Thursday, August 19, 2010

Moving with Dependents

We have learned a thing or two about moving with dependents.

1. Rely on family and friends.
 (I can't figure out why this picture keeps turning. Just turn your head to the right and you'll see how it's supposed to be.) :)
 Paul and I try to be as independent as possible most of the time (it tends to happen when you move half a country away from your entire support network), but moving is NO time for independence. We could not have made this move without our supportive families and incredible friends. THANK YOU ALL!!!

2. Sleep schedules will be off, so anticipate it and just roll with the punches.
This was the day we left Gettysburg - 5 hours later than we had hoped. Ilana hadn't taken a nap all day - too many things going on I guess. This picture was taken around 5:00 in the evening, about 20 minutes into the car ride. She slept for about 20 minutes, was awake the rest of the 4 1/2 hour trip to Pittsburgh then stayed awake until about midnight that night. She was good and tired the next few days in the car out to Chicago. :) :) I've learned not to stress out about it. She'll sleep when she's tired. 

3. Dogs are smarter than you think.
Moses could always sense our stress better than we thought he could. He also knew exactly when we needed a shoulder to cry on, a good laugh, or just something to put it all in perspective. When we travel with him, we know that wherever we are is home. Even though he's tons of work to schlep around, we wouldn't have it any other way. Moses - you are one loved dog!

4. Celebrate life every once in a while!
I did something I thought I'd never do: I bought some pop-tarts at the grocery store when we arrived in Chicago and actually fed them to my daughter. They were an extra special treat every once in a while and we thoroughly enjoyed them.

5. On loading and unloading days, gate your dog in.
It seems that on loading and unloading days, Moses could sense our stress in sky-high levels. We found it best to gate him into a confined space, as long as we visited him fairly frequently so he knew we hadn't forgotten about him.

6. Kids will find something to do, but a little "sanity TV" every once in a while never did anybody harm.
Ilana was a true champ in finding things to do. I think some of that is due to the fact that we haven't had TV for over 8 months now (!!!) so she's learned how to stay busy and keep happy. Paul and I always enjoyed seeing what she would find to do for fun. All this to say, every once in a while, a Veggie Tales or Wiggles movie would be really handy.

7. The sun will shine again!
The most important lesson we learned is that we will make it through. No matter how much further you have to go or how impossible it seems, we will make it through. Another day will come. We will sleep again. Ilana can't scream forever. Moses will settle down and de-stress someday. Some days it was a difficult, seemingly impossible, decision, but we will make it through. Transitions are never easy, and most of the time, not all that much fun, but it's not worth stressing. Just roll with the punches, smile as often as possible, and do your best to find the positive in as many moments as you can.
-H

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

You guys HAVE MADE IT THROUGH!! YEAH...Now you just need to DO THE NEXT THING and BIRTH your BABY BOY! I know the LORD will GUARD you and GUIDE you.

Love and Hugs,
Nonni and Pop-pop

Alicia said...

You both are so strong and have a relentious positive outlook which is addictive! I love you guys and cannot wait to meet your little guy! Wishing you a quick labor and delivery and a healthy mommy and baby!