we're heeeeeere...

we made it to new hampshire! live free or die, my friends. at least that's what they say. after 3,204 miles {give or take}, at least 53 hours of driving, a layover in utah, lots of $$ on gas, 13 states, 4 spots at which we stopped to sight see, 3 hotels, 2 lovely homes, and one {mostly} happy leah, we finally arrived. we've met some wonderful people and feel nearly at home. i have lots to share, but no pictures uploaded at the moment and a very scrambled brain, so you get....

eleven thoughts on the eleventh...

01. i finally know what it feels like to sweat all. day. long. i know what it smells like too. and what this darn humidity does to my not-quite-straight-but-not-quite-curly hair. the next two years could be interesting. 

02. we were able to pick up our new-to-us couch today. this is the third time we've moved to a new place without a couch in tow. not sure why i never learn that a couch is the FIRST thing you should put in a new place. i seriously needed someplace to sit and those piles of boxes just weren't cutting it. 

03. i cannot wait to see this part of the country in the fall. i can already tell it will be breathtaking. driving along old country roads with nothing in sight except leaves and church steeples.

04. speaking of fall, we got a jump start today and picked some lodi apples from the tree of a new friend. she had more than enough for her and was anxious to share. we have bags full. i made a mouth watering apple crisp tonight and plan to make a big batch of applesauce this weekend. yu-um. 

05. groceries, overall, are less expensive here than they were in california. not like the prices are cut in half or anything, but it was a noticeable difference. that's a good thing on a student budget. 

06. leah has been welcomed here with open arms. sometimes i wonder why i worry about other kids treating her well. maybe those fears should start in a few years?? because the handful of kids we've met so far have been fantastic. they are already asking for play dates, learning how to ask the right questions and read her eye gaze {"leah, which color crayon should we color with, red or blue? red or blue?"}, and feeding her like pros. it's hilarious. and heart warming.

07. i got a hair cut just before i left {thanks linds!} and four weeks later i'm still using way too much shampoo. 

08. i don't think i will ever tire of having a washer and dryer inside my very own four walls. and now {drumroll please} they are right next to each other. actually, one is on top of the other. i didn't think it could get better than just having a washer and dryer period, and it can. it did. {super big thanks to ryan and jesse for lugging both down one flight of stairs and up another. my heroes.}

09. not working out for three weeks is, actually, detrimental to your figure. or maybe just mine. the pants i'm wearing today should not be tight, but they are. ugh. i did run a half marathon in utah, but i guess one race doesn't count as exercise for an entire month? apparently lugging boxes up and down my stairs a gazillion times doesn't either. i'll be hitting the pavement first thing monday morning. 

10. i kind of wish today were the 10th because i can't think of eleven things. oh wait, we're going camping tomorrow with our ward {church congregation}. can't wait to see what vermont woods have to offer. 

11. i actually heard the words, "okay ryan, let's go to walmart" come out of my mouth today. sigh. it's happened. it brings me no joy, but i have no other options. 

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