A year past....

A year ago today Todd started his new position in California!  As I sit here typing this in our recently renovated kitchen, it seems near impossible.  Impossible because it went so quickly....and yet again, it seems crazy so much could have happened in only a years time!

These last few days bring back memories of dragging 8 bags to the airport somehow packed in the trunk of a rented Mustang!  We had no idea that while that seemed like heavy packing then, as it included everything from the dog crate to file boxes, it wouldn't nearly hold us over for the next 4 months in a hotel until our belongings were delivered to the house we purchased.  I remember this day a year ago being a tough one for me.  I spent probably 10 hours alone in the hotel room that day beginning shortly after 5 am when we woke up on our own because we were still on EST.....too afraid to leave Breck in his new surroundings alone to venture out, no one to spend time with, Todd busy at his first day of work and with little time to check in with me, collecting change for laundry, hanging clothes in the hotel closet and lining up our shoes on the floor, scouring the internet for homes we hadn't already seen on our house-hunting trip, anxiously awaiting potty breaks for Breck, making to do lists, grocery lists, to buy lists.....anything to keep me occupied!  That day seemed like it would never end and I had never been so excited to see Todd come home from work!  Over dinner that night, we talked about if we thought we had made a mistake....Gosh, had we known then what we know now...I'm not sure we would have done things the same.  That's the thing about hindsight, right? Thank goodness things have changed since that day!  While this is not our forever home, it is our for now home and it is certainly feeling more and more like home each day!

Todd's working late tonight.... yup, feels somewhat like this day a year ago ;o)

Happenings!

We have been so busy, and I'm not sure how our calendar went from being so bare to full so soon after moving!  We are really trying to immerse ourselves in everything here, and get as settled as possible!  This is what we have been doing over the last several weeks:

Drove by the home in Oceanside I lived in for a few years as a kid.



Visited with family that came to visit, and watched
Breck entertain my cousin...or my cousin entertain Breck!

Visited open houses way outside of our price range...
just for fun!

Had my first jicama tacos, and they were delicious!

Got a little bit of home decor inspiration!

Watched Breck make friends with his obedience school classmates!

Got outside of our hotel room for a glass of wine!

...and watched Breck chase this rabbit!!
(his new hobby)

Scoped out strawberry fields, and other farms I want to visit
once we have a kitchen!

Visited my Aunt and Uncle, and my cousin in San Diego for Easter,
and we had a nation-wide online egg decorating contest with family 

...and this was my contribution to our "California dreaming"
themed egg submissions - yes, that is real hair!  lol

Found a Chick-fil-A on my way to pick up Todd
from the airport last week (he was out of town for work),
I surprised him with an Arnold Palmer and fries at 10pm!

Somehow taught Breck some obedience thanks to his classes!!
(See how in shock I am!?!)

Found several mexican restaurants (Todd's favorite) and
celebrated another Ava promotion!!

A few days ago, we moved to a different hotel that is much closer to Todd's work.  It has actually been a good thing.  However, the move was not as easy as we thought it would be!  We couldn't believe we somehow got all of the same stuff through the airport, and cross country only a month ago!  It seemed impossible!! 

I also bought a toaster oven recently, so we set it up in this hotel room after the move.  I made baked chicken last night and was so thrilled to have a decent meal in the hotel!  Today, I bought a VitaMix blender, and so I'm sure that will be my new obsession once it gets here!

We sure are missing everyone, and as time goes by we are also missing our stuff (how silly does that sound??).  We are hoping to have house news soon...and as always will keep you updated!

A Snow Surprise!

There was no snow for us in Florida!  However, the snow in Atlanta brought us a wonderful last minute house guest -- my Dad!!!  My Dad is a pilot and commutes to Miami from Atlanta, and because of the snow that cancelled flights going in and out of Hartsfield Airport, he was unable to get home after his last trip.  So, he hopped on a flight to Orlando from Miami and spent the last few days with us!  Todd was out of town for work, so my Dad and I spent some time relaxing around the house, having lunch out, and watching movies.  Todd got home yesterday afternoon, and so we all went out for a dinner at Dexter's downtown.  My Dad left early this morning to go back to Miami for his next trip.  It was so fun to have him here! :o)