When I woke up this morning, I took advantage of the school holiday to linger in bed a little longer, bracing myself for more stormy sessions with Bella. I tiptoed downstairs to find all three kids snuggled up together on the couch under a blanket watching the Backyardiggans peacefully.
I sat down on the couch and they happily draped themselves over me. Bella gave me a big kiss on the cheek and said, "Mommy, I'm so excited about my Yorkie. Thank you so much for letting me get a dog. You made me the happiest I've ever been in my life." No more tears, no more, "I hate you." A good night's sleep and the promise of a dog enabled her to swallow the bitter pill of our move.
I then began the next part of my Go Ohio campaign, a campaign I have subtly called, "Let's Make Every Day We Have Left Here the Greatest Day Ever!" I scheduled Bella's first ever sleepover in our house with her best friend. Soon she was dancing in the kitchen, singing about how this was the best day in her life.
Now she's sleeping soundly in her pink polka-dot sheets, with her friend nestled in next to her. They colored eggs, danced to Hannah Montana, and watched a movie with popcorn, and giggled about their stuffed animals. Her laugh rang through the house, reassuring me that she would survive our move.
Meanwhile, Steve and I sat in the dining room as one team of real estate brokers and then another delivered the crushing blow that our house is now back to the same value we bought it for five years ago. One broker even tried to spin this as a positive, "Just think of it this way, your stock portfolio may have gone down by 40% or more, but your house value only went down by 20% from its high so it was really a better investment."
I didn't know if I would be able to endure another day like yesterday, so chock-full of tears and anger. But in the light of the morning sun, things seemed a little more tolerable to Jack and Bella. Hopefully a good night sleep will work its magic on me tonight, making me thankful that at least we haven't lost money on our house!
6 comments:
Oh wow. That's so harsh. But the broker was right, at least you didn't lose any money, and what you do get for your house should go a lot further in Ohio.
That said, I am so, so very sorry that you didn't get the news you were hoping for tonight.
Oh I am so sorry I am just happening upon all your big news! (Soemthing weird has gone on with Blogger and blogs I was following suddenly stopped and I now have to go re-follow.)
Think your quote of the moment sums it all up beautifully. You all will survive and thrive. Speaking from a similarly impacted economic situation, truly, not to sound flip, but the money isn't that big a deal. The numbers on your house may not be what you'd hoped, but nationwide, there's been comparable impact. You'll get a house that you'd not thought you'd get five years ago for that numeric amount.
We're young, the savings will grow. Focus on those marvelous words your daughter said, and try to stay positive! :) Rooting for and thinking of you. :)
I didn't have a chance to comment yesterday, but want to wish you tons of luck with the sale of your current house and the big move. We were on the verge of considering a big move like that a few months ago, but things changed so that we didn't have to do it. Kids are very resilient and adjust much faster than we do.
I wish you guys the best of luck when it comes to selling your house and getting another! Glad to hear that Bella is already warming up to the situation. It is great how kids can take blows like that and then deal with them so fast.....that becomes harder later in life!
I really think you guys will learn to love Ohio. It is still one of my favorite places we have lived! It must be the gypsy in me but I am always so excited to see where we will live next. I was actually bummed when my husband told me we will be here for another two years. That seems like an eternity to me!
Thank you for all the positive words. It has been so wonderful to me to get this support when I'm feeling low. And so great to see that there are people like Abby do this so often. Makes me want to feel less sorry for myself and just get on with it!
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