In the beginning it was really tough. Especially when we were living in corporate housing. After we moved into our home, it slowly became easier. My heart still ached for my friends in California. I thought I would die with homesickness. A majority of my friends had children and jobs, and the daily routine of a busy family life, so it wasn't so easy just to pick up the phone whenever I felt that my heart would break from the solitude of it all.

The night before the movers came to bring all of our worldly possessions that we hadn't seen in over three months, we had some new living room furniture delivered to our house. All of us decided to camp out on the floor, with hastily made pallets. It was our new home. In our new house. A new beginning. We were all so excited, and scared to death at the same time. Leaving behind what we knew to be the norm. I'll let you in on a little secret. I don't like change. Remember the old adage, "If it's not broke, don't fix it?" Well, that was something I lived by.

The fact of the matter is, my husband had been laid off several months before. The job market had plunged to an all time low. For several years, we had discussed moving out of the Bay Area to some place more kid (family) friendly. We were seeking a slower pace of life. A lower cost of living, mainly in the housing area.

I work for a large defense contractor that has divisions all over the United States. Having recently received my degree at 40, I was much more marketable, especially when you included all of my previous job experience in the company. I was never one who knew what she wanted to be when "she grew up." If I was honest with you now, I still don't know. I love what I'm doing at the moment and feel as if finally, I found the perfect fit.

So I started looking. Without going into a lot of detail, there was a manager who thought enough of me to throw my name into the pot out here. My husband and I just about talked it to death after I went for my interview, and then got the job offer. We included the kids in our talks, and while they were excited to go someplace new, they also had their reservations. In the end, things just kind of fell into place. Sure, we sometimes look back on the life we had on the west coast, and sometimes miss it. But the good far outweighs the bad.

I look at how good the school system is here. How many friends my girls have made and how they have found activities that they love (dance, cheer). I can sit back and look at the fact that my family is happy. My husband has a dream job, doing exactly what he wants. I look forward to going to work every day. We have a fantastic house, in a fantastic neighborhood and have made countless friends.

It took a while, but I think we are starting to finally fit in. And for that I am eternally grateful. As much as I agonized over the decision, I made the right choice. I'm 100% sure of it.