It is official.  We have moved.  Well, that official statement actually took place a month and a half ago, but still official. 

For the past 2 1/2 years, we have been residing in South Jordan.  We were in a large home one street over from the Jordan River Temple.  We loved it.  We loved the neighborhood.  We loved the ward.  We loved the house.  We loved it all.  However, when we moved it, we knew it wasn’t forever.  It was just for a couple of years as we figured things out. 

Well, those couple of years were over before I knew it and it was time to start the process all over again.  I spent countless hours looking at homes and scouring the valley trying to find the perfect place for my little family.  I wanted to move closer to work, but then I was faced with a job change, so that no longer became important.  I was looking for the perfect home for my kiddos and I to enjoy. 

The packing up process took MUCH longer than I had anticipated.  We downsized by nearly 50%.  That was a huge change for us.  A good change.  The house that we were in was full of things.  Things things things things things.  After two marriages, five moves, three kids, two jobs, and lots of emotional baggage later, I spent months sorting through boxes, closets, bags, cupboards, etc.  

I am a collector and have had a hard time letting go of things.  I tend to get emotional attachments to things.  Well, I am proud to say that I am speedily getting past that.  I admittedly had a hard time at first as I started with boxes of baby pictures, wedding announcements and other sentimental keepsakes.  However, the more I got into the downsizing process, the more I enjoyed it.

Knowing that I was going to a much smaller home, I put emphasis on what meant the most to me.  I got rid of things that were broken, in disrepair (that I had no desire to fix) and things that brought back bad memories.  I put a lot of thought and effort into the furniture that I brought with me.  What would fit?  What would look good?  What fit the style of home that I wanted to create?  What brought good thoughts and memories?  Ironically enough, I found myself getting rid of some of my favorite pieces.  It was cathartic.

As I watched some of my favorite things leaving my home with new owners, I found a sense of peace and fulfillment.   The more I got rid of, the more I wanted to get rid of.  I gave things away, sold them on the internet and donated them to local charities.  Saver, which is run by Big Brothers and Big Sisters, offers a 30% off coupon when you donate 6 large boxes or bags to their facility.  I found that it was addicting.  I found myself searching my house for things that I could throw in the back of my truck and donate.   I accumulated over 30 coupons.  They soon knew me by name and told me that they would add my donations to my “tab.”

The whole decluttering thing took me months.  I was so proud of myself.  I had boxed and labeled and color coded every single box.  I had gotten rid of easily 50% of my furniture.  The kids had the choice to either downsize their toy collections or take it to their dad’s house.  Dad’s house was the choice.  We took LOADS of stuff to their dads house: stuffed animals, toys, clothes etc.  We kept the legos, kinnects, beyblades, electronics and American Girl doll stuff.

There were a few things that I didn’t sort through.  I didn’t sort through my crafts, as I wanted to do that in a less stress environment.  I still have a few clothes that I have to go through, but I am proud to say that 18 bags of clothes are now at the local shelter.  

The big day arrived and I am so blessed to have good friends and family that were at my side: loading, packing, driving and unloading.  Wow.  Even after all of that decluttering, I still had to make a second load with the moving truck.  I guess that I still have room to improve upon.  However, I did it!  I moved us.  Just me and my kids.  We have a cozy cute little house that seems like it is perfectly tailored to us and our life.

I am happy with the way that it is pulling together.  I am happy with the the calmness that the house projects.  I am happy that when you walk in, you have a sense of Ahhh…. relax.  It is coming slowly as I have a lot to do: paint, stain, sew, etc.  However, slow is good as everything is taking a great deal of thought as to where it is placed.

Now that we are here and settling into our new home and neighborhood, I need to take some time to reassess my life.  I want to drop what isn’t important in the long run and spend time with my kiddos.  This is their ONE chance at a childhood, and I want to help them have a happy and successful one.

Three cheers for change!