Home is Where Your Heart is...

...and for me that will always be with Tim and the peanuts, no matter the city, state or country.

So when Tim - yes, Tim - brought up relocating, I knew it was an idea, a challenge, we could face and use to make our family even stronger.

Tim grew up surrounded by his family - aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. He has such incredible memories of those times. I grew up pretty far away from my grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts. We both envisioned a future for Gabe and Lily that would include extended family, we just didn't know what God had in store for us.

Tim heard about several job openings in Lancaster and made the choice to pursue them. At a time when so many music teachers are losing their positions (please don't get me started on what No Child Left Behind has done to arts education in this state), we had concerns about him being the 'new guy' in the music department.

God is so amazing - Tim was offered two positions, one of which included a transference of tenure, a raise and a superintendent who is a former music teacher with no intention of allowing music to be cut from the district.

So effective July 1, Tim is trading in his Cougar title to be a Warrior.

We are selling our house and moving west to Lancaster County.

Our move will bring the munchkins much closer to their Campbell g-rents, and an hour and a half closer to their Thompson family. We will be able to provide a larger home with a back yard for summer bb-qs and t-ball and space to run and jump and play. We will have the opportunity to witness to a new group of people, while also finding a new faith community to grow and build relationship in. We will still be about an hour from Philadelphia, and look forward to continuing our friendships and commitments in the city of brotherly love.

Tim will still be gigging in Philadelphia regularly, as well as in the Lancaster/Harrisburg/Reading area.

Gabe and Lily have no idea what is happening - though we told Gabe that daddy would be teaching at a new school. He now sends Tim off to work each day with , 'have fun at your new school today daddy. Be kind to your friends.'

As our new reality sets in, we are met with some sadness. Leaving the community we've been a part of for 10 years is emotional. This is the house we brought our infants to as we left the hospital. It is where Gabe and Lily each took their first steps, had their first meals, reached so many milestones. It is where we told Gabe he would be a big brother. It is the first house we've lived in as husband and wife. It is the place where we've shared so much laughter and so many tears. We've created so many memories here, ones we will cherish.

We are eager to make new memories, and fill a new house with our 'home.' We are so blessed to be able to make this change, and to do so with the support of our friends and families is incredible.

Now I have to pack! And sell this house! And find a new house! And a pre-school for Gabe! And a new pediatrician! And a grocery store! And buy some new furniture! Ok, forget all that tonight - Tim's at a gig, the kids are asleep, I'm gonna grab a bowl of ice cream and watch some girlie TV!!