Last Day...

I've got a glass of wine in one hand....laptop in front of me....boxes all around me.  No pictures on the walls, no curtains on the rod, no dishes in the cupboards.  I just put Katie to bed for the last night ever in our home at 1903 Colgate.  Tomorrow we will wake up here for the final time.  And, of course, I'm in tears.

Why is it so hard to leave this home?  We have been here just shy of 6 years.  Not that long when you consider some couples live in a house for 30 years, raise their families there - then leave it for a maintenance free retirement spot.  I tried to remind myself today of military families and how frequently they move.  Is it easier for them? 

I spent time with Katie this evening explaining that this would be our last night in this house and that after tomorrow we won't be coming back.  Her response was...."But why mommy?  I like this house."  Please drive a knife directly into my heart....then TWIST!

I'm posting some pictures of our house here...and we are also doing a little scrapbook of pictures.  The idea came from an article my cousin sent me about preparing a toddler for relocation.  The article suggests taking pictures and doing a memory walk before you leave.  This gives your little one time to say goodbye....and also gives them a way of remembering the house after you are gone and someone else has moved in.

MADNESS

Our housing situation is total madness right now!  This weekend we made it through phase 1 of our relocation from Richmond to Roanoke - that is phase 1 of 3.  We close on the house in Richmond Friday June 22nd.  This weekend we moved all the things we had in our POD, plus the garage items.  In 2 weeks we will move the rest of the house (Phase 2).  Did I mention how much I like moving (NOT!).  Seriously - who likes moving?!?!?

The odd part about all this is that we aren't actually leaving Richmond until August.  Through the end of July, Matt will be working and finishing up a final summer class.  I'm in the middle of a HUGE project at work that will last until November.....so we are staying here for a bit longer.  Where are we living you might ask??We are renting a furnished apartment for a couple months to carry us through the transition period.  Yep that's right....two houses....none of which are the house Katie is accustomed to.

Poor girl, she is not going to know where her real home is through all this craziness.  We have done everything imaginable to involve her in the moving process......taking her on the house hunting trips, letting her "help pick" the house, letting her pack a box of her most precious items to carry with us.  She's done WONDERFULLY well.  I thought she wouldn't be able to sleep in the new place this weekend....but she surprised us and did great.  Amazingly, she sees it all as one big adventure. 

I'm just waiting for when this whole thing is going to blow up in our face.  My concern is when Katie starts a new school in the fall, when we are officially relocated to Roanoke, when Matt is eyeball deep in schoolwork, and my project is nearing its end - that's when its going to hit her.  Time will tell.

Pictures from this post are from the Flying Squirrels Baseball game this past week.  Katie and I took Papa and Nana on Memorial Day.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate our American freedom - taking in a baseball game, eating a hotdog, and watching my father teach my daughter about baseball.  Good stuff!  :-)  Thank you to all the troops who have served and continue to serve us each and every day!!!