Still Unpacking

Yes, we are still here and still unpacking.

We have been in the house for almost 1 full month (1 month tomorrow) and it's been a while since I last posted an update (3 weeks?).  I've been pretty homesick so it has not helped with my attitude or the unpacking process.  I think I have found the truth in why I haven't unpacked every last thing that was packed up in the our home in Omaha.  I think I was still somewhat am in denial that we have made this huge move.  I think I thought that if I didn't unpack everything, it somehow meant that I would be coming home sooner rather than later and there was no need to make this "home".  Well, I've finally come to the realization that this is not happening and that we will be here for the expected 2-3 years (which I will be pushing for the 2 years every day until it happens).

I was even explaining to a friend this morning that I didn't want to hang pictures or mirrors because I didn't want to have to deal with the patching and painting when we left.  She said, "Well, you will be here for a while.  If you don't do it, it won't feel like home."  It was at that moment that I realized she was right.  We ARE going to be here for a while, and I DO need to do things to it to make it feel like home.  The house we are in doesn't feel like home and that makes things difficult.  This is a very hard thing for me to accept for many reasons.  I have always lived my life in Omaha, I imagined my future in Omaha, but the reality is that this is not what God had in his plans for us right now.  He wanted us to take this opportunity and do something with it, to enjoy it, to live it.

It is not the easiest or quickest thing to accept that you are no longer home.  I seriously lived in the same house for 23 years and 2 months until Justin and I hitched.  Then we moved into an apartment and then the place I love to call home, our cute little brick house.  Can you blame me for being sad that I'm no longer living in Omaha?  Moving is difficult because of all the people and places that you love to see and go to are no longer at your front door.  This is hardest part about moving for me, and I will probably feel that sadness until we return and things are back to "normal".  Our families and friends have played such an important role in who we are and how we live our life, and they are not easy things to leave behind.  They will never be easy to leave behind.  You guys mean the world to us!  But after this morning, I know I need to do something to try to make this adventure worth it and to make it meaningful.  Plus, I will be back, we will be back, whether you like it or not. ;)

Now, putting my tears aside, I need to get this house into shape.  Good thing this realization hit me today because my 2nd mother and her cool mother are coming to visit in 2 weeks.  I absolutely cannot wait to see Pam and Rose and to have them physically here with us.  But, I can't let them see how unpacked we really are especially because they will need a bed and a room to sleep in!

To wrap this all up, I would like to share the things that I am thankful for because moving has made me appreciate many things:
-First and foremost, having Justin and Gracie by my side.  I wouldn't be here without them (literally) and I wouldn't have any comfort without them as well.  You two are the greatest people I know.
-A dishwasher (this house does not have one, which we didn't notice until we moved in :(  I hate doing dishes!
-Having a garage to store things that we brought but will not need (i.e. my classroom from Rohwer)
-New found friends...I have met some amazing women and their children since being here.  Thank you for welcoming me and Gracie into your homes and hearts.  You will never know how much it means to me.
-Our family and friends back home.  I feel special to know how lucky we are to have such amazing people in our lives.  God had truly blessed us, hence the reason why it is not easy being gone.
-My Rohwer coworkers who have kept me in the loop with school things and things about their lives.  You also make it hard to be here because you are all amazing people and teachers.  I pray every day that I get to come back to Rohwer and be with you all again.
-Skype, you are my connection to home and I love you.  I almost love you as much as I love Pam's Scotcheroos.  If you have a skype name, let me know or find us (andresenx3).  We would love to see you and chat!
-Facebook...well kinda...sometimes it makes me more homesick because I want to be there so bad, but it is nice to see family and friends enjoying life as everyone should.  I think I'll like it more when it's winter back home :)
-Crossfit Omaha. Yes, I hated working out just ask anyone that knows me.  But this place is amazing!  I never loved a gym as much as this place.  Great people, great coaches, great supporters, great workouts, and a great community.  If you want to know more about it, ask me, otherwise just go there and join.  You won't regret it.  It's worth every penny.

Ok that's enough for now, I'm sure my list could get longer, but I know I might be losing your attention now.  Plus, I have a lot of things and people to be thankful for.  Shoot, even the movers who came to get the boxes out of the garage...  Ok I'm done :)