{moving: the first week}

Like all things in life, unless you've been through something, you just can't know what it's really like.  For me, right now that's the whole moving process.

Last week was the official week one of the moving process, and I can't tell you how happy I am that it's over.  It was crazy...literally.   Rick was out of town, which meant I was on my own. I'm okay to be by myself, but this particular week was so busy, I would have given my eye-teeth to have him home to help.

* Ryan had his Eagle Scout project, something that we've been working toward for a long time.  He did such a great job, and I'm really proud of him!  He worked hard, and overcame some challenges that were presented at the last minute.  It was in the evening, and I'm so grateful to good friends who took my four littles, so I could be there with him.  We didn't get home until really late that night, but it was a successful night.

*Our house went on the market!! Monday was the photography portion, and then it was officially listed late Tuesday afternoon, with the first showing that evening.  That was just the beginning...and we had seven more showings over the next couple of days, plus a realtor open house, where almost thirty realtors from the area came and toured our house. Lunch was served, clients came, and it went really well. (It was also the same day as Ryan's Eagle Project, and was probably the craziest day of all...)

*Speaking of showings, I think they might just put me over the edge. I'm already very particular about keeping my house neat & clean, but knowing other people are going to walk through and look into every corner, made me a little crazy. I got to the point where I was measuring the space on each side of the curtains to make sure it was the same, and, well, you probably don't want to know what else.  I was cleaning... a lot.  I finally had to seal off some rooms (all the upstairs), so I had less to worry about before a showing.

* I was so happy we had so many showings (better chance to sell our house!), but it meant we were out of the house.  A lot.  We ate every meal out during that week, except for breakfast, because most showings took place over the lunch or dinner hours.  I'm not really a fast food girl, but my kids LOVED it.  I just waited until I got home to eat, lol. We had to change things up a bit, and try some new places, since we were out so much, and my kids had Taco Bell for the first time! They all thought it was very exciting. We took our food to a different park each afternoon and evening, ate and played until it was time to go home. This was the fun part! I took a book, laid out a blanket, and read while they played, then pushed them on the swings, watched them do the monkey bars, and slide down the big slide. It was like a little reprieve, and one I appreciated very much. 

*During the week I discovered we were missing some important building and electrical permits, and was given a stack of paperwork to fill out for the inspectors.  With Rick out of town, I was the one that had to fill them out, and even draw a grid outline of our basement.  Those of you who know me well, know that I am NOT an artist in any way, nor do I really understand anything about electrical work, so just looking at it was overwhelming.  Honestly, I could either laugh or cry, and I figured if I started crying I wouldn't stop.  So, I laughed.  I also called the inspectors for help, and they guided me through the paperwork. 

*I always knew how much kindness was in people, but this week I experienced it even more.  I could not have survived without help, and I had a lot of it.  Whether it was physical or emotional, it mattered just as much, and I was so grateful! 

*My parents flew in on Friday afternoon, and they are here for a few weeks while we go house hunting. Thank goodness they're here.  :)

This is the thing.  We're going to come across difficult things in our life, and that's okay, and really how it should be.  Actually, it's a good thing, because it's when you find out what you're made of, and it has the ability to make you stronger.  It's when you dig down deep, give yourself a little pep talk (or two or three), then buckle down and do what needs to be done. I survived the week pretty well, I must say, and I'm ready for the next one!

One week down.  Five more to go.