An update...

We have moved out of our home. It was very emotionally difficult to leave. We had made it our home and Havah was born there. Such a cozy little cottage nestled in the woods. On our last day, the children took me to their "forts" and their favorite places to play.

It was an overwhelming task to move out. I struggled the last few days. We are weary from packing and preparing for an intracontinental move and the emotions of leaving and starting over again.

Now we are spending a few days with the Rucci's to spend some last-minute time with them and finish the details of trip preparations. We have had so much to do to wrap up loose ends. We have to take turns working and being on baby duty.

Both the truck and van are stuffed right now. We've sold the van and have to unload it. The trailer has to be partially repacked. Some friends want to mail our overflow boxes. We purchased two cargo carriers to expand our space. That doesn't make sense when I re-read it but I am too tired to redo it.

We have been saying goodbye to close friends. That has been very hard for us. It is the strangest thing. To be homesick this year and now to be going home, even in time for Thanksgiving! But I am so deeply exhausted that I can't even think straight. I put the salt in the microwave!

Anyway, we are excited about this cross-country trip. But the reality is that we are dealing with loss as well. The children are doing well. The older ones are feeling the loss more keenly. Chris is doing well but worn out from having to pack in arctic weather. (He has to work in stages, because of the freezing temperatures.)

We plan to leave Friday morning early and try to make Beaver Creek, Canada. If not, we will probably stay in Tok our first night.

A special thank you to the family and friends, both known and anonymous, who gave to help us 'return to the land of our inheritance'.