Big Things
One of my biggest blogging pet peeves is when someone says something like, “Something big is happening! But I can’t tell you what it is yet.”
THEN WHY DID YOU EVEN MENTION IT????
Ahem. I’m okay.
Anyway, something big is happening over here. And it’s been in the works for quite a while, but until everything was settled, I didn’t want to talk about it much (by which I mean at all).
We are moving to North Carolina.
Bart’s been accepted to Duke’s MBA program (a top ten program! What’s a blog for if not to brag about your smarty-pants spouse? No point at all), and so in a few weeks, we’ll pack up all our belongings and drive ourselves out to Durham, where we’ll spend the next (almost) two years.
Bart has wanted to do an MBA for nearly our entire marriage. Last year, he applied to BYU’s MBA program and was accepted and we came very close to going, but at the last minute, we decided we’d rather defer and have Bart try to get into a higher-ranked school if he could.
In the weeks before Ani was born, we spent a lot of nights working on his applications together. The day after we brought Ani home from the hospital, he flew to North Carolina to interview (I am so so grateful my mom was here). In April, Landen and Adam kept Ella for the weekend, and Bart, Ani, and I visited Durham for Blue Devil Weekend.
Until that weekend, I’d continued to have reservations about the MBA, but when we were there, I was completely sold. I’m thrilled about this new adventure for our family and for all the opportunities ahead for Bart.
He’ll be quitting his job and attending full-time, which means I’ll be the sole breadwinner over here. If you’ve noticed an uptick in sponsored posts over the last few months, that’s why. So we can buy groceries and possibly turn on the lights in our house until May of 2015.
We’re renting a little house (a house! You guys, I’m so so excited – I haven’t lived in a house since we sold ours back in 2009. The idea of having a garage is making me a little sick with excitement. Also a hall closet. I might possibly not have to store my vacuum in the pantry), and we haven’t seen it yet, so cross your fingers it turns out to be decent.
I’m ignoring the horrifying “boxing up our entire lives” and the heartbreaking “leaving all my friends in Austin” bits of the equation and just getting excited about a new chapter in our lives.
It’s pretty fun to move somewhere knowing exactly how long you’ll be there, since it really is encouraging to make the most of that time. I already have a very long spreadsheet of things I want to do while we live in North Carolina.
And of course, there is lots to look forward to after the MBA as well, including paying off mountains of debt (wait. . . I’m not really looking forward to that part), moving somewhere new (again!), buying a minivan (oh yes, I have no doubt I’ll be a minivan mom once we have three kids), and settling into a house (assuming we move somewhere that a normal person can purchase a house).
Also, I’m feeling happy that Duke’s color is blue, rather than the deeply unflattering burnt orange of UT-Austin.
Congratulations!!!! Such a huge accomplishment for your family, I am in awe of families with a parent/spouse going to school full time. I grew up in North Carolina and can officially say it is one of the most beautiful states to live in. The mountains! The coast! Gorgeous. I can't wait to hear about your adventures there, I will be living vicariously through you.
Congratulations! My husband is crazily obsessed with Duke basketball so Duke holds a special little place in my heart even though I have never been there. Also, we lived in Virginia for four years and I would give almost anything to live back in the area – love it!
So exciting, Janssen! I know you guys will have a great time in NC. And, hooray for a cute house!
Congratulations! It's so exciting to start a new chapter. My husband got an MBA and after it brought us to Charlotte. I love North Carolina, so much. I can't even tell you. Don't tell my mom, but I love it more than where I grew up on the coast of California. You'll love it!
Congratulations. My dad grew up in NC so we have been tgere plenty of times to visit family. It is such a beautiful state. Good luck in your new adventure!!!
Congratulations on your new adventure – North Carolina looks sooo beautiful!
Exciting! Congratulations! I spent 4 summers in Georgia and ventured up to NC a few times – it us beautiful.
Hooray! We lived in Raleigh/Cary for 3 years while my husband did grad school at NC State. I love NC…we both wish we could go back. You're going to make me miss it like crazy when you start blogging about all the fun things to do (and eat)! Congrats!
Yay! Yay for Bart! Yay for a new city! Yay for the east coast! I was wondering when this news would become blog-public! Although I have deep hatred for Duke (GO, TERPS!), I love you and your family, so I can rise above. I am that big of a person over here. 🙂
And, wow, supporting your family on blog earnings — that sounds … stressful to me. How are you feeling about it? Would you be open to blogging on that?
Congratulations! I'm excited to learn more about North Carolina through your posts. I've had several friends go to Duke for undergrad or grad school and all have loved it.
Awesome! Congratulations! We are not too far from you guys in Virginia, if you ever want to go to Colonial Williamsburg, let us know. We can get you discounted tickets.
Congrats on this exciting time in your lives! We lived in VA Beach for a year and loved the area. Visit the Outer Banks in September or October – the ocean is still warm, the weather is usually decent, and it's a lot less crowded and cheaper. Enjoy – can't wait to hear more about your time in North Carolina.
That is great news. The packing unpacking part of moving is not my favorite. Way to go Bart! What a great adventure for your family.
Oh WOW! That is awesome! Congrats to you guys! I live in NC and work in Raleigh, so if you want to meet up sometime, that would be awesome.
CONGRATS! I'm from Durham, born and raised in the Durham First Ward and my parents still live there (but now they live in Durham Fourth Ward). Did you know a blonde Emily from our floor on T-Hall? She lives there now too. I am really jealous you're going there! I want to move back, but my husband is getting his MBA here in Austin for another year. Good luck! I really think you'll love it there! Oh and I'm a huge Blue Devils fan, just went to a basketball game over Christmas (by the way, there are no other sports in NC). Make sure you go to at least one, they are insane!
congrats! we live in SC, and love Charleston so so much. Make sure you make it to the beaches!
Congrats! How exciting for you guys, you will be in my prayers as you make the move and start a new chapter in your lives!
You may know that I went to UNC for my undergrad. I loved it, and I think about it almost every day. I miss it terribly.
It's a shame Bart chose such a terrible school, but everyone makes mistakes.
(But seriously, congrats to him and your family. I'm happy for you and a little envious.)
Congratulations to all of you!
Congrats! My husband also went back to business school (we moved to Evanston, not NC – similar adventure though), and I absolutely recommend taking advantage of any kind of spouse/family program that the MBA program offers – most b schools have wonderful resources in place to help you acclimate to a new city. Good luck and congrats to Bart! I look forward to hearing more about your journey 🙂