The house is packed.
The pod was picked up on Monday.
The house is clean.
The boys are currently in Nauvoo.
The house is empty.
The girls (hee hee) are staying with an awesome family that we all love.
So that's really the latest.
For the first night in I'm not sure how long I actually slept and slept hard. I didn't get out of bed until 9:30am! That is unheard of for me! I am usually up by 7:30 at the latest - regardless of what time I go to sleep. This was also the first morning in quite a while that I didn't have to get up at some ridiculous hour to send boys off, go to the airport, or stress because of how much packing/cleaning had to be done. I am so grateful to my brother in law who came all the way out here to help us. I am grateful to friends from the ward who helped us clean last week. I'm so grateful for good friends who helped us pack and clean. Basically, I'm just grateful for everything and everyone that has helped us get everything in order so we could move as quickly as we needed to. I'm aslo grateful for good friends who take care of my boys. It's always amazing to me how Heavenly Father watches over us when we are doing what He wants. How else would I have packed and cleaned my entire house in such a short amount of time? I really have no idea.
I leave Virginia on the 19th. I really can't believe that is less than a week away. I also am having trouble dealing with all the emotions that are coming along with this move. It's such a mixed bag of excitement and sadness that my brain is confused! Ugh! I'm sure pregnancy hormones aren't helping, either. Two weeks ago at church I couldn't stop crying all through the first portion of things. I'm hoping I can pull it together for my last Sunday, but I doubt it!
We are lucky to have been able to have fit everything in our pod. And by fit I mean just barely cram everything into every possible crevice in the entire thing. There is not a drop of extra room. And our car? It was so loaded down it was crazy. But it all fit. That's what is important. Except that I know my boys are less than comfortable driving across the country. I wish I could fix it for them. I tried my best (with the help of my friend Jen as well as Alan) to get everything in without squishing them, but I know they are not so comfy.
I am now staying with friends, helping with a new baby, and trying to tie up the loose ends of our life here on the east coast. What is left to do?
*Carpet Cleaning - they are coming today
*Final Inspection of the house - that's tomorrow
*Final Dr's appt - that's on Friday and I have to try not to cry - I am going to miss my doctor so much. I get so attached to doctors I actually like!
*Baby Shower/Goodbye Party - On Saturday from 2-4 pm - if you are local, email me for more info if you want to come! I would LOVE to see you!!!!
*Return last cable box - need to do this today if possible
So really, there isn't much. And I'm glad about that because the past 3 weeks have been a whirlwind.
Now I just need to go shower, throw some clothes on, and head over to the house to do some weeding while they clean the carpets. I also need to check to see how much of our trash they actually took yesterday. There was a LOT!! Haha!
I'll update when there is more to report. That's it for now!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Stuff, Stuff, and More Stuff!
I am very grateful that 6 or so years ago I was introduced to Flylady. Seriously. This is our third move in the last 4 years. If I still had some of my old habits (aka "Keeping Everything Just In Case"), this move (and the 2 others we've made) would have been much worse. I'm guessing we are going to wind up having extra empty boxes because I've overestimated how many we actually need. Also, I'm very optimistic that we'll be able to fit everything into our pod. Had I still been in my other mindset, I'm not sure we'd have enough boxes and I'm positive a 16ft. pod would not be enough.
That being said, we are getting closer to completion. What is left?
*The game closet
*The 2 upstairs bathrooms
*Bits and bobs from the living room
*Bits and bobs from the kitchen
*40% of the master bedroom
*The back porch area
*Cleaning on the main floor and top floor
Today my goal is the game closet, the bits and bobs from the living room, and working some more on the master bedroom. Alan's last day of work is today, so he'll be home all day tomorrow to help. His brother is flying in tonight to help as well. Last night we had a friend from Alan's work come over and help, which was so wonderful, and he is coming back tonight as well! His wife will be joining him after that and we'll all have dinner in the mess and chaos. It should be fun, though!
We would like to have 95% of our belongings snugly inside the pod by tomorrow night. I need to cancel our second pod soon if we don't need it and that will leave me with plenty of time to clean. Woohoo! I do believe one of the last things to be packed will be our wireless router. We are such internet junkies!
Well that's all I have time for today. I must keep up with the packing. I also need to brush my teeth and freshen up for lunch with my friend Nancy. Yay!
That being said, we are getting closer to completion. What is left?
*The game closet
*The 2 upstairs bathrooms
*Bits and bobs from the living room
*Bits and bobs from the kitchen
*40% of the master bedroom
*The back porch area
*Cleaning on the main floor and top floor
Today my goal is the game closet, the bits and bobs from the living room, and working some more on the master bedroom. Alan's last day of work is today, so he'll be home all day tomorrow to help. His brother is flying in tonight to help as well. Last night we had a friend from Alan's work come over and help, which was so wonderful, and he is coming back tonight as well! His wife will be joining him after that and we'll all have dinner in the mess and chaos. It should be fun, though!
We would like to have 95% of our belongings snugly inside the pod by tomorrow night. I need to cancel our second pod soon if we don't need it and that will leave me with plenty of time to clean. Woohoo! I do believe one of the last things to be packed will be our wireless router. We are such internet junkies!
Well that's all I have time for today. I must keep up with the packing. I also need to brush my teeth and freshen up for lunch with my friend Nancy. Yay!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
My Baby is Double Digits
In the midst of all the packing, organizing, and other craziness, my baby turned 10 years old. TEN! Can you believe it? I can't. First off, I can't believe that I have a ten year old. Can I really be old enough for that to have happened? Secondly, I can't believe my baby is ... not a baby anymore.
I don't have many pictures on my computer right now and a lot are simply packed away, but here are a few of my angel:
Here he is at the ripe old age of two:
He's always been such a happy person - smiling so much all the time. He has his drama moments (don't we all), but overall he just is a joy to be around. One of the many reasons I love him.
And here he is again at age three:
This picture captures his personality so much. Cute, happy, fun, and a little mischievous to boot! But so freakin' adorable, no?
I can't be bothered to upload a recent one of him. Go back a few entries, you'll find one. I'm too tired and the camera is all the way downstairs. Rest assured, more will come. Especially after his little sister joins him. I can't even begin to tell you how sweet it is to see him so excited for her arrival. It literally brings me to tears when I think about it because he is just so thrilled for her to come. He can't wait to be able to feel her kick and actually was close to crying the other day because I could feel her and he could not. It is too precious for words, truly. He is going to be a phenomenal big brother, I can already tell.
Update on the packing front:
Basement is cleared out except laundry stuff.
Main floor continues in the same state - mostly packed (aside from the kitchen) with bits and bobs to shove in other locations.
The office is about 80% complete. Everything is out of my desk (finally) and out of the closet as well. I am estimating 3-4 more boxes to wrap it all up here.
The bedrooms are generally the same.
Our pod arrives on Monday. Then the real task begins - fitting everything in a 16ft. pod. I am hoping and praying that we can do it, as the cost will drop in half if we only have one pod. Right now I am optimistic. I just hope we can sell our entertainment center and desk prior to our move, as that will free up some space if we don't take those things.
We continued to be blessed and know that this is the right thing for our family to be doing. We were given another batch of boxes today from a friend at church - just the right type and sizes we needed. What an amazing blessing.
Soren also had a few friends over today for a pool party and cake and what not. Aside from the visit of thunder about halfway through our pool adventures, it was a good time. And now his birthday celebrations are officially over and we now shift our entire focus to finishing up with packing and beginning the cleaning process. We've already had help with the basement - so grateful for that - and have more help coming on Monday. There is still a bit more in the basement and then we have the main floor to tackle. That will be a little more tricky considering there are still boxes piled everywhere. Maybe by the time help shows up I will have the office emptied out. Here's hoping!
So that's the latest. And now I am exhausted, sore, and needing a long sleep.
I don't have many pictures on my computer right now and a lot are simply packed away, but here are a few of my angel:
Here he is at the ripe old age of two:
He's always been such a happy person - smiling so much all the time. He has his drama moments (don't we all), but overall he just is a joy to be around. One of the many reasons I love him.
And here he is again at age three:
This picture captures his personality so much. Cute, happy, fun, and a little mischievous to boot! But so freakin' adorable, no?
I can't be bothered to upload a recent one of him. Go back a few entries, you'll find one. I'm too tired and the camera is all the way downstairs. Rest assured, more will come. Especially after his little sister joins him. I can't even begin to tell you how sweet it is to see him so excited for her arrival. It literally brings me to tears when I think about it because he is just so thrilled for her to come. He can't wait to be able to feel her kick and actually was close to crying the other day because I could feel her and he could not. It is too precious for words, truly. He is going to be a phenomenal big brother, I can already tell.
Update on the packing front:
Basement is cleared out except laundry stuff.
Main floor continues in the same state - mostly packed (aside from the kitchen) with bits and bobs to shove in other locations.
The office is about 80% complete. Everything is out of my desk (finally) and out of the closet as well. I am estimating 3-4 more boxes to wrap it all up here.
The bedrooms are generally the same.
Our pod arrives on Monday. Then the real task begins - fitting everything in a 16ft. pod. I am hoping and praying that we can do it, as the cost will drop in half if we only have one pod. Right now I am optimistic. I just hope we can sell our entertainment center and desk prior to our move, as that will free up some space if we don't take those things.
We continued to be blessed and know that this is the right thing for our family to be doing. We were given another batch of boxes today from a friend at church - just the right type and sizes we needed. What an amazing blessing.
Soren also had a few friends over today for a pool party and cake and what not. Aside from the visit of thunder about halfway through our pool adventures, it was a good time. And now his birthday celebrations are officially over and we now shift our entire focus to finishing up with packing and beginning the cleaning process. We've already had help with the basement - so grateful for that - and have more help coming on Monday. There is still a bit more in the basement and then we have the main floor to tackle. That will be a little more tricky considering there are still boxes piled everywhere. Maybe by the time help shows up I will have the office emptied out. Here's hoping!
So that's the latest. And now I am exhausted, sore, and needing a long sleep.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Things you learn
This week I learned that:
*Our townhouse is actually 2100 square feet. Including the basement. Which, luckily, we didn't occupy much of or this packing nightmare would be worse
*One closet can hold a LOT of stuff
*One bookcase can hold even more
*Boxes can multiply on their own
*No matter how many boxes you estimate it will take, it is never enough
*Having your dishwasher break doesn't motivate you to pack up the kitchen (even though it should)
*It's hot in the summer. Especially upstairs.
*Inevitably, there is always a box or two with the label: Misc.
*Babies like to kick at night when you are trying to sleep
*Showers are overrated during moving; teeth brushing is not
It's been a long week. The basement is almost finished, the dining room is finished and full of boxes, the living room and powder room are basically done, just a few odds and ends. The only thing left on the main floor are the kitchen (ugh) and the hall closet. I have slowly been working on the office (double ugh) and last night began packing up clothes that won't fit me for quite a while thanks to our little princess (but I am ok with that! She is worth it!). There is still at least half a house to pack. It's all coming so fast I'm not sure what to do. Part of me feels like we are on track and the other part of me is losing my mind.
I'd really like to dedicate next week to cleaning, so hopefully we can keep up the pace and pack, pack, pack!
After a trip to the Cheesecake Factory. After all, it is National Cheesecake Day! If you go today, you can get a piece of Cheesecake for $1.50, too! Yum!!
*Our townhouse is actually 2100 square feet. Including the basement. Which, luckily, we didn't occupy much of or this packing nightmare would be worse
*One closet can hold a LOT of stuff
*One bookcase can hold even more
*Boxes can multiply on their own
*No matter how many boxes you estimate it will take, it is never enough
*Having your dishwasher break doesn't motivate you to pack up the kitchen (even though it should)
*It's hot in the summer. Especially upstairs.
*Inevitably, there is always a box or two with the label: Misc.
*Babies like to kick at night when you are trying to sleep
*Showers are overrated during moving; teeth brushing is not
It's been a long week. The basement is almost finished, the dining room is finished and full of boxes, the living room and powder room are basically done, just a few odds and ends. The only thing left on the main floor are the kitchen (ugh) and the hall closet. I have slowly been working on the office (double ugh) and last night began packing up clothes that won't fit me for quite a while thanks to our little princess (but I am ok with that! She is worth it!). There is still at least half a house to pack. It's all coming so fast I'm not sure what to do. Part of me feels like we are on track and the other part of me is losing my mind.
I'd really like to dedicate next week to cleaning, so hopefully we can keep up the pace and pack, pack, pack!
After a trip to the Cheesecake Factory. After all, it is National Cheesecake Day! If you go today, you can get a piece of Cheesecake for $1.50, too! Yum!!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
As if it wasn't crazy enough...
Now let the insanity REALLY begin.
We have an official offer letter in our hands. Alan is faxing an acceptance tonight. We are moving back home.
I've made progress with the packing. It may not seem like much but, between babysitting my friends boys all day while she had her new baby boy, I managed to pack 2 boxes, organize the dining room as our official "shove everything that is ready to go" area, and empy out what we lovingly call "Harry's Room" (aka: the large cupboard/closet under the stairs). None of those items from Harry's Room made it upstairs (it's in the basement), but they are all out.
Only a BILLION more things left. That's ok, though. We'll get there. Tomorrow I need to list some things on Craiglist and start packing up books and DVDs. Maybe I'll even start to tackle the office. I do need to list my desk (again) and see if there are any takers, so it might be good if it was empty.
As is tradition in our family, we are doing a rush move. When we moved to the east coast we accepted the job on July 28th, 2004. We had the truck packed and pulled out of the driveway of our home (which we had managed to sell in 19 days) on Aug. 15. We were in our new place on Sept. 1. Our lives changed drastically in one month. It was crazy. This time we are accepting the job on July 24th, 2008. We will have everything packed up and off (hopefully) on Aug. 11. We'll be in our new location by Aug. 22 and staying with my parents for a few months while we get settled and figure out what in the world we are doing! I could name at least one other move that took place almost exactly the same way. Why yes, we are crazy! Thanks for asking!
On top of the insanity, I'm going out of town this weekend. I'm heading down to North Carolina with my former 'cellar dweller' (aka Marie who lived in our basement until a month ago) for 2-3 days to help her move the last of her things and to visit with her one last time before we depart from the east coast. This means I lose 3 days of packing. Does this worry me? Yes. Will I get through it? Yes.
We are excited to be moving, but sad at the same time. We love the DC area. We love the friends we have made. We have loved the amazing experiences we have had here. But the feeling has been coming on slowly that our time here is complete, and when the Lord starts poking. . . well . . . we listen. And now things are falling into place for us to go back to what we all feel like is home.
I don't want to think about all the dear, sweet, amazingly wonderful people we are leaving. I know that I will remain in contact with many of them (some of you can read this as YOU) via email, phone, Christmas cards, etc. But I don't want to cry right now. So I am trying to focus on the family and friends we will be returning to as well as the new friends I'm sure we will make. Focusing on that makes it a lot less emotional for me. And right now my emotions are already working overtime!
I will most likely be in town until the 19th of August. So don't try and rid yourselves of me just yet! Although I really hope they can release me from my calling soon. I need to pack up all of my singing stuff! Hee hee!
We have an official offer letter in our hands. Alan is faxing an acceptance tonight. We are moving back home.
I've made progress with the packing. It may not seem like much but, between babysitting my friends boys all day while she had her new baby boy, I managed to pack 2 boxes, organize the dining room as our official "shove everything that is ready to go" area, and empy out what we lovingly call "Harry's Room" (aka: the large cupboard/closet under the stairs). None of those items from Harry's Room made it upstairs (it's in the basement), but they are all out.
Only a BILLION more things left. That's ok, though. We'll get there. Tomorrow I need to list some things on Craiglist and start packing up books and DVDs. Maybe I'll even start to tackle the office. I do need to list my desk (again) and see if there are any takers, so it might be good if it was empty.
As is tradition in our family, we are doing a rush move. When we moved to the east coast we accepted the job on July 28th, 2004. We had the truck packed and pulled out of the driveway of our home (which we had managed to sell in 19 days) on Aug. 15. We were in our new place on Sept. 1. Our lives changed drastically in one month. It was crazy. This time we are accepting the job on July 24th, 2008. We will have everything packed up and off (hopefully) on Aug. 11. We'll be in our new location by Aug. 22 and staying with my parents for a few months while we get settled and figure out what in the world we are doing! I could name at least one other move that took place almost exactly the same way. Why yes, we are crazy! Thanks for asking!
On top of the insanity, I'm going out of town this weekend. I'm heading down to North Carolina with my former 'cellar dweller' (aka Marie who lived in our basement until a month ago) for 2-3 days to help her move the last of her things and to visit with her one last time before we depart from the east coast. This means I lose 3 days of packing. Does this worry me? Yes. Will I get through it? Yes.
We are excited to be moving, but sad at the same time. We love the DC area. We love the friends we have made. We have loved the amazing experiences we have had here. But the feeling has been coming on slowly that our time here is complete, and when the Lord starts poking. . . well . . . we listen. And now things are falling into place for us to go back to what we all feel like is home.
I don't want to think about all the dear, sweet, amazingly wonderful people we are leaving. I know that I will remain in contact with many of them (some of you can read this as YOU) via email, phone, Christmas cards, etc. But I don't want to cry right now. So I am trying to focus on the family and friends we will be returning to as well as the new friends I'm sure we will make. Focusing on that makes it a lot less emotional for me. And right now my emotions are already working overtime!
I will most likely be in town until the 19th of August. So don't try and rid yourselves of me just yet! Although I really hope they can release me from my calling soon. I need to pack up all of my singing stuff! Hee hee!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Look What I Found!
Awwww! Can you make out the nose and lips and chin and PERKINS CHEEKS??? And the little hand? And the ear?
Isn't SHE precious?
That's right, I said SHE. And if she doesn't pull a Soren, she'll still be a she when she shows up in a few months! Actually, we had the tech check quite a few times from many different angles. We are 99.9% sure that it is accurate this time.
Alan is already in love with her and can't stop staring at the wonderful 3-D shot we got. Soren is thrilled beyond belief and even more excited to be a big brother. I am not surprised and am excited, though I think I'm just thrilled to have a baby. I would have been happy either way! But my boys both really wanted a girl, so I'm glad she ended up being a girl for them!
So that is our big news. Our other big news is that Alan will be getting a job offer before the week is out. They are putting the paperwork together and deciding on a start date for him as we speak. We'll see what the offer ends up being, but unless it is ridiculously low, we will most likely be taking it unless God tells us otherwise.
Lots of changes ahead for us! I've got to start packing the house up which will begin as soon as I can round up some boxes. I got rid of all of mine 3 years ago when we moved in here. It's off to the liquor store for me! To get boxes, silly. They have GREAT boxes. And they are FREE. I still have some from when we moved into our HOUSE in 2002 because we lived right around the block from the liquor store and I would just go grab a handful everyday for a few weeks. I still store my Christmas dishes in one.
I'm off to go find cute purple clothes for my (already spoiled) little girl. Purple is such a great color!
Fun!
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember--it can be funny, weird, awkward, random, etc.!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
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