Prepping for change - hoping to relocate

Well, we have made a decision to move down to Florida to be nearer to family.  It is a tough decision and still requires many things to happen.  I'm currently job hunting for positions in the Tampa area. We decided to go ahead and start packing up non-essential stuff (lots of my books fit that criteria from what my wife says). We are doing house stuff - starting to paint bedrooms right now.  My deck project not long ago was part of this preparation process. Things are moving along but it just feels so slow at times - until I find a job I am sure. We are still figuring out how we will handle things if I get a position and go down now.  We have been talking with a nice realtor and have seen some nice houses (online) but the job must come first. If I find the right position I will likely haul our travel trailer down and stay in it - that will allow me to start the new job and look at houses in the evening or on weekends.  If it works out well we can all be down there before my kids need to start school - that would be a blessing. Whatever happens we will just roll with it though.

I know our friends are really sad that we are trying to relocate. We are both sad that we won't seem them as often but are also excited about the potential great things that will come from this. I'm going to aim for a house with an extra room or 2 so friends and family can visit (hint hint to those in VA and MI).

[update 2016/8/15] Well, we now are partially relocated near Tampa, Florida as of 8/6/16. The kids were able to start school on day one. Working out an apartment, registering for school and moving in under 2 weeks was a miracle in itself. My wife was amazing in this process and coordinated so much in so little time that I can't praise her enough.  Our kids are doing well (day 1 of school had everyone in tears though) and I can't say enough about how they recovered from the very fast decision to move.  I'm still in Virginia while I interview, keep up the house and continue to prep for a final move once an appropriate Tampa area job is found.  I miss the family bunches.

[update 2016/08/16] Things are looking up job hunt wise and we are very happy about that. Note to self - why did I accumulate so much stuff in the garage? Hoping something less than a full tractor trailer is needed for what remains in the house and garage. Might still be leaning toward holding onto the current house until we find a new house just to reduce the need for a large (or multiple storage units). We are pretty sure the house will sell pretty quick once we declutter and get it on the market. It is time to start looking into mortgage information; based upon the housing market in our target area we will have to move fast when a nice house comes available.

[update 2016/08/24] Yeah, I accepted a good job offer in the last few days.  There was a hard choice to make but I think I chose what is in my families best interest right now.  Still dreading the remaining packing. I'll be starting the new job within  a month. I've traveled around 4000 miles in 18 days while carting my family and many belongings to our temporary apartment.  Heading back to VA, I have been able to make the one-way trip in just under 14 hours straight. That is wearing me down quickly but I am hopeful to only have one more main trip to the new place.  Hopefully, everything remaining will be in a POD and stored somewhere soon.  At that point we will we house hunt - we are starting that a bit now but it is posing challenges in breadth of available houses.

Philippians 4:6-8

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.