Missing California...

We knew this move would be hard. While it's absolutely WONDERFUL to be so close to family finally, we are still adjusting to our new "home."
Having lived in California for over 10 years it makes sense. I've never lived anywhere for longer than 4 or 5 years at a time. But having gone to college, then getting married and having our babies in California... it really made it feel like home. I knew where everything was in Redding. I had a wonderful community of friends, a great church, and resources galore.
These past few weeks have been hard, especially with David still in California working. The kids ask for him constantly. And they ask for their friends in California and even their house! And because I'm trying to start a new daycare business and take care of them, it's been very overwhelming. My parents and sisters visit very regularly and are a huge help with the kids- I really don't know what I would've done without them.
It seems to hit the hardest at night, when the kids are tucked into bed and I've cleaned the house and it's just 8:30 or 9:00 at night. That's when I start to really miss David, and California and the familiarity of everything there.
This will sound silly, but I LOVE finding my American channels w/ the familiar shows and commercials on TV. I love walking into Safeway or the Super Walmart because they have the exact same lay-out as the ones in CA. It's not that there isn't an over-abundance of places to shop here- there is a HUGE variety compared to what we had in little Redding. I'm LOVING Ikea, Superstore, and the many many malls to choose from.
The part that will be the hardest to adjust to is finding friends like the ones we had in Redding. That is the part of my heart that feels the most empty. Right now it feels almost impossible, but I know in time it will happen.
Despite the pity party above, I am so thankful that we are here. We love our house. David will be here soon. The daycare is slowly but surely filling up. It's amazing to have family so close. And I know everything else will fall into place. I think that I will always have a part of me that misses California, just like I continue to miss Africa to this day! It just takes time and slowly all those missing parts fall into place, creating a new home. And I know that will happen for us here.

the Zoo!

The kids were thrilled to spend a good full day at the Calgary Zoo with Auntie Jodi & mommy. They loved all the animals and running around and exploring.

New Wheels

Auntie Jodi surprised us the other night by bringing in a brand new double stroller. Yes, she tends to spoil us... just a little! :) It came in very handy at the zoo the next day!

Caedon was up late & helped her put it together.

I think he likes it!

Pine Lake Family Reunion

We joined my dad's side of the family for the last morning of the family reunion out at Pine Lake. We had a great time seeing family we rarely get to see. The babies were passed around. The kids got to play and take some boat rides. Such a fun, relaxing morning...

This is Uncle Joel, Jess's boyfriend. Kiley adores him.

My beautiful sisters w/ the kids

Uncle Joel with Caedon Joel- same name & both born October 7th- I think they're going to be buds!

Some of the cousins enjoying brunch- Lisa, Daniel, Richard & Emily

Bedtime Stories

Oh how we love our Nana...

We've been getting plenty spoiled having family so close by. My mom spent the entire day at our house feeding, changing & playing with the kiddos & I was able to get so many errands and some unpacking done. The kids had such a fun day with their Nana and the day was finished off with bedtime stories.
It may seem strange to blog about this. But you have to understand we've never lived near family and having family happy, even ASKING to babysit is just wonderful, and a bit strange (it usually involved begging to find babysitters in CA) but I'm willing to get used to it!

We're Here!!!

24 hours of driving... 3 little ones... a full van... and a very full UHAUL....
We're HERE!!!
What a long process packing and moving is when you have 3 kids to attempt to take care of at the same time! My sister Jodi, being the angel she is, took time off work to fly down to CA & help me finish pack & then help us out on our long drive north. I really don't know what we would've done without her. We had the UHAUL packed, the house empty and cleaned and were ready to leave at 3 a.m. Monday morning (July 6th). When David went to start the UHAUL it wouldn't start and we had to call to have them send someone out. So our start time was delayed some, but we still got a decent start. The kids were amazing. Cody rode in the UHAUL with David and really enjoyed being in that big huge truck with his daddy. Jodi and I took turns driving the van and taking care of the younger two. Our portable DVD player was Kiley's best friend and I have the lyrics of every Wonder Pets, BackYardigans, Dora, Diego and Wiggles episode permanantly imprinted in my memory... like it or not!
We arrived in Spokane Monday evening and spent the night with our good friends, the Sirianis. They moved from Redding to Spokane about a year ago, and it was great fun to catch up with them. We left Tuesday morning and got to the border around 10:30. They asked some questions, had us sign a few papers, but didn't even PEEK in the UHAUL. I was almost disappointed because Jodi and I had spent forever making the itemized list of every single thing that was in the UHAUL. They barely looked at the list. The border crossing went well and we finally arrived in Airdrie late that afternoon.
Our house is amazing. My parents and many of their friends had almost completely furnished it for us, stocked the pantry, & had fresh towels waiting. The kids are THRILLED about their new house. We have an amazing backyard with plenty of room to play and a brand new trampoline. I'll take some more pics of the inside of the house when we're a bit more settled.
David could only take 9 days off work and had to fly back to CA on Monday. We already miss him so much & are counting down until we're together again! We're hoping that he will be able to move back up before September.

Mommy's helpers. Don't they look so helpful?

Kiley giving Cody loves- playing in the UHAUL

Our last night in Redding- picnic in our front yard w/ friends

Cody & Daddy in the UHAUL
Mr. Caedon
Little Sleeping Beauty

This was on Day 2 of our trip in Sparwood, BC. This is the world's largest truck. We got out to see it and let the kids run around.

Auntie Jodi with her babies
Kiley enjoyed playing in the mud
Our new house!

The kids checking out the backyard

Cody's bday present from Nana, Papa & the aunties- a trampoline!
Kiley was THRILLED to find her kitchen in her room. (We had to sell her kitchen in Redding, but my mom found one for her in Canada and put it together and had it waiting for her). Kiley kept saying, "Look! I found my kitchen!" (As if she'd been searching for it forever :))

Getting ready for the pool



The doting grandparents
Auntie Jodi & Caedon
Cody with his 4 1/2 cobs of corn. This kid loves his corn.



Caedon meeting the dogs @ Nana & Papa's house

3 More Sleeps...

Our furniture is officially gone, so we've been getting creative. Here are the kids, eating Chipotle @ their make-shift table. They've been thrilled about "camping" on the floor at night and because the house is just about empty now, they are loving games of tag and kicking their big ball around the extra space. Just had to give them credit- they are being extremely patient and are such good sports about all the changes going on in their little lives.
3 more sleeps until we start our journey north! A good part of the packing has been conquered and Jodi is flying down tomorrow morning to help me finish packing & then drive up with us.
A HUGE thank you for my wonderful friends who have been helping me pack or have been taking a child or two out for a couple hours. You are my life-savers!