Back in the US of A

Yes, it's true...we're back in the States. We've actually been back for a month, but I'm just beginning to recover from the craziness that comes with moving across the ocean, traveling to see family out of state, Christmas, and of course the endless unpacking and organizing.

When we first came back to the US, it was strange for me. Besides the awful jet-lag (waking up at 4am for a few days!), I didn't realize how accustomed I had become to the English lifestyle. It was weird to hear people talk without a British accent. I freaked out when Ryan would drive on the right-hand side of the road. I kept thinking "pounds" instead of "dollars". I missed pick 'n mix. Sadly, most of those things have been reversed back to my usual American-brain mode...except the pick 'n mix - I still miss that. I really loved living in England. I will always be grateful for the opportunity we had to live there, if only for a short time. We made wonderful friends and have beautiful memories that we will cherish forever.

However, things have been great here. I absolutely LOVE our new home. Ryan chose it on his own a month before we arrived, and he did a great job. It instilled further confidence that he should continue to choose our homes without me (this is the third time he's done so).

We had a fantastic Christmas with my parents in KC. All my siblings came home for Christmas, so we were all together for the first time in who-knows-how-long. We had plenty of aunties and an uncle who wanted to hold Ellie and play with Lincoln, but of course they had to compete with Nana and Pop too! The kids were much-loved to say the least! We ate, played games, watched movies, rocked out to Beatles Rock Band, talked, and enjoyed a white Christmas together. It was hard to say good-bye...it always is!

Now we're back in New Jersey and continue to get settled here. Almost all the boxes are emptied out; it's just figuring out where to put everything! I'm pacing myself and trying not to expect "the perfect home" just yet. There is still lots of organizing and furniture-purchasing that needs to be done, but will require more time in both thought and available funds. :)

Our little town is so cute and our ward is great. There are 20+ kids in nursery, so Link is bound to make some new friends. We haven't been in a ward where Deacons pass the Sacrament for a LONG time (maybe never?) - in Brighton 80 year-old men did, and before then we never had any young men in the wards! It's refreshing and fun to have big families and lots of new people to meet.

Lincoln just loves the snow so much. Too bad (for him) most of it is melted here. He still prefers to wear his snow boots around every day and is very proud to put them on and off himself.


Ellie is just getting so big! She is now over 5 months old - rolling all over the place, chatting in baby-talk, eating rice cereal, and always charming strangers with her bright blue eyes and beautiful smile.




One of my New Year's resolutions is to be better with posting on the blog...so hopefully massive, belated posts like this won't happen! :)