A little of everything

I have been anxious to update my blog about something exciting that we have done in Massachusetts so far. I haven't been able to do that yet because we really haven't gotten out to do too much since its been a little chilly to walk anywhere in the city. We had high hopes to go to the aquarium in Boston and show Savannah all the cool animals but after Jeff standing in the cold, windy weather for an hour and getting to the ticket booth finally, he decided that he wanted to go when we would have more time there. By the time he got to the ticket booth, they would be closing in 2 1/2 hours. It was going to be a lot of money to get in for such a short time. We will try at a later date. We tried to walk around the downtown area for a little bit but it was just too cold. We weren't dressed for the weather as we were expecting to be indoors. At least I was able to see Boston and we all got out of the house for the afternoon.

We also found a church to attend yesterday. It was very easy this time around. I wish it would have been that easy in Austin. One church and it was meant to be. Jeff and I usually can not agree on one aspect of the service usually. When I like the music, he doesn't or when he liked the sermon, I really didn't. This church worked for both of us. There was even a song in the service that spoke to both of us. We looked at each other on the way home totally freaked out. This is the place that we are meant to be at right now.

We have also met some wonderful friends. They are newly married and expecting their first baby in June. So excited for them. Dan has been mentoring Jeff through this training. It's so great how everything has just clicked so far. Wendy (Dan's wife) is also a very down to earth person. They are both from MN. I just have to sit back in amazement at times how God works in our lives.

I will admit, at times I am heartbroken to be out here. Things like being reminded that Savannah will not be celebrating her birthday with all her family around her high chair singing happy birthday to her as she dives for her cupcake. This weekend I felt sad that I couldn't be at home with my cousin Emily. We grew up 5 miles from each other and would frequently ride our bikes back and forth to each others houses. Our lives would drift apart every now and then but whenever they came back together, we would pick up right where we left off. She had a c-section on Friday and I'm not able to visit her in the hospital. I'm not able to wrap my arms around her and tell her that I'm here for her and everything's going to be ok. Instead, I watch from a website hoping to hear an update. Instead I pray for her all day. It truly breaks my heart that I can't be there to help her through this difficult time. In life we take things like life for granite. We expect that everything is going to go right in a pregnancy. God humbles us by showing that we still need to put all of our trust in him. Thats exactly what Scott and Emily are doing. This is one of the most difficult times in their lives. It amazes me how people can go through life and not believe in God. How do they get through these difficult times? How do you face the next day when its full of uncertainty without trusting in God? That's how I'm making it out here. I know that God wants us out here right now. I would love to be selfish and stay in my comfort zone of home. If I did that, I would not grow. I would not meet new people that mold me into a better person. I would not be able to feel the love of my husband that I do now. I feel closer to him now than I have in 3 years. Out here we are only depending on each other. Moving here has done the best thing to our marriage.

Now its time to brag about my husband. He is so much happier in this career change. He has more energy when he comes home at night and is a more lovable person to be around. He's starting to slack on helping out around the house again but we got that turned around :) He is ahead of his training and his boss told him that he doesn't expect him to be here as long as they first anticipated. That's the only challenging part with a Hormel life. You never know when your spouse will come home to tell you that were moving. Jeff's doing a wonderful job as a sales trainee and I am so proud of him.

The unblog

I had a whole blog written out but then I deleted it. I want to share with you how great things are out here and tell you about all of adventures but just can't seem to muster up the strength to do it today. Just know that I could use some prayer for strength and guidance. I am always in need of wisdom on what to say so you can throw that in there. My life is no bed of roses right now. There's quite a few thorns but they are gradually working themselves out.

Girls day!

Today I did little housework. I fought back the urge to go through the spare bedroom and rid it of anything not needed and sort through that mountain of paperwork from the past month. Instead I spent the time playing patty cake and singing toddler tunes. I took her to BabyGap and she pointed out (and pulled down) all the pretty clothes that she liked. She always knows when we are shopping for her. I can't figure out how she knows. When I walk into my department she immediately is a disobedient shopper. Customers and employees talked to her and made her feel like the center of attention. We snuggled up fora  nap together which mommy needed just as much as she did. I adore the days when I kiss my cares away and just enjoy the company of God's beautiful creation. I know she will grow up so quickly and I don't want to look back and say to myself that I should have enjoyed the moments far greater than I did. It's days like these that your heart feels warm. The sun shining in the window seems brighter and your shoulders feel less burden. Her only worry right now is getting the object thats out of reach. She lacks patience and determination. Something that I might not notice if I were too caught up on the household tasks. I painted her nails for the first time today. I did manage to get most of it on her nails and little on myself. I consider that a huge accomplishment. She seems so much happier when I take the time to listen to all her stories and make her giggle at my funny faces. So precious is a life that you helped create.

On another note, yesterday I spent the day labor ridden. I painted up the stairs and in the loft area. An area that I thought would only take me a few hours turned into most of my day. Out with the yellow paint!! Savannah showed me yesterday that a tension gate will not work at the top of the stairs. I thought it was pretty tight. Well at least as tight as I could get it. She eventually rolled over there and kicked it down as my back was turned. My heart jumped only to see the baby gate laying in two pieces at the bottom and a little Savannah smiling from ear to ear kicking her legs at the top of the steps. Baby gate attempt #1 failed so we will have to invest in something a little more powerful. :)

Were Here Part 2

After many hours of unwrapping and unpacking and organizing,  I feel the end is finally getting near. I can finally hit the stores and fill in the gaps with things that I need at this place to make it a home. Such as the kitchen is smaller than what we had. (I know hard to believe) Ok maybe its not smaller, just I didn't design it and they didn't use the cupboard/drawer space efficiently. This has "forced" me to go to Bed Bath and Beyond to search for organizers in order to fit everything (well at least the necessity items) in our kitchen. Believe me I have plenty of overspill.

When the boxes started to arrive here on Thursday I have to say, I have never seen so much cardboard and PAPER. Oh my goodness, the amount of paper they used. I think I killed one tree with just the amount of paper they used to wrap all my stuff. I've been told that they need to use that much paper so stuff won't break. Well I have to say that it worked. Only one thing has been broken and its replaceable.

My painting is yet to be completed. I think if we didn't have Netflix and if I didn't all of a sudden get addicted to a series on there, I would be a lot farther than I am. Oh and also if I didn't have to take care of a 10 month old. Moving is completely different with a child. Not looking forward to doing it the next time. I kept thinking that when I was unpacking all our stuff. This is only temporary and we WILL be moving again in 6-12 months.

After all the commotion of a move and unpacking, Savannah turned 10 months old. I woke up that morning realizing that now would be the time to start thinking about her 1st birthday. It didn't take me long to realize for the first time since knowing about the relocation that this never occurred to me. I couldn't throw the party I had been thinking about since she was born. I had to think of a new dream. But before coming up with a new dream, I had to throw myself a little pity party. I think that I deserved to be able to throw myself a little pity party. I have given up a lot this past year and Jeff has acknowledged it over and over. He has been very grateful for me not complaining about some of the sacrifices that came with flipping a house and going down to a one car. I feel like the benefits for all that sacrificing are just starting to play out. We now have a savings account again and no credit card debt! We have 2 cars! There is so many great things that this move has brought to us. So many opportunities and blessings. There is always a few thorns though. Being hours away from my family and friends. Not being able to celebrate Savannah's birthday with a big group of family members. But I know when we move back to the MN area in the future we will have big birthday parties. Right now it will probably just be the 3 of us plus any friends we make along the way.

We're Here Part 1

I have been anxiously awaiting to get Internet back so that I could fill everyone in on some details about our move. The packers coming was a little, umm, overwhelming to say the least. Trying to keep an eye on 3 people plus a child was challenging. I did end up forgetting a few things such as a coat for Savannah. Oops. She got a new spring coat out of the deal though. The drive went way better than either one of us anticipated. Taking it a couple hours at a time proved to be very effective. Savannah got a good fill of Baby Einstein from the back seat and also got a lot of good naps in since hotels are not a place for babies to have a good nights sleep nor mommy's. Besides the waking up every 2 hours in the hotel room, I couldn't have asked for a better transition.

Our family is becoming well acclimated with our surroundings. I thoroughly know my way to and from Target. I have spent a small fortune there replacing all the things that had to be thrown away because the moving company would not pack them. I finally got to buy Savannah her Shabby Chic curtains that I have been eyeing up. I can hardly wait for the curtain rods that are on the semi so I can hang them up tomorrow. Savannah is starting to get adjusted to living here too. She's not quite as fussy as she was initially and she is back to waking up only once at night. Aww, routine. It's times like these when you really start to appreciate routines. I think tomorrow will be like Christmas for Savannah. She will get all her toys back and especially her crib. I'm thinking a full nights sleep is ahead of myself. :) I will for once have a place to sit besides the floor to eat or just relax.

If it wasn't for all the painting I did today, I would have a hard time sleeping due to all the excitement but I'm exhausted. Exhaustion is far more powerful than my excitement right now. Will post more once I have some more energy.