New digs

Well, we made it to Harrisonburg safe and sound. Michael drove the massive 24-foot truck with me driving separately in our car. About 15 people from our church here came to help us unpack, and they were awesome.

We hadn't seen the place in person before we came, so we were a little nervous. Fortunately, we really like it.

It's a "paired home," which is a fancy word for duplex, except that it is more like a house divided in two with separate entrances on opposite sides of the house (so you really feel like you have your own place. We just signed a six-month lease, but we might end up staying quite a bit longer because we love the locale and how quiet it is. The house itself isn't huge, but we don't need a big place and haven't really missed the furniture we had to put in the garage and attic.

The day after we moved, we got some snow. Clara was very happy. Very happy.

Then I had to drive in it to help return the moving truck with Michael. I was afraid I was going to die, or at least crash the car. We discovered we have bald tires and we definitely need to get all-wheel drive, or snow tires, or something.

A sweet old lady across the street (we discovered we live in a mostly retired neighborhood) invited us over for herb tea and cookies when she saw Michael pulling Clara in our make-shift sled (our ice cooler) up and down the street. We have already been invited to dinner and on two play-dates. We are thankful for so much kindness, both here and in Augusta helping us pack the truck and move out. Still, I miss my friends in Augusta and miss the comfort of knowing where I am going as I drive--Michael has an excellent sense of direction but I am not so blessed. I also miss all of Clara's therapists and haven't even begun to try to find ones here. Still, we are grateful to be here.

Even though our place is cozy, we do have three bedrooms and plan to get a hide-a-bed couch or something and some other sleeping arrangements. So don't let that stop anyone from coming to visit us!