Gettin' Ready Mentally

I am feeling better about moving to Virginia. We don't know any particulars yet, and that bothers me sometimes. How nice it would be to have everything neat and exact, all penned in on my calendar. But no, I will use a pencil. Today I rummaged through my desk drawers and threw out old papers and flyers and junk. I added names and numbers and addresses and emails to my address book. With a pencil of course. I learned that was necessary shortly after marrying my military husband and realizing that we weren't the only people in the world who like to move every 3 or 4 years. You can only layer White-Out so many times. So I use a pencil and eraser in my address book. I always find it sad to erase someone's name because I have lost contact with them and I no longer have an accurate address for them. But it does happen. I've thought about making a long list of all the people I've ever known (at least those that I can remember.) And then look at it and praise God for the blessing of knowing so many good people. I mean it. There are so many people scattered all over the world, and its amazing to think how they have touched my life, in very small ways sometimes, and others in life-changing ways.

I cleaned out ~N~'s closet and chest of drawers. It wasn't as bad as I had expected. Found a few mate-less socks, a pair of sweats with holes which are too small for him, and his old Spanish book that we can put to good use next week in school. And wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles (no kidding), he walked out the door tonight with his daddy and brother wearing a pair of JEANS. I can only conclude that he has absolutely nothing else left to wear. He despises jeans, so I can't fathom why he's wearing them now, other than they are all he's got! I've threatened to make him wear jeans every day of his little life until he gets over this problem. I have never followed through. Seems a little harsh. But I worry about a boy who grows up and never wears jeans when he's grown. I always pictured raising my sons near the woods, dressed in boots and jeans and caps, spurs optional, and headed out to dig for worms so they can fish on the creek bank. But this boy of mine wants slick sweat pants that don't stick to his legs. Or basketball shorts. Even church pants are cool. But if you really want to see him mad, tell him he's got to wear jeans.

Ah, I suppose its a phase. But its a phase that's lasting nearly all of his childhood!!!

Also went rummaging through bathroom cabinets, kitchen drawers, and bedroom closets. I think I'm about finished with rummaging, sorting and trashing. Now its time to decide what goes in suitcases, what goes express, what stays here, and what gets shipped dead last. That's the hard part. I hate doing all that.

So I've been considering the changes we'll encounter when we step foot on American soil. Lots of people speaking English to one another. That'll take some getting used to. Grocery stores where I can actually read the labels. People who earn a living bagging my groceries and delivering them to my car. Libraries (ooooooohhhhhhh, jumping up and down!) Having two cars again. Getting to retrieve our cat, Becca, from the neighbors we left her with. Our furniture that has been in storage the past year and a half. Which includes a large capacity washer and dryer (what I've been using here is basically the size of a kitchen sink.....snort.)Visiting my parents and brother. Visiting friends. Cheetos. Actual daylight in the winter.

Pretty good stuff, I'd say. Then there's all the historical sights near the D.C. area which are well worth visiting. Thanks, Dy, for such an intriguing list to get us started on! We certainly look forward to meeting you, and experiencing some of those things together!!!

Rejoicing because....
"The rewards of the journey far outweigh the risk of leaving the harbor."

Marla