Big Changes Coming Soon!

(I am posting this after the fact, so the surprise is over) At the beginning of October, we found out that Chad GOT THE JOB!!! We are moving to CONNECTICUT! 

Chad wanted to surprise me with his announcement somehow. On October 7th, we went into Twin Falls to run some errands on his day off. We went to JoAnn's to buy the fabric and pattern for Charlie's dinosaur Halloween costume. Then we stopped at Wendy's for lunch. When we got home, we put Charlie down for a nap and Chad had Erin video chat me. Sawyer (who was home sick on a Tuesday afternoon) told me that "Uncle Chad got a job in Connecticut." I had a hunch it might be coming soon because Chad was on the phone all morning, and walked away from me every time it rang. I was feeding Russell at the time, so I couldn't get too excited, but I was excited!!! Unfortunately, they didn't allow him very much time to move. He was supposed to start in CT on October 30th, so we had just over 3 weeks to make arrangements to pack, clean, move and drive. 

Every time I talked to her, mom would ask if we got the job. She was getting nervous that we hadn't heard anything yet. She was getting mad that the company would screw us over like that. So, I decided to keep it a secret and surprise her by showing up on the doorstep! I was going to surprise mom AND dad, but Erin and Mollie thought that was a bad idea, so I told dad. Everyone in the family knew, except mom. It was hard keeping it quiet! 

We actually had to speak in church on the 12th. I introduced us, and then Chad got up and announced that we would be moving in a week. We gave our food storage to the ward, and the Relief Society President promised to distribute it to families in need.We weren't there very long, but the people in Jerome were good to us. 

We reserved a truck and a car trailer. Chad got a few extra days off, thanks to his manager in Twin Falls. We got Leonard checked out (the check engine light was on) and got an "Ox" (or "Nox"?) sensor fixed. We went to visit Erin's family again on the 16th and 17th. We went to a local pumpkin patch. Unfortunately it was during fall break, so there were tons of kids. But it was still fun. 

At some point, we went on the Provo River Halloween Cruise thing. (Thanks Erin and Bryce!) It was small town-y and fun. 

Sure will miss these cousins! 

At some point, we also went up to campus. Who knows when we'll be back!

Charlie loves his cousins! He loves having big kids to play with. 

We went through the storage unit and posted a bunch of free stuff on Craigslist, and then had a "moving sale" on Saturday, the 18th to get rid of the rest of it. 

Hanging out with the neighbor. 

We sold pretty much everything.  We sold our kitchen table and lawn mower to the neighbor. Most of the rest of it went to (other) Mexicans. We took a few things to D.I. and that was that. We celebrated by having breakfast at iHOP in Twin Falls. 

On Monday the 20th, some guys from the ward helped us load the piano and the storage unit into the moving truck. On Tuesday the 21st, we cleaned up the apartment and finished packing the truck. Joshua brought Charlie a going-away present. Charlie gave Joshua a bubble gun to play with together. They had a ball. Joshua was a good friend for Charlie. It was sad to leave them behind. Of course neither one of them comprehended what was happening, but the moms did! 

One last night in our apartment at 408 4th Ave. East in Jerome. (Tuesday, October 21st) Charlie's crib was already packed, so he slept on his mattress in our room. He went right to sleep. (When he got up the next morning, he called for us since we were already up. I told him he could just come out if he was ready. He crept out the door and looked genuinely confused that he was able to just get up by himself.) We slept on the air mattress since our bed was packed, and Russell slept in his swing. It was cozy.

That flash is bright!!