We're Here!!!

I suppose it doesn't bode well for this blog that I was two posts in and already got behind, but I hope you've forgive me. My computer was packed away for the move, and I've been neck-deep in boxes all week. So, please indulge me as I try to catch up on everything.

"Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start!"

Thursday, the movers packed and loaded everything in about seven hours. I wasn't there for much of it. Josh took off work, so he was able to be there to "supervise." Meanwhile, I was out running errands kid free, which you would think would simplify things and lower my stress level. This was apparently not the case, as I was so frazzled when leaving the self-serve ice machine that I backed my car into a concrete pole. No major damage was done (except to my ego,) but there is now a small yellow mark of shame on my bumper. Other than that, however, everything went quite smoothly, and I even got away without having to do the last cleaning on our old house after everything was loaded up. (That's also thanks to my darling husband, Josh. He's the best. You'll see.)

Friday and Saturday were pretty low key. Since everything was packed away, and we couldn't go to the new house until Sunday, we spent one day at Josh's mom's and one day at my mom and dad's. It was nice having some quiet time in the country, and to catch up with a few close friends before we left, but by the time Sunday rolled around, we were ready to roll out!

The first hurdle to overcome was the problem with driving to the new house with two animals who don't enjoy car rides at all. Thankfully, our vet gave me some meds for them to take before we loaded them up. Of course, that was easier said than done with the cat, but he did finally choke it down and chill out. And by chill out, I mean look totally blazed out of his mind and stay that way for about 24 hours...which was not necessary at all, but slightly hilarious. That dog was not nearly as entertaining, but the meds did work and our ride was fairly uneventful. I didn't even freak out when I got into Dallas and had to deal with "real" traffic. Yes, I turned the radio down and sat up very straight, but I did NOT freak out. So, after all that, we moved into our new house Sunday, April 1, 2012.

HOME SWEET HOME

Monday, we took our first grocery shopping trip to a local Tom Thumb store. It was wonderful! I know, you're thinking grocery shopping can't possible be that special, but in comparison to the poor selection and lackluster customer service at our home town's branch of a very popular supermarket that will remain nameless, it was heaven on earth for this big town newbie mom! I found everything I needed, plenty things I didn't need but made a mental note to try at some point, and wonderful, smiling, helpful faces! Goodbye, other nameless supermarket! Never again will I have to refer to going grocery shopping as "going to hell."

The most noteworthy piece of news would be from Tuesday, April 3. Our third day in Dallas, as we're still unpacking, I got a text from my mother-in-law telling us there was a tornado in DFW area. I found it a little funny that she was letting us know about weather in our area when she's 200 miles way, but I was super thankful that she did! We turned on the news, and watched for the rest of the afternoon and tornado after tornado was spotted all around us. Xander got up from his nap in the middle of all this going on, and watched the footage of all the wreckage in other surrounding suburbs. It was interesting to me to see a tornado through the eyes of a three-year-old. He asked what was doing all the damage, and when I told him it was tornado, he began asking if it had wings, or eyes, or if it could fly. He couldn't understand that it wasn't a living being, but an act of nature, that could be so powerful.

Thankfully, both major storm systems passed by on either side of our particular area, but there was SO much damage all over. Thank the Lord there were no deaths reported, as that is nothing less than miraculous.

Today, I met two of my neighbors. First, there was the old man next door who likes to walk in the alley and visit with all the dogs in people's backyards. He seems very nice, though quite deaf, and his wife is apparently on hospice care and not doing well. I hope to make friends with him and hopefully be able to help in some way. Also, there was the lady and her daughter across the alley who came out just to visit because we were outside for a few minutes. She seemed very nice, and also has family in the neighborhood, including a brother who has a son just a little older than Xander. I'm definitely feeling optimistic about that one.

I do apologize for the extra-long post, but I felt I should catch up as best as I could in one post, so I would no longer be behind, Thanks for taking the time to read. Since you made it this far, I'll leave you with a lovely picture of a passion flower that we found in our new backyard.


Neat, huh?

Loose Ends

Wednesday is down, leaving only one day left in what my three year old son, Xander, is already calling "our old house." We don't leave until Sunday, but since the movers are coming Thursday, we'll be spending the rest of the time staying with family.

I had quite a bit on my to-do list today, and only accomplished about half. However, I did make it to the archery shop, which was definitely a priority! I needed to tighten the draw weight on my bow, and the hubby needed a whisker biscuit on his. (If you're not into archery, please look up the term "whisker biscuit" before jumping to any conclusions.) I'm sure it probably could have waited until we get to Dallas, as I'm sure there are plenty of sporting goods outfitters there as well, but we have a guy. And I like our guy.

I also began assembling our "move kit." We'll be without our things for a day, since the movers won't deliver on Sunday, so I'm packing a large plastic tub with the necessities. You know, toilet paper, paper towels, soap, trash bags, water, first aid kit, wipes, paper plates, beef jerky and. The essentials. This of course is not counting my personal luggage, which will contain my Kindle and OTC sleep aid, since I'm sure the first night will be a little rough.

Tonight is my son's last night to sleep in "the old house." I'm not sure if that's as relevant as it feels, but I kind of have a thing about firsts and lasts. So, I made sure to tuck him real tight, all three times that he got up for no reason, and checked on him twice after he'd gone to sleep. Now that I think about, I'm pretty sure I've been had by my preschooler. Oh well, it's not the first time, and I know it won't be the last!

This entry almost was not written today. I was in bed, so ready to go to sleep, when my husband brought up the Trayvon Martin issue. He told me the police report was out, so I of course had to get up and look into it. Unfortunately, it brings up more questions than it answers. Naturally, its an all around unsettling, tragic story, and the added points of view of a few police officers will settle very little.

I do apologize for ending on such a serious note. That's really not like me, but it was on my mind, so I figured I'd try for a little transparency. Until next time!

Thanks again for stopping by,
~Katie

Meet Country Mommy

Hello world. My name is Katie, and I'm from the country. (Around here, that's the kind of "country" that can be treated as noun, adjective, and verb, y'all.) In fact, I'm still in the country, in a small town with a population of just over 5500 people. I grew up in the same house for 18 years, and now live less than ten miles from my parents, who still live in the house I grew up in. (Incidentally, my mother-in-law lives about 10 miles in the other direction. So yes...we're all VERY close.) This weekend, however, that's all going to change. My husband's company has relocated to Dallas, you see, and we're finally going with it.

It all started over a year ago when the company announced their plan to move all executives and the operations department from their current offices to an new location in Dallas. At first, we balked at the idea, and my husband began looking for other work. However, we prayed a lot, and felt led to take our little family on an adventure. So, we signed on for the move.

Needless to say, in this economy, "the move" was easier said than done. Selling our house was the biggest hurdle, and has yet to be truly conquered. After months of my husband driving back and forth on the weekends and staying with a co-worker, we finally worked out a rental situation for our current home, and finally get to take the leap for which we've been preparing.

Anyway, the point of all this is that I've had the idea to blog about my job as a Mom, and how I do it, for some time now. I figured that now would be a great time to start, as I rediscover how to do it all, and how to do some things I've never tried before, in a brand new place. There will be homeschooling, praying, exploring, making new friends, gardening, exercising, cooking, reading, gaming, dieting, writing, shopping (and saving), maybe even a little archery, and much much more to come.

I have 5 days left in the country. This is the beginning of goodbye to old roots, and HELLO strange new world. Wish me luck, and say a prayer if you're inclined.

Thanks y'all,
~Katie