Lessons Learned from Moving

So, yes, despite the warnings, we were crazy enough to attempt a full DITY (AF speak for a do-it-yourself move)! Though the AF is certainly willing and ready to move your household goods for you, we figured it was the perfect opportunity to try it ourselves. This way we could pack things the way we wanted, have everything organized just so, and at the end of all the hard work, enjoy a nice hefty paycheck just in time for Christmas. That was the idea, and for the most part everything went according to plan... we just learned a few lessons that we thought might be worth sharing.

Lesson 1: Never Underestimate How Much Stuff You Have
We even took preemptive action, going through our things. We had helped several friends move that could barely fit everything onto their moving truck. I made several trips to Salvation Army and we held a Yard Sale back in October. While it was far from a success, we donated everything we didn't sell, and felt pretty good about weeding out the clutter.

But apparently, I could fill an auditorium with seating... from dining room and kitchen chairs, to barstools, rockers, and benches. By far the most awkward item to pack, our big truck began to look full while my chairs remained in the driveway.
Which at the 11th hour, led us to the realization that we could not indeed fit everything into the truck. Thankfully, after placing calls all over the Golden Triangle, U-haul came through with a spare 17-footer. And, thankfully again, my parents, who were planning to make the trip back to NC with us anyway, gave us the necessary numbers to have a driver for each vehicle.

As a caveat to this lesson learned, I would add that we used the Penske truck-size calculator to determine what we would need. Umm, yeah. Apparently, if we ever do another DITY, Aaron will need to get a CDL.

Lesson 2: Everything takes more time than you think!
The orginal schedule:
Thursday- Load Truck
Friday- Repaint rooms and clean house for final inspection at 4pm.

Loading the truck(s) was obviously not accomplished on Thursday, which left us scrambling to find the truck Friday morning. We got a head start on painting Thursday night, which proved to be critical to making our final out. While my Dad and Aaron finished painting and loading the second truck, my Mom and I were attacking the cleaning checklist and scouring the house from top to bottom. We were moving the last few cleaning supplies out of the house at 4:01pm as the housing lady arrived.

We all held our breath as she looked over everything, and to our great relief we PASSED! We checked into our TLF (base hotel) and enjoyed a great night of sleep courtesy of a nicely stuffed mattress. Every one of our air mattresses from the previous evening, except my mother's, had deflated in the early morning hours.

Lesson 3: Don't pack the kleenex!

By far, the hardest part was not the physical labor but the goodbyes. These wonderful Bible Study friends and their husbands came to help us load up the truck. It was great to spend one last Thursday evening them and they were so gracious to help, much less send me off with the sweetest notes and gift.

On Saturday afternoon, we scheduled a lunch date at our favorite Mexican restaurant to say more goodbyes to all of our friends from Columbus. Though it was hard to say farewell and I started to get a bit teary at the end, we're so glad we had a final opportunity to spend time with some of the great friends we made here. I really wish I had taken more pictures with everyone, here's one of me with my sweet friend Gretchen.

Our last stop was church on Sunday, followed by the annual Thanksgiving fellowship dinner. It was here that tears definitely flowed, as so many offered us such kind words, encouragement, and prayers. Such evidence of God's love, is what we'll always cherish about our church home there.

Lesson 4: Keep the kid entertained.

With so much activity, out of whack schedule, and the appearance of 2 yr. molars it's a near miracle that our child stayed in one piece. Loading the truck was pretty hectic, as Will really, really, really wanted to play inside it. We did give him a couple runs down the ramp, but otherwise plenty of people were on hand to help us keep track of him.

Some other kiddos also made an appearance, which he enjoyed. Here he is gazing at his little girlfriend Emma. So cute! Our wonderful neighbors watched Will all day long Friday, for which we are beyond grateful. He had a ball playing from sun up till sun down with his buddies Austin and Devin. While moving in, Aaron's mom kept an eye on the little tyke. And I think it's safe to say, he had a much better time in both places than he would have had with us.

And, of course, on the road, my precious cargo needed something new and exciting to keep him happy. This little light-up camera I found at the BX was well worth the $10 I spent. He must have played with it for an hour each time I handed it to him. Awesome!!!

Lesson 5: Take a Break!

Just as we made it to North Carolina and felt like we would collapse, we got dressed up for an evening out with my family to see Mannheim Steamroller! We've loved their Christmas music for years now. Aaron even proposed to me on Christmas eve while Stille Nacht was playing in the background. The music was fabulous and a great break from all the moving chaos.

Lesson 6: Give thanks for good friends.

I think it bears repeating that it was the help of so many wonderful friends (and family) that helped us keep our sanity. Packing, loading, unloading, babysitting, letting us borrow something we needed... you name it, our list of people to thank is probably a mile long. But you know who you are and thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Lesson 7: Moving In is Harder than Moving Out

Yep, our first home with stairs was the first initial challenge. And while I like the idea of an upstairs laundry room (near the bedrooms)... I'm thinking Aaron, Dad and Jason aren't such fans(photo courtesy of Shannon).

And while we have a couple of weeks to accomplish what only took 2 days to haul out, it's challenging to find the perfect new place for everything. Add to that, a broken heater that is taking the coldest week of the year to be repaired, and a stolen debit card and life's been just a little crazy. But then we realize most of our upheaval is temporary and trivial. We will eventually get settled and find joy in this new season of our lives. And perhaps, just in time for Christmas, that's the greatest lesson that this moving season reminds us of...

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." ~2 Corinthians 4:16-18