NATCHEZ — The McKinley family used to be a family on the move.

But when The Dart landed on their Pecanwood Drive home they were determined to stay put.

Susan McKinley and her husband Michael have spent much of their married life together moving back and forth across the country.

“It’s not always easy,” Susan McKinley said while she stood on the front porch of her house.

McKinley’s husband is in the U.S. Coast Guard and his job regularly required them to move.

In 20 years of marriage the couple, and their three children, have moved eight times in 15 years.

The McKinleys have moved from Texas to Washington, then to Pennsylvania, then to Alaska and on and on in massive cross-country crisscross.

For the past five years the family has lived in Natchez.

Well, most of the family.

While the McKinleys were living in Natchez, Michael was transferred again.

McKinley said she just could not stand to move one more time, nor did she want to uproot her children again.

“I started thinking about moving, and I started crying,” she said.

So what was supposed to be the family’s last move, turned into one more trip — but only for Michael.

About four years ago Michael moved out to California alone.

McKinley said while the decision was not one that came easily it was the right choice.

“Why live somewhere if you’re going to leave,” she said throwing her hands in the air. “We like it here and we wanted to stay.”

McKinley said allowing her three children the opportunity to establish themselves in a community was not something she had been able to do with all the moving around. And now that her children are older it’s even more important, she said.

The McKinleys have three children that are 18, 17 and 15 years old.

Across the country in Petaluma, Calif., Mike McKinley gives the decision to move alone mixed reviews.

“It’s got its good side and its bad side,” he said.

Mike said that while he misses his family he actually talks to them more now than he did when they all lived at home together.

“We talk all the time now,” he said. “Thank goodness for cell phones.”

While the family has been separate for nearly four years Susan said that time is hopefully coming to an end.

Mike is eligible to retire soon, he could be home in less than one year.

“We’re looking forward to that day,” Susan said.