The Advent

I feel down right frantic. Packers come on Tuesday. Christmas is 18 days away. The list really does keep getting longer and longer. I think that the reality is sinking in, we really are moving to Australia. Honestly, it seems a little crazy. BUT some how in the midst of it all the girls seem to be fine. With a great deal of help from a few friends, I put together our traditional Christmas advent. I even have a plan so we can keep counting down when we are between houses. We have cut out snowflakes for the Church party, made a gingergread village, watched a Christmas movie, eaten Christams cookies, read stories, etc. It is amazing how pausing for just a few minutes and celebrating Christmas as family each day has really settled the girls.

The List

It is has been a crazy month, but really isn't November always busy? I have been working and working to get everything arranged for the move. I feel like I wake up every morning and work all day and most of the night and yet it doesn't seem like I am making much progress. The problem is everyday things get added. So far this month I have checked off:

• doctor (3 visits each, company dr., private doc, and follow up)
• dentist
• hair cuts
• inventory the entire house with replacement values (almost, just my room left)
• get on Facebook
• find house in Australia (found one, room for all of us, dog ok, close to school and good commute for Adam. It is in the Ascot/Hamilton area of Brisbane)
• teach class, still have 2 more class periods and finals
• arrangements for Olive, thankyou a MILLION to our friends who are helping us with that and have volunteered to keep her for a few months
• sort and organize house, some stores, some ships, some goes air
• start Christmas advent for girls (I can't give up all traditions just because we are moving this holiday season)
• shop for Christmas
• buy clothing and household items for next few years because Australia is expensive and I refuse to pay $35 for mascara that I can buy here for $5
• figure out how to furnish and outfit house that is 1/3 the size
• sell cars/boat/appliances
• complete literally HOURS of paperwork, I have signed so many things that my signature is totally unrecognizable now
• keep house SPOTLESS for showings

AND believe it or not I still have things on my list. Two weeks from today, we will move out of our Cypress house. GULP!!