Our status update

No pictures today--just an update on our life. :)

We've officially been here one week. Two days after arriving, we were offered housing on post (a beautiful 4 bed/2.5 bath single level duplex on a culdesac). It was such a lovely surprise--we were told that it typically takes about one or two months to get in. What a blessing! We get to move in on Friday (pix to come later). The neighborhood is just 10 years old. We have a tiny fenced backyard. Beyond that, there is a small playground on the edge of the neighborhood. There is another fence that encircles the edges of the neighborhood. Very safe. :) There is a HUGE playground just around the corner of our culdesac which we will be visiting on a daily basis, I'm sure. :) It is surrounded by the most gorgeous trees I've ever seen. I'll take some pix sometime and show everyone. They give shade to the whole playground. That combined with the ever present breeze--it's really a nice area.

On Friday,the very next day after we were offered the house, we were able to find a great car for Ryan ('96 Honda Accord--great on gas, reliable). Plus it's an automatic so I can drive it without causing an accident. ;)

The kids started school today--they were greeted in the office by volunteer kids who gave them special leis that ALL new kids wear (so all the other students know that these kids may need some help. Then there are specific leis that students wear when it is their last day of school--everyone says good-bye to them then. People move in and out so often that there are children wearing these on a weekly basis). It was so nice and alleviated Julia and Jacob's fears a bit. They have always attended rather small schools--they now attend a campus. So many buildings! I was able to meet with Jacob's teacher after school today. She had nothing but praise for him, saying that he fit right in and that his knowledge of what they are learning is spectacular. :) I am so proud of him! Julia is also doing well--she has already made a few friends in her class.

Ryan has begun in-processing this week. Something that we have learned since coming here--the family is extremely important to everyone (imagine that?). The military typically lets out by 2 or 3pm on Thursdays and then there is ALWAYS Aloha Fridays. They're let out by 1pm. And Ryan was specifically told that on these days that they let out early, he is to "take of your family". :) I think we can handle that! We are so excited. Ryan doesn't know what he's assigned to or attached to. He should know by the end of the week.

We attended church this past Sunday--we were at the downtown mall Saturday evening and were waiting for our name to be called for dinner at Macaroni Grill. We randomly bumped into some missionaries who were looking for members whom they were joining for dinner. They supplied us with the number of our ward missionaries--who in turn were able to give us directions to the building and let us know the meeting time. Our ward is very friendly and we are looking forward to becoming part of their family. In fact, this Friday is "Ohana Night" (I keep thinking of Lilo and Stitch "what about ohana?!"). Jon informed me that it's basically a ward FHE. It's held on a monthly basis. From what we can gather, it's a ward activity that includes a lot of food. But then again, we are informed that EVERY meeting of any sort includes food--or mainly a meal of some sort. When I was in Relief Society, they were announcing the upcoming Enrichment Activity and one of the women asked if dinner would be provided "cause I always look forward to the meal". Everyone chuckled but I really was surprised when the RS president replied "Of course! We always have dinner there!". Later that day, we were invited to have dinner a family in our ward who happens to live just down the street from our new home. They have 4 children ranging from Evelyn's age to a daughter in Young Women. The daughter told us how at even the youth activities each week--there is always a delicious meal served. :)


I am sooooo loving living here. :) We really are adjusting quite well. We are definitely looking forward to moving into our new home and getting out of the hotel. I long for my own kitchen and being able to cook meals for my family again. ;) Truly, we have been SO blessed--a place to live, a vehicle for Ryan, great school for the kids...and a work environment that values the family as much as we do.


Oh, and did I mention that the pineapple here is OUTSTANDING?