Arizona to Washington: Our Next Chapter Begins

 

From Arizona to Washington: A New Home, a New Chapter, and a Whole Lot of Boxes!

Well, friends… it’s really happening! ❤️

Our journey from Arizona to Washington is becoming more real by the day, and I have to say, this move has brought a whole mixture of emotions, excitement, exhaustion, and a few moments of wondering what in the world we were thinking! 😂

We found a house! 🏡

After all the searching, planning, and dreaming about our next chapter, we have found a place to call home in Washington. We are hoping to close at the end of October and, if everything goes according to plan, be settled into our new home by mid-November — right around my 50th birthday!

What a way to celebrate turning 50, right? A new state, a new house, and a whole new adventure! I guess I decided to welcome this next decade with a little extra excitement. ❤️

The Not-So-Glamorous Side of Moving

Now, let's talk about packing. Who knew that simply going through your belongings could be such a workout?

Between packing boxes, sorting through years of accumulated stuff, deciding what to keep, what to donate, and what to finally let go of, my body is definitely reminding me that I am not 25 anymore! My back, my muscles, and pretty much every other part of me would probably vote to cancel this move if they had a say. 😂

And can we talk about how much STUFF a person can collect over the years?

Every closet seems to hold a forgotten treasure, every drawer has something that makes you wonder why you kept it, and every box seems to multiply when you're not looking.

Honestly, I wish I were Samantha from Bewitched. I would give my nose a little twitch, and POOF! Everything would be packed, the unwanted stuff would magically disappear, the house would be ready to go, and we'd be sitting in our new Washington home drinking coffee like none of this ever happened!

Wouldn't that be wonderful? A little Bewitched magic would sure come in handy right about now! 🪄

Unfortunately, my nose doesn't seem to have those special powers, so it's back to packing boxes one at a time.

The Emotional Side of Leaving Arizona

As exciting as this new adventure is, there is also a very tender side to it.

Moving isn't just about leaving a house or changing your address. It's about leaving people, memories, routines, and pieces of your heart behind.

One of the hardest parts of this move is knowing that we will be leaving our oldest daughter and her family here in Arizona. We have only recently rekindled our relationship, and that has been such a meaningful and special part of our lives.

To finally have that connection growing again and then face the reality of moving farther away is bittersweet. There is so much gratitude for the relationship we are rebuilding, but there is also sadness knowing we won't be just around the corner.

I know that moving doesn't have to mean losing that connection. We can still call, video chat, visit when we can, and continue building our relationship from a distance. But if I'm being honest, it still hurts.

Family is precious, and when relationships begin to heal and grow again, you want to hold those moments close. I am so thankful for the progress we've made, and I pray that distance will never undo the love and connection we are working so hard to nurture.

Sometimes moving forward means carrying both excitement for what's ahead and sadness for what you're leaving behind. And right now, I'm learning that both feelings can exist together. ❤️

Turning 50 and Starting a New Chapter

As I look toward my 50th birthday, I can't help but reflect on how much life can change and how many unexpected turns our journeys can take.

Here I am, preparing to leave Arizona, moving to Washington, organizing medical information, sorting through years of belongings, and trying to figure out how to fit an entire life into boxes.

It's not exactly how I imagined celebrating this milestone birthday, but maybe that's part of the beauty of it.

Life doesn't always wait until everything is perfectly organized before it hands us a new beginning.

Sometimes the next chapter arrives while your house is a mess, your muscles are sore, your emotions are all over the place, and you can't remember which box you packed the scissors in!

And maybe that's okay.

Turning 50 feels like a reminder that life is still unfolding. There are still adventures to experience, memories to make, relationships to nurture, and new places to call home.

Washington represents a new beginning for us, and although there are unknowns ahead, I am choosing to focus on the possibilities.

One Box, One Day, One Step at a Time

Right now, we're taking things one day at a time.

One box packed. One drawer cleaned out. One important document organized. One more decision made.

Some days we'll probably feel like we've accomplished a mountain of work. Other days, we'll wonder how we managed to make such a tiny dent in the never-ending pile of things to do.

And through it all, there will be laughter, probably some tears, a few sore muscles, and plenty of moments when I wish I could twitch my nose and make it all disappear.

But we're doing it.

We're preparing for a new home, a new state, and a new season of life. We're making room for new memories while holding close the people and relationships that matter most. We're doing our best to prepare for our daughter's medical needs while navigating all the ordinary and extraordinary challenges that come with a big move.

It's a lot, but it's also an opportunity to begin again.

So, Washington, here we come! 🏡🍂

We aren't there just yet, but the countdown is on. With a hopeful closing at the end of October and a planned move around mid-November, we're working hard to make this transition happen.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate the final weeks in Arizona, prepare for the move, and step into this next chapter.

And if anyone out there has figured out how to twitch their nose like Samantha from Bewitched, please share your secret. I could really use your help right about now! 😂🪄

Here's to new beginnings, family, faith, a little bit of magic, and finding home wherever life leads us. ♥️