We Made It!

So I still don't have pics. You would think that the temporary housing that we stayed in would have had internet connection, but you are wrong! Out here in the desert there is truly nothing! It will take some getting used to!

But before I talk about our adventure thus far, I must write about my birthday party that I threw for myself. I totally forgot to write about it, not because it wasn't fun but I just got caught up in the move following the party. So for my birthday this year I wanted to have a party, and so I threw one for myself (it was lots of fun!), I didn't want a bunch of gifts because I didn't want to have to worry about packing them and also I wanted to have a party where everybody took something home! So I had a jewelry exchange party......It was rockin' awesome! Everyone was to bring two pieces of jewelry (they did not need to match) that they either already owned, made, or bought. Then we did like a christmas style gift exchange. It was great and I had got a bunch of old school candy from a candy store where you cuy in bulk and us girls just went at it. It was so much fun! And I think everyone enjoyed what they ended up with. Some were even still trading once the exchange was over! Oh how lovely!

So on to our adventure down here. We brought Boomer with us in our little car and I must say that he did Wonderfully! We were able to stop and let him run and both of the long days of driving we were very blessed to come across bodies of water when we ate and Boomer was able to run and swim and get some of his energy out! The last day was a half day of driving and then we arrived in the desert. People had warned us that it was going to be desolate and hot, but I think I had rose colored shades on cause let me tell you, it is truly desert!!!! It's long distance to call anywhere off the base, which meant that we have been using precious minutes on our cell phones to find housing and make all necessary phone calls. I think I have sweated out gallons upon buckets of sweat. And I love the sunshine and everything, but this has been way more of an adjustment then I imagined. I know I will come to appreciate it here, especially once the 100+ weather with no shade in sight dies down a bit, but I am a mountain girl through and through. We were looking in surrounding towns for housing as we had heard that the base won't allow you to live in base housing unless you have kids (how prejudice is that?), although to be honest we've lived on base before and it's not all it stacked up to be, definitely perks, but not the most fun. So we looked around and decided in a small town a commute away from base. Luckily Lindsay will be able to car pool with some other military members which will be great since we are down to one car now. And the town is considered to be 4 seasons..........I chuckled when I saw that. Who knows, maybe I will eat my words, but I can't imagine having to much of four seasons in southern california. We will see. I do know they get a light dusting of snow in the winter that stays for about oh........an hour maybe a bit longer but can you really call that winter? We shall see, time will tell.

The house we found should fit our family fantastically, especially if a little one finds their way into our home while we are here. We went to the ward there the first sunday to check it out and it was great! Who knew there could be three wards for such a small town, it's great! And we met a couple of families that seem awesome, everyone was so helpful about telling us about housing up there, so it's awesome. I think the thing that got me the most is that just walking into sacrament meeting in this new ward for the first time instantly made me feel like I was home. It is such a relief to know that wherever I go the gospel will be there and I can gain strength from the testimonies surrounding me. The gospel doesn't change, just the faces. It was so nice! Since Lindsay and I have been living out of suitcases for three weeks now it felt good to get our feet rooted in our new ward family.

The heat is crazy and so Lindsay and I have spent some time in the pool here on base and it has been the best few dollars spent! We have been lathering on the sunscreen and still getting dark, it's crazy but great to get into the cool water to get some exercise in, cool off, and enjoy the sun a bit!

Well that is our adventure so far. Hopefully we will have more access online soon, so I will post when I can. We can't move into our new place for a while but when we do, I am hoping to get internet. Hope everyone else's summer is going splendid!!