Have we really already been living in Missouri for 2 weeks?

Wow!  I can't believe we've been in Columbia for two weeks already.  Unfortunately, yesterday was the first day since we moved in that we had internet services, so I've been delayed in posting any of our activities.  Prior to moving, I tried to get as much done in Huxley with the kids as possible.  There were a lot of "last times" to be had and I feel like I ran out of time to get it all in.  We didn't have much in our house the last week that we were living in Huxley.  This first picture was taken the afternoon that we put everything on the trailer, a week before we actually moved.  We were left with air beds and minimal supplies for living.  The kids and I went to the Ames wrestling tournament to watch the Ballard kids wrestle for the last time and we made sure to get one more dinner at Hickory Park before leaving.  

We left this...

And came "home" to this.

I won't lie...I was fine at work and in Huxley until the day that we had to go.  Even as my co-workers threw balls at me for the last time, it was so difficult for me to say goodbye to everyone that I love working with and I felt horrible leaving from the kids' school to take them to their new home.  I feel like I should apologize to Paula Ciccotti (the elementary counselor) for falling apart while walking out of her building.  She was the last person I saw, and I tried really hard to hold it together, but just couldn't do it.  It was a long 4.5 hour drive for me to Columbia.  The kids did great though, and I think I was affected more than them watching them give hugs and say their goodbyes to their friends.

Thank goodness that our neighbors, Josh and Megan Stagg pulled our trailer down for us and helped us get a little settled when we got here.  Having them here for our first weekend was motivating and encouraging.  I'm glad that the kids had friends to play with and that we had someone to force us to get organized.  We're very thankful and hope that they and any other of our friends will come to visit any time! Hopefully the following pictures provide some proof of the fun we can have here!

Gracie jumping on one of the tramps at the gymnastics facility

Owen climbing a rope at the gymnastics facility

NICK...that's all I have to say.

While Staggs were here, we spent an afternoon at the gymnastics facility after eating lunch at a Barbeque place.  The kids got to play outside and the adults got more work done.  They stayed a couple  nights before heading back to Iowa.

OUR FIRST WEEK AS MISSOURIANS

The kids did not have school on the first Monday that we were here and we had kind of a lazy day, while making sure they had everything they needed for school.  Nick and I took them on their first day of school, and of course, Owen cried when we left him, but got through the day ok.  I could tell Gracie was a little nervous, but she did just great and I had no concerns about her.  We picked them up after school and took them for a special treat at Andy's Frozen Custard.  I'm sure the people working there thought we were crazy for coming out for custard in the freezing rain.  

Down here...2 inches of snow = NO SCHOOL!!!  Isn't that nuts??!!  Their second day of school, they didn't have to go to school because of snow.  So, we stayed home and they played out in the snow.  Another thing that I've learned is that the school does not allow kids to go outside for recess if there is snow.  Gracie and Owen were so bummed at first.  Gracie said that not all the kids have snow stuff so no one goes out.

The "3rd" day went great.  Both kids rode the bus and came home on the bus with no issues. Owen was promised oreo fluff and fruit rollups if he did awesome getting on the bus and going to school. However Owen had a meltdown last Friday and refused to ride the bus.  UGH!!!!  I guess we need to keep up the bribery for awhile.

We went to our first gymnastics meet last Friday night and had a lot of fun.  We went to visit Annie and Chad on Saturday after unloading hay.  We also brought back our 4-wheeler, which came in handy to give kids sled rides on the snow.  That was short-lived, though, as it melted by early afternoon.

Woohoo!  pulled by the 4-wheeler!

The snow was gone later in the afternoon.  I LOVE having this paved driveway.  The kids can ride their scooters up and down all day long.

So far this week, all has gone well with school.  Gracie and Owen seem to be getting into their routine and making friends.  Owen has homework every night that he wants to get done right after school.  He is required to read a book and usually do a short assignment with either numbers or words to help him practice.  This has been so good for him and I can't believe how much he is reading by himself.  I love the look on his face when he has read a page that he didn't think he could.

Gracie also has homework, but receives a packet on Fridays that is due the following Thursday.  She also has to read a book every night and has 4-5 pages of math/writing that she has to do.  She completed the assignments all at once, which didn't surprise me at all.  She has written to some of her friends in Huxley and sent a letter to her class at West Elementary.  She is patiently waiting for a response.  I have encouraged her to write more, but she has been reluctant to do so.

The kids had an early dismissal day on Wednesday, so we went to shop for River's birthday present and stopped to see Nick at work.  He was in the football facility, which Owen thought was awesome!

I have gone for a couple runs on the MKT trail that goes through Columbia and connects with the Katy Trail along the Missouri River.  Last week when I ran on it, it was snow covered and I had to go pretty slow.  This week was much better!  A little muddy, but I'll take the 40 degrees!  Otherwise, I have been able to do about 5 miles at a time on the blacktop that goes by our house.  It's pretty hilly, but more convenient than driving across town to the trail system.

Gracie giving Jack some love.  He has finally stopped throwing up everyday.  He must have been nervous while we were in the process of moving.

Ninja Owen!  He was so happy to retrieve his box of costumes from Grandma Kate's house!

I've been taking the last couple weeks a day at a time.  There are moments that I'm overcome with anxiety and sadness with not having a job and knowing so few people here.  I do miss our friends a lot and have found that I don't miss our house as much as the community we lived in.  However, most days are good and I'm thankful for the opportunities we've been given.  I have applied for a number of jobs in the school system, at the university, and in treatment counseling.  There haven't been any school counseling jobs available, but hopefully something will work out and I will be led in the direction that I'm supposed to go.  However, after my refreshing run this morning, I think I might be able to keep myself busy with other things.  I have found that I'm not very good at staying home, though, and so far, whenever I go out, I spend money.  This indicates that I need to make some money, too.    

It is supposed to be a beautiful weekend here and we will be attending the Mizzou wrestling meet tomorrow afternoon.  River's birthday party is supposed to be Sunday, but I'm not sure that it will happen, since Annie just found out that he has RSV.  Poor little guy.  We were supposed to go on a tour of one of the caves, too.  We'll see what happens!