Sunday, March 23, 2008

Smooth Move

It's overwhelming to me to be in a place in my life that requires help. And not just, "I'll pray for you" help, or "I'll give you a donation to get you going" types of help. When you move you need bodies. Strong bodies. Bodies that you trust to not dent your furniture and not to be totally disgusted when they pull your bed from the wall and see a years worth of night time feeding nursing pads that were hiding under there (so embarrassing). I was humbled by the volunteer spirit our friends and family extended. We had some curve balls during the two day move. Things that were not on my many lists that I made while wondering how in the heck were we going to get out of here. Phoebe was sick (puking sick), Matt's grandmother (who has had lots of health problems and lives an hour away) had to be revived twice because her heart stopped, and Matt was called out on a SWAT mission in the middle of the night the day of the move so only got a few hours sleep. Yikes. The list of helpers who came to our aide is incredible. Our pastor, friends to just to offer a hug, some SWAT members, even a neighbor came over with her rubber gloves on ready to clean. When pastor Ben stopped by he asked how he could help. I gave him three options:

1. Go though my toiletries and decide what I need for six months, what I can pack and what I can throw away.

2. Clean bathtub

3. Entertain babies

Any guesses on what he chose?

And the winner is.....
He lifted some heavy boxes too. Thanks Ben!


Matt even found this bottle of coke that he has been saving from our trip to Ecuador, 15 years ago. (and he made fun of me for saving my shoe box of jr. high notes.) Anyway, I think that he was delirious from lack of sleep that night and lifting heavy ojects popped a few brain cells because when I forbade him from packing this glass coke bottle to yet another home he decided not to waste it.







The family is adjusting to our new temporary living environment. New sounds to explain to Tobin. New little dogs to get used too. A new refrigerator to try to squeeze our four gallons of milk into. Spending more money on gas driving to Church and preschool (and a coffee because hey I am out and about and why the heck not).

We are staying with my friend Michelle. She is just simply amazing to open her lovely home to my family. She has transformed her dinning room into a playroom and reorganized her storage and extra rooms for us and all the stuff that makes a family work for six months. Most of you know that I am a easy going person. But I don't do change well. I like routine. I crave predictability. So this has been challenging for me. The first morning I woke up I stumbled into the kitchen hungry and out of sorts. I wanted my kitchen and my oatmeal and I wanted to punch the woman who was waking up in my old house twirling around MY kitchen like she owns the place (and then I looked at my bank statement and remembered she did in fact own the place and I was going to burn for thinking such thoughts). I opened the cabinet next to the stove and then I saw that Michelle set aside a shelf just for me with my oatmeal, brown sugar and cereal bowls. And I smiled that my friend was so welcoming and thoughtful to bring me this little comfort of home. I knew then that everything was going to be fine.

I have to say that everyone is adjusting better than expected. But the member who is feels like he is in heaven is Rosco. Michelle has two little dogs and her home has a dog friendly environment. Rosco was limited to non-carpeted area in our old house. Now he has free range. And a new spring in his step.

We will be breaking ground next month and have a move in date September 12th. I will be using this blog to record our progress. I want to remember it because I AM NEVER MOVING AGAIN.

13 comments:

Kim H. said...

I'm so glad that the move went smoothly. I wish you well, I don't know that I have any friends that I could live with for 6 months... but it sounds like your friend is an amazing woman! She's thought of everything! Take a few days to relax and get adjusted!!

Unknown said...

Sounds like you have a wonderful friend in Michelle! Glad your move is complete for a while and can't wait to see the new house when its done! I am dying to know if that cococoLA made Matt sick at all??? I can't believe he drank it, or that it actually tasted good.

Jen said...

Love the pic of Ben and the babies...that's the best.

Looking forward to all of the updates on the build. I'm sure you've got the coolest floor plan, complete with drawers and hooks that fit into your organized routine.

Happy Spring...say hi to Roscoe for me. (I feel guilt whenever you mention him. It doesn't matter that Joey is happier with her new owner...still makes me feel bad.)

Jen Green

Tiffany said...

Don't feel too bad about the thoughts of punching...I totally feel the same way in the morning when anyone crosses my path! NOT a morning person! How cool to have a friend that knows you so well that she could set up her house to accomodate you and your family in such a neat and well-planned way! And September 12th is really just right around the corner! And how cool to say you have a MOVE IN DATE!

crystalkupper said...

I've tried to explain my cousin Matt to a couple of friends, but they just don't get it. Maybe I'll show this video to them to help! :-) Loved it all by the way. And Godspeed to getting into your new digs!

Angela said...

Glad this are going smoothly!
I can't imagine what those notes said. :)

Lindsay said...

Enjoy this transition in your life... it will be over before you know it.

I'll look forward to your whitty updates on the transition period!

Blessings as you enter this new chapter of life!

Ona said...

You've got one heck of a friend!!!

AngieG said...

I'm reminded of Anne of Green Gables (as almost any important transition is addressed in her chronicles in my estimation). Do you remember after the White Sands concert, Anne and Diana were standing on the cliff overlooking the sunset above the ocean - she said something like, "No one can ever take this away from us - to be 16 and happy and ready for all that life has to offer..." Moving can be like that! No one can ever take away the time and memories built during those special years for you and your family but oh how precious to be on the brink of something new and exciting. I think God has been planning this new home for some time now and we are all excited to hear just how He reveals each part to you! Keep journaling and letting us all in on your thoughts and reactions. You communicate all of our hearts much better than most of us can - that's why we all love to read your blog.
PS - Matt is a gem! I love the notes. I love the silly song. Precious!

LizzyG said...

I also think that picture of Pastor Ben with the babies is just the greatest. I can tell he must have been reading with a lot of enthusiasm by the look on their faces (Phoebe's smile is so adorable).

It's good to hear you're all adjusting well. I hope the days fly by! And who knows, your house might get finished ahead of schedule!

And Jon and I both enjoyed Matt's tutorial on how coca cola is made in South America...very informative, thanks Matt!

Jonathan said...

Wow, I'm not entirely surprised that Matty drank that. But it's funny to see him do that unprovoked.

Stefanie said...

The video isn't working on my computer, so I'll meander into Mikey's office and give it a go. These months will speed by, as you have something so fun to look forward to. And I'm jealous that you have a girlfriend to have slumber parties/gab sessions whenever the mood strikes:)

I'll miss the house - but like you said - Matt is your house and all I need is you and a couch to share my heart's stories.

Valerie of Momia said...

Ben really has a special place in his heart for the littlest ones. Makayla adores him...from a distance! ;)

Funny about the Coke...my dad used to travel with the Army reserve. We have (unopened) Coke bottles from many places around the world dating back to the late 80s!

How exciting that you have a move in date in late summer. Really, that's not far away!