Today was quite the day. Brad and I passed our kids off to our parents for a fun day of riding bikes outside, visiting Chuck-E-Cheese, and getting to take naps at Papa and Nana's house. (-- a treat since we're only staying at Grandma's house this time.) While they were gone, we packed, unpacked, repacked, and packed some more! It was quite a draining day. Brad spent the first hour weighing the 10 suitcases we had already packed while I sorted all of our clothes in to 'need now', 'need when we get there', and 'don't need for a while' piles. Then we began to tackle our bed....
We are taking a select comfort sleep number bed with us. Most of the beds in the part of Asia we'll be living in are super hard, so we were encouraged to look into sleep number beds since they are air beds and can be packed in trunks. The only problem is that most of the pieces are foam. That means they're really bulky and REALLY light. Now, I know that 16 suitcases and 10 carry-ons seems like a lot, but when that's all we get to pack our whole life in, the space is precious and must be maximized. So, in an effort to get every suitcase to 50 lbs, I bought some space saver bags. They are basically huge Ziploc that have a valve to insert your vacuum hose to suck out all the air. These bags are so great!!! I was amazed at how well they worked on all these foam pieces. It took two of us to stuff the huge pieces in the mega Ziploc, but once it was zipped, it would shrink so much! We were able to get the bags in 3 different suitcases/trunks with many other things around them to get each piece to 50lbs. I'm just hoping that the TSA guys don't unzip our bags, because they'll never make it fit again!
After we got the bed packed up, we spent the rest of the day packing and shifting already packed items. Brad was the weigh-er and collect-er while I was the actual pack-er. And, I pleased to say that by the end of the day, we have 11 trunks, 4 suitcases, and 5 carry-ons ready for the plane. And, it was amazing how unified Brad and I were throughout the day. I anticipated us differing on what to cut, what to make fit, etc., but it wasn't an issue. PTL!
Now, after a hot shower and eating yummy Mexican food for dinner (our third time since we got to town :) ) I'm ready to hit the hay! Brad recommended I take tomorrow off and make our final Wal-mart run on Sat. I'm gladly planning to follow that recommendation! Good night!
2 comments:
Dear Morellos:
What a great endeavor it is to pack! Just from reading your descriptions, it is huge. I got a big laugh over your descriptions should the customs agent open the vacuum-sealed packages of foam bedding! I can just picture all of you at the airport with blocks of foam all around...would have to call you the "Marsh-mellows" instead of the "Morellos!"
But seriously, I do pray for all of you and I am encouraged by your positive and upbeat reports. May your trip be a wonderful adventure for you and the children. Peace to all.
Love,
Pam Clancy
Brad and Amy, we are so thrilled that the time has come! We marvel at your positive and energetic spirits, and are praying God's grace will be abundantly evident during these last days of preparation, the long trip, and the first days of adaptation. May He continue to enable you to "endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ" (1 Cor 9:12).
Love and prayers (and miss you all a lot!!!)
Jodi Ware
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