Adjusting

Boy oh boy, the past few weeks have been crazy. Thankfully nothing horrific to deal with, but it seems that we've been hitting multiple "bumps" each day, and we're all worn down from dealing with it all. And frankly I'm looking forward to the day when I can hop in the car and drive off somewhere without first consulting my GPS!

So here are some random bits from the past couple weeks:

• People are *SO* friendly in this area! I've had little chats about our relo with everyone from the grocery clerk to the customer service person at the water company. Oh, and no more bagging my own groceries (and I don't even have to push the cart out to the car myself)
• God created an amazing world. OK, so this isn't exactly something I just learned, but I'm being reminded of the incredible diversity as I check out the plants and animals around here. We actually live about a block from a huge bird sanctuary that hosts an international birding festival each year. Any birdwatchers wanna book their room now? :) If so, when you arrive you will be required to help me figure out which bird sounds like a car alarm. And no, I'm not kidding.
• Our son tried to use the pool net (approx 18" across, with a 4 ft pole) to catch a gecko (ranging in size from about 1-3"). Comedy at its finest! He's really determined to capture himself a pet.
• While shopping at Wal-Mart, I was approached by a young Mexican woman who asked if she could work for me.
• NO ONE does their own yardwork around here. Within three days of moving in, we had at least 8 different people leave us flyers/business cards about their services. We decided that rather than plunking down $100+ each month to pay someone else, we'd invest in a decent mower, etc.
• While hubby was mowing our yard last weekend, someone stopped and asked what he charged. He told me that he really wanted to tell them that he was sleeping with the owner, but thankfully he refrained!
• We checked out a church last week. While it was nice to worship with other believers, I don't think that will be our new home. We're very excited about the church we're planning to go to this coming Sunday (which also is the one with a MOPS group!)
• Yesterday while running errands, I happened to drive by the library, so I stopped to check it out. There's a beautiful courtyard outside with a fountain and some nice statues, and I was very excited. I walked in, and it seriously felt like I was in a mausoleum. It was oppressively quiet, and when the kids were asking me a few questions (not loudly, either, I might add) we all got the death ray glare from the librarian at the desk. I was surprised by how few books there were, too. And no more movies and video games from the library (our old one had racks and racks of DVDs, broken into adult and kid sections, while this one had about 30 total on the shelf)
• I got carded buying a bottle of wine. At Wal-Mart. No more state stores!
• Last night we had the 4th technician from the cable company out to our house. I think we finally have everything hooked up now, including phone and internet access. No more trips to BK to check email!
• There are still stacks of cardboard boxes sitting around as I make up my mind where things will go. I've already rearranged the kitchen cupboards once.
• We'll be going to get our TX licenses this afternoon - I think that's the list thing we need to get done to make our transition complete. I'm swearing off completing government forms for at least two weeks.
• We love our pool! D's favorite activity is taking running leaps into the water, while A prefers to splash around in "her" pool (the unheated hot tub :)
• I'm lonely. And while I can call up friends, somehow it's not the same knowing that they're 2000 miles away. Would appreciate your prayers that I can connect with 1 or 2 women fairly soon.
• Our son seems to be having a pretty tough time, too, and has been acting up in a few ways. Once again, would appreciate prayer that he can make some friends soon as well as for wisdom and patience as hubby and I address his behavior.

Enough rambling - off to do something productive!

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope. Romans 15:13, Amplified