And Here We Are!

Flowers still in bloom in December... A trip to get to know our new zoo... A new spot to chill out and watch some TV...

Kentucky Firsts!

Written by Heidi.
This is a list of "firsts" accomplished in our new house and elsewhere:

The first to lose a tooth: Dawson!!!

The first to barf (poor guy!): Davis!!!

The first to make a peanut butter sandwich: Heidi/Mom!!!

The first to place a tracheal stent at his work: Derek/Dad!!!

The first to poop on the floor: Duke! (Let's be clear here: Duke is a dog.)

The first to hack up a hairball: Larry (and Larry is a cat) :-)

The first animal to thoroughly inspect the food pantry: Thomas (our tuxedo cat)!!!

And I need to add here that I had help from the boys writing this post. They like the gross stuff and think it's funny. I am glad my "first" was not gross!

By Davis

Written by Davis. This is what I like about Louisville, Kentucky:

They have my favorite restaurant: Kentucky Fried Chicken. I know they are other places, but here they are cool!

I am excited about going to my new school. We start January 2nd.

I really like my new house. It's very big and I like my room, too.

Merry Christmas, Everybody!

By Dawson

Written by Dawson. This is what I think of Kentucky so far:


They have a lot of cool places to go to. For example, The Louisville Slugger Museum... because right now they have a Charlie Brown/Peanuts exhibit.

Things are very exciting. Like the The Louisville Zoo, which has tons of animals that the Blank Park Zoo did not have.

Our school and church are very cool, too. Our school also has church-like stuff. And our church has video games to browse while you are waiting for the service.

Can't wait to continue my life in Louisville!

The Sea of Boxes

Written by Heidi. (I hope to get the boys to post on here their thoughts and ideas sometime soon!)

Here are a few photos (that you may have already seen on Facebook) that shows the boys (including one furry one) surviving amidst the boxes! The movers arrived on schedule that Thursday (December 1st) and delivered our stuff in fine fashion. Our driver was the BEST! The crew that loaded us up in Des Moines was AWESOME! The crew that unloaded us here in Kentucky was... okay. I can't complain too much. They got the stuff into the house without destroying anything, but they were a little disorganized and not so keen on following instructions on where to put the boxes or which ones had "this end up" marked CLEARLY on them. Oh well. We would totally recommend Lint/United Van Lines to anyone.

We ate off of paper plates for a few more days. We slept on matresses with blankets and no sheets a couple of nights. We survived.

Derek started work on Wednesday. Thank goodness for DS games and the forethought of my husband to pack up the small flat-screen TV and a rabbit-ear antenna. We were able to tune in some digital stations and kept quite occupied. That evening my parents arrived and we were glad to have them here to visit and share with us the beginnings to our new home.

We visited them at their hotel across the river in Indiana! We had dinner (which was interesting... we ordered and then waited an hour for our food!) and then enjoyed a swim. It was a relaxing evening.

The next morning came and things were full-throttle at that point. Derek was off to work (he came back mid morning for a bit to see how things were going) and the movers were here to leave all the boxes!!! The boys really liked time with Nana and Poppy. The internet was hooked up that afternoon. And then the unloading began.

We were THRILLED that Derek was already busy seeing cases that first day! (Wednesday was more of an orientation.. Thursday he was on clinics!) He had two cases and came home very happy! Yay!

My mom and dad were on the road back home Friday... and I worked to get things into place in the kitchen first. We had service people come to reconstruct bunk beds and hook up appliances. And I even got the boys registered for school. We had to wait the weekend to see where they got assigned.

We were optimistic that the boys might get assigned to a school near us... but also knew that there might be a chance that would not happen. We had seen the six or so school buses every morning and afternoon that took the children of the neighborhood to schools all across the city. We had heard the stories about how you might live within a mile of your "resides" school, but then get bussed to another school across town... and spend up to an hour or so on the trip... one way. We were nervous, but hoping for the best.

Well, Monday came and we hadn't heard anything by about 10am. We wanted a heads-up so that we had time to get the boys supplies and the appropriate clothes for the required uniform standards of whichever school they got. I had had to list two schools near to us and two schools in another group that happened to be downtown Louisville and rank them. I called to get the news.The boys got assigned my last choice: a school a good 30 to 40 minute drive FOR ME (a bus would be longer) away. We were not happy. We decided to look into private schools and got a tour of one that Monday afternoon.

It was a school recommended to us by Derek's boss. His son went there and he and his wife were very happy with it. It would be only a 15 minute drive for me to take the boys. And that is where we stand now... in the middle of the application process. We are waiting to hear (after completing the boys' placement testing and a family interview with the principal) when/if the boys get to attend starting after the break.

Meanwhile, we hold "Nestor Elementary" as Mom (me) tries to keep the boys school-minded and in gear to head back to school. :-)

The sea of boxes was pretty much gone from the main living areas and bedrooms a week after their arrival. Derek got done with the garage yesterday. He was amazing getting this done and my car was able to park in the garage last night. (Some old appliances wait for Habitat for Humanity to come pick them up next week and this keeps Derek from parking his car in the garage, too.) Just need to get the boys on their schedule with school and we will be well settled in. It will be nice to enjoy Christmas with everything in place.

Finally!

Written by Heidi. Finally we got into our house (see photo above of the little guys who were very patient) and finally I am writing a post to say a little more about it!

To start a bit from the beginning... We drove to Louisville on Sunday, November 27. It was a pretty easy trip. The boys are fairly good in the car on trips anymore... and on this one they were in separate cars! In one vehicle was Mom (me), Davis and Duke. In the other was Dad (Derek), Dawson and both cats (Larry and Thomas). Along with each group were piles and piles of the extra stuff we wanted to bring with us. The movers were not unloading our furniture at our new house until Thursday. We wanted to be prepared with a few things while camping out in the house. The last couple of hours were driven in the dark and in the rain. It was nasty, but we thankfully made it without incident.

We expected our walk-through to be Monday, the 28th, at 10:15am and that actually happened as planned! We got so excited walking though the house! The people before us were super nice and had cleaned everything! The cabinets were dusted out, the carpets were cleaned, and not a cobweb was to be seen! The two things I was most excited about (the separate dinette area and walk-in pantry) were ready for us to move in and enjoy!

But we were waiting on the appraisal paperwork to be forwarded to the bank for all the final paperwork to be done. We waited and waited.

Our first night (Sunday, when we first got into town) was at a lovely Drury Inn and Suites. The downfall to this evening was that the dog was not thrilled about riding the elevator to the fifth floor. He was not too keen about the stairs, either. But it was just one night, so we made due with this. The cats had traveled surprisingly well. We did not have to sedate them at all and they seemed to be pretty normal. So normal, in fact, that they woke at 3am ready to eat and play. This is their regular routine... this is why we keep them in the basement of our house at night. :-)  So, out to the car they went at 3am... in the rain... in our jammies.

Monday, after checkout, was spent hanging out. Animals in the car and us at various places, but mostly at the Barnes and Noble (as referred to in a previous post). We didn't want to get tied into something like sight-seeing or taking in a movie, because we wanted to ready to go when the bank was ready to go with the closing! We wanted to get into the house!

But the paperwork never came. The bank said they were sorry, but that we had to get another hotel room for another night. The Drury Inn and Suites was booked. We found something at a Residence Inn that accepted pets... except that it was one of their premier rooms (cha-$$$-ching!). LUCKILY, the bank said that they would pay for the room... and we are still waiting for them to reimburse us!

The premier room was awesome!  We wished we had made the stay for the first night there! On the main level was a kitchen, dining table and living room area (with pull-out bed in the sofa) with a bedroom off of that with it's own bathroom. Up some stairs was a loft with another bedroom and it's own bathroom! This accommodated us very well! (And you see Larry enjoying the ledge of the loft in the photo. He felt like a king, I am sure, from there!)

We waited until the very last minute to check out from that hotel. We were comfortable there! And this extra night in a hotel was a blessing in disguise. While we were upset to not be in our house, at least we had had another night on a bed instead of sleeping on the floor in the new house! But we still hadn't heard anything about a scheduled time for our closing.

So, we waited and waited. Again, we were hoping Tuesday to be the day we took the boys to see The Muppets in the theater, but did not want to get tied down to anything should the closing pop up (ha ha ha!). We eventually did look around our end of town a bit.  We drove by where we thought the boys might go to school (ha ha ha!!! THIS is another story to be told later!!!) and we checked out some of the stores around that we might be shopping at. We heard NOTHING until 3pm and that is when we knew the closing would be at 5pm.

The closing went relatively fast and we were in possession of house keys and heading to our new home by 6:30pm. We were there for about 15 minutes and then went out to Red Robin for dinner. :-)

More soon...

Written by Heidi. Just had to post a photo if a recent purchase! I have always liked these, but here I can buy (and find) these anytime! Tee hee! Am I going off the deep/southern end? :-)

Our Afternoon

Written by Heidi. Well, we had hoped to already be in our new home by now... but there is a bit of a hang-up in paperwork. So, we are spending our time at a Barnes and Noble. Derek and I enjoying some Starbucks and the boys conquering level after level on their new DS games.

Duke, the dog, and Larry and Thomas kitties are doing as well as the boys! They are hanging in there patiently until we get to FINALLY start to settle into our new home.

We did a walk-through this morning and it looks great!!! Even with the rain here in Louisville, I am still seeing the bright potential of our new digs!

Boxes, boxes, and more boxes!

Written by Heidi. I believe the only members if the household who are enjoying the stacks and stacks of boxes are the cats! They have new places to hide, climb, and perch. They peek at the contents as you are packing and lay on and chew the corners of the packing paper.

We others (dog included) are having problems maneuvering through the tight paths. We lose our balance making fine turns in and around the jungle of cardboard. It really is a sight to see!

It is becoming difficult to deal with the fact that many things we search for can be answered with, "It's packed away." The moving day fast approaches, though. Thankfully memories are easily accessible.

Our God is BIG!

Written by Heidi. We really value the church we go to here in West Des Moines. We receive God's word here, worship here, serve here, and, to be honest, we have fun here. (Like our pastor always says - and we agree - there is no party like a Jesus party!) We have made connections here... even connections as intimate as our small group which really makes us feel blessed... here.

Moving, then, seemed a bit daunting and intimidating. There were a couple of times in the past where we considered moving and it was a bit overwhelming and quite scary.(Derek's two jobs here in Des Moines have been doozies... but that is a whole 'notha story!) We really worried about finding the right fit for us as far as a community, activities, friends, and a church.

This time seems different. Gone is the worrying about all things surrounding the move. (We are trying to keep in check the worrying about the transition from Derek's business here... again, a doozy of a situation.) But gone is the dread of trying to learn a new place, new faces and names, finding doctors and dentists... Gone is the sadness of leaving our church... here.

Then there was yesterday's church service. Our church is in the middle of a giving campaign. It is an exciting time here with the vision of our church aiming to become a 50/50 church. (Offerings then become divided 50/50... 50 percent going toward missions and 50 percent going toward ministries.) We are really feeling God leading this church to literally spread more exponentially the everlasting love of Jesus Christ and reach those who come to this church, or any church, and then those who have not yet heard the Good News. It is a joyful purpose that will become reality and that is truly very exciting!

So, we ponder where we fit in with this. We are here only through November. It's not like we are going to ignore what is happening here... in fact, the opposite is true. We will remain very interested and thrilled to continue to pray for the incredible things that will happen through the people of God's church here. We will help the boys fill their coin banks to help them do their part to support the spread of Jesus' love.

Then, there was this passage read in the service:
Matthew 28: 16-20 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him - but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these nerw disciples to obey the commands I have given to you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

As we look at Louisville, then, we see possibilites. I can honestly say that I don't feel like I am being called to some grand mission by going there... but I do feel excited. And I feel happy that we will be challenged to find the things God has in store for us there. This will include (and center upon) God and our family. That is how we based our decision to move, too... and it seems to be good stuff! (God lets us know that it will be!) We can really carry over the ethusiasm from this giving campaign and keep it in our lives for the place to come!

This is the Big Bat outside the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. It is nice to be able to park downtown and you can spot the bat a few blocks away so you know that you are in the area and can find your way there.

Here are the guys next to the bat about ready to go in.

This is God's world. We can worship Him, serve Him, and have community with

His people wherever we are.

He will be there with us... even to the end of the age.

Looking Forward

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 NLT)

 (This is Heidi writing this post... as I will probably be writing mosts of the posts here... but maybe the boys will chime in occasionally.) These verses were part of the daily Bible reading suggested for today by our church. I have to admit that my husband read it to me aloud as I was brushing my teeth this morning. Talk about God's timing... well, that hit me at the most perfect moment. My mind had started to wander into The Land of Thinking Everything Will Go Wrong. I am constantly amazed at when and where God really stops me and shows me He is present. I mean, this was definitley His doing, not mine. And His reminders are usually at times when I forget to include Him the most.

Anyway, looking forward... looking without worry... This morning, I dug out the pamphlets we collected from our hotel lobby from the trip Derek and I took to Louisville to explore. These pamphlets are enticing us and making us anxious to explore more when we get to Kentucky. Yeah, it will be winter and the boys will have to start school right away, but isn't some of the most fun in life looking forward to something?

I am a big fan of polar bears and excited that the zoo there has them. Davis is intrigued by Dinosaur World and has a cautious curiosity about the caves. Dawson wants to see the enormous bat in front of the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Derek wants to get to know all the golf courses! (I guess, the boys want that, too!)

We will also be so close to other cities that we can learn more about... perhaps on a day trip or simple overnight on the weekend: Cincinnatti, Nashville, Indianapolis... St. Louis even becomes a little closer to us, I think.

And Derek even read in the newspaper this morning that the drive back to Des Moines is only 10 hours... visiting back here won't be impossible, either. So... no more worrying that I will miss things too much. (I will just have to get used to driving that once in a while.)

We're Moving!

Written by Heidi. On September 23, 2011 Derek accepted a position at Louisville Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Services (http://www.lvses.com/) in Kentucky. He will also work one day a week in Lexington at Blue Pearl Specialty and Emergency Medicine (http://www.bluepearlvet.com/). We are looking forward to him having a place to work where he can concentrate on practicing internal medicine along with many other specialists in a positive environment! He will also have the time off on a regular basis to get back to enjoying family time!

Heidi is looking forward to a bit warmer climate and tall trees in the hills of Kentucky! She will miss her beloved Iowa and the Hawkeyes... but thankful for the Big Ten Network! She will also long for her friends... but hopes they will all visit sometime (we will have a guest room ready!) and she will get back to Iowa as much as she can. (It is driveable!)

Dawson looks forward to the beautiful golf courses and getting started on the juniors circuit down there. Davis wants to tour the Kentucky Fried Chicken museum. Both boys also want to try and go to the Kentucky Derby! We will see how expensive tickets are for that! They both have also figured out who will be driving in what car for the move down there (regarding what pets and people go where in the vehicles). We think that half of the fun might be the road trip down!

This blog is our journal of the time from now and all our experiences leading up to and during the move. We hope to continue it afterwards to report on what we learn about our new home in Kentucky and keep in touch with family and friends. Hope to see you here!