On how this move started and God’s provision

Things have been moving so fast around here, I don’t even know who knows what about where we are in the moving process. Heck, sometimes I don’t even know what’s going on… All I know is that I have four VERY long lists out on the kitchen table that just seem to keep growing…

What I really want to begin with is just how much this moving stuff has strengthened my walk with God. It all started last summer when I got the itch to move. I was anxious and ready to go! We’d been here five years already and I wanted a change. At the urging of one of my friends (probably Jen), I began to pray both for contentment in my present situation (here in Ohio) and that God would change my heart, if it was His will that we stay awhile, or forever.

I did pray these things, and peace did come. However, I’d already been bitten by the “East Aurora bug,” and so with every visit, my desire to be there grew. I just loved it there. I love the climate, the tall trees, the green grass, the fresh air and slower-paced life, the quaint charm of older homes…and, of course, Andrew’s family. So, when we visited NY on our way up to Quebec in the fall, my interest in EA started right up again.

I started looking online for homes. (Yes, I realize, really premature.) I started talking to Andrew about the possibility of us moving there one day. He was shocked at first that I wanted to go there, and not as excited about it as I was. He felt like he’d worked so hard and gotten away from his hometown–why would he want to go back?

So, I started praying about it. Praying that God would bring us there somewhere down the line, and that if He didn’t, again, that He’d give me contentment and change my heart.

We spent our first Christmas in EA this past December and it was then that Andrew really got excited about the possibility of moving back home. It was the snow and the decorated houses and being with family… We decided maybe it could be our “five-year plan” to move there.

Little did we know that just a month later God would open a door.

Just a week or so after the New Year, Andrew got a call from his father about Moog hiring. Like, right then. As in, send your resume by the end of the month. Yikes. I remember standing in the kitchen in absolute shock. And I distinctly remember not being excited. Not that moment. I thought to myself, “OK God, I asked to go to East Aurora, but I didn’t mean NOW!”

(For those who don’t know, Moog is an engineering company based in East Aurora that is smaller than GE, but still quite large and has offices all over the globe. Andrew’s dad has worked there for the last twenty-plus years and Andrew worked there over the summers during college. Basically, I had to pray that if God didn’t want us to move, He was going to have to do something huge because there was no way Andrew wouldn’t get a job there if he wanted one.)

So, Andrew and I looked at each other, blinked a couple times, and took a few breaths. He started working on his resume immediately. He submitted it by the end of January, had phone interviews in February and an on-site interview in the beginning of March. By the middle of March he had an offer and started working just after Easter. (On a side note, Andrew came up with “The Frozen Pineapple” sometime during the very early stage of applying for the job, and I loved the name. However, because it was kinda tied to the whole “moving to NY” thing, I didn’t start the blog until we knew for sure we were going there.)

I never stopped praying during this whole time, and I have to admit, I’ve never been more at peace about something so uncertain as a move. Even now, for all the transition and unknowns out there, I’m still resting in God’s provision, because, boy, has He provided!

Everywhere I turn there is something so perfect, so divinely timed, about this move that I have to catch my breath. I can’t list them all here, but there are little and big things all over the place that have His hand all over them. Like Heather moving in and keeping me company while Andrew was gone for a month. Like when we got our house on the market (AFTER I dealt with that stupid, leaky window) and providing an awesome neighbor kid who calls ME to ask if he can mow the yard. Selling our house. The fact that Andrew’s parents live in EA, so he’s been able to stay there this whole time, not to mention we’ll have a place to store stuff and forward our mail to once we get there. I could go on and on…

And so, when I went recently for our house-hunting trip, I knew I had to trust that God would also provide both a house and a place to stay in the meantime. Because we’ve sold our house already but don’t have another one lined-up, our stuff will have to go into storage until we can close and move into another house. We’d thought about renting for a year to see what came up on the market, but I really don’t want to move twice. And I truly believe God will provide the right house for us. This summer. I didn’t want to sign a lease and then find “the one” a couple months later.

I didn’t go into the house-hunting trip with any expectations of finding a house, but rather wanted to get our temporary lodging situation worked out. Andrew’s parents have graciously offered for us to stay at their house, and for a couple weeks that would be fine. But because we don’t even have a house yet, we’re looking at two-plus months before we could move in anywhere. And what about the dog??? Who, in their right mind, will rent a furnished place to someone with a Great Dane? Even the most “pet-friendly” places still have weight limits, and they don’t typically exceed 75 pounds…

Well, God came through just like He always does. (I did have plans B and C in my back pocket, just in case.) The Staybridge Suites in West Seneca (about 15-20 minutes away from East Aurora) is welcoming us with open arms. I met with their manager Monday and walked around and toured some of their suites. Hadrian is a good 40 pounds over their weight limit, but they’re excited for him to come stay. We’ll be in a two-bedroom suite, so we get two bedrooms, two bathrooms and two closets (whoo hoo! storage!) and a kitchenette with a living room. And get this–they are putting us on the first floor at the end of the hall RIGHT NEXT TO THE DOOR TO GO OUTSIDE. How cool is that? No having to take Hadrian in an elevator every time he has to go outside! The laundry is free (awesome), they have an awesome daily breakfast and light dinner three times a week, all for free. (It’s all free for us–without saying a ton, Andrew’s relocation package is pretty awesome–just another way God is providing during the move.)

I most exciting part? I prayed for this. My specific prayer was that God would make it ABUNDANTLY clear whether we were supposed to bring Hadrian or not. We had lots of options available (leaving him at “puppy camp” long-term, with a neighbor who offered to watch him, staying with Andrew’s family…), and I was waffling back and forth about whether or not staying in a hotel would be the best thing for him. I didn’t like the idea of leaving him for months at a time, but I also didn’t like the idea of him living in a crate in a hotel, possibly barking and being a pest. Well, God made it so clear that by the time I left the Staybridge that day, I didn’t even feel like I needed to check out any other temporary living options.

So, the three of us will move into the Staybridge the night we get in, and it will be the perfect time to start running with Hadrian in the mornings, and when I go to EA to run errands or visit with Andrew’s family, Hadrian will just tag along. Between being in the hotel with me and hanging out at Andrew’s parents’ house, he’s going to have a blast.

This is already way longer than I’d anticipated… More updates coming soon: how God is/will be (I hope!) providing a job for me in NY, and, hopefully soon, a house!

a hot tub AND a fireplace

We checked into our hotel last night after having dinner with Andrew’s parents. It’s weird staying at a hotel in East Aurora. I’ve never had to before. I probably never will again. Technically, I suppose we don’t really HAVE to right now, but the company is paying for it. Sweet. And it makes this house-hunting trip a little more like a vacation than just a visit to family.

Anyway, we didn’t get a room at the swanky Roycroft Inn since they didn’t have availability for all the nights we needed, but we got something BETTER. Isn’t it neat when God does that?

There is one other hotel in East Aurora, the Hampton Inn, and we got upgraded. (I assume because there is NO ONE here. I mean, come on, it’s East Aurora. Unless it’s Roycroft Festival weekend or Moog has a giant conference, who comes here?)

Our room is awesome. Actually, it’s a suite. Our sitting room with micro-fridge, desk, couch and TV:

The goodies we bought last night at Tops, which is like a (slightly) nicer Kroger. Definitely more selection at Tops, so I’m excited about that! Must have a banana pre-run!

Luna bars for my afternoon snack. Again, Tops had way more flavors than I’d ever seen at the commissary, Trader Joe’s or Kroger.

I splurged (or, rather, our relocation people did) for Chobani. Love it. Hate paying more than a DOLLAR for a cup of yogurt.

I also brought goodies from home, like cherries, coffee creamer, hummus, snap peas and grapes.

We have a full-length mirror–must get one for the house. Had one in our apartment–I have missed it! Hi self! (Definitely had fun taking this picture.)

Our giant bathroom!

Hot tub in the bedroom. Wish I’d known–I would have brought bubble bath!

Andrew found the bed about two seconds after we got in the room. Yes, he is still in his clothes.

Our fireplace. Not really sure we’ll use it, but a nice touch.

Went for a run this morning in the village, then had Tiramisu French Toast at Taste, which was just as amazing as it sounds, and now I’m waiting to meet up with our realtor! Wish me luck on finding a house!

I’m back!

I spent the weekend in East Aurora, NY, visiting Andrew and doing A LOT of house-hunting. I rode up with Andrew’s mom and sister, Abigail, who were returning from a visit to Carmel, IN, and then flew home today. Who knew a one-way plane ticket would be cheaper than renting a car?!

Here’s a recap:

Hi Abigail!

Andrew’s mom drove most of the way. I got to sit and read and talk.

That was a good thing, since I was SO TIRED. Can’t you tell? I had stayed up until 1 a.m. the night before to listen to one of our Bible study sessions. I almost fell asleep multiple times in the car.

As usual, we had Pasquale’s pizza and wings for dinner the first night there. YUM! I was never into Buffalo wings (I’m a mild kind of girl) until I met Andrew and was introduced to these wings. They are the perfect blend of buffalo flavor, hot sauce and a crispy crust. None of that gooey, slimy, overly spicy stuff here.

This is Andrew’s FAVORITE pepperoni pizza. He loves how the little pepperoni slices curl up and form “boats” to catch the grease. Yes, you heard that right. I have to admit, I usually have at least half a slice with my wings.

Here is the view from the Layer’s kitchen:

I love it. So scenic and quiet. They’ve lived on the same street for 20-something years. The deck is off their kitchen and this is the backyard and creek. Deer are regular visitors. Our cats have taken to hanging out here as well…

We went for a run Saturday morning. It poured Friday evening and the forecast called for rain every day, so I didn’t have high hopes for good running weather. Boy, was I wrong! We were blessed with a mild and dry morning to start the run, and then got drizzled-on about halfway through.

Look mom! I’m skinny now! Thanks to Abigail for letting me borrow her clothes since what I brought would have been too warm.

Aww! He loves me 🙂 Andrew was in a very good mood despite me kicking his butt the whole way. That, and we went AFTER he got to sleep in a little.

Andrew and Odie in their natural states:

Andrew and I scheduled a same-day showing of, apparently, our dream house (LONG story, but it was as if God himself wanted us to see it and designed it just for us). I’ll disclose more later if it looks like we have a chance to own it ourselves!

We went to Taste for dinner. It’s a relatively new (five years or less?) cafe with wireless internet on Main Street. It’s close to the open-air ice skating rink (also relatively new) and draws a crowd whether the weather is warm or cold. Don’t you love the steam coming up out of the mug??

Here’s the inside. Very cozy and comfy.

Here’s the breakfast menu–does it not look amazing?! Oh, and they have s’mores on their menu! You can get an order for two or four people, and it comes with grahams, marshmallows, chocolate pieces and a little burner to toast your own! This is, obviously, a hit in the winter.

I splurged and treated myself to a coconut cream pie latte. YUM! Since I’ve been watching what I’ve been eating, I’ve really cut back on the “froufy” coffee drinks. One benefit is that I’ve really lost my taste for the sickly-sweet beverages, and prefer them just slightly sweet. Sweet enough that they aren’t just plain coffee, but not overloaded with sauce and whip and flavor. Anyway, this drink was WONDERFUL. Worth every calorie!

To balance out my calorie-laden beverage, I ordered the “Nutty Albacore Salad.” Nothing to write home about, but I felt good eating light and getting protein with a hint of sweetness from the raisins. (Not sure why the picture is so blurry…)

Andrew got a roast beef sandwich on a bagel, no cheese, mayo or horseradish. That, in my opinion, is sacrilegious.

After dinner and our visit to our dream house, we joined the family for an evening showing of ‘Thor’ at the local theater on Main Street.

Check out the trash cans! Aside from being full of, well, trash, aren’t they just darling? I love this place.

Andrew and I went to breakfast Sunday morning. We’ve been to Charlie’s before and really like sitting on the porch, but the weather wasn’t cooperating, so we settled for a table inside. It was the worst table ever. Just not a good location. Good thing the blueberry pancakes I ordered MORE than made up for it! Seriously… BEST. BLUEBERRY. PANCAKES. EVER. Again, because I’ve been watching what I’ve been eating, I haven’t exactly been ordering pancakes or french toast or anything super “carb-y” at restaurants lately. However, I was having a craving and after staring at the menu for 15 minutes (yes, it’s true–I am the most indecisive person on the face of the Earth), I finally gave in. Blew Andrew’s french toast out of the water.

Andrew’s family had tickets to see “Wicked,” which was playing downtown, so they did that while we hit up a bunch of open houses. We didn’t come away loving anything, which was a good thing. And it wasn’t because we were comparing anything to our dream house, because I honestly wasn’t. Nothing felt like “us.” Thankfully, we have plenty of time.

We heard from our realtor last night and our open house here went incredibly well. To quote her, “it was grand central station,” so that’s a good thing. She said everyone loved the place and there were lots of babies. Let’s hope that means some second showings this week!

I flew home Monday morning after seeing Andrew off to work and going on a quick run. Two one-hour flights later, I was in the car with Heather and on our way to pick Hadrian up from puppy camp.

What a weekend! Even though Andrew is already in New York, this is still my home until we sell our house. East Aurora is starting to feel like home, especially when I go on my runs around his parents’ house. There just something about the back roads, the cute homes, the trees and the fresh air. And I’ve been going on runs there for the last nine years or so.

I’m looking forward to another jam-packed week of errands, odds-and-ends, working at the library and prepping with Heather for our Saturday yard sale!