Over the last 5 years or so, we have been browsing the housing market trying to find something that would allow for us to share a space with my parents. After many, many open houses and home tours and the support of an amazing friend and realtor (Terri Kaminski), we finally found a house that checked the boxes. In a huge leap of faith, my parents sold their home and moved forward with the sale. There were quite a few renovations that had to happen in order for my parents to have their own private space within the house but the rest was a perfect shared space for our families and also finished basement for us to use for our family. They now have a beautiful, quiet, “wing” of the house that is ADA compliant.

I have to admit, we all had our worries about how this would work out because anytime you blend two families under the same roof there can be tension. We are open with communication and have a solid relationship, so that’s helpful and we have made it work well! I’m happy I can make healthy meals and sit down for family dinner each night. Discussions get a bit overwhelming for my folks – welcome to my world and life with 3 teen boys. I’m truly taking in each morning coffee with my mom, especially on then weekends where we can just relax and chat. I could use a bit less Jeopardy and oldies music tv in my life, but there is plenty of room to go find something else to do. We introduced them to Ted Lasso and now Welcome to Wrexham and my mom is loving them both and my dad tolerates it. Seeing the kids interact with Nana and Papa and just having this time has truly been the best and I think it is such a gift. I remember our trips to visit grandparents in Tacoma about once a month, this will be an experience and connection our kids will never forget. I wish we could have done it earlier.

It’s not all perfection, don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of work also. Dee has been a rockstar and thankfully loves working out in the yard (there’s a LOT of it!). She also painted the entire exterior of the house this summer. For me, there is self-inflicted pressure to always have a plan for meals to be on time and be sure my folks everything they need. On top for working long hours and managing 4 kiddos, it’s just more. No complaints and wouldn’t change a thing, just more.

So that’s where we are at! New home, new housemates and a full heart.

I found a car! After searching and searching and basically having every time I drove around town be “research” for what cars would be options for me and daily internet searches, I found one that works. It’s funny because it’s not at all my dream car but it checks all the boxes. A local woman was selling and it was super affordable, low miles, small and spunky and will hold my paddle boards. You ready for the reveal? It’s a Kia Soul.

Now, apparently, everyone feels some sort of way about the Soul. I did also and would never have thought it would be what I’m driving now but after so many years of minivan life I’m kinda of digging this one. Two of my kids are embarrassed, 1 likes it and Erin thinks it’s the best car we have ever had. I actually don’t have strong feelings about what I drive (clearly after so many minivan years) but I think it’s funny that people feel so strongly about this car. So keep yours eyes peeled for me in my boxy little rig.

I’m looking forward to making it fun and mine!

The past few months have been filled with emails, phone calls, school visits and many talks about college. The choices are many but when you add in the sports aspect, it becomes an entirely new process. Not only does the student have to want the school, meet their requirements and be accepted but they also have to have the coach want them. Then comes the question of whether they can afford it. As a parent, I will never say I wished I had taken my degree and gone and made a ton of money doing something different than what I did. I love my job and it’s allowed me to be at home with the kids but it also didn’t allow for us to save for their college education. Let me tell you, it really hurts to not be able to provide that. A LOT. It feels like our actions and choices are limiting their possibilities. Where we live, so many kids don’t have to think twice about where they want to go to school, they apply to 10 places and their folks sign the check.

Here we are and as exciting as it is to see the interest and possibilities and seeing doors and pathways open up, it’s also really hard for this mama to be seeing the days I have w my kids at this daily life with them getting fewer and fewer. I will 100% support wherever life takes them, whether it’s across the country or an hour away, but I’d love for the perfect fit place to be closer. We shall see. Thankful for technology where I can live stream games that are far from home.

I’m not sure about everyone else but for me there seems to be such urgency about everything college related and it’s stressing me out. The FAFSA forms opened up on Oct 1 and here we are Oct 3 working on it and it feels like we are so far behind already. Carlos has applied (and been accepted!) to a couple of school already but now we wait to see what aid he gets and if it’s even in the cards. Even more stressful! I’m usually not one to be running this revved up. I’m all trying to have Carlos in the driver’s seat (as much as possible) as this is ultimately his decision and be there to support and guide and I think that adds more stress to me as well. It’s a huge decision and one he has to make but I also don’t want to see him 4 year down the line with $80k in debt. Finding the balance is so hard.

Off to help with the FAFSA forms here…wish me luck and any tips on making this process easier!