Head 'em Up and Move 'em Out

Well. We were ready for a change and boy did we get one - I tell you what. 

Before I get to Texas I need to reflect upon the last week or two before the big move. For closures sake. And while July may be a distant memory for you, it seems like last week to me.

Our farewell party at Divine Word - cakes, food, and a beautiful painting of Ottawa

They look like cousins but were our original neighbors and like family! 

Our China travel group girls

A Texas themed going away party

Wayne ditched me. Not really, but he had a good reason for leaving. He and Will flew to Calgary to get a car from Grandma for Will. Will had been dreaming of this moment for years and the time had finally come so he was flying high. Wayne was able to enjoy a few days with his mom before leaving the country for awhile. They had some good bonding time especially as they drove from Calgary out to my parents house in northern WI where we met up with them. 

Meanwhile I made plans. Dinner plans, lunch plans, social plans, tea party plans. I figured if I had to say goodbye to these wonderful people in my life we better have fun before doing it. 

Dinner on the deck with friends

Tea at Chateau Laurier with Oma and our dear friends, Evelyn and Mary

Finished her sewing project with Aunt Karen!! 

My parents also arrived to accompany us on this move since we were down two guys. I may be in my forties now but good land ... I still need my mom and dad. They've moved so many times in their lives that they could move blindfolded. Maybe not, but they definitely bring some experience to the table. And emotional support. There's that too. 

I won't get into all the ducks that had to be in a row for this move but there were many ducks.  Immigration, finances and changing currencies, importing our vehicles, selling a house and buying another, and all the paperwork that had to be collected ahead of time not to mention the regular parts of moving. Anything could go wrong at anytime. Just one piece of missing paperwork, one government employee having a bad day, something falling through the cracks ... we tried not to dwell on this but used our energy to pray instead. It was hard. 

Long story short: we made it to the other side. Our house was sold and a cute family moved in. We bought a house in Texas and Wayne was able to get to know them a bit and help them move out while collecting needful info about our new place. Wayne and Will crossed the border with his "new" car. My car, Wayne's car and mom and dad's truck with trailer crossed the border and we had the nicest people.  They were friendly, efficient, and properly completed their part of the paperwork needed to import our vehicles. Keep in mind - this is a government agency. Miracles happen, people! 

The drive from Ottawa to Texas was LONG. We had the two days it takes to get to my mom and dad's in northern Wisconsin. Meanwhile Wayne and Will were driving there too but from Calgary. We met up on Wayne's birthday happy to reunite after almost two weeks apart. As luck would have it, his birthday was on a Friday so you know what that means in Wisconsin .... fish fry! Unfortunately he had to leave for Texas the next day to make it down for the closing of the house date. The kids and I took the weekend to recuperate and enjoy a short reprieve before heading on. I hadn't realized how tired I had become over the previous few weeks and I slept a lot during those two days. 

We left early Monday morning with Zan and me in the Explorer and Will following in his car. We made it to our new home Tuesday night and the moving van had already arrived, unloaded and left. We arrived to a sea of boxes and 105 degree temperatures outside. The kids were excited to see our new place, move into their new rooms, and we were all excited to finally be reunited again! 

Zanna colour coordinated the boxes with rooms. The Spanish speaking guys on this side of the move really appreciated it! 

Time to settle in.