farewell for now

"It's like the end of an era!" - Friends

This week packing has taken its toll. My feet ache, my patience is wearing thin, the house is a mess, the dogs are bored. No matter how many boxes I pack, it seems that I never get closer to finishing. There is always another cabinet or closet that needs to be packed up. How did we acquire so much stuff? But with every box that is crammed with stuff, there is also a memory or memento that is packed away with it.

Halloween cookies that we passed out to our neighbors the first month we were a house are in the baking pans box. Last Christmas with our friends Nelson, Brandon and Tiffany is in the decorations box. Family dinners crowded around our small dining table are in the plates and cups box. Being room neighbors with Kip and hearing Halo 3 through the wall at night is in the video games box. Having the honor of wearing a bridesmaid's dress in Nathan and Casey's wedding is in my clothing box.

House of Doom has always been a concept that would raise the eyebrows of those we would tell. I even find it amazing that we lasted as long as we did but I know we could have definitely kept on going if it were God's plan. I know I learned a lot about myself during the past year and a half. For example...I like things clean. I never knew how much I really like it when things are clean. But living with 3 boys was a great opportunity for me to find this out.

There will always be a special place in our hearts for H.O.D. We were blessed to have great friends as roommates and we look forward to seeing what God will do now that we are apart geographically.

To all who came to stay-

Abigail Jones, Brandon Savage, Tiffany Rocket (who actually stayed for a year), Ben & Patricia Free, Joel from PR, Nelson, August, Neil, Brandt, Jake, all other crusties (there were many), Blue, Wred, Truman, any others I didn't mention; we hope our couch was comfy and that the carpet didn't smell too bad.

To all who came to visit-

Alan & Karen Jones, Gary & Carolynn Nichols, Rob & Vienna Bower, Jose & Sandra, Joel & Vivian Vargas, Matt & Christine Smith, Marion McAlpine, Cousin Alex, Blue, Wred, Truman, D Kids, Liz Alsky, Kelly, Katie G., K&K Gibson, Celia Zimmer, Celia G., Rachel, Parrish Ladies, Jeremy, Cory, Liz Santana, Justine, any other Living Springers, Taylor, Manda, Bug, Jake, Andrake, Paul, Brent, Brenn, all others I didn't name; thanks for filling our house with laughter and good converstaions.

And to all to resided in the House-

Nathan & Casey Doom, Kip Doom, Joey Doom, Tiffany Mumma, & Quiggle; it wasn't always pie in the sky, but I love all of you and consider myself blessed to have had the privilege of living with all of you at some point.

We love House of Doom