Our New Home

What a week it has been for us! The weather, a perfect 50-55 degrees. No coat required to househunt for three days in a row. After seeing a dozen, and going back to a few of those more than once, we found a home we think we can live in for the rest of our days. Its a ranch house, which will be different for us, and the closest neighbor behind is over half a mile, so we'll have lots of views and wildlife once in a while I'm sure. After making an offer, counterings, etc. we got a good price, and we close the 21st of Jan. - less than two weeks! Sweeeet! After that we'll put in new carpet and have the wood floors refinished, and be ready to go before the 1st of Feb.

Its all happening so fast. . . just in time for a big snowfall. It was coming down on the way from church, and the bishop cancelled seminary for tomorrow morning. The good news for me, when I move, seminary will be starting at 6:30 a.m. and the church is about half the distance from us than it used to be. We won't mind a shorter drive and sleeping in another half hour. Since our house isn't in Colorado Springs, where most of the high schools have release time, but Monument, this is one of the sacrifices. But, there is a bonus for Little Buddy. 6th grade here is still in elementary school, which is only seven houses down from where we live! So, he can walk to school, make new friends, and when he goes to Jr. High (only 7th and 8th grades) next year, he will be riding the bus with kids he already knows. He was feeling quite concerned about that last week, so this is such a blessing for him. He is much happier now and so am I.

We were so welcomed at church today. My favorite moment was when we stood up after Sacrament meeting was over to go to our next classes, four young women came up to MyGirl, quickly introducing themselves, telling her, "You come with us this way." By the time YW was over, she was with a different group of girls who had a party planned, realized one of those girls lives in our subdivision, and is her age and only moved here a month ago herself, and everyone was so excited she was coming to seminary! When I asked her how many Laurels were in her class, she said, "Too many to remember." What an answer to our prayers. Our girl has needed some friends to want to hang out with her for a long time!

There are nine elders serving full time missions from our ward, (the Palmer Divide Ward,) one sister, and one couple. The ward was recently divided, about seven months ago, and now is settled down and were eager to welcome us in. It felt wonderful! I loved that there was an "empty-nesters" sign-up going around with almost a dozen couple's names on it, plenty of families with teenagers and plenty more with little ones. Its a good mix, and feels like a great ward to finish raising our family in.

So, that's the good news - life is coming together. Home, school, ward. First page of the first chapter, so far, so good.

I'll post photos later in the week.