There’s just something euphoric about raising our boys by the water..
I am not sure if it’s the weather or the ocean but it’s intoxicating. I feel like I’m my best self here. A better mom, a better wife- just a better version of myself. I am relaxed and soaking in all the small moments.
It could be that there’s not really much to do here and if there is.. we have our kids with us. So we rarely go out or have a social scene and sometimes that’s just refreshing. Lots of family time.
C still goes back and forth to Chicago for work and to check on our Chicago home (which currently is a MESS).. we’re renovating 6 rooms and it was suppose to be completed 2 weeks ago.. I told C I’m completely fine with staying a few more weeks rather than taking 4 kids back to a construction site. I think he’s ready for some finality. I’m sure it’s hard to be apart from your family but we both agree the good outweighs the bad. I send him photos of the kids at golf or at the beach while he’s in Chicago and he agrees it’s just a better life here. 
Having 4 boys would be so tough on me to be stuck inside for the winter. I’m so blessed to have this opportunity. This is our 7th year snowbirding. This is why it’s easy on us. It’s all my children know. People constantly ask me HOW. Truthfully, we started so young that they have friends and comfort in both places. They have been going to school with the same kids since they were babies. It would be a tougher transition if this wasn’t the case.
Being BOYS.. I think they adapt better too. Boys are so laid back and easy to please. I feel like girls would be tougher to have this lifestyle .. I see even at a young age they have their friend groups and it would be hard for me to see them not included or embraced back. The boys get SO excited to see their friends in both places. Of course, it’s like no time has passed and they jump right back in.
Eventually, I know we will have to make a final decision on where we want to raise our babies. I struggle with that.
I prayed for signs. I think I found it .. we found a perfect home in Naples. One that I pictured raising my children in. In a great neighborhood and by the beach. I felt it in my bones -it was meant for us. The top floor had an entire boy set up.. (they had 4 boys).
I’m still not sure if we are officially done. I can’t even think of that right now! I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to experience a daughter. I was never one to dream about it, as I actually wanted boys. The thought of having 5 children completely overwhelms me.. I’m not sure we could all handle it. 🤣 I love being a mom of boys. But I also wonder if mom of girls or mom of boys feel the same way and no one talks about it. I know God gives us what we can handle and I was a terror of a teenager. 😬 Not sure I would want one of me 🤣.
Time will tell and God will guide us down the path that was meant to be. For now I’m enjoying my life in the Now.
Back to Naples living:
We haven’t done anything. No offers, No sales. We needed a minute to see how we feel when we get back to Chicago for the summer. We don’t want to make any huge decisions without being 100% sure. We’re taking the summer and fall to really think if we want to stay in Chicago. Maybe we will get back and realize it’s home too.
Mom life is tough but truthfully I’m not overwhelmed with 4. There are days that I look at C and say “No Way I can do this again” or more like “I’m too old for this shit “🤣. Then there’s the moments we’re we see how great a big family is and sibling love that We both are open to another. [DISCLAIMER I have help.. LOTS. I have the best nanny and sidekick.]
So on this Mother’s Day .. I’m soaking up all the small things. The seashells they find, the notes they write, their long overdrawn conversations that go absolutely no where 🤣. (Do other kids do this?!)
I love that I can take time and not feel hurried here.. after all we’re definitely on “island time”.. no where to be.
Chicago here we come. 🏡
XoA
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