Nine months down

This blog is like one of those friends that most of us have that we don't get to see very often, but with whom we can pick up right where we left off when we do get together as if no time has passed. I've had the best intentions to start posting again, if nothing else but to help document our huge transition for the kids to look back on later. However, I've simply lost the motivation, and it feels like blogging has become a chore on my never-ending list of things to do. So, here we are, nine months into this chapter of life!

It has been nine months since we left Minnesota on an excruciatingly cold Saturday morning in January to move to the Grand Canyon state. Nine months ago this week that we closed on our new home in Mesa; we had the final walk-through on Monday morning, January 12, then had to drive about 30 miles up to Scottsdale to the title company's office, and then all the way back to the house in Mesa to pick up our keys. Our household belongings didn't arrive until Thursday the 15th, which unfortunately coincided with Ellie's 9th birthday and which she understandably didn't quite appreciate sharing with the movers. We managed to sneak out for a quick dinner that night, and Grandma and Lisa had arrived by then with Winnie and picked up a cake for her. We then celebrated her birthday again at Osaka the following weekend. Ellie is still counting her 9th birthday as her worst one yet - the guilt trips have already started. Thankfully she had a birthday sleepover in MN before we left with two of her closest friends, so at least she has that good memory of turning 9.

Ellie with Olivia (L) and Gwen R)

Just before we left, my sister Lisa and best friend Renee rented out the local roller skating rink to throw us a farewell party. The kids each got to invite a couple friends; we couldn't have asked for a better - though bittersweet! - send off. More to come on the move....