Settling In

Well, we are all moved and are truly Louisianians now :)

I have to say that this was the easiest move we have had thus far. Partly because I am more practiced (I even still had checklists from our last moves that I was able to incorporate for this one). I was more laid back which made a big difference too. I am learning that flexibility is key--in all situations. You can make a plan, but unforeseen events come in all forms to disrupt your plan and it is important to just go with it. You just can not come up with enough "plan B's" to incorporate all the unforeseens---and I could never have guessed some of them.

Our movers this time were Mayflower and they were fabulous! I have absolutely no complaints about them at all, and they even came a day later than expected, but were able to get us back on schedule. Our only hang up was the playground/swing set we had moved. Because the movers were delayed a day, the third party company was there without being able to ask the driver how much space would be left, so they disassembled about 80%!! When we got here, the third party came out to reassemble and would not/could not do it. The company that Graphic uses for relocation kept on it, and were able to find two guys from Movers Specialty to come from New Orleans (yes, they came from almost 5 hours away!!) to put this back together again. I can only imagine what that cost and am very thankful that we will never know quite frankly :)

We are about 90% put away/organized but I have run out of steam and motivation at this point. All the boxes are unpacked, everything to be hung is done (except Clara's canopy and a couple of curtains I have to make). The house functions very well and we are very pleased with the area and the house! Our neighbor has been working on the fence which is his, but will make a huge difference for us as it is the only side not fenced in this yard and once he finishes it up we can let Bella run free in the back which will be great!!

The animals have adjusted very well. Bella had a rough time there for a little while, and it confirmed to us that she was dumped when her family moved away because when boxes were being packed up she got STRESSED!!! It wasn't until we got moved and unpacked that she got back to her normal self. Bless her little heart---she will not be left again!! The biggest adjustment I think must be for Mouse as he is outside here (in AL he was in the basement). He stopped using the liter box years ago, and so he can not be inside. We have a very large covered patio here though and we have a bed/house set up for him back there that he likes. Also, he has found a "safe" spot under the storage shed in the backyard. We have been spending a lot of time outside (especially now that the swing set is set up) and so he is getting lots of lovings!

Mike's job is going very well, thankfully! He has less responsibility here which is nice actually. He leaves work at work, doesn't' have to worry about laying people off---he goes in does the best job he can do and leaves!! He even gets to come home for lunch! It is so nice being 5 miles from work here!! Our gas budget has gone down considerably too which has been wonderful!

The girls have adjusted very well. They have had this time off of school, but that will change next week. I will not jump in to a full school schedule, but ease back into it. I am looking forward to getting into a routine again! This week the girls have VBS which they are enjoying. They have met several other homeschoolers from field trips we have gone on, and also the family we are renting from, they have family here (one street away) that also homeschools. We had to meet them right away to get the keys and it has been nice getting to know them. We got to go swimming with them one day and have gone to their church. The girls have also met several other kids that live on our road---it is great to go walking Bella as we always seem to meet someone new :)

Personally I am relieved to be on this side of this move. My nest is made and Mama is happy :) We really like this area and are excited to get to explore around here. We were happy to not be moving in August because of the heat---and wouldn't you know, it has been over 100 just about every day we have been here (which we understand is unusually hot for this early in summer). I have to say, that yes it is hot, but I find it much more bearable since I can wear less clothing and am carrying almost 120 less pounds around! What a difference that makes!!! I also believe the weight loss had a lot to do with the ease of the move since I have tons more energy. It is nice to meet new people too and feel "normal".

I still need to get a camera---but besides that I am hoping to being back to updating the blog regularly :)