A fairly common term used lately in business but this time I am not using it in relation to corporate America. My family is putting the wraps on a move tonight and tomorrow. This is the first time that my wife and I have downsized in our soon to be 9 years of marriage. It’s the pottery/willow anniversary and I already have the gift picked out… way ahead of schedule.

We started out in a 1200sf (2/2) apartment. First house was a 1700sf (3/2). Second house was an 1800sf (4/2). Then the last house we were renting was a 2400sf (4/2). This house was way too big for us but to get 4 bedrooms in Weston (to house the church office) this was one of the smallest models.   The 1800sf house was a great size for us. Not too big and not too small. The four bedrooms allow for an office and a school/playroom for Owen, which is really nice.

This week we moved into a 1350sf (3/2) apartment. Talk about scale shock. All of the furniture that swam in the big house is sinking the apartment. This process has forced me to face some important realizations.

10. We have way too much stuff.

9.     A majority of it is really not that important.

8.     Maybe I am a little bit of a pack rat.

7.     If you haven’t used it, much less seen it in a year…

6.     It really pained me to part with yard tools even though I haven’t used them once since we moved here. (they were the nice fiberglass handled ones)

5.     God has really blessed us during those 9 years.

4.     Paying $60/hr to have (2) guys from U-haul to move our heavy furniture… worth every penny.

3.     Size does matter, especially when selecting a U-haul truck.

2.     If you think paper cuts hurt… try cardboard

…and the number one realization I had in downsizing…

1.     My wife is an incredibly strong woman… not only physically but in every other area.

Ok so you may be thinking that was cheesy but you don’t know how much effort my wife put into this move and I just want her to know that I love her and appreciate her.