Staying positive

Hello friends/family!  I have started this post several times over the past month, and then would delete it after reading it.  Why?  Well, it was sounding like I was complaining, and it was negative.  I don't like to sound like that.  So that is why you haven't seen a post in nearly a month.  Well, that and I am so busy with settling in, etc.  And that was the other thing I noticed when re-reading the posts I deleted.  I kept mentioning how busy and overwhelmed I was with move-related stuff.  Nobody wants to hear about that.  You know it's overwhelming.  Even if you haven't done it.  

So, this morning, as I relax on my deck in my beautiful back yard, I am going to try my best to make this a positive post!!

A lot has happened in the last month!  And we have really come a long, long way!  First let me tell you, I love, love, LOVE my house!  It may be my favorite house ever. And I haven't said that about a lot of my houses. It just "fits" our family.  I will share pics when it is "Kristina ready". Please be patient.  Lol. 

My mom came and made moving in unpacking fun and a lot less stressful!  I am so thankful for that!!  I am missing her terribly.  She and I rocked at unpacking boxes and getting things settled as fast as we could, without killing ourselves.  We had several good laughs, good meals, and did some good shopping during some much needed breaks.  She left a couple weeks ago. :(

My husband spoiled me and got me ALL NEW APPLIANCES for my kitchen!  They are awesome!  And changed the whole look of the kitchen.  I got my first ever built in double oven!  You know what that means....TWICE the baking!!  :) I will share pictures soon...the double oven didn't quite fit, so there had to be some cabinet modifications done on the fly.  The oven is in and working, but the cabinet doors up above need to be modified and reinstalled.  After that, pics for sure!!  I am so picky, aren't I?

I also had to get a new washer and dryer, since the buyers of our Michigan house asked for those in their offer.  They are awesome, too.  My washing machine is so big, I am doing laundry a lot less than I used to!  And my clothes/towels/sheets are way cleaner than with my old ones. 

Ugh, now I am re-reading this post, and it sounds like I am bragging.  I am trying really hard not to delete this.  There is a fine line between feeling blessed/thankful and sounding boastful.  Just like there is a fine line between being honest and sharing feelings, and sounding negative/complaining.  Wow. I am a mess. Lol. I am a bundle of emotion. 

Anyhow, we have found a great church!  It's big, and I am excited to find ways to get involved.  Our old church is about 40 miles from here, and our priest from there called the priest here to tell him about us.  We didn't know he was doing this!  We haven't seen or talked to the priest from our old parish yet since we've been back in AL. But, I knew he talked to the pastor of our new parish because we had a message from him on our voicemail one day welcoming us personally, and he mentioned our other priest had told him we had moved here.  That sure made me smile.  

The last couple weeks have been filled with errands and little things that need to be done.  Mainly getting the kids registered for school (which being new to the district, is quite time consuming). But, that is done, they have their schedules, supplies, a few new clothes, and are ready to start this Thursday, August 7.  It's early compared to Michigan, but we will be out before Memorial Day next year!!  And the kids are ready.  We have met no one yet.  And it's partly our fault.  We have either been working around the house, running errands, or just being hermits. So getting started will be good for them.  The three of us have had a good time together, but I don't think another month would be a good thing.  I am so, so glad my kids are so close and get along so well.  It really helps during moves that they have each other.  

We have also gotten to see some of our Alabama friends, that live a couple hours away, over the last couple of weeks!  We so needed that!  The kids enjoyed seeing their friends, and Frank and I enjoyed visiting with ours.  We all just picked up where we left off!  

One of my new neighbors stopped by to say hello, and brought me a little gift.  I don't have a pic of how it looked when she gave it to me, but this is how it looks now:  

Yes, I killed it.  As I do most green living things.  It's sad and pathetic, I know. Obviously she doesn't know me yet, because if she did, she would have brought me sticks of butter, or a bag of sugar.  Lol. Oh well.  I'm hiding it on my back deck, hoping for a miracle.

So, that is really the last month in a nutshell.  We are all doing well, and are so thankful for all your prayers and encouragement!! If you ever find yourself moving, please don't hesitate to ask me questions!  I am happy to share any knowledge I have gained with you or anyone you may know.  

Have a blessed day!!