Well, almost settled

We are almost completely unpacked. The kids love their new rooms and play areas. Meggan loves her new kitchen. I love that I  saw two deer in the back yard this morning. It seems like everything is going perfectly. So, naturally, Sophie decided to take a dump on our happiness... literally. We had to take her to the emergency vet today because she was treating our hardwoods, our carpet, and our tile like a rest area toilet. Apparently, aside from being a jackass who likes to spend our money on Sunday visits to the vet, she is a sensitive dog with a nervous tummy. Yep, she is having puppy panic attacks due to the major change and can't control her stomach. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

If you know anyone who wants a sweet, lovable, slightly mentally unstable jack-a-poo, let me know. Please.

Getting Settled

Ahhh, sweet Internet, it is so great to have you back. Thanks to the lovely snow, essentially every hotel in our area being sold out, and the seller leaving our new house dirtier than a truck stop bathroom, I've had no time to get online the past few days.

We have now been in our new house for 3 days. I can tell you, no matter how many inspections, walk throughs, or drive bys you do, you will always find a few new surprises once you actually own the home. For us, the first surprise was how dirty and cluttered it was left. Meggan and I got on our hands and knees and scrubbed the house we sold. We did this because we wanted the new owners to walk in and feel great about their purchase.  The house we purchased had moldy cheese in the fridge, a dump truck worth of half used toiletries in the cabinets, and enough hair left around to make a homemade Donald Trump wig. The second surprise was that our bedroom is about 10 degrees colder than anywhere else in the house. All vents are open. The hallway outside the the room feels fine. However, Meg and I have had to sleep with 2 blankets just to fight off hypothermia. The last surprise so far is that water doesn't come out of one of our faucets and doesn't stay in our shower. Oh well, I guess you can't win them all.

The good news is these are all minor issues and we both feel extremely lucky to have our new home.  I'm looking forward to the years ahead and the countless memories these walls will witness.

Goodbye

I just officially moved the last of our things out of the house. So, barring any unforeseen issues, we have said goodbye to our first home. It has been a home that has brought us far more pleasure than pain. It is the home I brought my children home to. It is really the home in which Meggan and I became true "grown ups". However, having said all that, I locked the door for the last time today and I didn't feel any sadness.  I'm a sentimental guy. I even teared up saying goodbye to my dorm room (which is one step up from a prison cell). Sure, I could probably drum up emotion if I picture us decorating their nurseries or think about leaving our neighbors. But, I just expected to want to hold on a little more. I suppose this means the time is right, the new house is right, and deep inside I know better things are coming.

Countdown

In thinking of our favorite times in our house, I can't think of any more fun than our nightly dance parties. They've always been great, but they hit a whole new level once Everett was old enough to join in...

Multiply

Moving, much like folding laundry, is one task where your things seem to multiply every time you turn your back. Today was no exception. Meg and I just finally sat down in part because I swear each time I took 2 items to the Pod, I returned to the house to find 4 new ones in their place...one of which I don't ever remember us buying and the other 3 being things I was pretty sure we threw away years ago.

Movers

Why in the world would I hire movers when I have wonderful helpers such as these??? After all, those boxes at the top of the Pod aren't going to sit on themselves....

Countdown

As we are readying for our move, we are trying to recount some of our favorite memories from our first house.

The first 20 seconds of this video and her surprise that Santa did in fact "brought" her toys is one of my all time favorites...