one week, one day

We have officially been back in Texas for 8 days and overall, it's been really good. Our household goods arrived on Thursday and are in temporary storage until we close on our house on the 26th of this month. We are moving forward with the home purchase and everything looks great. We've already had friends offer to help us move in, paint, get settled, etc. How awesome is that?! Aron has hit the ground running in his new job as Manager for the Customer Service department for James Hardie and is doing well, though very busy. Last week, I spent many days with my good friend, Patti, and her 16-month old son, Grayson. He and Maggie have become fast friends. On Wednesday, we went to the Dallas Arboretum where I purchased a season pass. This place is absolutely beautiful and a great place to bring kiddos. They have wonderful year-round displays and events and there are even Mommy and Me Mondays where they have crafts, music, a small petting zoo, and other activities for a few hours. Currently, they have a fantastic pumpkin patch set up and the colors of plants and bushes that are out are breathtaking. Many of Patti's mom friends regularly visit the Arboretum and I am being grafted in. :) Maggie and I ran errands, played in our spacious 13oo sq. ft. temporary-housing apartment, and just settled in to daily life here. We purchased a new-to-us 2003 Honda Pilot and I'm loving the extra space and smooth ride. Today, we returned to our church for the first time since we moved away 11-months ago. It was great to see old friends, some old high school students we mentored, and enjoy lunch with Brad and Tammy at one of our favorite restaurants, Cafe Brazil.

So, we are here, we are back, and I'm surprised to find that I am actually glad to be here. I've had a few good conversations with friends in Chicago, and I'm hopefful that we will stay in touch for years to come (and that many will come visit me...hint, hint). Next week, it will be much of the same until we get moved into our home. Things are feeling somewhat normal and well, I'm somewhat relieved for that. I did call my mom on day 2 of us being here, though, and say, "When are you and dad moving back this way?" Now that we are here, we are anxious to have our immediate family come out to live. We shall see!