#orlandoadventures

This morning we went to the kids new schools and talked about registration. It was more info gathering than goal accomplishing but I think we learned what we need to do and to have so we can register them next week.

Then we drove by the outside of our new house for our first look.

Then we went to lunch and back to the hotel to hang out and let the hottest part of the day pass.

In the evening we went to Disney Springs and had a lot of fun walking around and seeing the sights. Everyone enjoyed themselves.

Recently we started a new family scripture study method. Last fall Pres. Nelson talked about reading all the verses listed in the scriptures that mention the Saviors life, or what He did, or what He said. I printed the list of verses (over 2000) and we are taking a few each night and reading them and discussing them. It’s been really fun and I think the kids are learning a lot and enjoying the process.

Flight

My criteria for a good flight is that we land. And we did. It was pretty bumpy. Ziva has sauage and sedatives for breakfast and she slept at my feet in her carry-on the whole time. 

The move, all though full of all the typical trails and misfires and snafu’s, things that were difficult or inconvenient, went well. I am very grateful that the leaving part is done. Now we move on to the settling in part.

After we landed we took Z to the hotel, fed her and took her on her business trip. Then we went out for dinner and to walk around near the hotel.

We had a nice dinner and reunion visit. Then we walked around Point Orlando and looked around. The kids are excited to live here and think there will be lots to do. 

They are not excited to live in the hotel for a month.




Skelton museum at Point Orlando. 

Ethan has a tiny bouncy ball. He’s bouncing it off walls and ceiling. 

Grace is watching YouTube videos about snakes. 

Our crew is busy working and packing our stuff. I feel bad that we have so much junk in our back garage. It’s a lot to move. I feel even worse because we will be spending the first 2 months in Florida throwing a lot of that stuff away since we won’t have room for it. Rob didn’t have time to do it before he left.

Yesterday I bought them burritos and coke. Today pizza and waters. 

Yesterday I was robbed😞 I was at the laundromat doing the wash and was on my phone while the washer was working. I have a wallet case and I think someone must have seen my debit card in it. When the washer was done I closed my phone, stuck it in my purse and stood up to swap the laundry.  When I was done I went back and sat down, for my phone and my card was gone. Such a bummer. 

I got to add go to the bank to my list of things to get done, and I was pretty grumpy about having to go there.

Last night was our last sleep in our CA house. I sat outside in my reclining outdoor chair for a long time talking with Rob and watching the sun set behind the house and the stars come out. The evening was cool, as is typical for a desert night, and it was quiet and nice. 

As we ran some errands yesterday I kept running into people I knew. I got to give some more goodbye hugs. It’s been a good 3 years here. Fun to reconnect with some old friends and to make some new ones. We won’t miss CA per say but we will miss the people we’ve met and the closeness to family. I am grateful for the many good things we’ve experienced here, for the great leaders the kids have had, for seminary, for our year having  Disney season pass, for growth of testimony and family.

Now we just have to survive one more long packing day and one flight and we are off!

Packing day

We are super lucky because Lockheed sends a crew to come pack our stuff and load it onto a truck. Then they store it and unload it in the new house. This and several other very nice moving benefits are given to us and I am very grateful. 

That being said it still stinks. There is plenty of work and details to be aware of and take care of in a cross country move. 

Then there is the super awkward part of sitting and watching people work in your house. 

That was today.

In other news Ruth May started her heart worm and flea and tick protection meds. They come in a tasty, meat flavored, chewable tablet which Ziva spit out. I hid it in ham, she ate around it. I put it in a little cheese ball and she ran under the table, discarded the pill and ate the cheese (shades of poison wood bible?). Finally like a mother hummingbird I had to cut it into quarters and stick it down her throat. Dumb dog.

Ethan’s instagram today.


Once the movers were gone for the day I got to continue the fun with a quick two load trip to the laundry mat. I am grateful it’s close to home and that I have quarters.

And this is how Grace spent her day:) Lucky girl. Being the 13 year old is awesome! Being the mom -not always:)

It was really nice for Grace to have a last day with so many of her friends. Last night Makayla spent the night (which is a super rare treat- typically we do not do sleepovers) and the girls giggled until the wee hours. 

I hope she and Ethan both make good friends quickly. 

Tick tock

So much to do.

Ethan and I got up early and went to the dmv. We waited and waited and waited and then he passed his test and got his permit...part 1. What? We didn’t realize there was a second signature needed and that he probably can’t get it in time. 

I had a lot of things to get checked off my list and most of them got gotten to. I didn’t make the second dump run like I was looking forward to and I have to go to the post office tomorrow but that should be pretty quick and Ethan can be here with the packers. 

Grace is going to the beach with the YW, which will be way nicer for her.

Visiting with Sierra and Carter was a lot of fun! He’s super nice and Si is always fun to be with. 

J&D, I’m going to miss those two nephews of mine. It’s been really nice to live near my sister Anna. I’ll miss her a lot. Even though we’ve only managed to get together a few times a year it’s been really nice to have her “close”.


At 8pm Lisa and I snuck off for a Diet Coke date. She’s been a really good and dear friend. There are many good people that I will miss.

Now it’s late and tomorrow will be a long day.

Sunday

It was our last Sunday at church with the Quartz Hill Ward. The talks were so good. Olivia has just returned from her mission to Florida and she spoke and did an awesome job. Heather Burgess sang and I love to hear her! It was nice to have a chance to say goodbye. There were many hugs shared. Hopefully our paths with cross again. It’s always sad to leave a place, a group of friends, a chapter of life.

Sierra drove up to see us one more time! I told her not to because we have so much to do before we leave...and we are eating random food, and turning off the cable and internet etc. 

I am REALLY glad she came anyway. It’s been such a fun evening. She brought her friend Carter and also Joneaux and Deo. 

The boys hopped in the jacuzzi first thing:)

We made cookies and popcorn, played reverse charades and watched Harry Potter 2. J just finished reading the second book. He was speedy! Two weeks ago he finished the first!

Dump

My favorite part of moving is getting rid of stuff. Hannah and I took a load of garage stuff to the dump! And had the happy news that we have one more free trip so I’ll be back on Monday. 

We swam in the afternoon. 

I have a long list of last minute stuff to do on Monday: change our address at the post office, return internet and cable stuff, clean, one more dump run.

We’ve been eating random freezer food and ran out of butter a few days ago.