The never ending move

from this...

to this... it only took about 2 months total!

(and never again will we do a slow move)

Our never-ending move is finally done. Well, at least on the San Marcos end it's done. Does it really ever end? The organization? I think not. But I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and stay put in Temecula without those trips back to shove the leftovers in my car and see the dead grass, overgrown trees that were once flourishing and lovely, smell the nothingness and dust building in the house that once bustled with lots of noise & love. Truly, though... it was a blessing in disguise for more than a few reasons to go through this ordeal. I rest easy knowing that we did everything we could, from every angle to stay and that we're being guided in this crazy and sometimes cruel world.

Did I ever mention that our house was haunted when we first moved in? Seriously, it's a creepy story fit for a campfire if you haven't heard it yet. Curt had a 'ghostly' experience the last time he closed/locked the front door and said goodbye. Freaky. It had been about 5 weeks since we'd actually lived in our home. This spirt/ghost literally shoved him backwards a couple feet on his butt as he locked the door for the last time. For reals.

I had prepared myself for this big change, and I mostly worried about Brayden starting a new middle school after establishing himself with great friends and excelling at San Elijo. It makes me sad they won't have that same consistency Curt and I both had growing up going to ONE elementary and ONE middle school, but we're here, and we're going to embrace all of what Temecula has to offer. Anyone up for brunch in beautiful wine country sans the wine?

The move has been especially tough for me. We miss having the Parry's across the street, we miss friendly Joe and other neighbors always so excited to see the commotion and kids on the corner, we miss all the kids' friends, I miss my buds that I could always call to play, make a Fro Yo run, complain, or cry with that were so much a part of some life-changing experiences for our family. I miss that comfort zone! I miss the proximity to the coast and the ability to just get in the car and run down to the beach to watch the sunset, walk the boardwalk, or spend just an hour enjoying the surf. And I miss my ocean view from my balcony...it really did do something unexplainable for my soul.

The kids all had a really soft landing here in Temecula, for which I am grateful. They all have made some great friends quickly and have jumped into healthy and happy routines. Their schools are all top notch and amazing. Their teachers couldn't be better. It truly is a wonderful blessing to experience these physical changes and to always know there will always be a HUGE constant. Everywhere we go, we will always have the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Even though it's a different ward (congregation), it's like a built-in network of people that automatically care for you, are willing to help you, accept you, love you, and include you. For that constant, I am grateful. I was just called to teach Relief Society (the women in our church) and I'm nervous nelly even though I know I'll enjoy the new challenge.

Curt is in a Masters program right now (Psychology), and in another 1 1/2 years will be in a strenuous PhD program (he has his eye on neuro-psych) in an effort to reinvent himself, while still holding down the fort with his current job that pays the bills. Who knows where that will take us... who knows what adventures the next few years will bring us and where we'll end up when we are finally able to get back on our feet and purchase another home. I'm thankful for these experiences, even though they can really stink at times... it's just very temporary; we're on a good path and I think the sacrifices will be well worth it!