Stressful but Successful

Well, after weeks of planning and light packing, and then two weeks of intense packing, we’re finished! I’ll spare you the gory details and just say that I’m not a huge fan of moving! The funny thing is I know I’m going to have to move a lot in the future, so I guess I better learn to embrace it. Let me give it a try…if there is a silver lining to moving it is that each time we can continue to purge our old items that never should have survived so many moves! Hmmm, not convincing myself either. Still don’t like moving.

Thank goodness I had a team of angels helping me! First and foremost, my Mom flew in from Utah to help me pack, which I am sooo grateful for because I knew I couldn't do it without her. She's just such a "get it done" type of person and has an amazing ability to stay focused and on task. I was a bit nervous when she called me days before she was supposed to come to Texas and told me she blew out her knee (severely torn meniscus) helping my brother move. I told her I would be fine and she should rest it and get ready for the surgery. Maybe she could sense the panic in my voice, because that didn't stop her. She was on that plane and helped me get everything ready and packed on one leg! I love you Linda-rella!!! I'm sorry for putting you to work, but I'm so thankful you are you! I hope I can do for my daughters one day what you continue to do for me!

We also had an amazing team help us move everything to our dear friend's the Yacktman's basement. When I say amazing, I mean it... Superman and Hercules (Randall and Ryan were in the MBA graduating classes of 2010 and 2009 respectively) came to our rescue and were able to pick up our piano, fridge, washer, dryer etc. like it was nothing. It was truly amazing to see these two guys move our piano by themselves! Add in the guys from the Singles Ward, our family ward and a couple other helpers from the MBA program and we were able to get all moved (thanks also to Mike Smith for the use of his 2 trailers that were a life saver!). The kindness didn't stop there. Kellie and Trevor Budge showed up at my house the night before our flight with dinner and stayed until 1:30am to help keep us going because they knew we would be pulling an all-nighter. Then, after a long night more help came to our rescue. The Allens helped with our last load, brought us breakfast, and took care of whatever else we forgot about. I haven't listed everyone, but you know who you are and I am so thankful for your service! I love you all so dearly!!

After moving ALL night we loaded up in Spencer Hoopes's SUV and he drove us to the Houston airport (this after helping for hours on Saturday -- thanks for being such a wonderful home teacher Spencer!). Did I mention that we had to drive to the Houston airport? 4 hrs. of car travel before we started the plane travel - great. We planned to leave around 9:00am so that we could get to the airport early and let the kids run around, but instead we didn't leave until 11:40am. Can I just say I was biting my nails until we arrived and they said we would make our flight okay. Whew! What a relief to finally be on the plane! I was sweaty, yucky, tired and stressed, but at least we all made it.

Here are some fun photos from the airport in Houston...

Celine checking out her passport

Celine sure looks like a world traveler, doesn't she?

Livia

What a cutie

Mommy's little helper

The girls checking out our newly acquired Euros

Paris, here we come

Everyone did fantastic on the flight to London. I was so happy that Eva didn't mind the flight and that she was happy and easy for most of it (Jeff did get a workout though doing laps around the plane with her).

Cool couch-thing in London Heathrow Airport

When we switched planes in London, the airport crew gave us a bit of a hard time about how big our carry-on bags were. They made us check them along with my stroller and car seat. The lady made sure that we knew that we were taking way too much stuff and that she has 3 kids and never packs this much stuff. I didn't see the point in trying to explain myself, so we just shrugged our shoulders. As we were walking away I heard her say "ugh, Americans always pack big." The funny thing is I would have packed more if Jeff would have let me and there is not one thing that I have wished I left home. NOT one (at least, not yet). I'll take a few crazy looks and semi-rude comments in order to have what I need. I guess they got the last laugh though, as our stroller and car seat didn’t make the flight and had to be delivered to our hotel room. The French immigration officers couldn't resist joining in on the fun either. As we were going through customs, they said in broken English and with some laughter... "Lots of kids. Are you Amish?" I'm sure that won't be the last of our crazy looks, but that's ok. France, here we come!

So, we’re safely in Paris!! More to follow in upcoming posts…