Brunch and More to Move

Morning brunch with some ladies of HOPE and one of Nozomi. We had some tea, cake, fruit, mini sandwiches and a quiche like dish. Yum. It was nice to sit and talk in a small setting. We got to pray together too. 

I drove over to the house after. Baba and Uncle Dan were already over there packing the rental truck with the remaining things. I was already so tired. After last night's event and this morning's brunch where I was able to slow down, I was feeling like my exhaustion was catching up to me. It was hot, I was tired, I was almost no help at all and not very social. It's only the start of the afternoon and it's going to be another long day. 

Auntie said she'd bring NJ home for us after the one day VBS at their church. It happens to be really close to our house here. But since I was there, I picked him up. It was a sweet offer, but hard to know what was going on with the moving. He had so much fun, I had to take a photo with him and Connor. So cute. Thank you Auntie for watching over him and having something for him so that he's not bored all day with us. 

He showed off the tee shirt he decorated. Auntie Nicole said that he was the only one that did the back and not the front. How interesting. 

NJ is helping with the dolly, he liked rolling it around. He put what he could find onto it.

Offering some drinks to the guys. By now, Uncle Jason and Joshua are here to also help. 

Thank goodness for Uncle Jason's help, he fits everything so well!

Still so much to put in there! Doesn't seem like that much until you're packing the truck.

NJ took a break and asked for m&m's. I really didn't want to, but just gave him a little. I came back in to check on him and I couldn't believe what I saw. This is exactly what I used to do in class in college. All my classmates and teachers made fun of me for this because they thought I was crazy and weird. He wouldn't have known this is what I did out of habit for years, but here he is doing the same thing! So funny. I'm sure I have a photo of my sorted m&m's somewhere. I couldn't stop laughing at how strange it was to see this sight. 

NJ helping with Baba's weights. We told him to be extra careful. Baba and Uncle were careful for him not to hurt himself. He didn't, but he did drop one on Uncle Jason's toes! Sorry Uncle Jason. :( Ouch!

Putting the last piece of furniture on, I think we might actually done! 

NJ wanted to give the tree house a try. It'll be his first and last time! He's always been too little and I'm scared of him falling. But he won't really have any more chances so why not? 

He made it! 

Good job! Now please climb down carefully. 

There wasn't any more room for the bikes so it got strapped to the top of Uncle's van. 

The truck is packed, our car is packed, and so is Uncle's van. I think we're ready to go! 

How do you like your new bed, NJ?! He didn't know about it except that we had a surprise for him. No more sleeping on that little pull out. Baba set it up yesterday so that we could have it ready for him today when we got back. The frame is from Mom's friend who didn't need it anymore. And we were trying to find someone who maybe didn't need a twin mattress anymore, but we just went and got one. This way hopefully it'll last for him to use and he wouldn't have to wait anymore to have a bed to sleep on. He found a nice one for a great price. We just need to put on the bedding for tonight. 

It seemed like a long time unloading all the vehicles. It was a lot of random stuff and we weren't even sure where to put most of it. It was piled inside the house, the garage, and in the studio. But it's done, what a relief. Baba wanted to get dinner for all our strong and helpful friends. Could not have done it without them. We went to Tops to grab a quick dinner, it was late already. I was beyond exhausted and super hungry. Everyone was tired from a long day of working. We're so grateful for the help, now we're done with the moving! Just some last things to tidy up at the other house. 

How cute he is in his new bed, he's excited! With the crazy way he sleeps, we hope not to hear a loud bang in the middle of the night. Let's see. Good night, NJ, our big boy.

Still have remaining things that we need to clear out. Can't get it all today, but we're getting some. This feels never ending and it's hot! 

NJ was our happy helper. I found him a hat to wear. 

It's been exhausting and non stop. But I wasn't going to miss Nozomi Night. Some ladies from Nozomi came from Japan to speak, Nozomi jewelry was being sold, and there were desserts. It was a nice little break and refreshing to hear what's going on in another part of the world. It made me miss Japan and the time I had there. Our team was there last year in Japan to volunteer and I can't wait to go back. 

What a way to wake up. To the sight and sound of NJ reading in his bed. I love it.

Reading his lego book must've made him think of playing with them since he disappeared.

I guessed right, I found him with his legos. I think he's missed them.

We closed the gate to let Dotty out this morning. 

NJ found a little roly poly. It made me happy to see him discovering things in the yard and enjoying it. Haven't had much chance to do that at the other house. 

We took our opportunity to visit Auntie Becca before she leaves on her trip. And now we're close enough to drop by. That was a nice treat. 

A visit to the house where the guys are working on fixes. Gates need replacing and other rotting wood. 

The ugly, peeling paneling in the garage needs to come down. It looks better already. 

NJ has been so good with all the chaos in the last few days and weeks. So I asked him what he wanted to do or where he wanted to go. It's a potentially dangerous question. But this is what I love about NJ, it doesn't take much to make him happy. He wanted some frozen yogurt. Whew, that's easy, we can do that! 

Back at home, we took a nap. I think it was really just me though. I woke up from my nap to NJ's tiger and elephant. A nice way to wake up. He said he wanted to share them with me to keep me company. How sweet. 

Oh my, what a sweet heart just like her mom. They dove right in to cleaning the cabinets with me so we could start filling them. After wiping down the shelves and drawers I didn't want them to feel like they had to keep working. But no, my friend starts opening boxes and before I knew it we had unpacked quite a few. We filled a lot of the shelves at least with essential dishes, bowls, cups, and mugs. And most of the drawers with flatware and utensils. I couldn't believe how much we had gotten done in such a short time. The only thing that took a little longer was trying to figure out where to put it and the best way to configure it. 

We had to have a little fun with our work. The boys were trying to fit in this box so we all took our turns trying to fit in it too. Even Dotty, but she needed help in and out of the box. Some of us fit better than others. 

We're on our way to using our kitchen already! Thanks to some very helpful and productive, hard working friends who were willing to help without us even asking. Baba got help too moving furniture around and putting boxes away. We got so much done, it was amazing and felt great. We got way more done than we expected and couldn't have done it without them. We were so happy to not only have them over, but to get so much accomplished at the same time. 

We were wondering where Dot Dot went and found her hiding under this comfy throw that fell on the floor. She must've been hiding from all the commotion through the house. What a day, it was simple but felt so fulfilling in many ways. Feeling very blessed again today.

Moving Day

So much stuff, how will it all fit?! NJ is trying to help. Poor guy had no toys or much of anything to do since everything has been packed. 

Dotty is wondering what's going on.

Ok, one ride up the lift and that's it for the day! We need to work!

NJ watched the Lego Movie, Planes, and some Curious George with some helping in between. He was watching, wandering, and helping the rest of the time. 

So strange to see it so empty. 

Dot Dot, it's time to go! 

Here we are NJ! 

He made himself at home and comfy pretty quickly.

NJ helping with some of his bags of clothes. I'm surprised, those are really heavy bags. 

NJ upgraded his comfy spot and sat himself down to read. 

Here's what he's been waiting for! In come the Legos!

Getting comfy in his new room and on his temporary bed.
We're already feeling so blessed and welcomed. Our neighbor came by to talk to us and welcome us back. And our close friends came to bring us dinner and say hello. So sweet and a great start to our first night. It feels a little strange to be back and not quite home yet, but we're excited.