We Moved!

I think every muscle in my body is sore. These last few weeks have been grueling. We got all moved out on Saturday, and a bunch of folks from our church showed up to help us pack the truck and clean the house. They also brought us lunch, which was sooooo nice! The neighbors came over to say goodbye too. The kids had evidently really wormed their way into their hearts, because some of them came over with a camera to take pics of us all, plus they gave us a giant fruit/goodie basket as well as about a bajillion odds and ends including framed pictures, blankets, rugs, rubbermaid items, etc. Nice, but, um, odd. I had no idea about all the "odds and ends" until we were UNpacking the truck in Hudson and I kept wondering where all this extra stuff came from. One lady who actually moved out of our neighborhood last winter heard through the grapevine that we were moving out, and she showed up on Saturday to wish us well and give us a small gift to remember her by. One set of neighbors even gave us a framed picture of themselves. *shrugs*

Anyway, I might have mentioned last week that we had a farmhouse lined up to rent. (It's been a fog around here, so if this is old news, just please oblige me the redundancy this once). Well, anyway, we had a cute little farmhouse on 40 acres of woods all lined up to rent, and someone beat us with the security deposit by 20 minutes. That was last Friday. So, Saturday we drove up to the area again looking for somewhere to rent. Struck out again. Came home, and started scrambling to find *anything* we could.

I called a sister church in Hudson to ask the pastor if maybe he's heard of anything for rent, and while he was on the way out of town, he handed that request over to one of the deacons, who called us and offered to help us out a bit. Nice! So, we did find someplace to look at on Monday night, filled the application out on Tuesday, and signed the lease on Saturday *just* before we moved in.

We're in a "twin home" (can you say "duplex?") ;O) It's absolutely heaven compared to where we were. We are out in the country, just on the edge of town. We drive past horses on our way out of our housing development. We have a beautiful view of the countryside from the livingroom, and best of all, all the storage space a gal could ask for! Two car garage, plus enormous closets which instantly made the childrens' rooms immaculate, and I'm *loving* that! We also have no highspeed internet connection. Isn't that a hoot that we move up to the Cities, and lost our internet!? Such irony in that! We called a Satellite Guy today, however, and now we're both much happier after going all weekend without hopping online at all.

I didn't mention us moving in! John's parents and brother drove up with us, and helped us unload, and also the guy from the church in town here rounded up a crew of folks to help us too! What an enormous BLESSING! They also brought supper enough for a few nights, one of them invited us over for dinner on Sunday, etc., etc. It was really, really nice. I was definitely impressed with their hospitality and love. (And one of these ladies brought over supper for us last night too, which was enough for Tuesday night as well. Haven't had to cook here yet!)

John's first day of work went well! He got to the office this morning, they told him they'd like him to start on some certifications which he has been wanting to do for some time anyway. And since there isn't a jobsite lined up for him quite yet, he can devote his time to doing those, get paid his salary, STAY HOME to do it online, and get a few bonuses when he finishes them. Sweet!

This morning we introduced ourselves to the neighbor who shares our duplex. They are from Liberia, West Africa! They have a 10yo girl and a 4yo girl. The 4yo is an absolute DOLLY. The neighbor across the street is from India! *sings "It's a Small World After All"* I'm loving, loving, LOVING the international flavor of the neighborhood. John and I have been trying hard to make the world "small" for the kids - to learn lots about other countries, to know their geography, etc., and so these neighbors just Thrill My Heart! (Speaking of which, I need to take a picture of the world map shower curtain that I got for the kids' bathroom. I hung up their Ukrainian alphabet poster in there too, and I think it is awesome!)

I found the kitchen and livingroom yesterday, and today I unpacked the kids' rooms and their books and school stuff. Still haven't dug my way out of the den or masterbedroom yet... tomorrow! John still has lots to do setting up his computer stuff. (I don't know a thing about that. I just know how to check email, google, and blog!) ;O)

Btw, John's parents are ok. Very bruised up, but fine. They were going down the highway and someone pulled out in front of them. They've totalled their car, and are going to be sore for a while, but I understand there are no broken bones. Life can change so drastically so quickly. Great reminder not to take anything(one) for granted, and to thank God for each day He gives us!

Well, anyhow, I'm exhausted. I've been wishing for bedtime since about 4:30, and now that it's about 9:00pm, I'm thinking I can get away with it now! Thanks for checking in!