Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Update #2

In May, when we were visiting family in California, my parents received a letter from the University of Utah telling us that we hadn't been picked off the wait list but we could stay on if we wanted to and see if they chose us sometime in the near future. Initially we made the decision to give up on the U and move to Moscow, but upon further reflection and personally reading the letter we decided to wait to make a final decision on the first of June. On the 1st Chris called the university and they once again informed him that he was still on the waiting list. So on the 15th, we packed up a moving truck and drove 13 hours to Moscow, Idaho. We arrived around 5:00 PM (yes we left very early in the morning from Salt Lake) and Chris was informed that the paperwork for our apartment was not available. luckily everything got worked out and after an hour of waiting we had our keys and address. After such a long drive all we wanted to do was sleep but all of our stuff was, of course, packed in the truck, so we started unpacking. I was exhausted and, Chris will tell you, even cried a couple of times before the night was through. Chris emptied half of the truck and we collapsed into bed sometime after midnight (we put the boys to bed around 11:00)
We spent the next two days unpacking, getting permits to park our car, buying food and various odds and ends and finally getting rid of the big truck. We ended up having to get a small storage space for some of the stuff we couldn't fit in our new, small, space. The goal, however, is to downsize and get rid of everything we absolutely don't need and also figure out the storage capacities of this new place. In other words our storage space contract is up at the end of July and we will not be renewing it. Everything we own MUST fit into our home.

This is it. Three bedrooms, one bathroom, living room, kitchen and dining/laundry room.






This is our front yard which we share with some nice neighbors.




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This is the view from the back, upstairs window. I think I like Moscow. Now I just need to make some friends.
This home is about the same size as our first home in Virginia, but we have more stuff because our second home was about three times this size. We have a lot of work to do. Clean out the storage, get new driver's licenses, apply for insurance, register the car, and keep the boys from killing each other. (They haven't been very nice to each other today. Sam has been slamming doors in Landon's face and Landon has been hitting Sam with fists and swords all day.)
Another amazing thing about this place is the amount of sunlight we get right now. The sun sets around 9:30 and the orange and yellows from these sun sets linger until around 10:15. The sun then decided to grace us with it's presence again around 4:30 AM. I think we're going to have a very dark winter this year.
There are some things that really bother me about this apartment like the terrble carpet and linoleum, the sliding doors in front of the washer and dryer and the entire look and feel of the bathroom, but I know it could be worse and this is really the most fiscally responsible way to live while we are here. I also LOVE that our food bill went from $150 to $80 a week. Everything is cheeper in Idaho than in Virginia.
We like our new ward. The people are very nice and we have many fellow law students to commiserate with. No callings yet, but we haven't really been available. (see future post....coming soon)

So if you're wondering if I'm happy, I AM. I just need to feel more settled and find some friends and then it will actually feel like home. This will probably take about 6 months, then five months after that we'll move again. That's just how we live. Have I told you all how much I HATE MOVING?!! I've moved every year since graduating from High School, and since getting married in 2003 we've moved SEVEN TIMES!! Seven moves in seven years, and we're not done yet. I'm rambling......oh well. I love my husband and my children and as long as we're together it really doesn't matter how many time we move. It's just been a long day filled with time-outs and apology hugs. I love those hugs.

4 comments:

Nicole Pace Donovan said...

I'm glad you are happy and getting lots of hugs!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh Laura! I feel like I move all the time too, but you have me beat...7 moves in 7 years is a lot! I HATE moving too. We are about to move in a week and a half, and I am dreading every last second of it! I feel your pain. I'm sorry you're in a new place, and have to start all over again with friends, the ward, learning the neighborhood, etc. But just think, from all 7 moves you've done with your family...you have friends scattered all over the globe! Good luck adjusting, I'll be thinking about you!

Julie said...

I am glad the transition seems to be going well so far! We will keep hoping and praying that it all goes well. BTW I have moved 7 times in the last 4 years since we've been married. In one month it will be 8. WOW. Stability maybe?? Glad we got to see you, sorry we couldn't get together this last time. Hi to everyone. xoxo

Unknown said...

I'm ready for update #3. Also, I need your phone number........FETCH....come on.