Happy 1 Year!

Today marks our anniversary of moving to Glendale, AZ. This is a big day for me, one that I've been struggling with for about 12 months (insert laugh and tears here!).

I think it would be fun to reminisce for a moment about our journey to Glendale.

March 2008 God proved to me just how funny his sense of humor can be. I was feeling good about moving. I felt like "I can do anything! Bring it God!" Well He did.

Day 1 of the move: Our regular San Diego ---> Phoenix 6 hour drive was actually 12 hours. I drove the littles while Hubby and Han drove the Uhaul. 4 hours into the drive, we ran out of batteries in the walkie talkie. We stopped for gas 1/2 way, only to find that we had no money in our bank account. Nothing. We used our last few bucks cash to fill up, and I spent the next 2 hours crying while driving. At one point I stopped for a stretch and came back to the car only to see that the Uhaul was gone. I found the two stinkers 3 miles ahead- pulled off to the side of the road sleeping. PS- I was driving a 4 year old, 2 month old, and a 6 yr old boxer. Fun times!

Day 2 of the move: Our Uhaul was broken into over night. We had to have the Uhaul towed to a storage unit, unload the Uhaul (with 3 whining kiddos in tow!) onto the deck and up to our new storage unit, reload the new Uhaul to get everything else home, unload the remaining items at home, and return the Uhaul the same day. Poor hubby. Was he EVER tired by the end of the day.

Day 3 of the move: I realize I've lost my phone. It's somewhere in storage. I had to find it. We decide to wait a week and then look for it. We're just too exhausted to do much more than tend to the kiddos. I don't think we showered for days...

At some point in March we decided I should pursue a job. We both landed jobs within 45 days of moving. God is amazing. My interviews were pretty boring. The only excitement came when I was in an interview and my cell phone rang! I was horrified, but it happens to be that I landed the job so maybe it helped me? :)

In Week 2, we attemped to enroll Han into 4th grade only to find that school was on spring break. A week passed and Han started school- the week of state standardized testing. The school asked if we'd come back the following week, which we happily agreed to as Han was still settling in to our new home. Once Han was enrolled, we found out that Hai could not start kindergarten in the fall as she would not be 5 until 11/08. Well if you know me, you know that I can solve anything- and only through God's grace! Hai was started preschool a week after Han started 4th grade and was signed up to start kinder at a charter school for Fall 08.

In August my mom came to visit to help get the kids and hubby ready for the 08/09 school year. We were invited to a neighborhood potluck through our church. My mom came with me, we brought the kiddos leaving hubby at home to some peace and quiet. Mid evening we sat down, gathered together, and my mom was *whacked* in the back of her head with a patio door! I felt so bad (as did everyone there!). I sat down in a resin chair (while holding little Ben) only to have the chair buckle under me! The legs snapped off and went flying, I landed on the floor- holding Ben like a football! It was so embarrassing.

We were nervous going to the bbq, but we met some great neighbors. We also learned that Han's new best friend is the daughter of the hosts. WOW! Lucky for us!!! These neighbors have become great friends to us, opening their home to our family, opening their hearts to our needs.

I am so thankful to those around us, to those who continue to pray for our well being, for our success, for our strength. This move was important for us as a family, to come together and create a complete family structure. My parents are now truely grandparents. Hubby and I are now equally yolked as spouses and parents. Our finances are still shaky, but that will come together in time with God's grace and strength. The kids are happy, healthy, and easy to get along with. They truely are happy in their new home with new friends and new memories.

We haven't forgotten our past. We are stronger now. Cheers to a crazy, growth inspiring year. Here's to looking forward to what our future may bring!

Lots of love,
Allie