We have Arrived!!

This post is dedicated to my best bro-in-law ever -- Blake!! (I'll try to keep things updated a little better now that I have internet access.)

I am now officially blogging from Temecula, California. We have been here about 2 wks. We still have a few boxes to unpack and plenty of stuff to get in it's place, but we are getting more settled into our new life by the day. We are learning our way around a new town and enjoying having mountains and the beach so close. We drove down the coast on Saturday and went for a hike after church on Sunday. The boys are enjoying the walks to the parks and area stores. I am just trying to get back into some sort of routine and looking forward to time the "newness" wears off. Garth has checked into his new command and appears to be pleased with what he will be doing. Hopefully he will get on sometime and better explain his new position. In a nutshell, he is over a group called "Charlie Company." (Sounds so M*A*S*H like doesn't it.) He will be training about 50-60 "kids" to go to Iraq or wherever called to at this point. He will officially take over the company in mid-July. That gets you caught up on what's been going on since we arrived.













Now a bit about how we got out here:

The packers took our things away June 23. We enjoyed a fun 3 day weekend with our friends and neighbors on Huey drive. We spent out last few days at the Navy Lodge while Dylan completed Kinder and Garth checked out of the command. Dylan finished strong and we are proud to announce he is officially a 1st grader. It was very difficult to leave Corpus. Who would have thought. After tearful goodbyes, we had Corpus in our rearview mirror headed for Itasca.










It was a brief stop at my parents. We arrived and were surprised by a "Leaving Texas" party. We got to see some great friends and family before heading west. It was great to see everyone and hug their necks. One nights rest at my parents, and off to New Mexico.

This is where the fun begins. Let me explain that we are hauling our family (one that will be two in August, ughhhhh), tahoe (the big red dog), and pulling a trailer loaded down with motorcycles and other various things. We get to Amarrillo and the Expo decides it is not going to accelerate. So Garth basically nurses it and pray for it. Multiple stops on the side of the road and a few stops for Garth because he had to find a toliet a few choice times and we FINALLY made it to Albuquerque. The Expo went to the shop and a heafty bill later, it was up and running again. (Thanks Dad!!) We enjoyed time with Garth's family. We visited the zoo, Explora (children's museum), a fun center with bumper boats, go carts, and games, and a rousing game of croquet with Garth's cousin Claire and hubby Nick. It was great to see everyone and the boys enjoyed some time with the grandparents.










We then headed for Southfork,CO. Our home away from home. We met up with my parents, Blake and Nissy, and my grandparents. We shared a cabin together and had great times. The Expo once again returned to the shop for something else, but this time covered under warranty. (Thank God) And the guys of the group had to change a tire on it. This year's highlights of the trip were the boys riding dirtbikes and our hiking trips with Blake and Nissy. It is so strange to go there every year and do the same things, yet I already can't wait to get back. Dylan says he wishes it was his HOMEPLACE. I can't blame him. Our hope and prayer is that it will be his home at least for a few months in the summer at some point in the future. When out time was up it was time to say goodbye. Boy, that was a tough one. BUT, we got through it and are looking forward to the visits.













We continued on our journey. We got to see the Four Corners and stopped for a few hours at the Grand Canyon. We stayed the night in Kingman, AZ and made it to Temecula the next day.










It was a long haul. It was hard to be that unsettled for that long for everyone. But, it was a neat month. We are now looking forward to what God has for us here. Obviously something because I know His plan is perfect. It is so peaceful to rest in that. I have so much that I would love to share that I have learned even to this point, but I will save that for another time.

By the way, we really missed not seeing Buddo. The Alive Campaing is in Portland today. I can't believe that they are getting so close to their destination. I love reading their blog and keeping up with the happenings. It sounds like it has been quite an adventure. I can't wait to visit with him when it is over and hear about everything. Jaydon needs to see his Uncle. He sees random young guys with brown hair and says, "Hi, Bobbo!" I hope they don't think a 2 year old is calling them something else.

Ok -- that is long enough. Hope this finds everyone well.

Many blessings!