Moving

I figured I should post an update, although I don't want to take the time to post pictures or lots of details yet- still too much to do!  

We started moving on Saturday, April 9th- in snow, for part of the time.  Tim's parents came to help us- and we couldn't have done it without them and their large trailer!  We worked hard all that day, and then took Sunday off for our last time in 7th ward.  It was kind of a hard day at church- since it was ward conference, they sustained four of us (me, Tim, Rebekah and Josh) to our callings on our last day in the ward.  Never had that happen before!  The whole day was bittersweet- we were super excited about moving, but very sad to leave.

Sunday night, we decided we wanted to get everything over with.  Mom and Dad left for a conference in St. George, and I wanted to have our stuff out and their house relatively clean before they got back, so we just did it.  We spent Monday morning with Tim's parents and their trailer again, and then Tim had to go to work while the kids and I (and Juli- thanks!) set up beds, unpacked kitchen supplies, and went shopping- just enough to make it possible to sleep in the new house that night.  Tuesday was spent getting the last of the junk from Mom and Dad's (and it really did feel like junk- we carted most of it out in trash bags!), and cleaning.  The older kids helped me a lot with that, since Tim had his last day of classes.  It's a good thing we have 3 teenagers!

Wednesday, after spending the day unpacking and shopping, Tim and I had tickets to the Real Salt Lake game in Sandy.  It was our first time, and it was a blast!  They won, 1-0, in the last minute and a half of extra time.  We only got a little soaked by the rain/snow/slush, and made up for that by soaking in the jetted tub at the Armstrong Mansion in Salt Lake.  Very fun night, and a great break from moving.  The kids stayed with Mom and Dad.  They were not excited to go back there to sleep after only 2 nights here, but ended up having a great time at Gnomeo and Juliet.  Mom said it was about the dumbest movie ever, but the kids apparently enjoyed themselves.

My lifesaver days were Thursday and Friday- Tim took both days completely off and worked hard- we can even park in the garage now, which I think is pretty amazing after only a week!  We have had workmen/delivery guys all over the place- Dan McArthur has been finishing Rebekah's room in the basement (it's done except for the carpet), the internet is set up, and a piano and living room furniture have been delivered.  It's feeling more like home every day.

Oh- one more thing.  The kids were really nervous about our first Sunday at the new ward.  Ethan slept with a bowl by his bed, because he felt like he was going to throw up.  I was pretty nervous that morning, too.  Thankfully, we had a great experience there, and met lots of very welcoming people.  The kids mostly knew someone in their class from school, and everyone came home feeling much more secure.

Come see us!  We're still pretty messy, but we'd love visitors!

We're In!

Okay, not actually "in", as in living there, but we're working on it!

The paperwork is complete, we paid a bunch of money, and we have keys!

We made several trips over today moving stuff we had packed over the last week, turned the heat up a little, met the next door neighbor, and generally got our new house fix for the day.

Tomorrow may not be so fun- moving in snow.  Is it wrong of me to hope that our three soccer games for the day are cancelled?

So close we could taste it...

Ugh.

We went in to close on the house today- and we did sign all the normal billion or so papers.

But we don't have a house yet.

There is a problem with a former lien on the property- not something that is actually even real, but an old one that another bank never deactivated (or something like that).  That means nothing can be finalized until the other bank sends a written confirmation that everything is clear.

Boo.

So everything was very anticlimactic- signed, sealed, and not quite delivered.

But soon, we hope.

Maybe tomorrow? 

We're just praying it happens before spring break (next week), so we can use that week to move in.  Otherwise, the moving process is going to be much more difficult.

Plus, our contractor friend is supposed to start working on Rebekah's bedroom on Monday.

Come on, bank- step on it!

Getting close...

This moving thing is starting to seem a little bit real- 

We should be closing the beginning of this week, and then we can start!  We hope to be all moved in by the end of spring break.

We're planning to go to church here next week, and then start going to our new ward.  

Very weird.  I'm not totally sure how I feel about that.

We've already had contact from several people in our new ward, so that helps- everyone has been so kind already, and that will really smooth the transition.

I know it would be much harder if we were moving into a new town or state with new schools and activities, but the kids are still a little nervous about the new ward thing (okay, so am I).

It's just that I know from experience that it takes about 2 years to really feel integrated and part of a ward- and it hasn't been that long since we had to make that transition.

But this is the right thing to do.  We feel really good about this move, and we're excited to start life in our new home!

Now if we can just get through the chaos of the next couple of weeks, we should be good!

Emma's Baptism!

Emma was baptized on March 26, 2011!  She chose to have Tim baptize and confirm her.  She was so excited for this day- we had lessons and talks with her in the months preceding the big day, and she was very much ready.

The dress she wore to be baptized is the same one that I wore for my baptism- Mom made it for me when I was 8, and all of my sisters wore it.  Most of the girl cousins have worn it to be baptized now, too.

Emma and her Mom!

With Great-Grandma Shipley.  We are so blessed that she lives close and can come to all of our big events!  She is a wonderful part of our lives.

Emma and all of her grandparents!  We were lucky that Grandpa Walker could be there, since he had knee replacement surgery only a few weeks ago!

Back to the house for ice cream sundaes with chocolate chip cookies and brownies.  Yum!

This was Emma's "other" baptism dress- not to be baptized in, but to wear afterwards.  Grandma Steele made it, and it was beautiful!  Here's Emma in our photo shoot.

And here's Annie, trying on the thoughtful pose:

Here are Emma's thoughts on the day:

"Grandma Walker said the opening prayer.  Brother Phelon conducted.  Brother Bird said the talk.  The water was cold.  I was soaking.  Then I got my baptism dress on.  My mom put my hair in two braids.  Then she put them together with one rubber band.  Then she put a flower to cover the rubber band.  Then she connected the flower to my hair under the braid.  Then the people in my Primary class and me sang "I Like to Look for Rainbows".  Then Grandma Steele said the closing prayer.  The opening song of my baptism was "Baptism", and the closing song was "The Holy Ghost".  Grandpa Steele and Grandpa Walker were the witnesses.  I met two of my second cousins.  When I was confirmed, the hands were light.  I felt good."