This summer, Steve will be working one block from here:
as an intern for a federal district court judge in Washington DC.
as an intern for a federal district court judge in Washington DC.
We are very excited about this opportunity for him and our entire family!
There are many things that make it seem a little crazy and unconventional: the internship is not paid; we'll have a mortgage in Sacramento and rent in DC to pay at the same time; traveling and getting around with three very energetic little boys will be quite a challenge; we have no idea who is going to rent a furnished apartment to a family with small children; and the list goes on and on. But, in spite of all of that, we both feel an incredible peace about this opportunity. And sometimes, the things that seem a little crazy are exactly the things that we are supposed to do!
So, Steve will head-out sometime around the first week of June. The boys and I will fly out a bit later (after The GreenHouse's "Kids at Heart" fundraiser and once the Summer Day Camp staff is settled). Altogether, Steve will be there for 10 weeks and the boys and I will be with him for around 8 weeks.
Some of the things I'm looking forward to the most about our summer adventure in DC:
There are many things that make it seem a little crazy and unconventional: the internship is not paid; we'll have a mortgage in Sacramento and rent in DC to pay at the same time; traveling and getting around with three very energetic little boys will be quite a challenge; we have no idea who is going to rent a furnished apartment to a family with small children; and the list goes on and on. But, in spite of all of that, we both feel an incredible peace about this opportunity. And sometimes, the things that seem a little crazy are exactly the things that we are supposed to do!
So, Steve will head-out sometime around the first week of June. The boys and I will fly out a bit later (after The GreenHouse's "Kids at Heart" fundraiser and once the Summer Day Camp staff is settled). Altogether, Steve will be there for 10 weeks and the boys and I will be with him for around 8 weeks.
Some of the things I'm looking forward to the most about our summer adventure in DC:
1. Having the opportunity to spend extended, uninterrupted time with my sons (without dashing off to a meeting or work or Bible Study or whatever else fills my time) is a precious gift that I will treasure. And the fact that this is the summer before Jonah starts kindergarten and the twins start preschool makes it even more special for me. I'm thankful for the opportunity to pour extra love into them before sending them off to the next stage of their lives.
2. I can't wait for all of the learning opportunities that will be available in DC! Everything from the Smithsonian to the Holocaust Memorial Museum to all the monuments...what a fantastic place for us to learn about history and government. Not to mention all of the non-profit orgs doing fantastic work in DC that I will hopefully have the chance to visit and glean wisdom from.
3. I'm looking forward to living a more simple life for two months: fewer toys, fewer clothes, less clutter. Just the stuff we need. No car. Getting around on the metro.
4. Removing myself from the day-to-day functions of The GreenHouse will allow me to step back and do some "big-picture" visioning and planning. I'm planning to spend a little bit of time working on a project that I normally can't get to because of daily distractions. Not sure what that will be just yet, but I'm excited for the possibilities.
5. Celebrating the Fourth of July in Washington DC will be amazing. Anyone want to visit?
And of course, while there are many things to be excited about, there are also things that I will fret over in the coming months. The following are some of those concerns (and the ways that you can help us out if you'd like):
1. Housing - Do you know anyone that might want to rent our house in Sacramento for 2 months (mid June to mid Aug)? Or, do you know of anyone in DC that might have a place for us to rent this summer? Even better, do you know of anyone in DC that would want to "house swap" with us? Ask everyone you know! And let us know if you find any leads.
2. Short-term Help - Since Steve has to fly out before me, there will be a week or more where I am home alone with the kids. Unfortunately, that will coincide with THE busiest time of the entire year at The GreenHouse. It's the time of year when we wrap up our school-year programs with an end-of-the year celebration/volunteer appreciation...and then a few days later hold our annual fundraiser dinner/auction...and then we turn around and kick-off our summer programs with new staff and volunteers and youth. Yikes...those weeks are a whirlwind and exhausting just by themselves! Add to the mix: packing for 8 weeks, potentially getting my house ready for renters (i.e: deep cleaning and packing stuff into boxes), caring for 3 kids by myself, getting all of us to the airport on time, etc, etc, etc. It's a little bit dizzying to think about. So, I'm calling on my peeps - to help me out! If you'd like to entertain my children for a hour or two during that time period so I can pack or clean or take a deep breath, please let me know.
2. I can't wait for all of the learning opportunities that will be available in DC! Everything from the Smithsonian to the Holocaust Memorial Museum to all the monuments...what a fantastic place for us to learn about history and government. Not to mention all of the non-profit orgs doing fantastic work in DC that I will hopefully have the chance to visit and glean wisdom from.
3. I'm looking forward to living a more simple life for two months: fewer toys, fewer clothes, less clutter. Just the stuff we need. No car. Getting around on the metro.
4. Removing myself from the day-to-day functions of The GreenHouse will allow me to step back and do some "big-picture" visioning and planning. I'm planning to spend a little bit of time working on a project that I normally can't get to because of daily distractions. Not sure what that will be just yet, but I'm excited for the possibilities.
5. Celebrating the Fourth of July in Washington DC will be amazing. Anyone want to visit?
And of course, while there are many things to be excited about, there are also things that I will fret over in the coming months. The following are some of those concerns (and the ways that you can help us out if you'd like):
1. Housing - Do you know anyone that might want to rent our house in Sacramento for 2 months (mid June to mid Aug)? Or, do you know of anyone in DC that might have a place for us to rent this summer? Even better, do you know of anyone in DC that would want to "house swap" with us? Ask everyone you know! And let us know if you find any leads.
2. Short-term Help - Since Steve has to fly out before me, there will be a week or more where I am home alone with the kids. Unfortunately, that will coincide with THE busiest time of the entire year at The GreenHouse. It's the time of year when we wrap up our school-year programs with an end-of-the year celebration/volunteer appreciation...and then a few days later hold our annual fundraiser dinner/auction...and then we turn around and kick-off our summer programs with new staff and volunteers and youth. Yikes...those weeks are a whirlwind and exhausting just by themselves! Add to the mix: packing for 8 weeks, potentially getting my house ready for renters (i.e: deep cleaning and packing stuff into boxes), caring for 3 kids by myself, getting all of us to the airport on time, etc, etc, etc. It's a little bit dizzying to think about. So, I'm calling on my peeps - to help me out! If you'd like to entertain my children for a hour or two during that time period so I can pack or clean or take a deep breath, please let me know.
6 comments:
How exciting, I am so excited for you, I totally want to go to DC someday, so many meuseums and history there. You guys will have so much fun. I am willing to help you in whatever way you need Kacie!!
This is exciting news, Kacie! I'm very happy for your family and for the opportunities you're going to have. Wow! Wish I was nearer to help you prepare--but I can pray!
Love,
Linda
This is exciting news, Kacie! I'm very happy for your family and for the opportunities you're going to have. Wow! Wish I was nearer to help you prepare--but I can pray!
Love,
Linda
kacie. no need to worry about prepping. we got your back sister! you know jonah can come over anytime and be perfectly happy for hours! i have a big bin full of cars and trucks so nicolas will be fine as well and riley...well...i have lots of playdoh and a little girl named abby that he loves :) i'm marking my calendar and penciling you in :)
i'm so excited for your family!!! you're going to have a great time with lots of fun memories to cherish forever!
i will miss you friend. 8 weeks is a long time :(
Hmmm...I recall that you haven't taken advantage of your birthday gift yet. Maybe your time away would be an opportune time to do that?
bring it on. i'd happily adventure with 4 boys to the park or the zoo or the choo choo museum or something else fun. schedule me in for multiple slots. or i can get childcare for my kid to help clean or whatever while you are cleaning/packing/etc!
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