Step one

Our life lately has been broken down on our calendars by different milestones and today happens to be the first big "step" on our list for our PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to Germany. Today our first shipment of household goods gets packed up and sent to Germany. 

As I sit, enjoying my morning cup of coffee and lavender neck wrap (because, helllooo stress of moving overseas), our first shipment of our belongings are getting packed away. The UAB (Unaccompanied Baggage) is the first shipment of two when you move overseas, made primarily up of "essentials" for when we first move into our next house. Items that we can include are kitchen essentials, bedding, clothes and professional gear--but no furniture. It's been a funny thing to me to compare what Ara and I deem as necessary for that month without the rest of our things. I seem to think we need all the clothes we own, area rugs and our cast iron skillet, while Ara was only concerned about dividing his clothes up last night. I want to get the most out of our 600 lb allotment!

We are told to expect this shipment within 4 weeks of shipping, but in all actuality it apparently gets there in 6-8 weeks. We are hoping that by shipping it now, it will get there right around the same time we do and will be ready for us when we find our next home! Fingers crossed! The second shipment of the remainder of our household goods will be packed up in about 3 weeks, taking approximately 60 days to make its way to Germany. 

See you later cast iron skillet, we'll make plenty of dutch baby pancakes with you in Germany!