b'Finding HomeWorking with Rena SpanglerBY ELLEN DONKERW endyw Ro- Paul and Wendy with son b i s o n andPaul Cro l e yJulian before the arrival of hadtoyedtheir triplets.forafew yearswith the idea of buying a house. Living in a Brooklynapartmentwithatoddlerin tow, they had hopes of expanding their family. But it wasnt until they receivedThirty days later Wendy and Paul the results of an ultrasound one Tuesday in July that they felt called to takeclosed on the house. They moved in on action. Triplets were on the way! By the following Saturday the couple was at- September 25. Wendy still seems sur-tending open houses in pursuit of a home that would fit this soon-to-be familyprised that the pieces fell into place so of six. quickly. She says, I thought that the Wendy and Pauls desktop research initially included Westchester County.process would be horrific, but it was so But when they read an article in The New York Times about Maplewood, theysmooth with Rena.shifted their focus and connected with RenaNowthatWendyandPaulhave Spangler,thankstoareferralthatWendybeen in the house for a few months, received from a colleague who had recentlythey value that its situated on a side moved to Montclair.streetwithfamiliesatdifferentlife Armed with a list of houses they wanted tostages, many who have stopped by to visit, Wendy and Paul met with Rena. At oneintroduce themselves. It also offers aThe master bedroom has a side room of the homes Paul casually mentioned theyclose walk to the train for her job atperfect for this trio.were expecting triplets. Grabbing the banisterEtsy. Paul works from home as a violin for support, Rena said, Im on a mission maker, and although he looks forwardbors have given them clothes and toys, you need a house! and promptly shifted intoto renovating the garage someday, foreven offers to babysit. The couple has high gear.now his studio is in the basement.been pleasantly surprised by this warm Rena Spangler made it her mis- Wendy says they were impressed by RenasWord traveled fast that Wendy andwelcome. Wendys sister noticed, too, sion to find the perfect house forknowledge of Maplewood and South Orange.Paul were having triplets. Some neigh- saying that she never knew there was the family. She says, I liked that she was established anda community like this so close to New could make recommendations that felt really solid. She adds, I really appreci- York City.ate being educated during a process and knowing the pros and cons. She didntThe babies were born on January 6 start with her opinion. Shed say, Here are some things you should think about three healthy boys. Older brother Ju-or consider. Everything she said made sense. lianisrevelinginhisstatusasbig Concerned that listings would dry up by the end of the summer, Renabrother. Soon he will be old enough to worked hard to get the family into a house quickly. At one point, she urgeduse the playset in the back yard. Al-Wendy and Paul to look at two houses she thought would be perfect for themthoughWendyandPaulareintheimmediately. They trusted her enough, coming out to see both homes, eventhroes of keeping three infants fed and though it meant delaying their trip to Acadia. One, in particular, caught theirdiapered, they know that in no time eye. Besides offering ample room for the family, Wendy noted that the masterJulian will be showing his brothersbedroom suite had a side room that could be a nursery, perfect for a newbornWendy and Paul value that the house is aAiden, Simon, and Gabrielhow to close walk to the train and is situated on a trio. That sold us on the house, she says.side street with many families. use the slide.26/ matters magazine / winter 2020'