Move Cross Country

I think I am into the swing of living and not just moving.  It has taken me a while to want to post.  One, I felt like it was never ending and two, it is a bit emotional to think about (and a third, this is a new computer that I am getting use to).  Some day, hopefully our next move, we will move into a place and people won't ask how long we will be in x location.  If they do, I will answer indefinitely! 

This move was rough for a handful of reasons (Please don't feel bad for me/us.  We really are enjoying ourselves and the journey.  Rough is a true and honest feeling at times of being out of our comfort zone.).  When we moved three years ago it was emotional because we were moving so far from family.  We were excited and slightly unsure of what was in our future for the next three years.  Little did we know we would over look the brown landscaping (and actually find beauty in the green there was) and love Phoenix.  The weather was great year round.  Most of all *edit the tears here* we added to our family with great friends; along with the ones we were able to have with us from medical school nearby, the Cervantes and Chapmans!   David had a positive experience from his training at Phoenix Children's Hospital.  With added relationships the strings are now tied to Texas and Arizona.  To avoid a flood in our new home I can't elaborate much more. I might sneak some of the greatness in.  It was that good and that hard to leave. 



I wasn't looking forward to stretching more ties with states and miles.  I also wasn't looking forward to exposing myself to new people in a new state.  I have heard and continue to hear how the first year of fellowship is the worst year of training we will experience from the beginnings of David's medical schooling and training.  That makes me feel better about leaving comfort zones.  So moving just wasn't sounding fun.

Driving cross country honestly doesn't sound that bad to me.  We knew we had 30 hours of driving ahead of us.  We split it into 3 days, to be realistic (we thought about 2).  The kids are great travelers and we knew we were driving into some pretty parts of the country.  I would rather have shared the experience in the same vehicle as David, but moving truck costs are insane!  So we settled with walky talkies and cell phones when within range of each other and cell phones worked. 

The kids did great!  The first day was the hardest.  It was our longest.  We were already tired from packing/loading/cleaning and farewells.   Our hotel was just a nights rest and nothing fancy in Amarillo.  We lost two hours the first day.  The second day was our best.  We didn't have any time changes we were better rested.  We arrived in beautiful Rolla, MO.  Seriously, beautiful!  The hotel was great and just a Super 8.  We pulled in early enough to get the kids in the pool for some energy release.  The third day, well, it was the third day.  We were also pulling into our new house.  As exciting as it is, it was a little daunting.  The unloading, unpacking and newness of it all was overwhelming.  Beds needed to be set up.  Unfortunately our house wasn't completely vacant from the owner's belongings and some work that still wasn't completed. 

Before moving forward on the actual move in.  I have to jump back to the greatness of our dear friends in Phoenix.  We were showered with meals, get togethers, help in packing, cleaning, loading and gearing up for the trip on the road.  As much as I tried to prepare ahead of time, there either wasn't enough time, it had to wait until just before we left or I just spaced it until I already had a list full of things to do.  I knew my kids were excellent travelers.  They really are fun to travel with.  As I was getting closer my mind decided to think of games and activities to add to the trip.  Side note: we sold the Cadillac the beginning of June, so we were down to one vehicle.  That wasn't a big deal, because I was going to be at home working on things to get ready anyways.  That was until I decided to create activities that needed a little shopping.  I gathered a few things.  I did what I could and that was all I could do.  I had some excellent friends who went above and beyond to help watch over us as we traveled.  (Names are not going to be mentioned, because I don't want to miss anyone nor embarrass...not that this is an embarrassing service, such a blessing!).  They completed some of my ideas that I couldn't finish.  They added great Cd's to our trip that we opened along the way.  A travel log was made with cute goals (you have travelled 100 miles, or you have crossed the such and such state line, when you have found five slug bugs, etc) that once reached the kids could unroll and get a treat.  Some of the kiddos saved them in their little travel box to snack on whenever they wanted.  Teague always ate them immediately and wanted more.  Friends loaded us with snacks.  I didn't have to go shopping for road snacks, huge relief!  I only had to stop at a gas station for some chili cheese Frito's for David ;)  Friends added more prizes that we opened along the way.  Friends worked hours with me to clean without me asking, because anyone who knows me knows I won't ask or tell you if you do ask.  We have since learned we think we will load an evening, the next day clean, the following day hit the road.  The loading and cleaning in one day was difficult.  It was a lot and some cleaning just couldn't happen until after things were out of the house.  Then there is always the random leftovers that need a boxed home to get to the new destination.  I had friends help with the kids for days while I wrapped things up.  We had a neighbor give us gift cards to restaurants we would surely come across on our trip.  The service and love we felt from our friends was and is still overwhelming.  I tease that they either loved us that much or they wanted us to leave that bad.  From the feelings I have felt, I am positive we were surrounded by loved ones who cared for us beyond anything we could ask for.

We have studied 1 Nephi (The Book of Mormon) through our move.  How appropriate, right?!  and very applicable.  These versus always stand out when moving to a new part of life, 1 Nephi 17:1-3,
"And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth.  And we did travel and wade through [some] affliction...
And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon [fast food and snacks, we] were strong; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.
And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled.  And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, we did sojourn in the wilderness."

I am not naming any one place as the wilderness.  The wilderness being a new and unfamiliar place or a change that might make us uncomfortable.  So many things come to mind when reading this scripture.  I am so grateful for a loving Lord.  The kids were strong and were without murmuring.  We know we are headed to where we need to be and are grateful for this training opportunity for David.  I know God watched over us in our travels and preparation through saints, our dear friends.  They nourished us, strengthened us and provided means so we could accomplish this great journey.  So blessed and so grateful!  I love you all!  Thank you!

Our drive went well.  Our move to Phoenix was nerve wracking, because I sent David on the road with a friend's help and our two oldest (5 and 3 at the time) ahead of me and I flew with a 5 week old and an almost 2 year old.  Had I driven the van and caravanned with the Penske truck on our way to Phoenix, I am almost positive I would not have done it again.  I would have paid the extra money to have movers drive our home across the country.  I did not mind being in the van for 30 hours with the kids alone.  However, I disliked seeing our house on wheels wobbling on the roads and my husband, who did very well even though he has no truck driving training, driving a long and tall yellow Penske truck with only 2 axles.  Some of the adventures we did have:

• We realized what a truck friendly gas station was.  Just because it had diesel, did not mean it made room for a big struck.  We sort of took the corner of a convenience store overhang off for good times and a souvenir.  Ha!  It wasn't a huge injury to the building.  It did leave a mark on the truck.  David reported it to the store clerk.  Insurance covered it and there was no extra expenses, phew.  The worst was witnessing it all happen.  I had gone ahead to the parking lot so we could picnic.  I saw he wouldn't be able to clear (as did some family that was obviously entertained).  What was I to do?  I shouted, "NO DAVID" as loud as I could and waving my arms, over the sound of the loud truck, I think my windows were still up and a few car spaces were between us.  I thought he might look at me to see if he could make the turn.  I don't think he was thinking about the height, but the awkward space he had to maneuver in.  To add salt to the wound, the kids were very aware of the incident and don't have a filter.  That was our first gas stop and we were more cautious after that. 
• The more we drove, we hit some construction.  Not bad.  Most gave us fair warning.  One snuck up on us.  David was behind me.  The person in front of me stopped quickly.  I slammed on the brakes and David followed suit.  Scary to see the wobbly yellow truck halting.  Not to mention how some of the scratches and injuries to our belongings may have occurred.  That was scary.  It was due to a merge to one lane.   We were already in the lane that was open, but had left it to avoid contact.  When this occurred we had crept up a few places, but not with intentions of trying to get a few cars ahead.  A semi let me in, but wasn't going to let David and the Yellow Truck (ha ha, like The Man in the Yellow Hat) in.  I set a pick.  David was wondering why I wouldn't move up to open a space.  It took him a few seconds to realize I was setting him a pick.  Love that truck!
• The shoulders to the roads seemed to gradually get smaller and smaller and fade into only inches before a drop off.  Lovely!  Those moments I chose to be far ahead of David or far behind.  I could not witness that.  The roads got worse as well as we got into Indiana.  We know now why Phoenix roads are so great.  Weather affects them greatly.  When there is no weather, you have great roads.  When there is weather changes, the roads fall apart more easily.  Again not easy to watch a big yellow truck on 2 axles move along. 
• Parking the truck in our new drive way.  The last adventure of this thing, never again!
• We posted foam stars on the ceiling of the van for each hour we conquered.  Sometimes we were "trucking" right along, we overlooked an hour had passed and put two on.  It was great as we were getting closer and the kids could see how much we had accomplished.
• We were only a few hours away from our home, my tire pressure "monitor" was telling me something was wrong.  We pulled over promptly to make sure there wasn't a great leak.  We checked the psi's on all tires.  We got back on the road until we could stop at a gas station with an air pump and measure if there was any great change in the tire pressure.  There wasn't, but we put the tires at the correct air pressure and set on our way.  The light continued coming on.  I was comfortable everything was ok, since we checked it.  We made it with no problems.  I am sure the tires were confused by the temperatures being lower and the bumpy roads.
• Kennedy can hold a potty break if it means she doesn't use the automatic toilet.  Convincing her is not an option and others in the bathroom were entertained while I tried to do so. 
• The forever long toll road through Oklahoma and Missouri and not knowing how much each toll was and how many more we were going to have...and would there be a teller to make change, because the first one there wasn't.  Then change machine didn't work, so I just threw what money was in my wallet in until it let me go.  I donated an extra quarter to the ground and still made it with my last coin a dime.  The toll booth worker didn't care for my humor when I told him I donated a quarter.  He was helpful in giving me somewhat of an idea of what we had left.  
• Reliving it all as I typed, makes the last few boxes we have to unpack a piece of cake!

I hope that wasn't too painful to read and you got a few laughs on our behalf.  We totally made it with a sense of humor and gratitude there wasn't anything major.