Parting is such sweet sorrow

Now that we FINALLY have internet at our new home in Gentry, I'll try to update this blog with the happenings of the last few weeks.

We can't say a big enough THANK YOU! to all those who have helped us through this new adventure - you have made our lives SO much less stressful by feeding us, housing us, helping us pack and run errands, finding us boxes, loading and unloading, cleaning, measuring, giving opinions, and giving encouragement over the phone or through e-mail even if you couldn't be here. We love you all so much and are so thankful to have you as friends and family!

New Years week Carrie and Ryan were in town. Carrie helped me pack and organize a lot! Her handwriting on the boxes reminded me she was "there" on moving day even if she couldn't be there in person.
Ryan and Carrie, MJ and Randy also gave us some much needed break time from packing and our even-more-than-usual sardine sized house. Mary Jane fed us some wonderful meals and we enjoyed some time over at the Heilman household with Kelli and Jonathan too for some Settlers and ping-pong after Ryan and Ryan played tennis together.

Then Stephanie got back from break and was at our house every night to help with packing. She is quite the ingenious packer! We invented lots of protective boxing for pictures, glass objects and much much more.

We got to the point that we just wanted to hack things up with these big knives so we wouldn't have to pack ANYMORE! It was sad to unpack those kitchen boxes without her here in Arkansas.

And this was the finished product - in only ONE of the rooms... How did we FIT ALL OF THIS IN THERE?

Mom and Dad arrived with the Penske truck on Friday about 1 PM and after loading up our new refrigerator at Best Buy, we headed home to try to get the truck up the driveway. No such luck. We ended up having to take everything from the house (on the right) down the hill across the street to the parked truck (top left of the picture).

Ryan's new truck was a big help - loading up at the house...

Unloading at the truck

The puzzle packers

I didn't take any pictures of the empty house so won't include them here. We left it as quickly as possible. There are so many things about this little place I will NOT miss, but as Stephanie and I walked out for the last time it felt like that last episode in Friends where all of them are standing in the house remembering the good times they had there and they all leave after they put their keys down on the counter... If we had actually left all the keys, we would have had 5: Ryan, Jaclyn, Kelli & Jonathan/Ryan & Carrie (they both had it at different times), Stephanie, and Uncle Jimmy (from his short painting stent).
A house that started out so empty and lonesome grew into a jam-packed place full of fun and good memories:
rewiring the NOT grounded outlets with Nick Gillen
cleaning out 25 spiders and then deciding not to fight them, just live with them
hanging pictures with Hollie
bundling up to stay warm
having a massive Uno Attack! party in my living room
taking a freezing cold shower when Chris and Jonathan D turned off my hot water heater!
getting Chris's jeep out of the ditch
playing catch with Ryan in the front yard
study groups with Stephanie and Ryan
pacing the house while writing my master's project
Ryan and my first kiss
running out to the front porch to see what new wedding gift had arrived
waking up to rain on the roof the day of Carrie's wedding
Many Sabbath meals and good times with friends
Friday nights with Kelli and Jonathan
movies and meals and good talks with Carrie and Ryan
watching the tree come down in the front yard
finding space for Ryan's stuff
coming home with Ryan to stay

I'm so thankful that God blessed me with this little duplex for my last few years in Collegedale!
Collegedale is the longest place I have ever lived in - almost 8 years.

THE CREW
(minus Uncle Jimmy taking the picture, John Nafie, and Ross)
On Saturday night we all gathered to say goodbye at the Heilman's house. MJ did a great job of telling that part of the weekend on her blog - lets just say the tears flowed almost immediately. Each of these people mean so much to me! It is truly sad to leave them all "out east."
The Heilmans have been like parents to me - always a few minutes away full of love and support, a comfortable couch, good food, and listening ears. They have welcomed Ryan too with open arms and I'm so thankful for their friendship and love. MJ & Randy: Ryan and I will be coming home to visit so make sure to leave a bed open for us (we know you have plenty)!

We drove through the rain and accidents to West Memphis, AR where we spent the night. One of the great moments was crossing the gigantic Mississippi River over a massive bridge right outside Memphis amidst Dad honking the Penske's horn.

Mom and Dad pull out of the hotel Sunday morning in Arkansas

(With signature shot credits to Carrie) Here's me in between Mom and Dad in the Penske and Ryan behind... somewhere in Arkansas... Once we got to the Ozarks the scenery was amazing but eastern AR looks just like this... flat and boring.

And we pulled up to the new house in Gentry and had it unloaded in less than 2 hours if I remember correctly. Sadly, I didn't stop to take any pictures of our helpers - 5 guys from the dorm and Mr. Rector, the English teacher who lives next door. They were so fast and we were so greatful for their help. Mom, Dad, Ryan and I found Siloam Springs - Walmart, Lows, and a Chinese restaurant and picked up supper and some supplies before coming home to crash!