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!
