In-Law Living Week 1

Over the past eight years, we have typically visited Ohio one to two times over the summer, usually at least for a week per visit. Hence, the first week living in the in-laws basement, on the farm, didn't seem different, except for one thing-we were living in Ohio! Obviously, moving to another state brings many changes and stresses. However, let me just share some of the ridiculous issues we faced that first week:

#1)Why is it so hard to get a new license in a new state? We had some experience with this in the past when we married and had to change our licenses in North Carolina, so we thought we had everything covered. We checked on-line for everything we needed and showed up. Of course, one facility didn't have all the technology for switching a license from another state, so we had to drive thirty minutes to a facility that could. Seriously, welcome to the 21st century. Well, once there we had to go next door to another building to do our vision testing and then go back to the other building to turn in all the paperwork and get the licenses. One problem, apparently Faith needed her marriage certificate because all our other documents "didn't" have her married name on them (a little sarcastic). Well, it took all day, but we made it.

#2)I thought getting a new license was ridiculous, but in Ohio changing your license plates might trump that. So we went to one building to get the car visually inspected, mileage written down, etc. We then went next door to get the title changed. Once the title was changed, we drove to a facility to have our "E-Check" down to verify the car was environmentally acceptable. Once the cars passed, we then took them back to building number two to finalize the title process and get the new license places. Can we not do this all in one stop?

#3)Here's one main difference between public and private institutions: When we accepted the part-time job, we knew either I would need to find some other source of income, or Faith would do something part-time. Well, once we arrived in Ohio, she had multiple people come to here, offering part-time jobs. One of the opportunities was for her to teach part-time at the Christian school where we were planning to send Isaiah for kindergarten, especially since he likely would receive a full-scholarship. Based on the atmosphere and timing of the job offer, Faith took it, as she used to be a teacher and it would be at the same time during which Isaiah would be at school, and Alexis would be at pre-school at the same place. Now, I know we all of our own opinions about public vs. private education, but from the managing standpoint, any time the government is not involved, things run much more smoothly. Even though it was much sooner than she preferred, Faith began work three days after we moved, with the principal having full confidence that her license would transfer. I, on the other hand, have yet to start work in the school. Once we moved, I went to turn in all my paperwork in order to be ready to start the first day of school, and I was told I needed my Ohio teaching license...remember, I'm "tutoring" part-time. Hence, after five hours of going back and forth with the "state" people on the phone, I submitted everything to have my license transferred from North Carolina. Keep in mind, I have taught for ten years, have my master's degree, and have already passed the finger-printing test. More will be explained in a later post, but here I am, two weeks later, still waiting to start. Score one for efficiency of private education.

Despite some of the challenges we faced the first week, we made it, and while my job is on hold, there's definitely "someone" watching over us when we look at how Faith "found" a job, how we have a place to live, and how Faith's mom retired earlier than expected last year, providing her the ability to help with the children as we both must work. More about week two will come in the next post, but a look to the future shows me, the one who did not grow up here, working for Faith's grandmother:) Farm Fact #1It typically takes 150,000-180,000 soy bean seeds to plant per acre and 30,000-40,000 corn seeds per acre as corn needs much more room to grow. Fact #2)There is one piece of silk at the end of the corn cob for every kernel of corn Fact #3)On the corn cob all rows of corn are an even number (ummmm...maybe things in life don't happen by chance)

Moving Day!

In order to understand the purpose of this blog, please read the background page so you know how all this began. Moving day began way too early, but let's back up a few days. We returned from Ohio, where I accepted my part-time job tutor job with no benefits (I just want to add that extra point), and had one week until we were moving out of our house. Keep in mind I have a Master's Degree and have taught ten years (that is not in here for bragging purposes but for humility purposes...read on). We wanted to have a few days in Ohio before I began work, and we needed to get our house cleared as soon as we could to get it put on the market. The week was filled with packing and good-byes, and many tears by my wife. However, our friends are awesome, as people brought us food, helped pack, and helped watch the kids, so when the time came to pick up the moving truck Friday, we were ready to rock and roll. After dealing with some issues at the rental company, I drove the truck home (what a manly feeling!) and a friend and I started loading the truck. Most of the moving took place Saturday morning, and by lunch most of the work was done. With the help of my trusty neighbor, the final things were loaded in the afternoon. We reserved Sunday for final good-byes.

Now, back to moving day, Monday. As I stated it was too early, but we knew the truck would add a couple of hours to the trip, and we wanted to do some unloading once we arrived in Ohio. Well, by 4:30 a.m., my sidekick, my soon-to-be 6 year-old son, Isaiah, and I took off in our "Man truck!" Faith and the kids followed a couple of hours later, and amazingly we arrived at the farm together. Seriously, I was a pro with that truck! Well, I backed that thing into the farm driveway, and I wasn't even able to go to the bathroom before we had that thing unloaded! Do you think Faith's family was excited to have us here? Unbelievable! I thought we were just starting and doing most of the unpacking Tuesday. Unfortunately, that was the beginning of my complete loss of control and pride!

Accept for getting no rest for the weary, moving day went smoothly. I definitely had the easier job with my co-pilot, as Faith had the two younger girls. Wow, the girl drama starts early! And then we were relegated to the basement!

Farm Fact Not all of the corn you see in the fields is "sweet corn," which is the corn we eat. Most cornfields you see produce corn for feeding animals, making products, and making alternative fuel.