We're Here. Moved. *Sigh*

N showing off his top two pearly whites...while playing in a moving box. July 2011

25 Things We Learned from This Move
In no particular order

1. While house-hunting...if you see the words "quaint" , "charming", or "cozy" in the description of the rental property--do yourself a favor, move on to the next on on the list.

2. If a person packing your kitchen advises you that they aren't supposed to pack chocolate because it might melt in transit--and you tell them to go ahead & pack it anyway--expect your pantry-stocked bags of chocolate chips to arrive as a big chocolate CHUNK.

3. Always read your new city's website--how else will you learn about the even-days/odd-days lawn watering schedule?

4. Never pack frozen bags of mixed berry fruit in your car, without some kind of impermeable barrier--no matter how great you think your special frozen grocery bag is.

5. If you forgot that it was time to change your payment information for your cell phone, the day that your service will be cut off will be THE DAY that you are moving from one state to another (in a separate car from your spouse).

N exploring a new room while we try to unpack in an orderly fashion. July 2011

6. Don't forget to pack your vacuum cleaner. Otherwise, you will find in the end you have no room for it in either car...and you say goodbye to your trusty friend.

7. Double check to see if your new state is having government shut downs--this will assuredly affect your ability to take advantage of rest stops along the way.

8. Expect rain. Either while you're loading, moving, driving, or unloading. Just be ready.

9. If you don't expect rain--do expect some kind of out of the ordinary weather...like...oh, a HEAT DOME that sits on top of your supposed cool-weather state. We're talking 115 heat index on move-in day, folks.

10. Plastic knives & utensils are great for those few days without your boxes...but remember, for pizza--the plastic knife will never win.

N checking out the deck & backyard...from INSIDE. Heat index 110+. July 2011.

11. Babies and hotels are not meant to be together. (Unless you can afford an entire floor)

12. Be sure to warn your neighbors about the huge truck that will probably block their driveway for a huge portion of the day on load day (and later, at your new location, on unload day). If you forget to offer this information early...go over & apologize and bring some kind of peace offering. Something you need to get out of your freezer, perhaps?

13. No matter how 'empty' your fridge looks--it will always take twice as much time to clean out and twice as much space to cart it in your car.

14. Your new place will always lack something you loved in your old place. Get over it!

15. If you purchase an air mattress (for those 3 nights w/out your bed) & then decide it wasn't that great...don't expect to be able to take it back. You already opened it, so it is yours FOREVER.

J eating pizza on the kitchen island in his undies. July 2011.

16. If you're three years old and there is no table in your kitchen yet, you get to sit on the island to eat your pizza lunch...in your undies.

17. Deep cleaning your new home will be exhausting but rewarding. If you have a few days before your junk arrives, just DO IT.

18. Watching two young men carry your favorite furniture from a van, across the driveway, up the steps and into your house (in 115 degree heat index) *might* cause ulcers.

19. Being grateful for the packers, loaders, drivers, and movers far supersedes the ulcers caused by the stress of watching someone else move all of your earthly belongings (12,000 lbs to be exact).

20. Mapping out the furniture for the rooms in your new place (especially when downsizing) will never be easy, fun, or fast--ALWAYS include ice cream and humor.

J- July 2011. Talk about comic relief! 

21. If you unpack everything in your house, try to get organized, and a week later still have a garage full of stuff--you *might* just have too much junk. (Again: 12,000 lbs)

22. If the home owner is using a management company, you will have the ease of direct deposit but may be lied to about such things as the carpet being cleaned (it wasn't & our brand new vacuum cleaner proved it)

23. Finding people you trust to help with your kids during a move might be hard for some people--but not when you are a Mormon.

24. Go over your "To Do Before We Move" list FIRST. And don't forget the lists of gratitude in between.

25. Make sure to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE before you drive your spouse (and/or kids!) crazy during move week. A little down time away from the moving project will go a long way.

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As you can see...we made it safely and in one whole family unit from northern Illinois to eastern Minnesota. It has been nothing less than an adventure, and I'm hopeful that our home will be in good order before Trevor starts his traveling assignments next week.


The boys have done great, really. Besides the one crazy hotel night with Nathan--he has been very easy going and happy to be bouncing around in boxes & exploring new corners and closets. J has a new (very blue) room to call his own (for now...N will join him soon enough!) and a new set up for his toys that is fascinating to him. He has taken on more 'big brother' roles--helping with feeding Nathan snacks and helping keeping him distracted with toys, etc.

Our new home is really great--we really are blessed. It was a challenge but we were able to find a place with a fenced yard, space for our living needs, and close to the airport & Twin Cities--while staying within our budget. It is hard to downsize so we're trying to be smart with the space we have and feel good about the organizational plans. We have TOO MUCH STUFF for sure but surely there is a way to make it all work without selling half of it, right? Ha :)

We do plan on selling some things, re-organizing others, etc--hopeful to get both cars in the garage by wintertime...we shall see.

Our new ward seems wonderful--we've been the last two Sundays and already made some nice friends. It is much smaller than our last (sniff sniff, we miss you, Oswego!) which had about 300ish in attendance on Sundays--here there are about 150. There are two other units that use the building so it's busy-busy after meetings...no time for chatting!! (Trevor doesn't mind this a bit) J has done well in nursery so far and we have found a pew that fits us just perfectly. We are eager to get involved and make new friends.

Of course, we miss everything about the place we just called home two weeks ago! We miss our dear friends, our comfortable set up, the loft space, my garden tub (!!), etc. We will always cherish our memories in the Chicago area and hope to remain close with our friends there. We are grateful for that spot along our family's adventure...where we added baby Nathan & grew together in so many ways.

Thank you for the prayers, support, positive energy, and love you have offered us during this transition time! 


Hopefully I can get back on the blogging bandwagon, as well! 




P.S. If you would like our new mailing address, leave a comment with your email & I'll send it your way! :)