A Time For Everything

October of 2011 began a time of change for our family moving on from what used to be AVI, the successful A/V business that his father started and they labored together to build, only to be destroyed in months by a new owner (it's sad....and that's all I've got to say).  The decision at the time to move to the Tampa area was not all that difficult because of what was going on where he was working.  Jeremy was offered a very similar job in an established company.  Due to a non-compete clause in his contract, we had to move away, and this was a wonderful option.  So, we moved.  It was a God thing. Truly.  Our house, which had been on the market for 10 months and over 60 showings and no offers, all of a sudden got two offers the next day.  Within a couple of months, our family was living in an area where we did not know a single person, or a even a single road.  It was actually quite exciting.

We have truly enjoyed living in the Tampa area.  We all enjoyed a period of rest at the beginning where we had no obligations or expectations from anyone.  I spent my days either at home with my children or exploring the surrounding area.  Sometimes it was lonely, but we were determined to make it work.  Jeremy's biggest fight was probably adjusting to the traffic of a big city.  Although we live on the outskirts, almost in the country, he had to drive into the city, with commutes that could easily become 2 hours if there was an accident or bad weather.

The kids and I got involved in various organizations and classes.  We were introduced to American Heritage Girls, a scouting organization that was  almost 18 years old but I had never heard about.  We jumped into a CC Community, and later helped to start and establish another group.  We took day trips and explored museums, state parks, zoos, Busch Gardens, and occasionally wound up on "the wrong side of the tracks".  We made wonderful, sweet, Godly, and encouraging friends.  It has truly been a blessing!

However, deep in my husband's heart has been a longing to start and run his own business.  It was something we occasionally talked about, and he talked with some friends about, but nothing that had a name or meat to the conversations.

Until this summer.  The conversations came up again.  However, the attitude, the ideas, the opportunity were all different.  The conversations went beyond just a thought or a dream and into planning, strategy, and excitement.  Within a few weeks, we knew this was the right time to embark on a new adventure.

Next month, on the three year anniversary of his decision to leave his old company, Jeremy and his good friend Aaron will officially begin a new journey together.  Syngergy CTS (Custom Technology Solutions) will officially be open for business in Naples.  We are so excited!

Jeremy and Aaron have known each other for close to 10 years.  They have lived life together, worked together, participated in studies with one another, and prayed for and with each other.  They are Godly men who have grown into amazing men, fathers, husbands, and providers.  Each offers skills that will compliment the other.  Their expertise in high end audio, video, lighting, shades, security, home integration, and IT will be driving factor behind their new business.  Best of all....they love Jesus!  Both of them.  They have spent much time praying for this business, and I know they will be praying over their jobs and seeking opportunities to shine the Light of Christ to their customers, contractors and future employees.

In less than a week, our house will finally be on the market, and praying for a fast sell.  After months of God ordained warranty repair work, our house is now in amazing condition and ready for a new family.  We will miss living here.  I will miss our wonderful neighbors (seriously....they are amazing!).  I will miss the view out of the back yard, the birds, the alligators, the turtles, the deer, the sandhill crane, but probably not the occasional bear ;)  I know my children will miss the cul-de-sac and the pool.

We will miss our wonderful Classical Conversations Community, our encouraging American Heritage Girls Troop, our educational science class at Crystal Springs, the quick and easy day trips to Gainsville, the springs, and Orlando.  We will miss our church....oh, our sweet church.  Yes, we will miss a lot about Tampa.  We have truly enjoyed living here.

However, there is much to look forward to as well.  We will be close to my family again.  I know the kids are excited to see Yaya, Papa, and Uncle Justin more often.  We will rekindle friendships from the past.  I can not wait for date nights at the pier.  I can feel the cool evening breeze and imagine sitting and talking with the love of my life while listening to the waves lap the boards and drinking a hot chocolate.  I will be better about taking the children to the beach, no longer complaining about the drive or the sand.  Never mind, I'll still complain about the sand :)  I am excited to explore the Naples/Ft. Myers area the way we explored the Tampa area.  Although I have lived there  almost my entire life, I don't think I know all of the nooks and crannies and jewels of SW Florida.  I want to find them!  I am sure we will join a CC group there, and who knows....maybe we'll help start an AHG troop, or find a great science class down there.

Most of all though, we will get to continue on an amazing journey with Jeremy.  I once told Jeremy that I would move to Antarctica if that is where he felt like we needed to be.  Thankfully, he chose Naples instead ;)  I am excited to be on this journey with him.

So, what now?

This has become an added part of my life.  Boxes, boxes, and more boxes.

We are working hard to de-clutter and clean, which also means preliminary packing, for our house pictures in a few days.  Then, life continue as normal as possible for a little while.  We will continue to serve in the areas we have worked.  I will continue to be the director of our CC Community, and Lord willing, a mom from within our community would step up and take over my position.  God has that completely under control.  I trust Him fully.  I will continue to serve as Vice-Coordinator in our AHG troop.  When we leave, there is someone who will step into that space as well.  Our assigned service at church is coming to a close, but we will be available as subs until we move.  Jeremy will continue to work here, while also taking occasional trips down south to finish the set up process.

Until God moves us completely, we will continue to serve where we have been set.  We are excited for the future, but we are still fully engaged in the present as well.  Life is a beautiful journey, and I'm happy to be on it with my family :)