Thursday, November 18, 2010

Minnesota?

I don't know very much about Minnesota, but I know it is far away from Washington. Right now, Jesse is debating whether or not to continue trying to get a job at CHS corporate headquarters there. They want to continue interviewing him and we have to decided if we would relocate for this job. He currently works as an accountant for the local CHS and this job would be a big promotion, not only in pay but also in job stature. So that's the good.  The bad, I am a huge family girl. I currently live within 30 min of my parents, 10 min of my youngest sister, and next door to another sister. My family helps and supports us so much, especially with Peyton. Then there is the matter of Peyton's doctors, therapists, and school. We are just getting him into a routine and really like the people we are working with. If we moved, we would have to find all new people. Of course, there are also lots of other little things that make me not want to move, but those are the biggest. Like, I said, I don't know a lot about Minnesota. Is anyone from that area? Do you like it? Are there good races? Specifically, we would be moving to the Minneapolis area. I do, however, refuse to be a Vikings fan. I can't dump the Colts like that. I could get behind the Twins, though. We do know that Jesse can't stay at his current job and have us survive. Student loans have to be paid back starting very soon and Peyton's bills were never something we expected. So, there it is. Ok, virtual strangers friends, what do you think? What would you do? We need some guidance or at least some outside, and objective, opinions! Thanks!

24 comments:

Diana Tries-A-Tri! said...

As long as you don't become a Vikings fan ...

Tough decisions but I'm sure it will all get figured out. I know it's not the same, but Skype is pretty amazing for keeping in touch!

Plus, you know that your little virtual stalkers will keep up with you no matter where you are!

Kayla said...

MN is great (besides the winter haha)! I am currently going to school in Chicagoland but I will always be a MN girl at heart. I grew up there. I lived in the Minneapolis area for a little while and absolutely loved it!I don't know much about the races there from personal experience since I am such a new runner, but from what I've heard there are good ones. I understand how hard it would be to move away from family though :( Its definitely a difficult decision!

P.S. GO TWINS :)

Anonymous said...

We can give all the advice in the world, but this kind of thing is a very personal decision. My only input is that a good support system is hard to find, but if you have to make ends meet, you do have the strength to establish a new one wherever you go.

Anonymous said...

Good luck on your decision! We are in a similar boat and may end up going from Washington to Virginia. :o) I'll keep your family in my prayers that you will come to the decision that is best for you!

Julie D. said...

Hard. My first thought was 'stay'. With Peyton's needs and family close by...moving so far would be a really difficult thing to do. However, if no other job could be found locally with more pay, and it is a financial survival thing, Minnesota might be a necessity? Like Lesley said, a very personal decision. Our very close friends live in Minneapolis and love it. They are big runners and triathletes, actually 'ironmen'. The weather would take some serious getting used to...but you could adapt no matter what. Will be praying for you!

Melia Hunt said...

Pray, pray, pray, and pray some more. Trust in the Lord and you'll know the right decision. Your family will always be there to support you and love you no matter how far away you move. (and with me and Spencer moving back, I might be able to save up some money to come see you!!) Plus Mall of America right?! Great for you ;) But utlimitately it comes down to you and Jesse and nobody else. Love you guys!

Average Woman Runner said...

You have tough decision ahead but if you decide to move remember that you can always come back. Nothing is forever or unchangable.
As for MN, I haven't been to Minneapolis but have always wanted to go because the few people I've met from there are so very great. I spent 6 weeks working in northern MN once and loved every bit. It's BEAUTIFUL and the people are REAL. Very outdoorsy and down to earth. In fact, from my short 6 week stay there back in 2004, I STILL keep in touch with people I met! Of all the places to possibly move to, it really seems like a good option in terms of environment, people, etc but can't speak to medical resources of course. Tough winters but lots of opportunities to be outdoors. Time to get credit cards that earn frequent flyer points so family can come visit!!

LaVonne said...

What city in MN? I've been to Minneapolis many times and love it. Similar to Seattle. Well, the vibe that is, not the winters! Good luck - keep us posted!

Stacie said...

First, I want to say DON'T GO!!!! I have been so lucky and blessed to have you as my friend and a huge supporter of my running. It has been awesome to share all of this (running, blogging, tri-ing) with you. Just know that I will support you in whatever way I can regardless of what you guys choose. It is an extremely hard decision. Most of the tough points have been brought out already. I say stay of course due to family, P, etc. but unfortunately the financial part is important too. I'll just be praying that another option will be found soon and you guys can stay. We love you guys.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I didnt live in Minnesota, but I did move from Arizona to Ohio, 4 years ago. Away from my "normal, safe haven" to a place that I never been before and do not have any family there. You will go through phases, at first, its new, its exciting, its adventerous, new places to see, to places to shop, finding new resturants that your current place does have, learning the states culture. It is fun. I am not going to lie, you will go through a home sickness phase, and it sorta never goes away, its gets easier, but it is always there. Especially the first major holiday that you are use to being around family, but miss because you can make it down back. Keep your head up, its a new and exciting challenge, its easier to embrace then fight it.

Alesha said...

I agree with Melia that you need to pray pray pray and trust in the Lord. I will also pray that something closer becomes available. But if you do move to Minnesota I will save up money and come out and visit you:) Maybe you can try to find work in Utah:)

imemary said...

Minnesota is where Lake Wobegon is (or would be, if it were a real place), so it can't be too terrible. Also, I think they call casseroles "hot dish." Pretty much that's the extent of my knowledge. Moving sounds scary, but it could be a really good thing for you guys.

Leah F said...

I've never been, but one of my best friends lives in Minneapolis and absolutely loves it. I'm not a parent (yet) so I can't say this with any experience or authority but I think your boys are young enough to adjust easily to the move. Your family is the tough part though. Now that I'm back in Michigan (after 9 yrs in Chicago) and close to my parents and sister, I have no desire to leave again, especially knowing that kids are on the horizon somewhere. It's a hard choice.

Willow River Piecemakers said...

Hey there - well, since I am from the Twin Cities, I am a little biased! Married a WI boy, so live across the river in Somerset WI. Anyway - it is a wonderful place to live -but I moved to Chicago way back when and I was always coming home. That 1.5 years was the longest of my life. We really have wonderful resources for kids here too - talk that over with your resources you use now, they will get your referred to the right places. We're really nice here! We'd help you get settled!

Unknown said...

I wish I could help, but I've never moved more than 40 minutes from my family. We've debated it time and time again, but I've never been able to pull the trigger. Sounds like the job would be great which would probably help with your future (financially), but moving so far from what you know could be scary. I wish I could give you some good insight... instead, how about a huge ((HUG))? :)

misszippy said...

Wow--big decisions! I can say one thing--we don't live near any family and we've made it work. But we live in a neighborhood full of transplants and we are definitely a village that helps each other. As to Minnesota itself--have you ever read Julie's running blog? She would be a great resource for you. Email me if you don't have her link.

Good luck!

Zaneta @ Runner's Luck said...

wow! What a big decision! I have personally never been to minnesota... and i dont like the twins ;) lol...
I will be praying that God guides you in the direction He wants you to go! :D
**HUGS**

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

This is a tough decision. With many variales to consider. I moved from Nebraska to WA and miss my family very much. The twin cities would be awesome, but winter would take some acclimatization after being on the west side.

It could be a chance for you and Coach to further strengthen your relationship as you will rely on one another heavily.

But, there will most definitely be some challenges!!!

Rae said...

I don't know if I could move away from my family. We are all so close and I think I'd go crazy. Good luck making a decision!

Leslie said...

I lived in MN for 7 years, away from family, with my loving husband who is a devoted Vikings/Gophers/Twins/Timberwolves fan. We are now in TX, close to my family. But I will say, I desperately miss the running up there. Especially in Minneapolis. You can't do better than running around the lakes in just southwest of downtown - Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun. TC Marathon is great, Grandma's marathon is great, www.raceberryjam.com has good listing of local races. Best of luck!

Pearl said...

I'm in Iowa about an hour from the Minnesota border. Once I married, we moved around the Midwest, a lot. (Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nebraska) Moving away from family and a support system is hard, but looking back at it all 20 years later..I wouldn't change it for the world. Moving made me a stronger person. Taught me who I am and what I'm made of. I'm a twin and moving away from her for the first time was the hardest thing out of all of it. But, in the end...our families came and visited every place we lived, we went 'back home' for the Christmas holiday every year and the Midwest is just an awesome place to be. The winters can be brutal, but even that just adds to the things that make it great.
Wish you all the best making your decision with this!

Anonymous said...

A gas conflict has not ended, and you are all on their third

Anonymous said...

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immom said...

Everyone I know who has moved to MN has not regretted it in the least. My hubbie is from Washington State and much prefers MN due to the weather . . . not snow so much as due to the 200+ days of sun per year. Great schools, real people, beauty abounds, races galore, great health care, great arts, quality of air/life, and with global warming winters are not as harsh as from my girlhood days. Not a place to walk away from without investigating . . . way more cosmopolitan than one would think.