Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Shufflin' off to...

BUFFALO!

I have been leading you on for weeks about a big life change, but I haven't been quite ready to put it out there. I think my title kind of gives it away, but first, a little background...

Sean & I were both born & raised in Buffalo, NY and our entire family is up there. I came to MD in 1997 for college and we stayed. In 2003, we decided we would like to move back to Buffalo. We were getting married in August of 2004 and hoped to move by then. Sean's CEO agreed and the plan was for Sean to telecommute and eventually open his own branch of the company in the area. We decided to build our dream home 3 miles from my parents. We absolutely loved being back and could not have been happier - God, I loved that house. We had been in our home for just 6 months, when Sean was offered a promotion that was just too good to pass over. We put the house on the market & packed up and moved back to Maryland. The promotion wasn't what it was supposed to be and Sean was really unhappy and frustrated for awhile. He even left the company for a little while to pursue opening his own business. Ultimately, the current economy dictated that it just was not a good time for risky ventures and Sean returned to his old company in a new capacity. While he has been happier, we have never been able to shake the feeling that we should be back in Buffalo.

With all that said, we have decided that the time has come to leave Maryland and move home once more. We no longer own a home here and in some ways it is the perfect time to do it. Although taxes are high in NY, cost of living is much lower than it is here in MD. Housing is so much more affordable and being close to family is priceless. Sean's Dad's cancer diagnosis this summer really got the wheels turning for both of us. We know that when we have children, we want them to grow up close to their grandparents & extended family. We have a HUGE family waiting for us and we feel like we miss out on so much. Although we try to get home as often as possible, it is still not the same & travelling over the holidays is stressful!

We are not moving any time soon. In fact, it is more of a 1-2 year plan. We have decided on a price range for a home and are saving aggressively for a down payment. We are also putting extra money away in the event that this FET is a bust and we need to do IVF #4. We have really buckled down and are cutting back where ever and when ever we can.

Sean has communicated to his CEO that moving back to Buffalo is the plan and he is 100% supportive of that and even commented that it was a mistake for him to have ever asked us to give it up in the first place. Sean will remain with the company and work from home. I have not told the family that I tutor for yet, because it may be a non-issue. Robert graduates from high school next June and Michaella will be in 10th grade and has never needed the level of support that Robert has. Although I love my job and the kids are like family to me, it is not a reason to stay here. In this age of technology, there is nothing to say that I could not work with Michaella via chat if I had to; I certainly know the curriculum well by this point. I think the family will be supportive.

We have not told our families yet and probably won't for a little while. We would like to be able to tell them in person and also have a clearer time line in place. We still need to figure out which towns and neighborhoods are most appealing to us. Our families have been through so much with us, we want to tell them in person and be able to have concrete details to share.

So, that my friends, is my big news! It is a little scary to being doing this all over again, but I know in my heart it is the right thing for us and our families. I am glad it is not happening immediately though. I want the time to save and plan and figure things out. It will be here soon enough! Thank you for all your support and positive thoughts over the past few weeks! As always, it means a great deal to me!

In IF news, my endo biopsy results are in and they are normal! Pretty much what I expected, although it is always nice to have answers. Now we are back at square one. They did recheck my prolactin and now it is a little low -only 2- it should be over 3. It went from too high to too low. Dr. P had me stop the meds and will recheck it in 3 weeks. I hate taking meds that I don't have too, so that is fine with me. Today is cycle day 1, but we decided not to do my FET. I am going to take this month off, keeping losing weight and give my body a break from the meds. I should start my FET right around St. Patrick's Day - may the luck o' the Irish be with us!

24 comments:

bb said...

Hey Emily, wow, finally the big news!! That sounds like a wonderful decision and you sound so very happy. I am so glad! I hope to find your peace and happiness very soon myself.

Just Another Mother said...

A big move! It sounds like a good idea to be closer to family. That's great that Sean can still keep his job with no problems. How exciting!

I'm glad your biopsy was normal.

Leslie Laine said...

Great news, Emily! Sounds like you all are moving in a good direction, and you feel really good about it. Keep us posted - I love hearing good news! :)

Leslie Laine said...

Also, so glad to hear that your news was good with your biopsy!!

Lisa said...

Wow, I know how much you love Buffalo and I am so happy for you!

We still have to meet in AC, but, then, someday, we'll take our kids, together, to the Anchor Bar or Duff's!

Confessions of a Wandering Soul said...

Nothing beats the feeling of having your loved ones around you.We left New Zealand for the very same reason. To raise our family with all our loved ones around. Your transition is meant to be. Things will look forward Im sure :).All the best and thank you for being such a huge inspiration :)

Lost in Space said...

That is some great news, Emily!! It always feels so good to have a great plan in place - especially one that you are looking forward to.

Keep the good news coming and let us know how things progress!!

Anonymous said...

Wow... that is a big step. Congrats! Home is definitely where family is. Totally agree! I am glad your biopsy results were normal...whew.

Unknown said...

That's great news! We too just recently moved to be closer to family - and it's the best decision that we could have made, it's great!

Hugs!

Jill said...

Glad you're discussing the big reveal! I think you're making a great decision!

And, glad to hear about the biopsy. So glad everything looked good. You deserve all of the luck and more of the Irish this year. I feel we were all slighted by it last year. :-)

Meinsideout said...

Very cool news! Glad to hear the biopsy was normal. Also - just so you know, in 2009 the tax credits for first time home buyers (if you have not owned a home in the last three years) is 8k and I do not think you have to pay it back - do not quote me, but you should check it out! Also, since interest rates are so low, we financed 95% of our new house so a large down payment was not necessary or even a good idea for us.

momsoon said...

Hey Emily-good news about your endo biopsy and moving!!!

G&I have decided to put our house on the market in the spring and move back to Toronto and the plan has given us something other than cylcing to focus on!!!Getting our house ready to sell; looking on the internet and looking for houses in person is a great diversion and has given us some much needed excitement.

Looking forward to rooting you along next month, keep us posted!

MissMVK said...

Congrats on your impending move. Being near family is priceless indeed. And I am sending you many good thoughts for your FET in March!!!

M. said...

Buffalo!! YAY! Buffalo can always use two more cool people :)

It sounds like you're listening to your body about the FET -- and St. Patrick's Day is a pretty awesome time to try to make a baby!

bunny said...

How exciting! And it sounds like the perfect change. It will be nice to have this plan to distract you through the next few months! Hooray!

Petrucia said...

this move sounds great! it's wonderful how things like that give us so much fear together with the excitement. We also miss dearly being closer to family...
also, congratulations on your weight loss! you go Emily!!!

Angie said...

Yay, a plan!! All of us IF'ers need them! :o) Moving home sounds wonderful and you sound so excited! We live away from our families, too, so I can relate to missing out on family activities ~ that has been the hardest part....

Glad to hear your biopsy was normal and you get to stop meds!

sweetpeanme said...

Yay for taking a break! And for the big move!!! Sounds like a lot of doors are opening wide for you to move back to Buffalo. Moving close to family is always a great idea...I'll be praying that you are able to save the money quickly...and that the luck of the irish will be with you too!! :o)

poppy.f.seed said...

wow, that is big news! Your reasoning makes so much sense. I hope we meet before you leave Maryland. :)
Great news on endo.bi. results!

Kristen said...

How exciting!!! I think it is a great plan to be near family, especially as you'll be expanding yours VERY soon!

I can't wait for your FET to get underway! :-)

Bee said...

What a great thing to look forward to!

Straubles said...

Yay! It's nice to have something like that to look forward too. Hubby and I are hoping to move closer to the family in the next 2-3 years. Unfortunately, we're stuck until the real estate market gets some traction again! :-) Lucky four leaf clovers are definitely being sent your way for your March FET!!!!

momsoon said...

Tag- your it!
(I have taggd you for 10 'scraps of honesty-see my blog!)
Hope all is well with you today!

Anonymous said...

omg. i saw your comment on clio's site. *I* have a huge crush on LL. I have since like 1985! Most people end up looking at me like I'm nuts :) ha ha.