I think I should stop the morning coffee for a while. The problem is, it isn't until I've made and started drinking that I realize I need to give it up for a bit. It's been making me a bit jittery and I'm having legit anxiety pains in my chest!
If you are my friend on Facebook, you probably know I finally announced that we are moving. Not far, just four miles away! The process began about 3 weeks ago or so and we are closing next week. Very fast! Since it is move in condition, we don't have to do any work prior to moving. It's exciting and bittersweet!
I've lived on the same block for over 30 years. We bought this house at the beginning of 2004 and it is just 6 houses down from my mom. Since then, we added 3 kids and a dog to the family. I love seeing the kids' faces light up as they run down to Grandma's house, screaming for her. They love having Grandma pop in, often with surprises (Cheetos, cookies, treats!). Sometimes my mom helps take Sam to school if needed, sometimes I run down and get my mom's cell phone and drive it out to her at work if she forgets it and needs it. The 5 kids that live next door to my mom have grown up together with mine. It started with Alexis and their oldest two, and as time went on and babies were born, we all stayed close. We even took a trip to Traverse City last year together! That was a blast and the kids still say it was the best vacation ever, lol. Hopefully, more will come. That's the bitter part of the move. The kids LOVE running to each other's houses and hanging out all day in the summer, and the few hours of play time after school. I like being near my mom.
The sweet part: we have prayed for God's direction as far as moving for a few years now. We are a 6 person family living in 900 square feet. We've put offers on house after house and got outbid. It was discouraging and we almost gave up! Then this one came along. With some reluctance, we decided to check it out since it met many of our requirements: close to my mom, brick, 4 bedrooms, nice yard, in our price range....we got there and I just knew it was gonna be ours! Best part, MOVE IN CONDITION. Every other house we'd seen needed work and cosmetic updates. This one has even recently been painted neutral! And the whole process, from bidding to underwriting, has gone WAY smoother than ever. Even finding a renter for our current home was a piece of cake! I know God has to have his hand on this, and I feel very blessed.
So why am I anxious? Why have I been stress snacking?! Why can't I calm the heck down? I know you are expecting some profound answer to help you with your issues, but the truth is, I don't have it! I do know that I find some relief when I breathe deep and remember the verse, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6.
I think we all get a little normal anxiety when life changes. Even happy times, it's a change. It's the unfamiliar. It's the "there's no turning back now!". As I get older, I realize change is a bit harder. Maybe it's because I'm responsible for little people now. All I know is that when we move, I'm having a party!
