A Spoonful of Sugar

Our BIG move to Italy 2016

(Part 1)

As life has started to calm down and fall into our groove, I thought I would resume my blog. Adding a bit of our adventuring with two small children and our faithful dog into my blogging mix. I apologize if this seems very scattered and random but it happens to accurately depicts the last few months of our lives.

Our big move started in February 2016, we got the news while sitting on the couch in the middle of a Delaware snow storm. Noah and I were sitting there drinking coffee and watching Samuel play on the floor with his toys. Just then, Noah got an email pop up on his phone, he opened it and jumped to his feet, and with wide eyes he exclaimed “Honey, I think we just got orders!!!” He had to run into work to actually see where we were being sent. We had been told that because of Noah’s training status, and where we were located that we would not get orders for a while.That is one reason we were so shocked. The other shock came when Noah went into the office and saw where we were going and when we were supposed to be there. Italy was the place and May was the date! What a bitter sweet surprise. Living in Delaware we were only a few hours drive to both sets of grandparents which we enjoyed seeing at least once a month. We had settled into our Delaware home nicely and greatly enjoyed the beaches in the Summertime. I also was due to have a baby in August and was planning on giving birth at the same center where I delivered my first son. All of this changed in a matter of minutes of receiving this news.

We proceeded to jump into action. Even though I had been raised in a military lifestyle, this was a whole new animal going through a PCS (permanent change of station) as a spouse. The next four months were filled with doctor’s appointments to get medical clearances, yard sales to get rid of all our electronics that would not work with overseas voltage, packing, visiting friends and family to make goodbyes, lots of shopping (we did not even own suitcases), and lots of appointments for out processing. It really took over every spare minute of our lives for the next four months.

After the movers came and packed up our house, we tried to “rough it” and just stay in our empty home for a week till it was time to hand over the keys. We borrowed just the necessities from friends. Although now that I have gone through that, I would NOT recommend that to anyone. It ended up being way more work in the long run trying to return everyone’s stuff at a very inconvenient time. We only made it a few days "camping" when a dear family from our church took us in and let us stay with them for the remainder of our time in Delaware. Oh, what a blessing and help this sweet family has turned out to be for us, time and time again. Not only did they let us invade their house with all our suitcases and the rest of our junk that we needed to get rid of before departing, they also helped us clean our house for inspection and give clarity of thought when I could not think straight anymore. I had planned on cleaning the whole house myself, but that also proved to be a mistake. Thankfully at the last minute we hired someone to take over so we could finish tying up loose ends.

Our church family really came through and helped us while we had so many needs. They constantly lifted us up in prayer, gave encouragement, offered meals, and lodging for us. Another friend let us use her car for a month after we had shipped our only car overseas. The way that our little church cared and cares for one another is truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. True love. Everyone looking to serve and care for the needs of each other.

One of our biggest headaches was getting our visas to come through. The lady who was processing them not only messed them up a few times but sent them to the wrong address twice. In the end ,the visas did not come in time for our departure date. Noah's oldest brother was so kind to us and drove us to his house for Noah's last week with us. They were so hospitable to us. After that last week of visiting and goodbyes Noah flew on ahead of us with our dog. Samuel and I went to go stay with my parents for a few weeks. God’s grace and peace was so abundantly poured out on me. I really felt peaceful because when you are put in such a position of just waiting for the unexpected, you see just how helpless you are over your circumstances and just how in control God is. He provided all the help we needed. His grace truly was and is sufficient. It was hard to say goodbye to my dearest love, and even harder to know if he would be there for the birth of our second son or not. But we gave thanks in all things and prayed that God would bring us back together in time if it was in His will.

And thus began our waiting game. I was 32 weeks pregnant when Noah flew to Italy and one of our biggest time tables was the airlines letting me fly late in my term. I was already planning my plan B Birth plan in case I was grounded and needed to deliver in the states. My stay in PA was just lovely. It was the beginning of June and summer was in full swing. My parent’s yard was so green and lush. All the roses where blooming. My Mother bought Samuel a baby pool to splash around in. Samuel and I would sit out for a few hours in the back yard playing in the pool every single day. We were tan and happy. We got to go to the Amish markets with my Daddy on some weekends to get donuts and ramen soup. I really cherished every moment Sam got to spend with his grandparents. I stored up all those things in my heart to take with me to Italy. My brothers started their summer tennis practice and I got to watch them play and walk on the track with my Mama, just like old times. It was really such a wonderful break from those four months prior of so much work and thought and planning.

I also got to go stay with my in-laws and what a precious time that was. They live on a quaint little farm with rolling hills. Samuel just loved all the animals! We would go say “HI” to the cows, look at the pigs and romp with Copper the basset hound, who is always hungry for attention. Mooch, the cat, who lies in the sun and meows at the kitchen window got lots of attention from Samuel as well. We had such a relaxing time visiting and making our goodbyes. My heart was very full. Both joyful and sad at the same time.