Monday and Tuesday were spent doing some of our Top Ten list and
packing and cleaning. Andrew's last day was Tuesday and they threw
him a fun luau party at work.
We didn't get to all our top things to do.....most of them we did and some we can do
when we come back this way to load our things to be shipped after our trip.
Wednesday, October 2....moving out day
So we had moved everything into storage on Sunday except for
the things we were taking on our trip and a few more boxes for
the storage unit. We also had left out our mattress and part
of our couch in the house. So on Wednesday morning, a friend from
Andrew's work came with his truck to get those last pieces of furniture.
Bobo had been wanting to sleep in the living room, so our last night we
all slept in the living room. Then in the morning I moved the kids onto pallets in
the dinning room to get a little more sleep.
Our growth chart wall.
Playing Lego's as he was "banned" from the living
room where we were cleaning.
Bobo asked that morning, "Why are we moving?"
Then he answered his own question,
"Lots of people we get to know again."
Bobo said in the midst of packing several days ago,
"I can't believe we are leaving." He said this at different points.
I can't either Bobo.
Drew said that he thought he was feeling a little sad on the first day we really
started packing the house. He had seemed a little more cranky. He is
sentimental like me. This is probably the first move he will
remember. We went out on the porch to talk and
Deveraux followed. She ended up giving him a great
porch talk...."All the things you are going to miss are small
compared to the things to look forward to...."
Deveraux helping me wipe everything down.
Saying good-bye to our sweet neighbors, Sally and Riley.
Emeline came to play for a bit....
I am so glad you are coming with me!
On my last morning run on this day:
I realized that indeed Carmel by the Sea was really
special and I had savored our area and our house from the beginning,
I really had and I was glad it was not lost on me
where I was and how special it was each day.
There will always be a good-bye,
nothing can be held onto forever.
This is not a pessimistic "Eeyore" statement but a reality that
makes me feel able to wisely loosen my grasp a bit.
Wherever I am my roots seem to grow deep.
I take some solace in this.
It makes life a bit more painful but I also know
I can find beauty in lots of places.
Does my heart resonate more with Carmel by the Sea
than maybe some other places? Yes. Am I reminded
more of my past memories and feel comforted and connected
living here? Yes.
So I say thank you.....
Still playing
Sweet Joy did not want to stay away. A faithful friend,
she helped us box up a few things. Oh I will miss her!
They only had a few remaining things to play with,
but they continued on. Bobo did climb into the van
several hours before we were ready to go, as he was ready to go.
......but oh we were still climbing the mountain.
Anyone who has ever moved knows those random piles at the end.
I finally saw the light after our property manager came and
mentioned a few things we needed to do, Andrew took
another load to the storage unit, and we just had to pack the
few remaining items and get the van ready.
This was the end of about a month long journey of getting
ready for this move....starting with Andrew bringing back
our things from Colorado. It was a move that happened
in stages which helped that we did not wait until the last
minute. Yet, even in being prepared there are still things
that need to wait until the end and a move is a move
no matter what! We were nearing the finish line!
Our neighbor came over and asked for help, so Andrew
had him try to break down the table I never refinished.
Walking through the house, saying good-bye and thank you!
We love you porch....house
California
I called this our barn door (garage)
You sweet old hearty house that provided so much
play for our children, fellowship for our family and others,
a place creativity and imagination blossomed, a sweet refuge, and
a place we looked forward to coming home.
We will miss you!
Deveraux and Bobo will miss you great climbing tree
Our street
Taking the last looks
I had to drive by the ocean
The landscape drew me in first, then friends.
I can't bottle it all up. I wish I could.
We have been living it...it is alive there.
We then headed to Eugene's and Young's. She had made
sushi for the Dev and Bobo. They were so excited and it
would be there first good meal all day. I was glad to
drive up to their house one more time and it almost felt
normal. I definitely know it is not the end, they are a part of our lives!
Next stop was the Langfords. I told Joy we would be finished
around 4:00....so it was about 8:30 when we arrived.
Of course, they were ready and waiting.
A friend who celebrates with me even in her loss, because she serves
the Father. The Gospel is bigger than her own story and
she really lives that out! She is a forever friend!
How she has loved me! Thank you Joy! And joy you are!
So many firsts here:
Bobo and Deveraux learned how to ride a bike
Bobo learned how to roller-skate
First trips with other families (besides extended family to San Francisco and Yosemite)
marathon
painting of our home
First lost tooth
Playing outside by themselves
Seeing our two become playmates
Growing closer
First school experience for Deveraux
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
"Faith...acting in accordance with the promises of God"
(thanks Joy for those reminder words)
We have been on such a journey to get to this point.
here we go.....
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