Playing Together: I was in Utah today for work, and I also got the chance to visit Georgia today and my parents (last night). Back at home, Lily enjoyed the park with the kids after school. The kids have been playing so well together, and the play is often organized by Lydia. Here is a picture and video of the kids at the park.
And here is a picture of a page they created as part of one of their games. They are so creative!
Being welcomed: Also the kids have been making new friends at school and overall have found everyone to be very welcoming. Here is a page someone made for Ammon at his new school:
White Presbyterian Church: Today we took a break from the heavy pushing on the house, and went to church at the White Presbyterian Church near our home. The kids all seemed to love their classes, and Lily and I were amazed at everyone’s kindness. So many people helped us to find our way around, and everyone seemed so interested in helping us connect with the community and get launched in our lives in Raleigh. It was a wonderful experience.
Our Neighbors: They way we found out about the White Presbyterian church was through our neighbor Sherry. And the way we met our neighbor Sherry is quite remarkable. One of the first days we were in Raleigh, we toured Lacey, the school for Ammon, Clarissa and Mary. It turns out the principal, Sherry, is our neighbor! On the school tour, Sherry came and talked with us for a solid 20 minutes to make us feel so welcome. And she did it during a time when she was crunching to get things done before a ultra early wake time for a ski trip the next day! She engaged so meaningfully with us and the kids and we felt so grateful to have her as our principal and neighbor. We also saw her husband, Eric, at Irregardless, that very same night after the tour! I had already chatted with him, and he also is so nice. Also, our neighbor on the other side is also named Sherry. She is also so nice, and has made concerted efforts to make us feel welcome, not only taking time to talk with us, but also giving us a lovely neighbor gift. She also regularly dog sits a beautiful Burnese Mountain Dog for child, and today (Feb 5) she came over to our house to chat with Lily while the dogs played together in the yard. We feel so welcomed into our community and it has been truly special.
Umstead Park: We are also blown away by the nature that is so close to our house. Today, as a family, we walked Basil in Umstead Park. It was a much needed break from setting up the house!
Lydia and Mary’s Helpfulness: Lately, Lily and I have been regularly marveling and how wonderfully Lydia and Mary have turned out. Today Lily sorted her clothes in her new closet, and the next day, Mary would organize her desk and help Lily finish the big job of fully organizing the closet. They have been immensely helpful in moving in! Also, here is a fun Christmas list from the past (I think Christmas 2022 maybe?) that I found from Lydia. She’s adorable!
Our yard reminds me of the secret garden in that there are many different paths, trees, plants, artifacts, rocks, nooks, birdhouses and places to sit and explore. The kids have loved exploring the yard and playing in. Lily anticipated that their imaginations would have a lot of fun in the yard, and today I caught it in action.
Moving In: We have been very busy unloading containers, putting box contents where they belong, arranging furniture (with help from the movers), buying the furniture we lack and otherwise getting situated. The kids have had very distracted parents and have either been helping, been on screens, been playing in our incredibly enchanting yard, playing in their new spaces, and even building a giant fort (which may have been inspired by a Bluey episode). Here are some scenes from today:
Irregardless: Today we went to Irregardless as a family. We had been before when we visited Raleigh and we loved it. Lily and I loved it again so much that we went again a day or two later on a date night. Their Vegan Paea is to die for!
Tons of unpacking: The first of three Pack Rat containers arrived today. We had movers to help us unload it (and the next two as well). We were very busy processing all the boxes we unloaded. It was so fun to have the kids help. Here is Clarissa!
I think this is the Salt Lake airport, but I’m not 100% sure
We went straight home from the airport, ordered food and started to set up the house. It was very fun to all be in our new house. Lily and I just love it so much. I think that once it is set up and the kids transition to their new lives and the fun things here, they will be in love with the home and Raleigh also.
Arriving Home. Chris was a faster driver than me, and he was anxious to get back home so he got to the house around 2:00, dropped off the car and took an Uber to the airport. I got in around 3:30, and was so so grateful to be done driving. It was also fun to see Basil checking out his new space:
I also gave Lily, the kids and my dad and Suzanne a tour of the house. They were all together in preparation for Lily and the kids’ flight the next day. It was so nice of my dad and Suzanne to host them and take them to the airport! We thought what Basil did was funny when I didn’t let him follow me into the front yard during the tour:
The best birthday gift I ever received. Today for my birthday, Lily gave me a bound book with pictures of family and friends and notes to me from so many of my loved ones. It is the most touching thing I’ve ever received. I didn’t realized how hard turning 40 could be. I did feel sad and thought a lot about aging and my mortality. But this book was a ray of sunshine as I relived moments with so many people that I love. And people shared so much love in their notes. It is among the greatest treasures of my life. That book means so much to me, and I so grateful for such an incredible spouse who knew just how to touch me on my 40th birthday. Arriving in our new home, on my 40th birthday, and just sitting on the floor thumbing through pages of that book is a very sweet memory for me. Thank you Lily, you are the best companion ever!
Visiting Georgia. Also, Lily visited Georgia today. It’s going to be sad not seeing her as much before she moves out to Raleigh (she’s on a wait list), but I’m glad we could all see her so much recently! It’s also great that I’m back in Utah the first week of February so I can stop by.
St. Louis Arch: Chris and I got in late to Kansas City, but still got an early start and hit the road. That allowed us to take a nice long break in St. Louis to see the St. Louis Arch and also eat at SugarFire. It was a nice long break from driving (and very much needed for me). Even though visibility at the top of the arch was almost zero, we still had a really good time (there was a lot of fog while driving today and I think yesterday as well). It was a great outing!
A very small capsule took us to the top
View from the St. Louis Arch
Outstanding BBQ
Nashville: Chis and I stayed at Nasvhille for the night. We stayed in a beautiful Hilton in downtown Nashville. I was so stimulated by the bustling scene, and I think Basil was when I walked him down the mainstreet after dinner with Chris. Chris and I had a great time eating and chatting at Wiskey River.
Visiting Georgia: Back at home the family visited Georgia again. Mary, Ammon and Clarissa enjoyed Georgia’s mechanically moving chair.
Dogs playing(ish): This morning, Chris, Jen and I all worked while Loki and Basil played. Actually Basil felt done with playing almost as soon as he started, and after barking at Loki, he eventually went in his crate for protection. Being the ever-energetic golden doodle puppy that Loki meant, of course, that he was dissapointed. He really wanted to play with Basil!
We all took a lunch break and Chris and Jenn got delicious Mexican food while I walked the dogs. I left Basil in the car afterwards so he wouldn’t get snow slush around Chris and Jen’s house. Loki was sad that Basil was in the car and at one point got up on his hind legs to look inside longingly.
It was really fun chatting with Chris and Jen over my torta. Then Chris and I finished working and hit the road by around 3:30. I’m so gratefil Chris agreed to help me drive our second car across the country!
Kids Playing: Back at home people have been trying not to go crazy with almost every possession we own on it’s way to Raleigh. There certainly has been plenty of screen time, but the kids have done a great job using their imagination when they are tired of screens, or when Lily or I mandates a no-screen time. Here are some pictures and a video that Lily captured:
More driving: Chris and I drove for about 8 hours and stayed the night in Kansas City. We stopped for dinner at a nice diner in Hays, a college town in Kansas. Basis, again, was a perfect companion. I also had a great time chatting with Chris about music over dinner. He recently recommended the rapper NF to me and I want to check him out.
After driving, we drove another 4 hours and arrived late in Kansas City.
