Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Cross-Country Move

The Mr.'s orders hit us like a ton of bricks.....not exactly what we expected, but it was quickly time to make the best of it. Having lived the Navy life in Washington for just days short of 9 years, there really wasn't much room for complaining. It was time for a big move, he had made chief so we were heading on a new adventure.
In a couple short months I had to quickly through together a move, without  knowing where our new home was going to be! It wasn't until the very end weeks we were able to update our movers with a destination of "Virginia", and just that. A state. There was no time for house-hunting leave, no time to visit the area to seek out a new home. 

Loading the truck in Washington.
The move date approached quickly, then before we knew it we were saying our goodbyes and on the road. Please excuse the crummy cell photo - I was busy throwing last minutes together to go on the truck!

We packed our vehicles to the brim, loaded up our kids and headed south on the open road. We headed down to San Diego to spend a couple days visiting with family, then off to Texas. At one of the rest stops, Cassie girl snapped a photo of Papa and I - I look beat after hours on the road! 

The Mr. and I
The best little traveler! - Kaleb
I had this fear of driving down the hwy, radio blaring attempting to drown out the screaming little man in the backseat, but soon into the drive...this sweet boy put my fears to rest when I realized this happy little boy was going to be Momma's angel! He was a trooper throughout the ENTIRE trip! It was Cassie girl who drove me nuts....lol. Love that girl, but oh.my.word - when she rode with me it was, "Mom, Kaleb took my toy" "Mom, Kaleb hit me" "Mom, I'm hot" "Mom, I'm cold" "Mom, I'm bored" "Mom, I need to stretch my legs" "Mom, I'm hungry" OhMGEE she didn't ride with me long before I shipped her off to ride in the Mr's truck!! 

He did it! - Kaleb & Cassie girl

Talking to the grandparents in Texas
This was how I distracted her! Gave her my bluetooth and let her call and pester her grandparents in Texas. They have the patience I sometimes lack, thank-goodness!

Along the way my Mazda hit 50, 000 miles! :(

As we drove into Virginia, we drove by a few potential houses, then ventured to our hotel at the Norfolk Naval Station. The next couple days we drove all over the place looking at houses, as one by one they each slipped through our fingers being rented. We were losing time, with only having a few days before the Mr had to report to his boat up in Portsmouth, NH it was important to find a home - quickly! Then, we toured the perfect dream house home which had walls and a roof! It was nothing we were looking for, except in our price range, in the boundary of one of the best schools, and in this lovely safe neighborhood! Before we knew it, our deposit was submitted....the Mr was on his way to NH and I was off to sign the lease! 

Our home for the next year & half.
With the lease underway, the Mr in NH...the kids and I spent our days hanging out on the Norfolk base. Now that base is CONFUSING! I can't tell you the many times I got lost..... But finally, it was time to leave our temporary home of living out of a hotel on base, and time to venture to our new home! It was moving day....only the truck wasn't expected to arrive for about 2 weeks! Yikes. Yes, that's right. The kids and I moved into our new home with whatever items we had from the road trip while we waited for our household goods to arrive. That's the Navy for you. 

moving truck - curiosity of the kids matchbox stash