Thursday, August 11, 2011

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. 

9 comments:

Molly said...

So fun! Wonderful update. You are going to love it there. Good luck with your hair! ;)

Shannon said...

Maren, I'm so glad that you are already going camping! You guys are TROOPERS to the max. Walmart is really not so awful...cheaper groceries is a huge plus, I do not believe for one second that your hair would ever in a million years look bad, maybe we can visit you this Fall (if we come...we're still planning on it), we miss you a million times over here, a half marathon is pretty impressive in three weeks, and I'll stop my run-on sentence NOW :)

Erica said...

seeing a post from you made me so happy! then you went and talked about walmart.
miss you tons, you cross country driving, 1/2 marathon running, box unpacking, great hair having far away friend you.

Lant Family said...

yeah totally hear you on the humidity and the hair. I sport a sweet pony tail or anything that gets my hair up from about may to october :)

Colleen said...

SO great to hear from you and glad that the trip went so well. On #4 yeah, if you need canning recipes for apples let me know, can't remember if I cave you the crock pot apple butter one but it is awesome :-) and as for 11. wow, and I thought it was crazy that you went to Target. Regardless, I sorta want to come see the leaves with you, sounds amazing!

Uffens Family said...

You forgot to add that your life was transformed by your trip to Kirtland :) Love you and so glad you are there safe and sound!!! Happy settling!! Give Leah a hug from us!!

Karen Hauley said...

I think you and ryan should have a code name for walmart. Then you won't have to hear the words coming out of your mouth. Your adventure is just beginning and I know you'll make the best of it. love you.

brittani c. said...

Now you know my struggle with hair during the summer months. Have I ever seen you on a bad hair day? I think not.

And yes, let's hear about how kirtland transformed your life!

Michelle said...

all I can say is that I LOVE YOU. You seriously make me laugh. Can't wait for the good times we've got coming our way!