Fun times

We've actually seen quite a bit of rain since moving here.  A lot more than we've seen in a long time actually.  The other day Annabelle just had to go out into it and play, of course Miya refused to go out and apparently doesn't like getting wet. 

Annabelle's birthday was this last week.  A few weeks back we did a small party for her right before Jay headed off to school.  She has been having non stop fun with her new toys since then.  She's even sharing with Kaden without being asked.

Welcome home Miya!

Last night Jay brought home our new puppy.  She was all drugged up from being spayed and not feeling the best, but she remembered me and just layed down on the living room floor.  She threw up a few times, but we expected that.  Last night the kids couldn't sit still.  They were so excited to have her in the home.

This morning she was feeling so much better and we decided to change her name after seeing her personality shine.  She is not a "smokey" so after trying a few names she finally perked up to one.  Miya.  So she now goes by Miya and we just love her.

Miya last night after getting her home.  She was beyond drugged up in this photo.

If you can't tell, Annabelle is thrilled to have her around, until she tries to jump up and lick her that is.

Kaden putting on the "cone of shame" last night.  He thought it was so cool, Miya doesn't.

After Kaden got home from school this afternoon and immediately him and Miya were running all over the house and back yard.  They have become the best of friends already.  He just loves her so much and she just adores his massive amounts of attention and energy. Kaden actually wore her out.

Miya after the kids were in bed.  She just loves her new toys and to play.

Our new family member

Since moving to Norfolk we've discussed getting a dog for the family.  Both Jay and I grew up with dogs and wanted the same for our kids.  Well we were reccommended the SPCA down in Virginia Beach as a great place for adopting a dog so we've been watching their website for any dog that may jump out at us.  Well last night one little puppy did just that so this afternoon we took a drive down there to see if she was up for adoption.

She was and we fell in love with her right there on the spot.  She is such a sweet puppy and we are so excited that we got to adopt her.  Let me introduce our newest family member.....

Smokey!!!!  She is a 4 month old black labrador retriever mix and has such a sweet personality.  We have adopted her and on Thursday she'll be coming home to live with us as a part of our family.  We have to wait for Thursday so that she can be spayed and get microchiped as part of her adoption.  We already love her and can't wait to have her home.  Even Annabelle loved her and she hasn't been around dogs much. 

We have arrived

We are now in Norfolk.  Boy has this move been long.  We got into VA yesterday but spent the day up in Waynesboro visiting with family, whom we really haven't seen in 6 years.  It was a really nice break from all of the driving.  We got the keys to our new place today and got to take a look around our new house.  It may be a bigger place sq feet wise, but room wise we've lost quite a bit.  No garage, very small storage areas and less counter space.  We honestly love our little place though.  We'll make due with what we've got, and that is what counts at this point.  So far we've seen where the Commisarry, Nex and our housing is located.  We think we've found Jay's base, there are just that many around here, for when he joins the Ike in December. 

It is so green here and the leaves are starting to change colors for fall, which has been wonderful to see since it has just been so long since either Jay or I saw the seasons change.  So far we are finding a lot about being here in Norfolk that we like.  I can't wait to spend this weekend exploring the area and finding my way around.  Apparently there is a really nice library just down the street from our new place so that is one of the top places on my list to check out, it's been so long since I've been in a library.  Sometime this next week our stuff will arrive and then we'll get our own net set up, staying at the navy lodge right now, then I'll post photos from this move.

Our amazing journey

First off for some strange reason technology suddenly hates us.  Our GPS, BRAND NEW, up and fried today while we were in the middle of Nebraska.  Luckily it's so new that they are replacing it for free and we've got Jay's phone as our back up for navigation.

So far our move is going smoothly.  We are half way through the country and will be in VA in two days.  Today though the blessings have come pouring down on us.  While on the road we got a call from the housing office in Norfolk to let us know they have 3 choices for us to pick from for our new place.  Only one was a 4 bedroom so that is what we picked.  When we got to our hotel later on, where I'm typing this, we pulled up the e-mail they sent us and looked at all of the photos, floor plan and surrounding area for the place and found that we LOVE IT.  It is either right on the base where Jay will work or smack next to it.  We'll have a yard, and there is a community pool.  The best part for us is the elementary school Kaden will attend.

The school has a 9 out of 10 rating and a 4 out of 5 stars from parents.  The awards they have recieved is incredible and they have a big program emphisising literature, big deal in this house.  Kaden will get to ride a bus, which he'll love, and we couldn't be more excited.  The Lord has truly been looking out for us during this move and it is showing in amazing ways.

Moving Time

Wow, the last little while has just flown by.  We are in count down mode for the move.  And by countdown I mean we're moving this weekend.  Movers come on Thursday and Friday to pack up the house and then we're off.  After 3 years of living here in San Diego we're moving cross country and starting a new adventure.  Are we nervous?  Sure, but we look at this as a fresh start and new adventure.  Neither of us have lived outside of the west so this will be new in so many ways.  I look forward to getting to meet more people and even some navy wives that I've gotten to know in the last year or so through my support sites that I've joined.  So here's to a new adventure coming our way.

Kindergarten

Yesterday was Kaden's first day of kindergarten and what a day it was.  This week the school day is cut short so that all kindergarteners can be assessed to see where they are at as a student.  Well yesterday after school Kaden got tested and the results just blew me (and Jay) away.  He tested in the top 5% of all kindergartners and is 2nd in his class for the test results.  We are just shocked with the results, and its all a good thing.  This morning Kaden's teacher told me that part of why he tested so high was because he can write his name and knew his numbers (beyond 10) and the alphabet.  With the alphabet he knows upper case and lower case as well as the phonics of the sounds that each letter can make.  This is such great news for us and gives us such high hopes for him to have one successful school year.