The Countdown Begins

We are T minus 11 days and counting; we're currently planning to pull out for the long drive on Wednesday, July 8th.

I can say things have finally started taking shape. It definitely looks and feels like we're moving. It's funny to me how I've forgotten these feelings from moves past. How, really, everything just feels the same; our daily routines are intact, the house looks lived in and things are still in their place. I have caught myself sitting and thinking, "wow, it sure doesn't seem like we're moving in TWO weeks!" What I'm trying to say is that I had forgotten how quickly a move really comes together. One day you're sitting on your couch watching TV and the next that same couch is shrink-wrapped and your TV is in a box. It's amazing to me how much I forget about moving during the three years we spend on station. You'd think this would be old hat by now, but it's not. Sure, we now have lists of lessons learned, things we need in the cars for the trip, etc. But the shear magnitude of moving coupled with the speed at which it happens - surprises me everytime. Maybe it's just that my emotions are slower to catch up.

In any case, we are in final prep mode; pictures and curtains are down, everything is washed and waiting to be packed, only what we need for the next month (towels, clothes, etc) is in use. Tomorrow we'll continue the process of getting ready; pools have to be deflated, toys separated, and the list goes on.

The packers are scheduled for the 1st and 2nd with the truck picking up all our worldly belongings on the 6th, traipsing them halfway across the country and hopefully not losing them along the way!

We will be moving in with the VanCleef's (our friend, Lee and his two kiddos) for the last 4 to 5 days before we head out; I think it would be too difficult to live in our house with all our possessions boxed and not be able to open them if I needed something!

I'll be sure to update along the way...the plan is to be in SATX on July 12th. Right now I'm still having a hard time believing so much will take place in such a short amount of time!

My Daily Soundtrack

I've said it before; Evan LOVES banging on anything with everything! He bangs trees with sticks, puzzle pieces together, the baby wipes box with his toy hammer...you name it. His banging is generally encouraged unless it's - oh let's say - taking his toy bat to the TV stand...or dining room chairs...or glass-top table. We have to set some boundaries, right?

Anything else is fair game and Scott and I have learned to function amidst the chaos. Sometimes that means raising our voices to continue our conversation and sometimes it means reirecting Evan to a softer toy to bang with and "misplacing" his drum sticks!

This morning was no exception. The first thing he picked up was his drum and sticks...sigh...

A little sampling of his musical prowess..