We Moved!

We’re in!

We started moving boxes on Thursday, August 20th because the seller was super nice and said we could unload some things ahead of closing. That was a blessing! We loaded the largest Penske available plus our truck and a utility trailer and took an entire load to our new house that night. Then we went back to Maple Valley to sleep, and got up Friday, August 21st to the official move day. There were lots of last minute phone calls and challenges up to about noon on Friday, and then all went quiet while we packed the Penske, our truck and another utility trailer, my dad’s truck, and our Volvo with what remained of our stuff. We unloaded all of it Friday night after the seller left (about 8 PM) because the Penske was due back first thing Saturday morning. We did, however, sleep in the house in our own beds because we unloaded the mattresses and tossed sheets on top. My mom had washed the kids’ bedding ahead of time so they slept in freshly laundered, brand new sheets and quilts that first night!

A huge thank you goes to Carl Bonnell, Preston Cole, and all four of our parents for helping load, unload, and clean both houses to make this move go smoothly for us. In fact, my mother in law spent about three days cleaning the new house, and it is so nice to start fresh with our own germs. 🙂

We spent Saturday and Sunday wandering around looking for boxes. Even though I’d made a little system and numbered the “first day” boxes to be stacked together, we didn’t quite get everything in one place. By Monday, we were functional, with kitchen and bedrooms done, and we spent the afternoon out on Puget Sound with the Bonnells. It was a welcome break from the chaos!

Tuesday, the kids had their checkup appointments (more on that later) and we did some grocery shopping. Wednesday I worked, and Thursday my niece and I painted the living and dining rooms. Friday we had more errands to do, and Saturday I went to Portland for my sister in law’s baby blessing. So by today, Sunday, we’re done in the office, laundry room, and bookshelves, and we tore up the family room carpet because it’s getting replaced this week (!). It’s starting to feel like home.

The kids are having a wonderful time playing with new friends Sawyer and Jozie, who are the same ages as ours and live just three houses away. They spend a lot of time playing here, there, and in between. It is really fun to watch them gain some independence by walking to a friend’s house and coming home for dinner on time!

Meanwhile, my fabulous “we’ve moved” cards have been ready to print for a WEEK, but Costco Photocenter is down and I can’t custom order my own template in the store. So you’ll just have to wait!