We really are actually moving to Texas!

Finally, the job offer we've been waiting for is here! We're moving to Texas! Fort Worth, to be exact.

We have been living in Cardiff, South Wales for nearly 15 years. It's the longest that either I or my husband, Rob, have lived in one place and we're rather attached to it. We were both born in England; Rob in Somerset and me in Birmingham. Rob moved numerous times around the south west and midlands throughout his childhood, whilst I moved through Gloucester, West & East Yorkshire. We did the same degree at Leicester University, and fell in love whilst I was living, working and doing my PhD in London.

In the summer of 1999, Rob was offered a job in Wales and the move just felt right. Rob's parents are Welsh, in fact he was the first family member to be born outside of Wales, at least as far back as anyone can remember, which means he has been brought up to be an ardent fan of Welsh rugby. By a strange twist of fate, my Dad bought a business in Port Talbot in 1997 so my parents moved from East Yorkshire to their current home near Llantrisant, just 17 miles away.

Living in London, along with most of our group of friends from University, was fantastic, but Cardiff instantly felt like home. We enjoyed exploring the mountains, beaches and castles, although not so much the wet weather that makes the grass so green! I obtained a research post at Cardiff University and we got married in 2001. Shortly afterwards we moved to our current house in a village between Cardiff & Newport.

Parenthood came our way in 2003 with the arrival of Alice, followed by David in 2005 and Evan in 2008. I gave up work to become a full-time Mum and threw myself into volunteering with the local groups and organisations the children were involved in. I've made some wonderful friends who have been on this journey with us; from sharing gory birth stories, laughter, tears and tantrums (not always the kids), first days at playgroup and school, birthday parties, school plays, fundraising events and camping trips, to standing on the touch-line in the pouring rain. Our roots here are deep.

Suffice to say, we are not moving because we're unhappy where we live, we really do love it in Wales and this move will be a huge wrench for us. But over the last few years, as my husband's career has taken off, we have been faced with the prospect of a move to Hampshire to be near his company UK head office, which interests us little. The alternative has meant Rob spends many nights away from home, which, frankly, is rubbish. Last summer, just as we were getting to the point of saying enough is enough, the idea of a job at the global head office in Fort Worth was suggested. After many months of anticipation, interviews, trips to Fort Worth, and an excruciatingly slow HR process, Rob has now been formally offered a position. It's not just any job either, it's a career changer, another level. From financial and lifestyle perspectives it's a no-brainer, but overwhelmingly it's an amazing opportunity and a big adventure. So do we want to move to Texas? Hell yeah!