Friday, May 7, 2010

I should probably go buy a lottery ticket right now

(or: How I became widely disliked throughout southeast Michigan)

The best thing to come from my extended stint on bedrest was, without a doubt, two healthy baby boys.

What I didn't realize would become the second best thing? My parents are moving to Seattle.

I'm going to say it again, just because I love to. MY PARENTS ARE MOVING TO SEATTLE.

This is me giggling like a little schoolgirl: Tee hee hee. Tee hee hee.

When my Mom arrived at our house on January 10th to help during my bedrest, she planned to stay two weeks, three at the most. But when the time came, she was reluctant to leave. Partly, of course, because we were so pathetic and needy. But mostly because of this goofy guy:


As the weeks passed, my Mom realized that she couldn't answer the question, "How are you going to leave Bean after the twins come?" She knew Bean would be devastated to lose his grandma, and she would miss him like crazy. Maybe she could stay even longer...

That's when everything started to get a little crazy. My Dad talked to his recruiter in late March, who suggested he follow up on a Seattle job opening that just happened to be posted recently by an old friend/coworker of my Dad's. He interviewed and they went nuts over him (natch). Just like THAT my Dad was giving notice at his old job and coordinating details of the move. Then my Mom called a friend of hers who works in real estate back in Michigan. The realtor visited their house and declared she had the perfect buyers. And indeed, she did. Before my parents' house was even on the market, it was sold.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I was browsing craigslist (before that scary murder incident happened, shiver!) for a car seat for Bean to use in my Mom's car. On the list was a seller in our small area of town, so I contacted him. My Mom and DH went over to his house that evening to purchase it, and they happened to see a house for sale in the neighborhood. They grabbed a flyer and put it on the list of homes to be shown by my parents' realtor here in Seattle.

Yes, you know what's coming next... it was their favorite house, and they have put in an offer. Still working on negotiations, but we are all hopeful. It's exactly one mile from our place, very close to the elementary school our kids will attend.

DH and I couldn't be more thrilled to have my parents living nearby. We are so excited to have free babysitters and have already discussed at least a dozen things we want to do sans kiddos that Bean and the twins will have their grandparents as active participants in their lives.

Starting with the healthy, full-term birth of the twins, it's mind-blowing how lucky I have been in the past month. Our family and my parents' friends back in Michigan aren't thrilled that we are "stealing" them away, and I imagine there are quite a few voodoo dolls with my likeness that have pins stuck in them right now, but I maintain that my only crime was having an irresistibly cute toddler who calls for "gramma hugs" when he wakes up. I'd like to take credit for their move, but it's really not about me.

Either way, it's a done deal now -- we got 'em.

(So nanner nanner.)


Photobucket

30 comments:

Beautiful Mess said...

That is FANTASTIC news! I'm so happy for ALL of you! Congrats and welcome to the NW, grandma and grandpa!
*HUGS*

Kate said...

WOW!!! That is SO exciting! I can't believe it. Sounds like a win for everyone involved. Good luck to your parents with their move.

Coffeegrljp said...

Oh - my - gosh!!!! That is the best news I've heard in like....forever! How amazingly lucky you are to have each other. And you know it must be fate - otherwise how could the new job, and home sale, etc. all line up so perfectly! I am thrilled to hear that things are going swimmingly :)

Denise said...

Wonderful news! What an amazing series of events to all come together in just the right way. It will be so much fun for all of you having them close by!

Chad and Gena said...

How amazing...seriously can I borrow bean. We are a military family so I know what it is like to not have family anywhere close. Maybe he could teach my twins a think or two and we can get grandma and grandpa to move here :-)

MrsSpock said...

OMG, that is freakin' awesome! My mother has come over every single week since J was born, and I think her heart would break in a million pieces if she couldn't see her little bubbelah every week. Having weekly free babysitting from someone J loves truly, madly, and deeply is a wonderful thing. Lucky, lucky you!

Michele said...

AWESOME!!! I wish my mom and stepdad would move a mile away from us, LOL, instead of 800+ miles!

andrea said...

How AWESOME!!! I would be lost with out my mama close, so I am so happy yours will be too :)

Michelle said...

How AWESOME is that...although it makes me a little sad because I was hoping that one of these time you come to Michigan we could meet up...bummer. But really I am so HAPPY for you! It is so nice to have family close by (most of the time ;))Everything just fell right into place. Don't you just love it when that happens. Do you think you could send some of that mojo my way?

Erin said...

Great news!!!!! I was thinking about you the other night when V wouldn't sleep and all he wanted to do was nurse. I thought how in the world do people do this with twins...then i thought of you and the fact that you also have a toddler. OMG. I am so happy to hear your mom is moving close by. I am sure you could definitely use her help on a more permanent basis. ;)

Our Family said...

I can't even say how 1) happy I am for you and 2) how JEALOUS I am of you! How awesome to have your parents close by! Enjoy!

Nicky said...

Wow, what fantastic news! I, too, am very jealous. We've had to resign ourselves to living far away from family for the foreseeable future. Hope the move goes smoothly for your folks!

LC said...

Yaaaay!! I can't say I am shocked -- I was trying to imagine how your mom was going to peel herself away after spending so much time with you guys. My mom can barely stand to leave Elliott after a weekend visit. That is going to make things SO much easier on you, and it will be wonderful for the kids to have them so close to. Just too perfect for words. I am thrilled for you all.

Lisa said...

O.M.G. YIPPEE!!!!!! I know how much you have missed having family around, I seriously have just the biggest smile ever when reading this!! Yippee again! So excited for you and DH and your boys, what a blessing it will be for everyone! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

wonderful news. They look so happy. And you sound so happy.
Gerardine

Cindi said...

I've never posted before but for this one I had to. That's so exciting! I am so happy for you, I know how it is to not have your parents live in the same state as you. Yay, for a wonderful month you deserve it!

Hollyween said...

Okay, that's about the best news ever. I'm SOOO happy and thrilled for you so the continued support you've had from your family will keep going strong. What a huge blessing!!

Oh, and I loved your cute card the other day. I felt so special and loved that you sent one to me. Those babies are gorgeous!

Lisa said...

That is going to be so great for all of you!

Katie said...

This is so neat! I am happy for ALL of you (and a little jealous of the built-in babysitters).

Anonymous said...

AWESOME!

My mom is coming down on Sunday - my husband is having knee surgery Monday - and I want to weep with gratitude.

Anonymous said...

That's such great news! And how cool that it all just seemed to work out so easily - I take stories like that to be a sign that it was meant to be. Chris's parents moved across the country a year after Zoe was born, and it's been the biggest blessing for us.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

you have yourself hands full.
best wishes!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/05/jingles-may-follower-award-week-2.html

Happy Tuesday,
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Anonymous said...

sounds like you have a great support system! so lucky!

Aimee from TWW said...

Okay, that brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you guys!!

Unknown said...

Hi there Sunny! You don't know me but I work in the HR department where your dad used to work (trying to leave out identifying details here). After he told me about your blog I (and a few others) started following and plan to continue so that we can keep getting the wonderful updates and see how well everyone is doing. We miss your dad very much but we could not be happier for your parents and your entire family. Everything came together so beautifully! I appreciate the picture of your mom and dad together - we joked that we didn't believe she existed so I told your dad that I wanted to see a photo of them standing next to each other. We've heard so many wonderful things about her and I've even gotten a recipe or two from her. So happy for everyone!

Jen said...

I still can't believe how it all came together. Some things are just meant to be!

Kristi said...

Wonderful news. My mom lives 5 hours away from us, and stayed here for 7 weeks following the birth of the twins. She didn't want to leave either, but she's still working, and didn't have a choice.

hurray for free babysitters!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/05/jingles-may-follower-award-week-3.html

Happy Monday!
Friendship tags 4 u.
I enjoyed your company!

IF Optimist, then... said...

Oh my god Sunny!! That is such fabulous news. I grew up in a duplex behind my grandparents and we saw them every day. I can't imagine my life without them.

MrBeep's parents live 6 miles away and that is really great. They are already helping out in the NICU, holding the girls while we eat dinner and have some alone time together. It's fabulous and the kids benefit so much. I hope it all works out with the job and houses and such. Good luck!