Pack? - Rats!

So I’m packing up my family once again. This time it is somewhere in between “moving” packing and “trip” packing. This will be the longest “trip” we’ve ever been on while paying rent for an unoccupied house still full of our STUFF. Also, we will be living in our own little place and so we need more things than the usual trip. Did I mention this is a LONG trip. Friends and family, we are leaving the comforts of our home for a good two months or longer. I am sad. This place I titled “Gloomington” has grown on me and I am sad to be leaving my friends (those who aren’t moving too!), my comfort zone, my home and my backyard! Mostly I hate packing... and if I can just get out of this slump and ignore my growing to-do-list, I will leave, have our summer and be back before I know it.

But how much do I pack? I’ve got it down to 7 t-shirts for the boys... but what if it’s cold... how many sweaters do I need? We need dress shoes for church, running shoes, sandals... do we need rain boots and rain jackets? We will be camping a lot... so on top of the tent, sleeping bags, cooler, coleman stove I need warmer PJs in case it’s chilly (we are going to Canada!)... How many toys do I let them bring? I’m supposed to be getting Julia ready for kindergarten this summer... do I bring learning activities, her favourite books? As for myself, how many outfits do I bring for Sundays? Realistically I think one... but I know I’ll get sick of it and how many people will be wondering if I really just have that one skirt? Do I bring a framed family picture to add some decor to our dorm room? Oh, and should I dust my home before I go? Will it make that much difference for when I return? Should I put all my photo albums on the top floor so that if a disaster strikes and floods hit, my scrapbooking efforts and memories are saved?

I could never have been a pioneer... never a military wife... and obviously I’m struggling with my present role of “packer”. Do you have any suggestions?