Look out Alberta ... we're coming!

We're moving. Not just down the road or across town. We're moving far enough that we had not shared the news in case Lyle's boss found out. We couldn't breathe a word of it to anyone that might be associated with that place because there are "spies" so to speak. That place has found out things they should never have known and they'll use whatever they can to make things difficult. Lyle finished his last day on Friday, giving only a few days notice so not to deal with the wrath for too long. And wrath he did feel for the few days that remained. We do remember that it was a blessing Lyle had the job and it helped pay the bills, but we're also so fortunate that now Lyle is going to a terrific job with a future!

I, on the other hand, gave my heads up notice at the beginning of September, followed by an official 2 months notice at the beginning of October. Yes ... I like my boss and wanted to be nice. So I do see the end of the forever long days of work. I'm hopefully going to hold back from doing that again in my next career.

Lyle actually left yesterday for Calgary. He starts his new job on Monday. He'll be staying with family in Calgary, working hard, learning lots, arranging for a storage unit for all our stuff, checking out some houses etc.... then he'll come home on the 29th of November to help me finish up packing and load the big moving truck on December 1. Then we drive out. Two weeks without Lyle will be weird. I'm going to be a single mom, working, packing, and hopefully selling a house ... thanks to everyone who has so far offered to help me pack as I'm not in the best shape. I can fill the boxes, just can't move them.

So ... the questions:
When did we start thinking of moving to the Calgary area? We've thought about it many times over the years we've been married, and the plans to move this year have been set in motion since August.

Where exactly are we moving? Airdrie, Alberta. We were initially going to Calgary, but with Lyle's terrific job offer, we're going 10 minutes north of Calgary to Airdrie.

Why are we moving? Because God has directed us to do that.

How do we know it's God? Because every time we've tried to not make the move happen, He's shut the no door and opened another yes door. So many things have come together. Moving trucks volunteered, people being supportive that we thought would not be. Mikiyas' pure excitement and joy to move to Calgary when we thought he'd be horribly upset. Constant confirmations that this is what's meant for us. And more recently, Lyle obtaining an amazing job that has left us feeling so at peace. A job that has a future and a career path. We've been blessed. And, we've been offered, without even asking, a place to live free of charge until we have a house to move into. That's a real blessing since we have to keep making mortgage payments on our old place until it sells.

Do I have a job? Not yet, but I'm not too worried. I'm hoping to return to the work force in January. I'm actually hoping to do satellite legal assistant work from home. Last week my current employer and I began discussing the possibility of me continuing to work for him this way. I want to take December off work to try to get some rest as the last few months I've constantly been getting sick and have been quite run down. I need to give my shoulder a rest from life and really focus on getting it better too. I also want to spend some time with Mikiyas and find him the new preschool.

Have we sold our town house [now that it's finally done]? No, so please join forces in prayer that the right buyer comes along! That's a big need now.

Does Mikiyas really understand what's happening? Yes, we think he does. He's participating in packing [haha] and knows he won't see certain people for a long long time. He knows we won't have this house anymore, but has put in an order for an orange, red, blue and green room; a really, really big yard [we don't have one now] and he wants a dog. The other night he told me he wants a dog named Sophie just like Grandpa Tractor.

Will Mikiyas adjust? Yes, we think so. We're uprooting in one sense, but he'll adjust. When he came to Canada, he didn't even know us and he's pulled it off. This time, we're staying consistent with us still being here. And we also took him to Calgary and Airdrie in August to show him around and have him meet our friends and family there. He's very much excited. He's also excited about a new day care and new pre-school and new friends.

What does this mean for the adoption? Well ... we have to update all our paperwork. But that can't happen until we have our house lined up. So we really need to sell this house so we can buy a new house and get the paperwork rolling. The move won't actually delay us in our referral wait, unless a referral comes and the updated paperwork isn't complete. But time estimates show that we have lots of room on the calendar to move and get settled before the referral comes. Referrals are very slow right now so we should be okay, but selling this place is a necessity. With the slow market right now, we really need God to sell the house. All prayers will be very appreciated.

So Calgary and area readers ... we're coming your way. Look out!