Are we there yet?

Hi friends!

We arrived late last night in Syracuse.

We're living in a hotel and visiting with my aunt and uncle who live nearby.

Sweet people from our church here (that we have yet to meet), left us a darling welcome basket at the front desk. (Thank you!)

I felt grateful (once again) for kind people and an instant church family.

Our good friends in Philomath just texted Todd a picture of boogers on the wall of our old girls' room.  They are cleaning our home for us and knew we'd get a good laugh.

I love those booger-cleaning folk.

I miss them.

I miss me.

I will say-- EVERYONE and their mother in law told me how beautiful up-state New York is.  EVERYONE said I would love it.  I listened, but I did not believe them.

Deep down I knew Oregon was the most beautiful place on Earth.

Guess what?

It is really, really charming here.

Really, corn fields, rolling hills, green, prancing horses, darling New England style houses, beautiful.

It's literally breath-taking.

I still haven't seen inside my new house, but looking over our land brings tears to my eyes.  

As we drive around I just keep whispering to myself loudly so I can hear, "This is a place you would dream about!"  They have horse and carriage crossing signs.  I get to live the small town life I've always dreamed of- it is a gift.  This place is my Daddy Warbuck's mansion.  I really think I'm gonna like it here.

I feel in my soul that it is a blessing to live here.  I feel so grateful for the people who created such a beautiful home for me to raise my family in.

I will baptize you in pictures once my life slows down.

Today-- I feel tired but grateful to be alive.

I'm still sick to my stomach.  Before I left they had me get two bags of IV saline solution to combat my dehydration.  I feel a lot better not dehydrated, but I'm still loosing fluid faster than I can drink it.  That scares me a bit.

My kids are doing amazingly wonderful.  They are normal good kids.  I'm afraid we will all destroy each other if we don't get some form of normal soon.  They start school next week and it doesn't look like we will be closing on our house anytime soon.  Blah.  

I have more help than I deserve.  At a time when I want to wear black yoga pants, avoid showering and watch reruns of Say Yes to the Dress, I'm making first impressions.  I'm surrounded by people and decisions when I want leftovers and a long, quiet nap.  I really don't want to need help.  I want- to fall asleep for this trip and wake-up when I'm "there".  Are we there YET?

Do you know my baby is almost 3 months old?  Even as I'm whining about timing, I feel God's touch in my timing.  His plan is always better than mine.  I remember that..

I feel so odd driving around streets that are so unfamiliar but will soon become my everyday.  

I feel a bit like a child on Christmas morning.  I'm surrounded by gifts-- new people to meet, places to see, stores to learn, country roads to drive down, a home to create...  

Christmas morning and I just want to sleep in.  (I'm not quite finished with my gifts from last year).  I think by Valentine's day I'll catch the Christmas spirit.  Sigh.

Everything is New here.

New York is stunning.

And I am really (at least trying to be) excited to be here!

Life is good!