I can surely call it home.
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