We like to move it, move it...

We like to.... MOVE IT!

Well, "like" might be too strong of a word, but like it or not, we are once again in the process of moving.  This go around we are moving locally from one neighborhood to another within the same county.  Also for a change of pace, we are moving ourselves with only the help and kindness of our friends and our church family- but not our Uncle Sam. This will be our 4th move in our 7 1/2 years of marriage and of course coincides with our 4th pregnancy.  If this trend holds true, then we will never move again!  HA! 

So anyway, I will share some photos of our new home once we are settled in a bit, but I thought I'd share some things that I have learned, or am currently learning, in case you find yourself in a similar situation some day. Besides, I don't want to forget what it feels like to be in this situation myself.  :)

1. Ask for help.  I'm still learning to do this, but it has become ever more clear to me that it is important to recognize my limits and seek those who are willing and able to help.

2. Accept help when it is offered.  We are so blessed to be members of our church.  No joke. I have had offers from people to babysit, clean, load the truck, etc, etc. It can be difficult to accept help sometimes, but I am so appreciative of the spirit in which it is offered and genuinely try to allow people to help however they can, because it just makes all of us feel good, ya know?  I know I like it when people let me help them.

3. Sometimes it is better to pay someone else to do it.  We have a piano now.  And we know pianos are heavy, and delicate, and expensive.  So we are paying a professional insured company to move our piano rather than try to do it ourselves.  It's not cheap, but it costs a lot less than a new piano.

4. Make a plan.  For our last week in the house, Rob and I sat down and wrote out a sort-of master schedule for the week.  When the piano is being moved.  Where the kids will be each day. When the windows should be washed. When to move the garden plants and goldfish.  When the Internet is being hooked up/shut off.  There are just way too many details to attempt to remember them or even have them on separate lists. I need everything in one place.

5. Expect to eat out.  Tonight I made a pot of broccoli soup and hopefully I'll get dinner on the table tomorrow night as well, but after that it will be cereal, sandwiches, and take-out through Saturday.  It is not our ideal, but I can't face washing dishes on top of everything else and the fridge, freezer, and cupboards all need to be empty and clean. It won't kill us, right?

6. Expect things to get broken.  Every time we move, something gets broken.  Last time I broke two things while unpacking that I shed a few tears over... and already this time I had a potted pepper plant tip over in my minivan, make a bit of a mess, and kill the plant.  It's gonna happen, so I need to just do my best, take a breath, and move on.  (This is my personal pep talk today.)

7.  Life will continue to happen even though you are moving. Jake got his first tick bite today.  There is a girl's night out tomorrow night and I have book club on Thursday.  Over the weekend Charlotte spiked a fever.  It has been difficult to keep on top of all that needs to be accomplished, and frankly, we're not going to. Obviously, the tick bite and fever were urgent and important- so they were dealt with immediately. Girl's night out, on the other hand... well I'd love to go, but we'll see how I am doing when the time comes.

8. Pregnancy changes nothing- and everything. I don't know anything about anybody else, but I like to think that I can do whatever I decide to do.  And I can.  BUT... when I am pregnant I get really tired around 2 pm, I need to put my swollen feet up at some point, I can't lift as much or take as many trips up and down the stairs, I need to drink more water, and I drop things more. (I'm clumsy to start with.) So I just try to balance my "mind over matter" with my "knowing my limits" and get it done. Also, it is super easy to fulfill those nesting urges.

So, those are my thoughts, for what it is worth.  :)  No matter what happens, in the end we will be in our new home, our baby will be born in a few months, and all will be well.  Until next year?