Waiting to exhale

This week has been one of those "life changing" weeks. I have received a job offer that may involve a move across the border. The offer is extremely generous and is one that many in my line of work can only dream of. It is also a dual offer in that D will also be moved. The Uni wants a tag team working on teaching law students innovation finance. The only "if" in our minds is the fact that it is really down south and we are very happy living where we are, not only in terms of country, city, neighbourhood but even exact geographical location of house (proximity to shops (rumour has it a new Mexx or H&M may be opening 100 metres away), schools, parks, running trails, museums, restaurants etc). But the chance to work under such fair terms is just too tempting. So off D went to tell his boss..who then turned around and made an equally tempting offer. I was asked to meet him at the office 3 hours after D's meeting, with kids in tow, and offered a position that is extremely generous in view of such short notice. You know how you should watch what you should wish for. Where earlier this week we were pretty sure we would be putting away our winter clothing for good..well, now it seems that we have the choice to stay..decisions, decisions. D has gone south to look at houses and the area surrounding the area to see what we will be giving up if we dont move. I am staying put here as we are also in the process of bidding for a summer home. They call them cottages here. We initiated negotiations on Tuesday and this morning our lawyers helped us draw up an offer and we are now just waiting...and waiting..for some rather unmotivated and emotional sellers (mum and 3 children) to accept our offer. If they do then D will immediately fly out to the lake to look at the cottage..did I mention that the offer is being made site unseen. Well, at least by me. The cottage is situated on a 1.5 acre island which is a 5 minute boat ride from D's dad's cottage, and also his sister's cottage and not to forget his brother's cottage. So while I have no idea what this island looks like or the condition of the cottage, D spent every summer since he was born up to when he left the country in the surrounding area. He is extremely excited about raising the kids there, teaching them to waterski, pick blueberries on a neighbouring island, playing board games etc..technically, he has been preparing Sasha for this since birth..she loves the board games she plays with Daddy and she has been taking swimming lessons for the past year. I suspect the island will be the deciding factor in our dilemma..