Cleaning House
124 comments »
The sign was staked into our front lawn today.
“For Sale.”
We’ve been in our home for five years and it’s been a good home for us. There’s room for parties. Space for Snuggling-and-Movies-and-Popcorn nights. And friends. Oh, how we have been surrounded by people we adore. There’s Susie (who I hope to properly introduce to you sometimes soon) my pretty, crazy clever, hypochondriac sista-neighbor. And Jess, my Southern sweetheart who lives down the street and who makes me laugh so hard in regular old conversations that I don’t know what I’ll do without her. She thanks the “baby Jesus” for everything, and I have never been so in love with a single gal pal in my ever lovin’ life. And there’s the cul-de-sac where the kids ride bikes and create chalk-painted neighborhoods.
Still, when you resign from everything you’ve ever known to be solid in life, including your husband’s job, things are bound to change. So the weekend was splattered with paint and staging furniture and chatting with the super adorable realtor (it’s so nice when adorable people sell your home. I think it’s going to up our chances, you know.) and begging the kids to not touch or breathe on anything, including their own selves.
And now, tonight the house is clean. Quiet. Oddly uninhabited feeling.
I wonder if I should feel more sad. I don’t.
I feel trusting. I feel enveloped in the arms of love and wonder and thrilling adventure ahead.
Of course, that could just be the Windex fumes talking. I’ve done a dang lot of cleaning this week.
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Patty Jensen on January 12, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Gracious, Child!!! Every five years I pretend that I am moving just so I would do the “DR Dance” (Donate Recycle routine). I am such a pack rat. Every time I do this “dance” I vow that I will NOT let it happen again. And whadda know??? Five years later there I am again, knee deep in stuff. My biggest fear is that some day “Hoarders” will show up on my doorstep!!
Jen Souza on January 12, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Best of luck to you with your new adventure!
kari king on January 13, 2012 at 8:30 am
i JUST moved from Arizona to Florida… with a 5-year-old and a 4-month old. Whoa, a new baby and a cross-country move all at once…. I can’t believe i just pulled that off!
ammie on January 13, 2012 at 11:16 am
I watched your interview and am blown away by your integrity, your courage, and your light!! As an inactive but former “card carrying” Mormon I applaud you and I would invite you over for dinner regardless of your activity status. Best wishes in your new journey in this amazing technicolor world! xoxo
Sarah Sette on January 13, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Best wishes to you on your move and all your changes.
Amy on January 13, 2012 at 2:27 pm
I just watched your podcast . I have come to a crisis of my faith and I felt like you and your husband were saying the very things I have been feeling. I am a mormon and this whole thing is so very hard. Thank you for putting yourselves out there it has helped to me with my own journey. I am wishing you all of the happiness in the world!
Dayna on January 13, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Here’s to a wonderful new adventure and new people to meet and greet~cheers!
p.s. wish I was your neighbor! : )
Your friend Dayna, here in So. Cal
Sara M on January 13, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Good luck with your move. Thanks for the chance to win the basket!
DeskSnacker on January 13, 2012 at 3:22 pm
I can relate. I’ve been selling real estate for over 8 years and meet people in your situation regularly. I’ve also been a seller of my own home three times. Doesn’t get easier, no matter how much I know or what I experience.
Mike on January 13, 2012 at 6:42 pm
Watched the podcast. Thank you. How can I advertise on your site. Would love to have a conversation with you. I am a fellow CES family with similar stories – in Colorado (western slope). Send me your email.
Sharon on January 13, 2012 at 11:51 pm
Good luck in all of your new adventures.
rachelle on January 14, 2012 at 12:20 am
good luck moving! what an adventure!
Karla on January 14, 2012 at 10:07 am
Good luck. Try not to stress.
Deea @ Sprinkle Some Sunshine on January 14, 2012 at 11:41 am
moving is hard but at least your realtor is adorable! :) good luck!!
Dorothy on January 14, 2012 at 3:53 pm
You are so inspiring! I love your outlook on live and I really want to be more like you.
Carol on January 14, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Nothing like cleaning to the ipod all day!
Meredith on January 15, 2012 at 1:28 am
Just finished listening to your podcast. I noticed you linked to the podcast in this post, but I actually found the interview through MS Facebook community. Your stories are almost identical to mine and my husband’s. This interview could have been ours, so much so that I wanted to send it to my parents so they could understand us (before they embark on a CES mission to Fiji). It’s hard to be honest and genuine and still be a disappointment and a failure in the eyes of extended family. Good luck in your move. We recently left UT for WA. All the best to you and your family. And so glad to know about your blog!
Michelle on January 15, 2012 at 10:30 am
I found your blog after lustening to your marathon interview and reading your comments on NOM. My heart aches for your famly, what a difficult sacrafice for honesty and intergrity. Thanks for sharing your story, I know it couldn’t have been an easy choice.
Liesl on January 15, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Good Luck to You! Whoever gets to be your neighbor when you move are lucky, lucky people!!
Susan Denney on January 18, 2012 at 3:36 pm
A move! Brooke! This *IS* news. (I’m just catching up with your blog — and you via your blog.) Please please keep us all posted.
Onefootout5 on January 18, 2012 at 10:35 pm
I also found your site after watching the interview, which I LOVED. An exit story I can relate to on so many levels. I like you guys. Way to go. Thanks for sharing. :)
Ashleyann on January 18, 2012 at 11:51 pm
Are you moving to Salt Lake? If so, please message me. I would love to connect. I want to say thank you for your podcast. It was inspiring and I think that it will touch more lives for good than you can imagine. Best wishes to you and your darling family.
Lisa MRS on January 26, 2012 at 11:45 am
I hope the move goes smoothly. I hope wherever you settle down after ths will afford you some humility, peace, and truth.