The time has come! We are leaving the south tomorrow night and headed back to the midwest. The kids have their snow gear (minus boots for Jake) and I think we are ready.

Chris got a big promotion at work so he’s going to training for a few months so the kids and I are doing an extended vacation, traveling and staying with family while he’s gone. I can’t wait! I haven’t seen my Grandma in a couple of years, have a few nephews/nieces I’ve never seen in person and haven’t been in snow for years.

I’ve been busy figuring what we are not taking with us – then having to go back and half the pile I want to take with us. We will be away from our own stuff for a while, but I don’t want a packed vehicle either! It’s hard to decide what to take and what to leave – sure my family will have kids toys and books for the kids, and there is always the library, but none of them (but my Mom) sew or do any crafts. It’s hard leaving my stuff to be packed up and put into storage!

We have a decent route we are taking and only driving during the day. Now I’m thinking what food to take in the car with us and where are we going to stay the first (and second) night. I wish we could make it in two days but since it’s winter that isn’t going to happen. The food thing makes me want to go shopping tomorrow.

Oh and I’m going to take crochet work along with me – easy to work on and easy to put away when it’s my turn to drive!

*Tell me you didn’t start singing when you read that.

I have been doing a little of everything lately – one day last week I was crocheting while listening to a podcast, taking breaks to pack a box or two, then moving on to getting food for the kids and then some. So far I have a small stack of boxes packed up and several crochet projects completely finished!

I am almost done with all of my crafting gifts though I do have a few to go. My goal is to have everything done (and wrapped) before we leave. We will be driving approximately 1300 miles, I think 25 or so hours, and I’d rather we just drive and I am not worried about if I need to crochet or sew something. We are going to be driving through the big ice storm that is hitting (or has already hit I think?) the midwest. I’m hoping it’s melted when we get there or at least that it is easy for us to get through.

The boxes I’ve packed up are the craft room, blankets and books. I am a person who has to be in control and though Chris has said he would pack up for us, I still have this need to start. Maybe I’m concerned because he hasn’t helped us pack or unpack in over five years, and maybe even longer then that! I have a small stack of school supplies I want to take, as well as a not so small stack of books for myself. I know I can’t take them all but realize if these are my absolute favorites – maybe it’s time I can do some book weeding out. Bad time to start – I’ll just pack and worry about them later!

We are going to be away from our stuff for about five months – so I suppose I am allowed to take small stacks of various things though everything will have to fit in the van and not on top (though we do have a topper). I’m worried about forgetting something only because I don’t want to feel the need to buy it to replace it when I’ll see it in not too long. Good thing I’m doing the starting packing – I can figure what I want to take with us and what can stay.

No bites on the house yet though the word is spreading. Chris thinks it won’t get rented out until April or May and I’m hoping for February or March. Cross your fingers for us!