I did some figuring and since I graduated college, I have moved 19 times. I think. I’ve moved halfway across the country. I’ve moved to the next state over. I’ve moved across the state, across town and down the street. I’ve moved up, downsized, went to the country once or twice and moved back home.

So I have a a rule that I have developed over the years that I always follow. Go fast. That’s it. It’s very simple. Just go and go fast. Don’t waste time to pack perfectly or to load the truck just so. Just go fast. Moving isn’t fun. It’s not enjoyable. Let’s get it done and move on. But a few months back one of my 15 sister in laws was moving so we were all pitching in. My father in law was there and throughly enjoying himself. “Isn’t this great? I’m just having a ball.” He said. The look on my face must’ve shown my confusion. “You’re having fun? I asked. “Oh yeah.” He said “I get to see my kids all together. This is fun for me. I’m just enjoying the day. But you’re not really a ‘go with the flow’ kind of guy are you?” He says. “Well Dave you will find I bring a certain level of intensity to everything that I do. Going with the flow is not really my style.” He chuckled and says “no it sure isn’t.” And wanders off to tell more corny jokes, intentionally annoy his children and throughly enjoy himself. Maybe he has a point.

So I have moved in one vehicle, a big truck, a trailer, multiple trucks, and a cattle trailer one time. I’ve moved with lots of help. I’m moved with one lone friend. I’ve also moved alone. I’ve had moves that were happy and some were sad. Had a few moves that were victories and a couple that were because of spectacular defeats. My boys know the drill. I told them moving day is almost here. Nolan said he is on vacation. Landen claimed that he would be in Japan. His girlfriend offered to help pack. Landen warned her “watch what you say, he will put you to work.”

When I’ve moved, I’ve slept in a car, in a hotel, on a couch, a chair, a pile of laundry and even on orange shag carpet in Dodge City. I’ve broken some stuff. I’ve lost some stuff. I’ve thrown a lot of stuff away. My dad dislocated his thumb outside of Savannah Ga. A frog named Scooby didn’t survive a move. At age 4 Nolan told my mom that he use to have a tire swing until his dad sold the house. I had a real estate agent stop traffic in the middle of the road to give me her card in Arkansas. Had the AC go out in the truck on Paducah Kentucky. I’ve had closings delayed and lived in a hotel for a week. I’ve also have seen my mother run through a casino outside of Tupelo Mississippi carrying two year old Landen because kids aren’t allowed on the casino floor. She is remarkably fast.

I don’t know how many times I’ve eaten pizza from a new place, while sitting on the floor in a new place, surrounded by boxes . Makes for some pretty good memories. So while moving may not be fun at times it is always an adventure.

So maybe it’s because I’m getting older or maybe because everyone is just over my constant moving, but I have hired movers this time. Things will go wrong and others will go smoothly but in the end it will all work out. We sell one house at 9:00 a.m. and buy the new one at 10:00 a.m. Technically homeless for 30 mins at most. Not too bad. We are excited for this move. Brenna likes to decorate and I like moving. But this time I am going to try to go with the flow. I’ve made lots of memories when moving and I want to make some more. The flow has better be fast though.