As you may recall, we began our Big Journey in 2008 with some preliminary work....
By fixing up our house and packing "stuff" up in faith that the Lord would sell our house and move us to our new home in Missouri!
Mama loves her bleach
(OOPS!!! How did those get in there???)
...So, that was the preliminary stuff that ended up leading to...This...
....So, then we had many, many, many, many, many(!) lookers...many days of rushing around to get the house ready to show....many pleasant evenings with Gmama and Gdaddy as Mama and Daddy showed our little house....
And then, one day, it happened! As it often happens, to show God's hand in the matter, a couple "happened" to stop by and asked to see the house! So we scurried around and cleaned it up while Daddy showed the outside, then he showed a very imperfect inside and they loved it! The next thing we knew was THE CLOSING! So, as you may have heard, our little house is finally sold and the new residents are happily installed.
It was quite the feat to get out of the house by the deadline (the deadline being the fact that we were leaving on a trip to MO at the same time!!!!) but with the help of many family and friends, we are all moved out. Following is a day-by-day view of our final days in our little cottage and of the big rush to get out!!!
DAY ONE:
(Assistant Movers: Amanda and Jordan)
(Assistant Movers: Amanda and Jordan)
Daddy began things by starting on the books. Books always make you feel like your getting something done!!
We had our faithful Mandy come out every day but one. THANK YOU, MANDA! And thank you Aunt Terrie for loaning her to us!!!!! :)
Box conversations....
Fully decorated and ready to go...
Daddy working on the Yellow Peril
"You're kidding, right?"
Mama sorting through clothes.....
"Hmmm....I don't think I'll need it before we move. It can go in storage..."
(Sarah)
And so out the door they go...
DAY TWO:
(Assistant Movers: Amanda, Livy, Ariana, Christi)
Determination....
Sarah taking charge...
Ducky putting away our poor popsicle stuff...
Grace and Christi putting together our Christmas Gift Baskets...
(Life goes on even when you're moving!)
A wonderful supper together. Believe me, it wasn't a dull affair. ;-)
We all approved of the feast....
Liv, I love that smile!!!!!
<:0)
"Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's off to work we go...!"
"Eeexxxccuse me....but shouldn't you be helping, instead of taking pictures???"
"OOOOK, Folks! Let's get this baby loaded...!"
(I'm not sure who is saying that - - you have six people in the photo to stick it to. Enjoy...)
Well, that wasn't exactly the group picture we were looking for...
That's better!
DAY THREE:
(Assistant Movers: Amanda, Mr. and Mrs. Graves, Sam, Ben, Livy, Ariana, and Christiana)
First, we find Mrs. Graves, cheerfully packing away the oatmeal - - which was a cheerful job indeed, since only horses should enjoy the stuff, and I do not deem it safe for human consumption. Thank you, Mrs. Graves!!!
Ben and Pete apparently feel the need to get some exercise....Ben looks more excited about it than Pete!
Grace is packing away the extra PACE's. Hmmm.....You'd think she'd look happier about it....She looks as if she's saying farewell to some dear friends...come to think of Grace the bookworm, she is!
Rose either loves the Pringles, or she's in serious pain....
"So, Paul. Which do you think it is??"
(I love this picture!)
Ah! It's another cedar chest!
Pete looks like he's just not having a whole ton of fun. (perhaps since he's lifted a TON of stuff over the last few days!) Sam seems to be handling the pressure well.
"Ah. You didn't just take my picture...!"
Busy little beehouse...
(Uh, I guess what you'd call it...beehive? I happen to like beehouse better, so you may either live with it or leave my blog. ;-)
Mama showing everyone her wedding dress, and Mrs. Graves pretends to be in it.
Ah!! My faithful cup, my faithful tea....!
We not only work at these parties, but we also visit. What's a party without some fellowship??
Me showing Ben how to put a puzzle together. He seems to be having an A.D.D. moment.....
So, after all the work, we headed over to G'mama and G'daddy's house for supper. These two seem happy about it!
THANK YOU, GRANDMAMA AND GRANDDADDY FOR ALL OF THE MEALS AND SUPPORT!!!!!
Livy and Buddy enjoy watching the game.
(Well, I guess Liv is...Paul is just....eating plastic?)
"Clap, Clap, Snap, Snap, 6-1..."
Tired and.....really tired (That would be Markie. Tired out of her mind...)
Last laughs before the Graves left us.
(*SOB!*)
Next, we have Musical Chairs!!!
Pictures from M.C. are always funny!!!
Go for it!
Down to two contestants...!
(Livy won, by the way)
Amanda, scaring the rest of us...
:-)
And Sarah sings a goodnight song as we all head to bed and dream of packing tape and boxes...
DAYS FOUR AND FIVE:
(DAY FOUR ASSISTANT MOVER: AMANDA
DAY FIVE ASSISTANT MOVERS: THE FRANKLINS)
I regret to say that by this time, we were no longer taking so many pictures, but instead working as quickly as possible. Pictures were hurriedly snapped and not reviewed on the spot. So my apologies to the Franklins, of whom we have many pictures, but most of them aren't very good.
Mrs. Franklin kindly taking on the job of our laundry room/pantry...
I think they were needing a break!
:)
They finally get one!
Daniel and Peter finish up Pete's room.
Markie and Sadie, boxing along...
And Emilie and Rosie sure enjoyed the empty rooms! They sounded so strange!!
Ah! The laundry room/pantry has come a long way! Mama seems happy about that!
Sadie taking a breather.
(I love this picture!)
DAY SIX:
(DAY SIX ASSISTANT MOVERS: STRICKLEN GIRLS, AMANDA, THE FRANKLINS, THE STOKES, THE DOOLINS, AND JOE)
Now, Day Six was unusual. We were leaving the following day, and had to finish moving out. However, we were also attending a War of Northern Aggression Reenactment in Homeland that day as well. So, between packing for the trip and moving out of the house, we made time to celebrate the small but fun remembrance of our brave men here in Polk County, Florida during the 1860's...DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, WE WILL POST PICTURES OF THE REENACTMENT AT A LATER DATE
Miss Cathy sweetly comes all dressed up and lends her professional cleaning services!
Thanks for the muscles, boys!
THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OUR DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
--posted by Kitty
4 comments:
You know we all helped under duress. We are going to miss you all so much. Hope to see you tomorrow night. Love yall, The Stokesies
Well, of course we aren't happy with the circumstances of our "provided meals", but we are glad to help in that way. Years from now, we will say,"Oh God, how faithful You were in those days! You knew exactly what we needed and now we see Your wisdom!"
We trust you, Lord.
Love,
Grandmother
That was quite a big push! So glad for you that you got it all done :) That is a good feeling.
What a blessing to have so many willing helpers!
Love,
Molly
You all did in a week, what I took almost three months to do. Amazing! And I couldn't have done it without all the help you provided. It was our pleasure to help you, although under duress as Mrs. Stokes so correctly put it :) We love you all and will greatly miss you, but we pray the Lord's blessings upon you in your new home.
The Franklins
Post a Comment