Still In One Piece...

Well, we've arrived. And by that I mean, we got here about 3 weeks ago but I've just barely been able to wade through the boxes and find my way to a computer. More specifically my blog. But we're here. And now the moving part is over and the settling part can begin. The ward has been great so far. We live within walking distance from my sister and that has been SUPER FANTASTIC. The drivers are nicer up here. The weather leaves something to be desired, but we left during the perfect season in Albuquerque and people keep promising me that it'll get much better . I didn't realize how dependent I was on getting that sunshine everyday.

Rick started his job and so far everything is going just fine. He says the people are really very nice and the training up here isn't quite as intense. He's still enduring a lot of studying and memorizing before he really gets started so we'll see how things go in the future.

The boys are starting to get adjusted. Cade has been crawling since he was 6 months old, but only finally submitted to that when he realized that it was the fastest way to get himself over to something that he could pull himself up on. He's 8 months now and pulling himself up to everything. He cruises like a pro and is determined to walk before much longer.

Noah is doing really well with all the changes. He talks a lot about missing his Grandma & Grandpa Reed and all his cousins, but really enjoys his 2 cousins (Natalie & Kenzie) up here. We've had to endure a few more tantrums here and there, but overall, he's doing okay adjusting.

I'm just not so sure what to make of all of this. I've inherited a lot of my Dad's genes... he would always get this "itch" to move... to have another adventure, and I totally get that from him. Our entire marriage I'm always looking for a new place to live, ready to take a leap into the unknown. Most of the time I have to settle for rearranging the furniture to ease the urge. But now? Now that we actually up and left and "took that leap into the unknown"? My goodness, people! Why didn't anybody tell me how much moving sucks?!? Changing banks, and re-registering your car (which costs a FORTUNE by the way), and always feeling lost because you just threw the dumb map out the window and now you REALLY don't know where you are. This is soooo not an adventure! Someone who has done this before, puh-lease tell me how long this will last.?. How long does it take for a "new" place to become "home"?

Whew! Now that I got that off my chest, have I mentioned just how totally awesome it is that I get to live so close to my sister? Seriously. If your sister isn't your best friend, and you don't live only a few blocks away, then you all should majorly consider a) getting a sister, if you don't have one, b) becoming best friends, and then c) move down the street already!

And suddenly... moving doesn't seem so bad.

For Real This Time

I've had a lot on my mind this week. Mostly because this whole moving thing (while not all that simple to begin with) turned out to be a lot more complicated than we were originally led to believe. If you've read any of my past posts from the previous year, I sure wish you would have reminded me how long it takes the government to do anything. Needless to say, today is March 1st, and we are still here in Albuquerque. That, however, is going to change within the next week. Rick's starting date up in Pasco has been changed to the 15th, and this time the paperwork has all been completed and there's no more delays. Yay. I think.?.

It's funny how you worry about something soooo much, and then, once the problem has resolved itself, you don't really get to stop worrying. Instead, you just start worrying about something new. At least that's how it's been for us the past few weeks.

So today was my last Sunday here in Albuquerque. Sundays have traditionally been "family" days. Whether Rick's family or mine, we've had very few lonely Sundays throughout the whole of our marriage. Today Rick had to work, so I loaded up the boys and headed out to my brother's house. It wasn't much different from most, but I kept finding myself pausing every now and then. There are a few things that are going to be VERY hard to say goodbye to. So, in my own little way, here is my tribute to Albuquerque and all it contains:

-Somehow, this place that I hated in the beginning, managed to allure 4 out of the 8 siblings in my family. And while this list might contain many other things, family is by far the #1 thing that I am going to miss the most. While families together almost always tend to equal drama, I suppose it's that drama that creates some of the best memories.

-Dry, windy, desert? Yes. The best word to describe this place? UGLY. Having said that, I have to admit that Albuquerque has some of the best sunsets known to man.

-I've said it before and I'll say it again: this place might not be the #1 vacation spot in the world, but if you haven't come to see the Balloon Fiesta in the fall, then you really ought to. Hundreds of hot air balloons in the sky all at once? 'Nough said.

-The "war" between the Eastside and the Westside will never end. I've lived on both sides and since I still have family occupying them both, I remain silent on my opinion as to which is "better". Now that Rio Rancho has decided to join in the battle, there will never be peace between our families.

-While I still can't speak a lick of Spanish, I feel pretty comfortable translating the street names around here. Elm Street? Main Street? Numbered streets?!? NEVER!

-I'm a little nervous about transitioning back over to siding. Siding DOES NOT exist down here. It's stucco. EVERYWHERE. Washingtonians probably don't even know what an adobe home is. (There will, most assuredly, be more posts about this once we've moved)

-Some say we'll end up back here in a few years. Others say we'll never come back for more than a visit. No matter what happens, after 5 different homes, 2 babies, 6 anniversaries, and countless memories, Albuquerque will always be "home" to us.

While this list could go on and on, these boxes are staring at me from across the room. It's time to get movin'. Literally. As they say, this story is to be continued...