The Burton's Move to Raleigh!
It took three weeks for the Burton's to make the move to Raleigh after talking about it for years. We never dreamed things would happened this quickly but the Lord had other plans. This move came about for many reasons, primarily because we have wanted to move south for so long. The South, in particular, Raleigh drew us in for it's uniqueness, friendliness, it's warmer and less expensive. With Tim being out of work for so long and unable to find work within an hour of our Joppa home we decided there was no harm in looking for employment in Raleigh. Not really sure how the rest would fall into place but oh well.
Before we knew it we had chosen an apartment and Tim was hired, starting work the following week. We said tearful goodbyes as he left for 3 weeks of work while I packed the house and closed down my hair studio. Things started to fall into place and even our family (who didn't want us to leave) could see that the Lord was moving us to Raleigh.
At the end of this month our 1 year lease with our landlord would be up and we would have our tax return to pay for moving expenses. Tim would get a fresh start with his drivers license, I could finally be a SAHM with our little ones, and we would get a second chance to handle our finances responsibly. There were bumps along the way of this journey, first we had a hard time finding a place for Tim to stay while working. We had $250 to our name and ended up finding a place for $249, if that's not God I don't know what is! Now what you get for so little money isn't the greatest, Tim had quite an adventure there! Then a week in VA in training, and another week at a hotel. The apartment fell through, we found a townhouse but then that fell through as well.
Tim came home for the weekend before the move so the only time he had to look at houses for us was after 12 hour days at work THE WEEK OF THE MOVE. Let me tell you, nothing says stress like packing your whole life up and not knowing where you're moving to.
At home, I did hair one last time for my awesome clients, packed all of our belongings, and shopped the internet for houses. Everything seemed to be falling through until I spoke with Gail, the sweetest southern lady. This house sounded perfect for us. Gail agreed to meet Tim late in the evening, he called me as soon as the showing was over and said, "this is our house." Tim faxed the application in the next morning and in 2 hours we got the call! 4 days before we were supposed to move we had found ourselves a beautiful home.
The adventure wasn't over, both of the kids got sick and it just wouldn't stop snowing. I almost ran out of boxes and time to pack them. Our church family came over and helped so much! They were amazing! We had some issues with Uhaul, almost lost our reservation, ended up selling the furniture we needed to get rid of before the move within 24 hours of move day. After the truck was packed Tim got sick and was down and out for the rest of the evening.
Finally it was MOVE DAY! The trip itself was fairly uneventful as far as roadtrips go. Now when we got there it was super exciting! Tim was the only person who had seen the house so Asher and I explored and oo'd and ahh'd over it all. This house is perfect, almost brand new with nothing wrong and immaculately clean. I look around and think I don't deserve a house this beautiful. It is perfect for us in every way, we just love it! Friends in Raleigh came to help us unload the Uhaul, Tim and his dad used the trailer to pick up a new bunk bed for Asher and a new kitchen table for us. It all worked out really well.
It still feels like we're on vacation or staying in someone else's home. Reality hasn't really set in. My mom flew in to visit for a few days which was priceless to me. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and cherished each moment. Mom helped me get some unpacking done, organizing and settling, she even watched the kids so we could unpack and go on a date night! What a blessing!
We checked out Vintage church on Sunday, a few trails nearby and took Asher to Faith Baptist Church for Awana's so he could pick up where he left off. Now to make some new friends!
I will update more as we settle in and the house becomes picture worthy! ;) Most rooms still have at least a few boxes.
Before we knew it we had chosen an apartment and Tim was hired, starting work the following week. We said tearful goodbyes as he left for 3 weeks of work while I packed the house and closed down my hair studio. Things started to fall into place and even our family (who didn't want us to leave) could see that the Lord was moving us to Raleigh.
At the end of this month our 1 year lease with our landlord would be up and we would have our tax return to pay for moving expenses. Tim would get a fresh start with his drivers license, I could finally be a SAHM with our little ones, and we would get a second chance to handle our finances responsibly. There were bumps along the way of this journey, first we had a hard time finding a place for Tim to stay while working. We had $250 to our name and ended up finding a place for $249, if that's not God I don't know what is! Now what you get for so little money isn't the greatest, Tim had quite an adventure there! Then a week in VA in training, and another week at a hotel. The apartment fell through, we found a townhouse but then that fell through as well.
Tim came home for the weekend before the move so the only time he had to look at houses for us was after 12 hour days at work THE WEEK OF THE MOVE. Let me tell you, nothing says stress like packing your whole life up and not knowing where you're moving to.
At home, I did hair one last time for my awesome clients, packed all of our belongings, and shopped the internet for houses. Everything seemed to be falling through until I spoke with Gail, the sweetest southern lady. This house sounded perfect for us. Gail agreed to meet Tim late in the evening, he called me as soon as the showing was over and said, "this is our house." Tim faxed the application in the next morning and in 2 hours we got the call! 4 days before we were supposed to move we had found ourselves a beautiful home.
The adventure wasn't over, both of the kids got sick and it just wouldn't stop snowing. I almost ran out of boxes and time to pack them. Our church family came over and helped so much! They were amazing! We had some issues with Uhaul, almost lost our reservation, ended up selling the furniture we needed to get rid of before the move within 24 hours of move day. After the truck was packed Tim got sick and was down and out for the rest of the evening.
Finally it was MOVE DAY! The trip itself was fairly uneventful as far as roadtrips go. Now when we got there it was super exciting! Tim was the only person who had seen the house so Asher and I explored and oo'd and ahh'd over it all. This house is perfect, almost brand new with nothing wrong and immaculately clean. I look around and think I don't deserve a house this beautiful. It is perfect for us in every way, we just love it! Friends in Raleigh came to help us unload the Uhaul, Tim and his dad used the trailer to pick up a new bunk bed for Asher and a new kitchen table for us. It all worked out really well.
It still feels like we're on vacation or staying in someone else's home. Reality hasn't really set in. My mom flew in to visit for a few days which was priceless to me. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and cherished each moment. Mom helped me get some unpacking done, organizing and settling, she even watched the kids so we could unpack and go on a date night! What a blessing!
We checked out Vintage church on Sunday, a few trails nearby and took Asher to Faith Baptist Church for Awana's so he could pick up where he left off. Now to make some new friends!
I will update more as we settle in and the house becomes picture worthy! ;) Most rooms still have at least a few boxes.
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