Pumpkins & Packing

Today was our first Saturday off with absolutely nothing planned in months. Today was also our last Saturday in US for awhile. eeek, crazy. 

We vowed to spend the day in productivity. I have three lists on the fridge going, but we woke up, and it was beautiful and instead we decided to spend the first half of the day as a family enjoying “US things”.

We went to my home town of Morton , Illinois to Roth Pumpkin Patch where Emme enjoyed playing. (If I can ever figure out how to add photos to this post I will). It was quite nostalgic to take my daughter to pick out the perfect pumpkin as I had done every fall as a child. Always so excited about what creature would be carved out to sit on the porch for Halloween night. We won’t be here for Halloween so instead we bought a foam animal to decorate, a Raccoon. Since we were doing all American things we obviously had to hit up the Cracker Barrel after for brunch. Emme mostly enjoyed the deer head on the wall and the crayons 🤦🏼‍♀️. 

Once we arrived back to our Airbnb (yes that’s where we are staying since we sold our house Oct 1) Emme took a nap and I went into errands mode. I went to Target for a pick up order of essentials, TJ Maxx for a suitcase as we are now needing a 6th (ugh), and Walmart/Aldi for foods that must be bought and packed for England. Namely, Mac and Cheese. I got back just as Emme woke and we had a great time trying to continue to pack our suitcases while entertaining a 2 year old 🤪. 

My list isn’t much shorter than it was this morning, but my heart is fuller. Had we packed the day with nothing but England prep, I probably wouldn’t even be writing this post as I would be mentally and physically exhausted. Everything will eventually get done, and the things that don’t must not be essential. 

Most people say, “wow that was quick!” When they hear we are flying out Thursday. This has been in the works since January. It hasn’t been quick. It’s been months of preparation all down to the last nitty gritty details. I won’t get into the steps of prep since January in this post as I wouldn’t want to bore anyone with the paper trail And requirements for a UK Spouse Visa. 

Tomorrow is surely to be a day once more of productivity, but we’ve blocked the afternoon off to go see immediate family. 

Thanks for reading, I promise this can only get more interesting as we get closer to D Day right?

Jamie 




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