final Arizona move?

What a day.  Wait, back up.  What a night.  Friday night the kids were exhausted after hours of packing.  They were quite ready to stuff some good tasting cardboard, from Little Ceaser's Pizza, into their hungry maws.  Who could blame them?  The only unfortunate was that Mike had an invitation to speak and share at a men's Bible Study in town straight from work.  With one vehicle and time constraints, that cardboard delight would have to wait until the end of the night.  Late into the night.  A long day turned into a long night all the way around for everyone.  Poor Mike.  Poor kids.  But, we could not forget....good things come to those that wait.  Even though the cardboard joint was closed by the time he got there, Mike was still able to salvage the night's promised satisfaction with Subway.  Tori fell asleep before he got home with her meatball sub.  Mav had also fallen asleep before he could enjoy his chicken nuggets.  But the rest of us....welp, we were in heaven filling ourselves with subs and chips.  For the past several years, my favorite has been the tuna loaded with peppers.  Some with no heat, and some with LOTS of heat.  Yah, spicey baby!  The lettuce and the tomatoes keep it somewhat cool and refreshing.....mmmmmm!

Last weekend we had taken over the first U-haul load to the double wide two bedroom rental.  We couldn't pass up this good deal which promises to save a good chunk on housing costs.  Financially, this should help further catapult us towards the islands next year.  Thank Jesus for incredible connections.  

This week Mike gathered some hands, feet and muscles in hopes to relieve his continually healing knee and our two teen boys that can only handle so much.  If we hadn't invested in so much solid heavy furniture, it may not have been an issue.  But such as it is having become the typically materialistic Americans.  And now....we have much to get rid of and sell as we keep moving towards the missionary lifestyle.

Sierra emptied her and Tori's room with two of the Scott kids

This morning it was incredibly challenging to be ready by 8am.  Not just for us, but also for all our helpers.  However, by 9am we were all gathered and ready to go.  Mike had brought home more boxes last night.  Had we not run out of boxes, the kids and I would've kept going further into the night.  So, there was plenty of last minute boxing up in the pantry and a few closets.  Larraine was an incredible help.  I was surprised by the boost of energy that could've only come from God Almighty.  Charlie Koons put his truck packing skills to work.  With several pickups, two trailers and the mammoth U-haul, Charlie got all but 15% of our junk loaded by 2pm.  

Wonder what Tyler was lookin' at.  Dylan, Charlie and Mike

After a bee sting on the neck [while walking down the driveway], these two short brown chunky sticks hopped into the U-haul and the girls and I made our way into Prescott Valley towards the rental.  But first we would stop at Ceaser's to pick up some pizza for everyone. Too bad there wasn't anybody to take a picture of my shortness behind the big wheel.  It just would've been fun to have in our photo record.

The electricity has been turned on but not the gas.  So, no hot water and no heater.  It's going to be a bone shivering weekend.  Hopefully, that will all change Monday morning...which is when the gas guy is scheduled to put us back in business.  We're hungry.  We're exhausted. Yet, we're SO thankful.

Nine kids waiting to help unload

Having forgotten that Vickie was bringing over dinner and desert, I invested in the Chinese food craving.  So, in the fridge that all went for tomorrow after Mike's reminder.  Remembering that good things come to those that wait, I'm salivating just thinking about that incredible processed Chinese culinary delight.  Tomorrow can't come soon enough.  Vickie brought over one of Dylan's favorites: LASAGNA.  Oh, was he in heaven.  So much so he put away not three but FOUR servings with the heavenly garlic bread.  That delightful funny boy of ours always eats more than his lion's share.  Yet, he's so lean and .....hu, reminds me of how I used to be able to eat like that. 

It's going to be SO nice to be just five minutes away from several food market choices, delicious fast foods, the kids' schools and great friends.  No more isolation and high gas fill ups with long driving distances.  We definitely look forward to enjoying this temporary change.

Vickie also brought this amazing red velvet cake.  What a delectable desert!