So What's New?

These past few weeks have been quite interesting around the Schmidt house.  Just when you think you have life all figured out, God throws you a curve ball.  Lucky for us, this curve ball was left belt high and looks to be a good pitch to swing for the fences. 

Earlier this month, Alicia's firm aquired a firm out in Seattle, WA.  Now I don't want to bore you with all the details but yada, yada, yada...they have a need for an employee benefit expert (Alicia)...boring, boring, boring...huge opportunity to become a partner and run the west coast practice...blah, blah, blah...the Schmidt's are most likely relocating to Seattle. 

When Alicia was first asked about whether or not she would be interested, we talked about it and decided to pass.  Minnesota is home; our families are here, our friends are here, and we've never experienced anything else!  As we spent more time thinking about it, we started to realize how big of an opportunity this would be for Alicia.  For all intents and purposes, this is her dream job.  She would be in a situation that she would never be able to obtain here in Minneapolis.  As we thought more about a possible move, we realized that now would be the best time for us to relocate if we were ever to do so; the girls aren't in school yet and my employer has agreed to allow me to move to Seattle as well. 

This past weekend Larson Allen flew Alicia and I out to Seattle to check out the area.  We stayed in Bellevue and looked at neighborhoods throughout the Seattle area.  While we were blown away by the cost of houses (a comparable house to our current home would cost at least 500-600K) we were able to find some affordable houses in a nearby suburb. 

Obviously one of my major concerns was what the hell am I going to do with the girls out there!  I rely so heavily on my family to help out when the kids or I have a doctor appointment, a dentist appointment, or when daddy needs a mental health day.  No doubt this will be an adjustment for me, but we stopped at a vistor information booth near the city we like and they gave me dozens of activities I can do with the girls.  Within 20 miles of our new house, we have hundreds of hiking trails, childrens museums, libraries, parks, beaches, and zoos.  It seems so far away, but Anya is going to be in Kindergarden in a year!  In three years I could have all three girls off to school.  My job description will quickly be morphing from diaper changing caretaker, to taxi-driving soccer dad (I will be keeping my title of trophy husband, however). I'm up for the challenges of what's to come.

We understand this move won't be easy, we are both very close to our families and friends.  There's no doubt there will be some tears shed, but we'll only be a phone call away.  We plan to learn how to Skype (I know, were a few years behind the times.  At least I have a Facebook account...), and extend an open invitation to anyone who wishes to visit.  The decision isn't finallized, but we're more than likely to go.  I will continue to keep you abreast (huh, huh, huh, breast...) of our situation.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare to make our final decision.

Tip of the Day - Avoid eating Chipotle before flying three hours in a plane.  It gets uncomfortable for everyone.