Moving | Goodbye VA, Hello MD

Today’s tidbit: “Today is the start of a new adventure. New challenges to face, new memories to make, and new obstacles to overcome.”Nishan Panwar

As I’ve mentioned, 2 days after my birthday we loaded up everything (well, my strong brother and a couple of his friends) and said goodbye to our childhood home. It wasn’t an easy day but it was necessary and better things are to come! We moved in when my sister and I were almost 5 and moved out a few days after we turned 25. We had lived in that house for 20 years. It was only a few years old when my parents first bought it and although the last couple of years were full of tension and weren’t the happiest of times, it’s where we grew up. We walked to elementary school. We went to middle and high school close by. As I’ve said before, I went to college and have had my own places but it was somewhere I could always come back to. I think part of the reason saying goodbye was so hard wasn’t just the house, it was saying goodbye to that area and everything we’ve known. While I haven’t moved that far and still have friends in the area, I know it won’t be the same and I won’t be there very often.

Sneak peek image: Keys to the new house

MD house slidepix

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

It got me thinking… when I was growing up I used to see families move every few years and I’d think how hard that must be. Now looking back at it, maybe that was a good thing. You’re able to keep making new friends and turning houses into homes. You don’t get so attached to a house and area like if you’ve been somewhere for 20 years. I guess there’s positives and negatives to both.

Onto the move! The night before the moving truck came my dad and I ordered one of my favorite meals–orange chicken from Big Bowl in Reston Town Center. I love that place! Since all of the furniture was packed, we enjoyed the evening sitting outside on the front step.

MD house slidepix2

The following morning was stressful and BUSY. It was a gross, drizzly day which didn’t make good moving weather.

MD house slidepix3

MD house slidepix4

MD house slidepix5

While the guys loaded, I ran to Starbucks for some much needed energy on this long dreary day!

MD house slidepix6

Sammy was not sure what to think of all this! He parked himself on the steps, out of the way, watching them load the truck in the driveway. Before he knew it we were driving the first load to the new house, and he was squeezed into the van. Doesn’t he look thrilled?

MD house slidepix7

Ok, enough of the sad stuff. Onto the new house! By the time the guys got there with the first truck load the rain had stopped, thankfully, and the sun came out.

MD house slidepix9

MD house slidepix10

MD house slidepix13

The big back yard is currently a blank slate. Hopefully we’ll be getting a fence for the little trouble maker soon. Can’t wait to put in a nice stone patio and do some landscaping in the future!

MD house slidepix11

I don’t want to post too many pictures of the inside, so here’s one of my favorite areas—from the stone fireplace in the family room looking out to the morning/sun room (left), kitchen and dining room (through door behind kitchen where there is beautiful crown molding and columns). It’s so bright and I love the dark wood!

MD house slidepix12

MD house slidepix14

This is what any new house fridge should look like, right? Everything was in boxes but I did have my wine and bubbly collection in the van with me…. a toast to a new chapter!

MD house slidepix15

MD house slidepix16

MD house slidepix17

After a crazy day, Sammy finally was getting tired and comfortable.

MD house slidepix18

Being a good puppy in his new nook.

MD house slidepix19

After 2 truck loads back and forth, everything was gone. My dad and I came back to do a final cleaning. And with that, around 11pm we said goodbye to the old home one last time and headed to our new house in Maryland!

MD house slidepix8

And that was moving day! CRAZY. Since we moved into the new place 2 weeks ago, we’ve been busy unpacking. Sammy is making new friends and we’ve gone on many walks exploring the area. Below are pictures from a trail that is literally in front of our house. Once you cross the bridge with a creek running below, you go a little further and get to a huge area with a running trail, soccer field, golf section, baseball field and a covered seated area. It’s very convenient.

MD house slidepix21

MD house slidepix22

MD house slidepix20

MD house slidepix23

MD house slidepix24

And now, as I try to finish unpacking, Sammy has gotten quite comfy and makes room for himself anywhere!

MD house slidepix26

And to end the move and start the new chapter… this beautiful sky from the other night in front of our house looking towards the trail.

MD house slidepix27

It’s been a bumpy road but I’m glad things are finally moving forward and the change is getting easier and better for everyone! In a few days I will be doing my recap post for August. Have a wonderful week!

11 Responses to “Moving | Goodbye VA, Hello MD”

  1. Sarah says:

    Loving the Mary Kay box and travel roll up bag!!!! MD is going to love its newest MK consultant

  2. Holly says:

    The house is beautiful! I just finished moving all my stuff into my new house yesterday! And even though I still have a lot of unpacking to do, I’m relieved that the stress that comes with prepping for the move is gone. My favorite thing about this post are all the pictures of Sammy! Miss that little bugger… and you too of course!

    • alyssa says:

      Thanks! A lot of people were asking to see it. I didn’t want to post too much inside, since it was empty and then full of boxes, but it’s coming together now! Can’t wait to see your new place and yes, I know you understand the stress of packing/unpacking.

      You know that little bugger comes everywhere with me so he had to make an appearance! He was stressed as well but enjoyed exploring the new space.Can’t wait to see you and Jax soon!

  3. Lindsey says:

    LOVELY house!! Love it already!

  4. Pamela says:

    Gorgeous house! All the more reason for sleepovers at both of our places!

  5. […] After a long time coming, and lots of work cleaning and packing, I said a final goodbye to my childhood home in VA. We also moved to our beautiful brand new home in MD. Read full blog post […]

  6. […] in August, our childhood house was sold and were busy sorting through the last things to pack (read more). There it was in the basement–my horse corner. My big navy tack truck that had been in front of […]

  7. […] Moving – I moved out of my place in Alexandria and into a new house with my dad in Maryland (read more) […]

  8. […] years since I moved into a brand new house with my dad and brother (posts on my old website here, here and here). At the time, it was a mix of emotions and really rough summer. I wasn’t sure how […]