In some ways its hard for me to believe we've been in Texas for a month.
I've kept myself rather busy, so busy in fact, I can't remember what exactly it is we've accomplished in the last month.
Our new home is lovely, and I adore having a place of our own. I am loving every minute of being together again as a family.
ADJUSTING...
I think that sums up what we've been doing.
Our neighborhood is quiet and everyone keeps to themselves. It couldn't be more opposite than what we are used to.
Our new ward is just about as quiet as our neighborhood. We have had a few "hello's" and a few welcoming smiles, but not much more. I'm hoping with time and patience we will grow to love our new ward and the families in it and that we'll feel like we belong to the best ward in the church again.
School's down here are very different, and so far they have presented the greatest adjustment and challenge. I'm hoping time and patience will help me to feel more positive about the school situation as well. For now it would probably suffice to say that I really dislike the way things are done down here.
I'm struggling with finding things to do with my kids. I miss my beloved routines of Utah life. There is no family to visit, no familiarity with where anything is, no idea of what Houston has to offer. We've strolled around our neighborhood lake, we've played at our neighborhood park and now I'm out of ideas.
I feel like a fish out of water whenever we are out in the general public. My first experience at the grocery store, was interesting to say the least. My checker informed me she had ADD and that she was a lesbian, that her and her girlfriend had a child and that she always hates it when people tell on her (to her boss) for announcing that she's a "Mormon" and that she can have as many girlfriends as she wants, because shes just "living her religion"...I could have argued with her about her ignorance, if she'd have ever stopped to take a breath, but part of me didn't think what I had to say would have mattered to her anyway. The second time I ventured out to get my van registered I had to go to the county courthouse. The parking lot was packed and when I went in there was a line wrapped up and down the long hallway that led to a door that read "bad checks, misdemeanor crimes, and forgery". I had to make my way down this crowded hall and all I could think was, am I going to get pick-pocketed? Once I made it to the right part of the building I stood in a long line to get our new plates and watched the local news report with horror. Houston's a big place and apparently they have no lack of criminals or murderers. Needless to say I felt a little unnerved about our new surroundings after that little trip.
The weather here is pleasant most of the time (so far). There have been some cold days and a lot of grey and rainy days, but I have been dealing with it much better than I did with snowy Utah winters.
On a more positive note.
My kids seem to be adjusting much better than I am. Dylan has made a couple of friends, his favorite friend just happens to live 2 houses down. He also loves his Sunday school teacher and Scout Master (who are one and the same).
Livie is content to play with her brothers, I don't believe there are any little girls her age in our neighborhood and the boys have been really good about letting her tag along, she seems happy about the way things are.
Isaac is tickled pink to have a place of his own to terrorize, he adores having his daddy around again. We had one good Sunday in Nursery and it's been downhill from there. I'm hoping in time he'll relax about it.
My kids still fight and argue but they really are each others best friends and it's been fun to watch them grow in love for each other.
We enjoyed our first Christmas here in Houston. And it was a GREAT Christmas!
I cooked like a mad woman, I have no idea how my mother did all the things she did, I find myself appreciating her talents and abilities more and more as I grow up and try to emulate her. I feel like I slaved over the stove and the sink for 48 hours straight, but we ate well and it kept me from feeling lonesome for family.
I have lived in our new home for a month and I still haven't used my dishwasher, old habits die hard I guess.
Mr. Giovannoni has spent the last two weeks vacationing at home with us. He's probably going insane but I love having him home! I love it! I'm so glad I have my own little family, they have helped me realize that even though every thing is new and different down here, I have them and that is all that matters!
