Moving Day

3 May 2014: Ryan stresses a little when the mattress won't fit in the van!

After 5 months as guests (as family, actually) in my home, Ryan and Shera were finally able to move into their own place on Saturday. It was a very exciting, but busy, day!

This didn't work either, so a friend from Ryan's work came over

with his truck to move the mattresses.

Since Ryan and Shera came here last August from Missouri with little more than a broken-down van and some clothes in bags, they didn't have much in worldly goods to move. Two trips in the van covered it. But I hope they left here with a million wonderful memories and the assurance that they are forever in our hearts and an important part of our family.

Shera bags some of their stuff in the game room that became their temporary bedroom.

Can you tell she's thrilled to be moving into her own house?

During the time they've been with us, they got married; they got their van up and running; they found good jobs with great futures; and now they are in their own home! The future is bright!

One thing they have plenty of is clothing! I spent 2 days

washing all their clothes and bedding and getting it prepared

to be moved to their new place.

 

I admit, the house feels a little empty since they've gone. They're only 3 miles away, for goodness sake, a 5-minute drive, but I miss them already. Still, I'm so pleased that they've worked so hard and grown so much over the past 9 months. Now they have the means to follow their dreams and build their own life together.

 

So sorry for the bad photo of their new home. I'll get another one next time I'm at their house, when the sun isn't RIGHT THERE. I couldn't even tell if I got the house in the picture until after I got out of the sun! Hopefully it will at least give you an idea of how the house looks. It's really adorable, with a big, fenced backyard and forested land behind.

Shera and Ryan in the living room. No furniture yet, but the shelf is cute.

Shera loves owls. Ryan and I thought these owls were kind of creepy,

but he got them for her anyway. And they look good on the shelf!

The owners of the house left this table and 5 chairs for them.

They say we're coming to their house next weekend for Sunday dinner!

The rug was a gift to them from Steve and Barbara Badger.

I love the little arrangement Shera put on the table.

Ryan identifies with the small painting. He says the young man looks like him.

The big jar is filled with Shera's small, colorful socks. Think she has enough?

Oh, the socks aren't part of the table decor. The jar went on the dresser in their bedroom.

Dylan enjoyed exploring their house.

He even picked out his bedroom for when he stays over!

In the background, you can see their kitchen.

Ryan and Shera in the master bedroom. Shera loves the green walls.

Ryan plans to decorate it in camouflage. Shera says okay,

but she gets to decorate the bathroom!

The "Love is spoken here" decal was a gift from Kim and Jona Webb.

No bed frame yet, but it's home.

After Sarah, Dylan, and I visited their house on Sunday evening (Jacob and Chris had to work), Ryan and Shera came over for our traditional, weekly Sunday dinner: Chicken Parmesan and salad this time. We had a lovely time together, but at the end they drove back to their very own home. And that's as it should be.