Today Lily took the kids to the park after school.
We did not make Valentine’s Day plans because Lily and I are celebrating Friday and we thought we had a harp lesson for Lydia and Clarissa tonight. Turns out we did not have a harp lesson, so the kids enjoyed their Valentine’s candy and I watched Bluey with them for almost an hour. It was a low key, but very enjoyable evening.
Clarissa’s class: Here is a picture of Clarissa’s class. She seems to be enjoying it just fine even though she is shy and the school is so big! Fortunately, her class is a good size.
Clarissa’s gift for Lydia: Here is a really cute videa about a gift that Clarissa is making for Lydia:
Our Sunday Outing: We had a wonderful outing today. First we went to the Methodist church, which was a very positive experience. We were invited by our new friends and neighbors, Tom and Lib Campbell, and they were so kind to look out for us, and show us around when we arrived. The sermon was wonderful and it really impacted me. It was about how we can be honest with ourselves about what needs to change and embark on a journey of self-transformation with God. Afterwards, we helped pack bags of food for children who need more food. The whole experience was very rewarding. After church, we all went to eat at the Flying Biscuit. It was delicious and Ammon was very proud of his coffee creamer tower that he made while waiting for the food:
We checked out shops like Sephora while we were in the plaza and grabbed this photo:
We also went to an incredible antique story that everyone had fun in. Ammon and Clarissa were very good and got compliments from the store manager. Ammon got a couple of star wars figurines, and the girls got a nice piece of doll furniture to share. What a wonderful outing!
Kids Playing: One of my favorite things about our children is how they play together. Tonight Lydia organized everyone into a beautiful game of imagination. Here is a video Lily took to capture some of it:
Clarissa’s Bed: To our benefit, the lady who sold us the house left behind a lot of furniture, including a king size bed. We decided to put it in Clarissa’s room so that it could convert easily to a nice guest room. This has been fun for both Lily, who has loved making the king bed look beautiful with bedding, and also Clarissa, who seems to love her giant bed. Here are pictures of her enjoying a fairy book on her big beautiful bed:
Raleigh Dump: Lily found mouse droppings in the garage on or by the steps, and that (combined with Georgia’s and our concern that bugs would get in her things in the garage) accelerated our cleaning of the garage. Today, I picked up a Uhaul truck which Lily scheduled and threw all of our waste from the move in it. After it was loaded, Lydia joined me going to the dump. We chatted about the book she is reading (Emma) and other fun things, and we both thought the dump was very interesting. It was extremely smelly, had tons of seaguls (and even some bald eagles!), and was generally an intersting site to see:
At home, I put almost all of Georgia’s things in our garage in matress bags, so it should now be a much less interesting place for mice and bugs!
My Trip in Utah: I’m still in Utah, and today I had dinner with Georgia and spent time with Courtney and Matt. It’s been a great trip. Yesterday I also had dinner with Georgia, went shopping and spent time with Daniel Olsen. It’s been busy, but very happy. I’ve also been enjoying work. We’ve had large leadership sessions and I really appreciate the way my manager uses the time to direct us in working sessions that result in tangible decisions, direction and action-items. So far I’m really liking my new role.
Pullen Park: Today Lily took the kids to Pullen Park. It looks like they had a lot of fun!
My Birthday Dance: When I got home, I shined and waterproofed my chukka boots and Ammon and Clarissa helped me, which was fun. Then all the kids performced a birthday dance for me that Lydia choreographed and directed. I loved it! I was so touched. They practiced a lot and really gave me something special!
Lydia’s craftiness: Lydia is very talented. She crocheted this mask in class and Lily and I were both very impressed. Tomorrow she and her siblings will share with me a birthday dance she choreographed and directed and in a couple days she will start on a giant famly tree project. I love her creativity!
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.
