Our weekend campervanning trips have come to a screeching halt as we’ve immersed ourselves in moving from a house we’ve lived in for ten years to another house we fell in love with that is only four minutes away. There is something comforting knowing that even though we are moving to a new house, everything around us is still the same. Yet the process of going through all the “stuff” that accumulates when you live in a place for ten years doesn’t get any easier. What possessed me to save all of my daughter’s worksheets, art projects, essays, tests, etc… from every grade? I’m not going to mention the countless number of useless, but sentimental things that I’ve kept just in case I needed to appreciate it again. If I didn’t know me and my sentimental tendencies, I would report myself to hoarders anonymous. So, I am making a renewed effort to keep the “stuff” level down at the new house. With my daughter’s art projects and craft items, I’ve started to capture them in photos so I don’t have to feel guilty for not keeping them. Those art items are for passing on to grandparents anyway (just kidding grandma!).
As much as we are looking forward to starting life in the new house, the three of us have been reminiscing about the memories created here. What attracted us to this house in the first place was the outdoor space. My daughter was only three when we moved in so a big backyard was perfect. Ten years later, although we have enjoyed the house and backyard tremendously, it feels like the backyard is too big for us and the house too small. The yard that we’ve maintained ourselves (or tried to at least) seems to take too much time away from other activities, like our campervan trips. More relevant is that as my daughter gets older, the need for a large yard has diminished and therefore, our interest in maintaining a space that we don’t use has diminished along with it.
We’ve celebrated almost every one of my daughter’s birthdays in the backyard, have hosted countless easter egg hunts and holiday themed get togethers, not to mention the many playdates that have taken place here. We are truly grateful for having had this outdoor space.
We’ve had fun gardening and spending countless hours just enjoying the outdoors.
Our outdoor space has been our main area that we entertain.
I will miss our home for the past decade, but we will be taking with us so many great memories. We are now focused on and excited about making the new house our home. It’s not so much that I will miss the house/backyard, but it’s really the little girl that enjoyed them so much that I will miss. Kids really grow up way too fast!
Weekend Campervanning 
Congrats on the new home! And wow, what a nice existing home — if the new one is better, and the current pictures are an indication of how awesome your existing home is, your new home must be UH-MAZE-ING! I’m sure you’ll be on the road, traveling, hiking, camping again soon! 🙂
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Thanks! The new house is definitely different, the space fits us better as a family, but the house/home we are moving out of will always be special to us. I will have to live vicariously through all of you adventurers for a little while.
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I can really relate to this! When we sold our house to live in an RV, it was pretty emotional getting rid of all the stuff. And remembering all the memories we made there with our kids! I had to remind myself that we are taking our memories with us, and now we’re making many more incredible memories together. But like you said, the hardest part is realizing they’re growing up way too fast, and I wish they could stay little.
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Going from a house to an RV must have been tough as far as prioritizing the “stuff” you could keep. I really respect what you and your family are doing, living full time on the road. It is so important to live every day to the fullest and be in the present. Thanks for understanding where I’m coming from as a fellow mom.
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Yes. Even if time to move on, there are so many important unique moments at the house and in the wonderful yard. My mind sees them clearly. Mixed feelings Savor the memories and dance in the moment. High fives for the future. You have to be soooooo busy and involved. YES
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Feel lucky to have lived in the house, especially with the backyard. Hope another family will enjoy it as much as we did. See you in the new house!
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Thanks for the sharings. Older pics bring happy memories.!!!!! New adventures ahead. Cheers 😍
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I can’t wait to see the new house when you’re all settled! Ok, even partially settled – I know it takes time. Was fun to see these pictures…and makes me want to get to work on our yard!!!
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I think I completely underestimated the time for the move. Learned so much from the experience, especially what NOT to do. Of course we would love to have you guys over when things have settled!
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So happy for you and your family! (Congrats on the new home–so exciting!) And yet, your post tugged on my heartstrings. We moved several years ago, so I can relate to how difficult it is to leave a home that has so many wonderful memories. It’s a bittersweet feeling, and like you wrote, I think it’s exacerbated by the realization of how fast the years go by. “It’s not so much that I’ll miss the house/backyard, but it’s really the little girl that enjoyed them so much that I will miss.” And now I’m tearing up! (In a good way! 🙂 )
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Thank you! The move has consumed our summer, but it was worth it.
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