Life in NY

We are adjusting to our new place in NY, but we all definitely miss TN!!  I would have to say that TN is probably at the top of my list of favorite places we have lived.  We loved Alaska, too, but for some reason I really connected with TN (by the way, still claim SC as my home though).  I think maybe I enjoyed TN so much more than other places because we lived there for the longest, bought a house there (that we have rented out now and they better be taking care of it), Josh was physically there with us the longest (deployed for 12 months and gone just a few random months - nothing compared to his time gone in AK) and we have SO many sweet memories of Josiah there.  I really struggled leaving TN...I cried my eyes out when we pulled out of our driveway for the last time and left that amazing town!  We have so many friends still there and hope to get back there someday...if not to live, we will surely visit.  I also got to be reunited with one of my closets friends, Pam, when they got stationed there a year after us.  That was a blast having our kids together for 2 years and to watch them develop great relationships.  I will always cherish TN for so many reasons.  

We have been in NY for about 7 or 8 weeks (not really sure) and we are getting into a routine now.  I feel like getting settled here has taken us longer than any other place we have lived.  It could be because we have never moved with a 3 year old before!  Ha ha...he has done great, but you can't just tell a 3 year old to go play by himself everyday while you unpack!  It also could be from going down 800 sq. feet and trying to organize a smaller place to live in.  Regardless of the reason, we are getting there.  Just a few more things on the walls and organize the guest room before my parents visit in July.  It shouldn't take long.  

I have to say that I did not like it here when we first arrived.  The weather was terrible (after leaving a warm and sunny TN) and I was probably a little hormonal and tired from being pregnant at the time.  It was a hard adjustment for me and less than two weeks after we arrived we found out I was not carrying a healthy baby again.  But I am happy to say that things are much better!  The weather is beautiful now and we have gotten out to explore the area.  We bought a family pass to the zoo and have gone there twice (the pass has already paid for itself - it was cheap).  It is so fun to see Josiah get excited about the animals and he is so smart!!  We want to encourage his learning and the zoo is different each time you go.  The animals are doing different things and he loves it!  It will be fun for us to go as a family or, like today, go while Josh is at school.  We've also gone to the local library a few times...although, I have to say it is nothing in comparison to the Clarksville Library for sure!!  He still enjoys checking out new books and playing the computer games there.  

Apartment living has been totally fine.  We were both apprehensive at first after living in a home with a yard and our own space for so long.  I am actually shocked at how many families with multiple children live in apartments!!!  We were told that the taxes on homes here is so high that people just can't afford it (which is why we couldn't find a rental home in our price range).  Our neighbors are all great (never loud or annoying) and taking the dogs out each time and walking them hasn't been bad at all!!  We share the responsibility and it helps that Josiah loves to walk Sequoia (even after she pulled him down). Our new routine, since Josh started school, is that after dinner we do a family walk.  Each time we walk around the apartments is about a mile and we do it at least 3 times a day.  We have a lot of parks, all within walking distance and soon we will be able to enjoy the pools as well!  I hope to teach Josiah how to swim this summer. We will see.  I am still praying that once Josh's school load gets heavier he will be able to study ok in our place!  If anything, Josiah and I will just have to go out and let Josh study, or if he is studying after his bedtime, I will read or finish the scrap books I have been needing to complete.  (or maybe I will blog more :)

So, we are getting used to it here and enjoying the family time we have been able to have most!!!!  Tomorrow we get to go to a picnic (at our favorite place...Onondaga Lake) with Josh's Grad School program people.  We hope to meet some other families and get to know some new people (as well as see the few people we know from Ft. Campbell).  Thank you to those of you who have prayed for us during our move and the during the time of our loss!  We are hoping for some answers in that area, but still completely trusting the Lord with it all and we have faith in Him that His will is perfect.