I can finally share our big news: we’re moving! Far, far away, to Silicon Valley in California. Very clever readers already figured this news out, from this post or from seeing this same photo on Instagram. The kids and I will probably move out before Mike, depending on when our house here sells, and when we find a place to live there. I would like to make it out in time for the kids to start school with everyone else, but we’ll see if that happens.
I have started packing, if only because we have to box a bunch of stuff up to get the house in show-ready condition. I’m crafting in between packing, because that is how I cope with stress.
California is where Mike and I met, and it will be fun to introduce our kids to that part of the world. I love the diversity and passion that you find in Silicon Valley, and the weather. I will miss the stunning fall leaves and the snow. I am sad about leaving our yard and beloved Japanese Maple tree behind. Massachusetts has been my home for longer than anywhere else, and I am struggling over pulling up the roots I have put down here – and even more over pulling out my kids’ roots. It was nice to have a proper home, for a few years.
We’re moving for Mike’s job, and it’s an opportunity well worth taking. I know my kids will fall in love with California, and am looking forward to no more winter fights over how to dress warmly! Mike is moving back to his home state, and I know we will have lots of adventures there.
We have the summer ahead of us, and I plan to make the most of our remaining months in Massachusetts. What do we need to do and see before we leave?
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Congrats on your move, I hope you can share more how you felt during and after the moving, because I’m going through moving right now and it’s such a mix from emotions… may be it’s because it’s my first move :/
Moving is definitely emotional! I think it takes at least one year to adjust to a new place – and two years is not unusual.
Oh, I am so excited. Is there anything I can do to help? Where do you plan to look for the place? I am hoping we can meet up in person once you are here :)
I will email you! We will probably be living not too far from you, and I would love to get together!
I can’t believe I’m just now seeing this?! Oh my goshhh, you’re going back back to Cali! I’m so so happy for you and your family, it sounds like an amazing opportunity and the right one to make! I visit Cali often, but SoCal, as my mom lives there and it’s where I grew up. I totally get about pulling up roots. Boston is the longest place we have lived in also (5 years) and I know it’s not permanent..hey we could be following in your footsteps one day! ;)
That would be awesome if you were in CA as well!
Congrats! It is official and public! Best of luck with everything.
I was worried that would happen. I am sad to see you go!!!! It was great to get to know you and we will miss you guys. I know it was hard to find the time to get all the kids together, but we’ll feel your distance….
I’ll miss you, too! We are here until August, at least, probably a little longer. Maybe we can get together this summer.
Wow, that is such a big deal! For some reason I got a little sad like you are moving away so I won’t see you. Internet friendships have me all confused! Good luck with all the work. Sounds exciting!!!
Congrats on the big move! I hope the transition goes as smoothly as is possible. (These things are always terrible and wonderful together.) The good news is that kids LOVE opening boxes. Helpful? Maybe half of the time. Okay, maybe only a quarter….
Thanks! It will be a big adventure!
I have a friend who had to choose between a post at Harvard and one at Caltech Pasadena. The weather won. :) Well, along with more telescope time (he’s an astrophysicist).
Something another expat shared with me when we were both in Egypt has stuck with me: you enter a new place as you left the old one. You and your family are open, engaged, involved, and enjoying where you are; and so it will be in your new home as well.
I love the idea of entering a new place as you left the old one. Makes sense, and has me feeling optimistic about this move. Thank you!
Congratulations on the move! I am looking forward to hearing about your adventures in California but I hear you about pulling up roots and missing the fall. I miss the change of seasons (and the fall leaves) in Pennsylvania. I hope it works out that you can be there before the school year starts.
Thanks! Good luck with your move, too! Can’t wait to hear where you will be moving to!
Wow! How exciting and nerve wracking for you all! Moving, especially across the country, is such an adventure. Exploring new places and meeting new people is so enriching, but packing and unpacking is the worst!
My first thought when I saw the title was your Japanese maple so you’ll have to very well document her for all of us on instagram too before you go! Ha! I never miss the snow, although the kids enjoyed seeing it for the first time this spring, but I do miss a real fall…although somehow sunshine does have a way of making up for it a little bit!
Best wishes to all! Can’t wait to see what’s next for you all! :)
Sunshine makes up for a lot! I’m hoping that packing and unpacking will help with my home organization quest. If I can be patient about finding proper places for everything once we arrive!!!
Congratulations! Have a smooth move!
Thank you!
Wow! That’s a big move! It’s also another adventure, isn’t it? Praying for your packing/moving. Packing stresses me out, too, so I understand the crafting in between. :)
Thank you, Jen!
Congrats but I will personally be sad that you are now so far away! I really enjoyed our coffees together!
I will, too! We’ll have to get together at least one more time before I leave.
Congrats!! I’m so excited for your family! I hope we can hang out when you guys get situated. Good luck with everything leading up to the move.
Thanks! We definitely need to hang out once we’re settled in!
Isn’t it amazing that with your job you can work anywhere. Even though I know a move is very hard at least you can take your job with you
I love that about blogging! Plus, I have some bloggy friends who love in the area we are moving to!
Congratulations and good luck with the big move! (Though I’m a little sad…even though we’ve never met, I liked thinking of you as somewhat ‘local.’ Ha!)
Thanks! I am a bit sad to leave New England – I’ve really enjoyed living here!
Darn, my lengthy comment was deleted or something. Anyway, what I said was I grew up in San Jose! I lived there almost 30 years so I am so excited to see my old stomping grounds all over your blog. Not the dance clubs of course :) but all the museums and parks and such.
I will say this about the Bay Area, you CANNOT beat the weather, you will love it. It is perfect year round. So curious to see exactly what city you move to. Keep us posted.
Good luck with the move!!!!!!!
I’ll have to get your suggestions of places to see once we are there!
You’re moving to MY stomping grounds!!!!!! I lived in San Jose for almost 30 years so I am so excited to hear what part of the bay area you’re moving to and can’t wait to see all the museums and such on your blog that have been part of my life as well.
There are positives and negatives to all places but I will say this, you cannot BEAT the weather there, you will fall in love with how perfect it is. I hope your husband is getting a good raise as sticker shock will soon be upon you, that area is pricey!
Good luck with all the packing, wish I was there to hold little Anna while you’re getting everything in order. Keep us posted……
I am worried about finding a rent/mortgage we can afford!
I would love to have you around to hold Anna while I packed. Somebody needs to invent teleportation :)
Congrats!! I am so hoping one day that Brendan’s job will move us out to California, just so we don’t have to wear snowpants anymore! So excited for your new adventure.
That would be awesome, if you wound out there with us someday!
I love that area of California. My father lived in Palo Alto for a number of years when I was growing up. There is so much to do over there. Good luck with the move and your new adventure.
Thanks! There will be a lot to explore!
I am always so jealous now of people who can move to a new state. I love Minnesota, but would like a year or two long adventure elsewhere again. sigh.
It is fun to see new places, but sad to leave friends.
I’m sure you’ve already done it, but go through the Patriot Walk or whatever it’s called in Boston.
Ooohhhh, Lexington and Concord, and you’re not that far from Colonial Williamsburg right now……. I could send you a list of historic sights 10 pages long, I’m sure that does not surprise you.
We’ve done the Freedom Trail and Lexington and Concord, but maybe should again now that the kids are older. I’m trying to talk Mike into a road trip to Colonial Williamsburg, but don’t have much faith that it’ll happen…
I am definitely in denial about your move. I refuse to believe it…but I know it’s coming.
Good luck with the packing!
I am very much in denial. I wish we could bring you with us.
Congrats! So exciting! I am certainly biased as a born and raised northern Californian but I think your kids are going to love it! Wishing you a smooth transition. Perhaps someday we will get to meet :)
Thanks! That would be great to meet someday :)
That is a big move! It will be cool to be living in a new area though.
I’m definitely looking forward to the weather!
Oh wow! That is a BIG move! Congrats! What a fun new adventure. I know moving is stressful, but it will be a neat experience at the same time.
My SIL and her family moved from here in St. Louis to San Francisco, CA last year for her husband’s job. The kids were 10 and 8. So far, so well. It’s been an adjustment, but they are enjoying it.
That’s good to hear that your SIL and her family are enjoying it there!