There should be a lovely picture of us standing in front of our new home inserted here, but the USB cable for my camera was somehow (somehow) crushed in the van on the way down, and so I cannot yet download pictures. But Katydid has been busy taking them, so... soon.
We arrived not quite two weeks ago after a long, 3-day drive in a thoroughly stuffed van. Packing up the house on the New York end did not quite go as planned, since the movers we had hired to help canceled two weeks before our move date but never called to let us know. Andy found out the morning they were supposed to arrive when no one showed up. This could have been a disaster, but fortunately nearly all the men from Andy's office came by that afternoon to help load furniture into our two shipping containers. The second day of packing we were mostly on our own (with my mom and dad's help), but somehow, after an almost day-long, drenching rain, we stuffed the last "miscellaneous" items in our two vans and headed to the hotel for the night.
Happily, the Mississippi side of things has been easier. We were afraid to expect it, but honestly? Life in New York is difficult if people don't know you. Within a week of our arrival, we already had met more neighbors than we ever knew in New York. In fact, within a week, we'd already been gifted with several pounds of okra from a neighbor's garden, a gigantic box of pears from a neighbor's tree, a box of chocolate chip cookies, an invitation to a parish youth group attended by several homeschoolers, and the acquaintance of at least two Catholic homeschooling families who live within five minutes of us. And the movers didn't cancel either.
God is good.
Now we are involved in the long process of attempting to bring order from the chaos of a house filled with boxes, getting to know our 5 acres, and figuring out which lane we need to get into if we want to go to the grocery store... or to pick up a new USB cable for the camera!
Hooray! You made it! And it sounds like you are off to a great start! How wonderful about the Catholic homeschoolers close by!
Posted by: Theresa | August 28, 2010 at 03:45 PM
Angela
I am so, so happy you have arrived safely. I've been waiting and waiting to hear. I was going to email you this week as I couldn't wait any longer.
What a disaster at the end, but still you survived.{}
Are you living closer to your family or just Andy's?
Oh it's sounding promising already:) So thrilled, beaming here{{}} Love to hear more.
Posted by: Erin | August 28, 2010 at 08:38 PM
Yay! I'm so glad you arrived safely and happily. It sounds like this will be a good and peaceful move for you. How are you feeling these days? Is your incision healed up yet?
Thinking of you... (and praying)
Posted by: Melanie | August 28, 2010 at 09:18 PM
So happy to "hear" from you!!!! I can't wait to see photos!! I am glad it is so friendly down south for you all!!!
God Bless,
Joann
Posted by: joann10 | August 28, 2010 at 09:21 PM
Glad things are going well there! Wishing you many more years of happiness!
Posted by: Amy | August 29, 2010 at 09:25 AM
Wow, I'm glad you were able to get help at the last minute. I'm so glad your new home is already filled with such love.
Have fun learning your new location.
Posted by: Julia S. | September 01, 2010 at 07:40 AM
Wonderful news, and so glad you all made it safe and sound. It all sounds lovely, can't wait to hear more about your new adventures!! Yippee!
Posted by: Meredith | September 04, 2010 at 11:06 AM
We are moving to Mississippi this month, too. Maybe we'll run into each other. Without asking where you are - are you in north or south MS? We are in the town in the northeast corner. :)
Posted by: Ashley Lee | September 10, 2010 at 06:18 PM
Just a thought and a prayer to let you know that you & your family is always in our thoughts and daily prayers. It's wonderful to know that we now have 7 great nieces and nephews! And very glad that ya'll arrived safely at your new home. May His Divine Mercy keep you & yours safe and sound...
Love from Atlanta -
Posted by: Uncle Jim & Aunt Rita | September 11, 2010 at 11:31 PM
Angela, I am so impressed with all that you have accomplished in your young life. The work you do with your children is very remarkable indeed. Your children are adorable!!! I have only met you once in person and you were 5 years old. Can't believe you are now living in the South also. Welcome to the South and enjoy! Love, Aunt Rita
Posted by: Rita Plazo | September 14, 2010 at 01:21 PM