Moving Overseas

The next time I move to Guam I am going to do things a lot differently.  ha ha. This process of moving overseas has been so complicated, overwhelming, frustrating and has brought me to tears more than once.

I am thrilled about our upcoming move to Guam but when Tyson left for 5 weeks to Rhode Island for his training I realized how much we still had to get done and that time was running out. I have an on-going to do list on my phone and it never seems to get any shorter. It's the opposite actually and it is never ending.

Here's an example of a few things on my (our) list:

Update Military ID's (takes time) 
Get immunized (ouch! I've had 10 shots in my arms and 4 by mouth.) 
Sell our Truck (Thank you to Thane. What a life saver!)
Navigate the Navy Moving site at the Navy office (most complicated website known to man) 
Rent a storage unit (Stangers sold us a great unit close to home.) 
Move our things from Michele's (Dean and Chele are my hero's)
Move our things from Sarah's (Sarah, Jake and Scott helped me so much)
Move our things from my parents (my parents are the best movers around) 
Set up moving consultation through the navy (done) 
Renew my drivers licence- it was about to expire ($25 dollars) 
Order a new birth certificate ($40 dollars)
Talk to our sponsor Matt who lives in Guam (we talked for an hour...he is so helpful!)
Get my Canadian passport (another huge process- thanks to Aunt Bev & Amy for helping in Canada) 
Get Lydia's passport photo's taken (this was free...woo hoo) 
Order Lydia's no fee passport (praying it arrives in time to fly) 
Make copies of our car keys (to give to the port in L.A.) cost $8 
Book appointment for shipping our car 
Buy furniture to take to Guam (we sold most of ours in Oklahoma)  
Renew my Green card-  ($450 dollars later) will expire while I'm overseas and I don't want to get deported
Permanent resident card appointment- (its booked)  
Start separating my things from my in-laws belongings for the movers
Book one last vacation before we leave the States (Shhhh....don't tell Lydia) 

Most things on that list had to be done at Hill Air force base, at the Navy office in Sandy or on the computer and everything costs money. Our computer got a virus and a week later Tyson's Uncle and his family came to stay overnight and his Uncle was able to clean out our computer. It was perfect timing. A small tender mercy, because boy did I ever need this computer. Thank you to David.

In between all of that list I got to mow the lawn, fix our car door, wash the car, take care of the garden, keep the house tidy, do all the shopping & cooking, I planned and threw a party for Lydia, made some I'm sorry cinnamon rolls, host two families, drop off things to DI, Christmas shop.....stay on top or Lydia's school and try to keep my head in my Young Women's calling even though my mind seems to be elsewhere most of the time.

Some days I have felt empowered, like I can do anything & I am on top of everything I have going on in life and other days I cry. I get overwhelmed and just cry, say a pray and keep on going. I don't like to ask for help. I like to thing I can handle everything I am supposed to do. I don't like to bother people and I don't like to feel weak. But with this process I have needed help. I can't do it all on my own. I have been (whats the word) brave and asked for help.

Holly & Emily came over to help me clean out the garden, I have had really bad back pains off and on all summer and I wanted the yard looking nice for Lydia's party but I was in oodles of pain and could barely move that day. I called and they came. I felt so much appreciation and love for them. Their service meant so much.

I asked my home teacher for help too. Nate Soules is the kindest most Christ like person around and I can't thank him enough for his service either.

Moving my little family to Guam is quite the process. I couldn't do it without everyone's help. I've come to realize that it is ok to need help and to ask for it. It doesn't make me weak, it just makes me human. We all need help once and a while and lately it has been my turn.

Man alive do we miss our husband and Dad. I always appreciate him but when he's gone I realize even more all of the little things that he does like play with Lydia so I can get things done, check the mail, fill the cars up with gas, yard work, help clean the house, pay the bills, fix the cars, yard work.....etc. I have so much respect for all the single Mom's out there. I admire them and all that they have on their plates. My plate is overflowing without Tyson here but he has still been such a huge help to me from far away whenever he gets a chance in between all of his training, classes, fitness, exams, uniform inspections, watches, trips to Boston ....etc. He is having quite the experience and I will share so much more about that later.

Thank you again to everyone who has helped me out in big ways, small ways....it doesn't go unnoticed. I am grateful to all of you.