The Big Bounce: The Preparation

We finally have internet. YAY!

I obviously have some catching up to do.

The Preparation
The Move
The Home

I will see if I can get it all in just a few posts.

The Preparation.

It should probably be called Operation Preparation H.  Seriously, a pain in the ass!

There is so much to do in preparing to move.

There are just logistic things.  Because we were headed into a mess of a house, we had to leave a few days before our stuff.  We had to find people to sit for hours with the packers and movers.  Then, we had to find some friends who share our white glove ideas on cleaning to make the house presentable after our stuff was gone.

Thankfully, we did.  All is good in that area.

In the weeks and days prior to moving, we had to do all the necessities.  We had to plan for mail forwarding and start changing addresses with various companies.  We had to secure insurance on our new home.  We even had the non-essential things to do like find satellite service and internet service.

We had to figure out what to pack in the truck and what to leave behind.  I guess I should say, fight over what would come with us and what would come with the movers.  We had very different ideas of what was essential.

There were last minutes doctor visits, prescription refills and vet visits.  Last minute banking and planning.  We had to cancel services at the previous house and make some minor repairs from shelving and curtain rods we took down.

It was a crazy week prior to leaving.

We did have some extremely bittersweet times before we left.

We had a Saturday afternoon cookout with the majority of Kent's family. It was great to have that time. We needed that time.  Leaving family and friends was the hardest part of this move. We loved having some concentrated time before we left.  We even had a chance to have a nice dinner with my little brother and his wife before we left.

On the Friday before we left, some sweet friends threw us a going away party.  It was amazing.  We were so surprised by the number of people who came to wish us well and say goodbye.  It was humbling.  I don't think either one of us realized just how many friends we had. 

Much to our surprise, many of our friends showered us with love and gifts or gift cards.  We set and read each card with giant tears flowing.  I'll explain in one of the next posts, but the gifts and gift cards have blessed us beyond words. 

Honestly, it was all of the encouragement and time we had with friends and family that has gotten us through.  We know we have a huge group of supporters who are praying for us and wishing us all the best.