We've made it to the point of no return! Our first move overseas has had us up to our eyeballs with research, details and appointments. There was the scheduling and paperwork, followed by dr appointments with shots and trips to the vet. There have been countless drop offs at goodwill. There's an on going list of places to visit, eat, and play at just "one more time". There has been last minute play dates to say good bye to friends and bittersweet farewell hugs.
Lots of things are already checked off our to do list. Our van is on its way across the Atlantic to be waiting for our arrival, the dogs are all set for their move behind us a few weeks, Army lodging has been booked for an extended stay and the airline reservations are made.
Lots left to do too of course! School is ending this week- we've tried to maintain some sense of normalcy for the chickens but those days are behind us now. It's crunch time- time for the heavy lifting and nitty gritty! Let the circus begin!
Ring 1: Unaccompanied baggage (UB)
This is all the stuff we can't (comfortably) live without for the first 1-3 months. Kitchen stuff, linens, toiletry items, highchair, clothing, toys, movies, a tv..... These items will be sent ahead of us to meet us soon after our arrival- the rest of our household goods can take up to 3 months to get there. So this had to be planned out carefully with lots of thought.....many mommy lists were scribbled on napkins of things to add to this shipment lol! UB gets packed and shipped in 2 days!
Ring 2: Household Goods (HHG)
The rest of our belongings that we are taking for life in Germany- furniture, nicknacks and comfort items to make our house a home:) This will be our biggest haul of course. And we are really hoping to get it delivered sooner, rather than later! Until then we will have loner furniture, our suitcases and our UB. HHG get packed next week!
Ring 3: Perm Storage
When sorting a house into piles you quickly realize how much stuff you can live without for a few years! Things like holiday decorations, my classroom materials, and garage stuff have been sifted through with a minimal amount to go in the HHG shipment. All the rest is staying here in storage to collect dust until we make our return in 3+ years.
Grand Finale
~selling junk on yard sale pages
~eating meals consisting of whats already in the pantry (interesting, I mean creative meals!!)
~ziplock bagging EVERYTHING
~sorting piles and shredding papers
~keeping the kids excited about this adventure before us
~trying to get sleep at night lol
It's a circus indeed! and YES we serve popcorn (there's an entire box still in the pantry)!
