Mom Confessions with Kamy Moss: Moving to Michigan

Moving is something that most people dread. The thought of packing your entire life into a slew of cardboard boxes can put anyone into a panic.  As a mom, moving can be especially overwhelming…the endless cleaning, organizing and packing, to finding a new school, helping your kids prepare to say goodbye to their friends, and managing the set-up of your new home.  Moving is an exhausting experience, both physically and emotionally, and that is what has just occurred in our life. For those of you who have followed my blog posts here on Mami of Multiples about our life in Florida, I want to say THANK YOU.  I hope you continue to follow me as we have made our new home in, wait for it….MICHIGAN!

I can hear you asking now the same question that EVERYONE has asked us since we arrived at the end of October…why would you move to Michigan from Florida?? There are many reasons why we made the move North. To sum it up quickly, and not too personally, let me just say our main reasons were family , work, and lifestyle.  Being back to share in Halloween and Thanksgiving with extended family has been a real blessing and reminder of what we missed over the last three years in Florida. Now with Christmas season upon us, it brings me joy to know we will be surrounded by the people we love.

My boys have been able to spend a lot of time with their cousins, some of which attend their new school.  School has been the hardest transition for my kids as they miss their friends and the comforting surroundings of their old school and familiar teachers. It has helped them greatly to get involved in their new school. So far they have performed in the school’s holiday concert, shopped alongside classmates at the Secret Santa shop, and participated in field trips and class parties. There are still days where they miss Florida and their friends from the sunshine state. We remind them that even though they cannot see them, they are still in their heart.  They are making new friends and keeping in touch with some of their old ones.  It is a transition for all of us, but we press on, doing our best to make a new life in my home state.

Since I lived in Michigan most of my life,  I am excited to be able to share my knowledge and perspective as a “Midwest Mommy Blogger” for Mami of Multiples. Being back here opens doors for my family and yours to learn more about Midwest life.   Growing up in Michigan, I remember being bored out of my mind and hating the unpredictable weather, but as an adult, I have come to appreciate that Michigan offers an assortment of fun and educational things you can see and do in every season.  I have the opportunity to explore and document my discoveries. Michigan is a true 4-season state with so much to offer. I look forward to sharing my Michigan life with all of you.

Don’t get me wrong,  we enjoyed our time in Central Florida and will miss the many friends we made along the way.  We were blessed to meet wonderful people through work, school, and church. Thanks to Facebook and email, many of those friendships will carry on. Most of all leaving Florida meant we lose the accessibility we had to our favorite obsession, Disney! Instead of 40 minutes away, we are now 19 hours away from the Happiest Place on Earth. That is a huge adjustment for our entire family and with this being the holiday season, it is sad for us to not be able to drop in and see the magnificent holiday displays that only Disney can create. However, that does not mean we are giving up on our Disney life! No way!!  I am still a Disney Travel Planner (www.doadisneyvacation.com) and cannot wait to plan our next vacation (and maybe we can get some of our family to join us)! For now we are in Michigan and looking forward to exploring what this beautiful state has to offer.

We have started compiling a list of the places that we cannot wait to visit. From the family friendly resorts like the Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari (both with indoor waterparks) to the beautiful northern wine regions (where us “grown-ups” can escape for some fantastic wine tasting, shopping and sightseeing). Michigan attractions include The Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, The Detroit Zoo (known for its fabulous exhibit, i.e. The Arctic Ring of Life), many historic forts, and lighthouses. In Michigan, we can camp and swim in the summer and ski and snowboard in the winter.  It truly is a place where everyone can find something they enjoy.

I am really looking forward to my new journey and invite you to tag along. Who knows? Maybe Michigan will earn a spot on your vacation “to-do list”. I can’t wait to discover and share with you!

Happy Holidays!