Downsizing: Part I

Well we aren't quite this small yet, but it is the direction we're headed in.  Having settled on the decision to sell our house, we are working on dispersing material possessions.  Two weeks ago we loaded the baby grand and several smaller items into the trailer and set out for Seattle, WA.

On the way, we had Saturday supper in Boise with Kendra's "twin," Lenora and Eric's daughter. Sunday we drove.  The kids listened to audio books, I practiced Spanish, and Keith listened to the book of Leviticus.  We ran into snow, stopped for a delightful snack at Starbucks, and caught up with Gwen and Todd after a very special gospel meeting in Kent.

We arrived at Rick and Julia's Sunday evening.  The long trip was rewarded by sweet snuggles with their twin boys, a good dinner, and time with Grandma Sue.  The piano was successfully unloaded and assembled in their living room, thanks to Uncle Jerry, and cousins Shauna and Will.  Was so nice to hear Julia play.

Monday morning, Rick took us on a tour of The Museum of Flight! We got to see the inside of the first Air Force 1 as well as replicas of the Wright brother's and Amelia Erhart's planes.  Also some more modern aircraft... fascinating!

On Tuesday, we went by ferry across Puget Sound to visit Eric and his girls in Port Orchard.  Beautiful and special days there!

While in Port Orchard, we toured the USS Turner Joy.  This war ship was in action during the Vietnam era. After meandering the decks and the jungle of equipment, berths, and machinery below deck, I have a new appreciation for sailors. And for the engineers who design such vessels.  Again, fascinating!

Back at Rick and Julia's, we enjoyed more playtime with Emory, more site seeing in Seattle, and more baby snuggles.  Our time was too short.  Hard to say goodbye.

On the road again, we headed for Kellogg, ID and the Silver Mountain Resort.  There we met my family to celebrate Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary.  

A beautiful time.  So good to be all together, to watch the kids have fun, to just enjoy each other's presence.  Both Keith and I feel so fortunate to have and enjoy our families!

Well this started out being a post about downsizing.  I'll wrap it up like this then: Getting rid of things can be physically and emotionally taxing.  Especially when we consider that most of our possessions have been given to us by loving friends and family. But a trip like this one makes the pain of letting go fade away in the warmth of making new memories with the ones we love.