Moving Cross Country Part 2 - the chosen route

Coming to Georgia two years ago, we took the southern route - interstate 10 - to visit family and friends. But the shortest route is actually the more northern route - interstate 40 - and since time was valuable, we took the shortest route. Our journey began in Georgia where we headed to Tennessee. That's where we caught the 40. Tennessee has many rolling hills and the overpacked truck didn't like the roads in 90 degree weather. We took an extended dinner break to rest the vehicle, said a prayer, and continued our journey. We drove that first evening through southern Tennessee to Memphis and over the Mississippi River. (That's the bridge, trust me, it was pretty :) For anyone about to drive the 40 through Memphis, beware! At one point you actually have to take an exit in order to stay on the 40. Don't ask me how I learned this valuable lesson but some nice security guards helped us find our way back onto the road. Our GPS was in the truck with Andrew who did not miss the turn. Our phones (both Dawn's and mine) have GPS ability but it seems Memphis does not get reception. It was bizarre but we caught up to the truck and the kids slept through our mini-adventure so we kept on. Our first night's rest was in Russelville, Arkansas. Never heard of it? Me, neither. I just know we were west of Little Rock and on schedule thanks to Dawn who drove that entire day. It was in the middle of the night as we carried the kids into their beds, which included a cot, an overstuffed chair and a playpen that made the room quite an obstacle course but we all slept! Adam sleepily asked where we were because this was not California. Why weren't we in California in our new house? Poor kid...we heard a lot of that for the next three days...

Moving Cross Country Part 1 - The Truck

Our move to Georgia two years ago was paid for by Andrew's former employer. That trip was mostly about sight seeing, visiting friends and family, and building excitement for a new life in Georgia. This trip was all on us. We could have used his signing bonus and paid someone to do it all for us but what fun would that be? We chose to save our money and do it ourselves. We rented a Uhaul and depended on the kindness of friends to pack up our home and move it to California. Fortunately, we had so much support that not only did the truck get packed up, but we even got a friend (the day before we left!) to drive with us. We are blessed. This is Dawn driving the truck. She did more driving than either Andrew or me. Regardless of all the help, packing was not without it's hiccups. As we packed the truck, our summer long concerns became a reality - our stuff was not going to fit into the truck. We had to rent a trailer and give a bunch of stuff away, but we did it. We closed the doors and were off. I haven't decided if it's amazing that all our stuff fit in that truck and trailer or if it's scary that we have that much stuff! Driving the truck was...I wouldn't know because I never did it! I spent the entire trip driving or riding in the van. Jason and Beth both got a turn driving in the truck but Andrew and Dawn did all the driving. They didn't love it's handling on bumpy, narrow, or steep highways but overall they did great and the truck did its job.(this was my view for four days :)

I'm ba-ack!

We made it to California but internet was slow in getting connected. End result - haven't blogged in two months. I know, the world must be lost without info on what my children have done and said for the last two months. Well, don't you fear because I'm back and ready to work hard to get all caught up including such highlights as our cross country adventure, our new home, visits to the lagoon and the beginning of another school year! Also coming to a computer near you - A second blog recording Adam's preschool year! I'm keeping track of what we do more for me, sort of a journal scrapbook to show him years later all the fun stuff we did this year. Check it out as I present our weekly letter themes (we're already on D is for Duck so there's some catching up to do there, too!) Be back soon, I promise!