Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Rolling With the Punches

At church on Sunday, one of the teachers mentioned in her lesson that she has moved 20 times in her life. She thought that was a lot until another sister told her she had moved 47 times.

Of course, this got me thinking (I may have to retitle my blog that: "This Got Me Thinking..."). I was reminded of a friend I had once who was serving as the Young Women's President at church. I was her counselor. She had a very hard time bending when bending was required. For her, things needed to be the way she had originally planned them or she'd freak out. I spent many evenings trying to console her and help her understand that plans sometimes need to change. And that's okay. One night I told her, "You've got to be more flexible and learn to roll with the punches." She chilled out a little bit, but it was always a challenge for her.

And what about me? Do I follow my own advice? Yes. A little too well. And Josh has always been very willing to roll with me. Sometimes he's even the instigator.

Where have these punches rolled me? Since marrying Josh, I've gone from Colorado to Arizona to Colorado to Montana to Arizona. This new home will be Move Number 14. And that's just since 1999.

Before that, most moves were orchestrated by my parents. So, what's the grand total? 20? 47? Well, the total moves (that I can remember or have some sort of documentation of) is 34. This includes the upcoming move, the two times I moved back into my parents' home at ages 19 and 20, but it doesn't include this summer when the kids and I stayed with my parents when Josh first came to Arizona. Oh, and only four of these moves were directly related to the Air Force.

With the last six moves occurring since December 2007, spanning a total of 1718.3 miles, I figure I've rolled enough for now. I hope and PRAY this will be our last move for a while. I was at the new house with the appraiser today. I love our house. I want to live in it. I want it to last us for a long time.

34 moves is enough for now.

3 comments:

Mrs. Bennett said...

WOW. I can't STAND moving, I don't know how you have done it!! My parents lived in the same house since i was two years old. I have moved 17 times since I was 18 years old (I changed my life plans A LOT). 17 Ain't nothing! I hope this is your last move for a long time. :)

colds1 said...

Can I enter for the boobie prize? I've moved 7 times (not counting moving back in with my folks during the summer my first years of college or the time I moved bedrooms when I was 6).

Lori said...

Dang, if you count the time we moved bedrooms, that would be crazy!! I know I've moved a lot, since some of them were with you, but not that much. In fact, right now, I've got the itch. Okay, I've had it for a LONG time.:)