So maybe the road trip wasn’t exactly what I’d envisioned….ions of blissful one on one fellowship time with my husband as we sojourned across America’s countryside with our three happy children cooing and chortling in the background. Our first day of driving lasted approximately 14 hours and we made it to the friendly Best Western in Albuquerque. Unfortunately our children were too wired and we were too tired to enjoy the hotel swimming pool or our beds. It must have been far past midnight when at last we all fell asleep.

At the morning Aria feeding, I secured the hotel blinds, rearranged toddlers and we all continued sleeping well into the morning. When Joel woke up, he announced very happily that we had reached our “New Home.” (How thankful I was that we were not living out the next season of our lives at the Albuquerque Best Western!!) By the time we reloaded, refueled and made it to Cracker Barrel “breakfast” at noon, I was about ready to pass out. I don’t do well without breakfast. We had a short day of about five hours to make it to David’s hospitable friends, the Giedds, in Colorado Springs. We enjoyed two and a half delightful days with friends in Colorado. We went to church with the Giedds. Mandy and I were fast friends. The next day was spent with the Harvey’s rowing, mowing, hamocking, riding in a chic sports car at thrilling but slightly illegal speeds, and playing fuseball. David got his first experience on a riding mower and looked like a natural. I enjoyed meeting Rebecca, Mike’s wife and all the Harvey clan. It was a fun visit. Danny and Terah entertained us the last bit of our time in Colorado. Danny even took the day off of work and spoke Donald Duck to our rather grumpy children before we set out on our last leg of the journey. We left Danny’s early afternoon and drove til well past dark through Kansas. We were crushed to miss out on all that Kansas scenery. We arrived at Hotel 6 where they left the light on for us. The next day we made it to the Indianapolis Training Center listening to a Grisham tale from Cracker Barrel’s stash of audio tapes. I agonized over whether to wear shorts and a t-shirt or meet the ITC standard–sort of.  We identified our photos on the EQUIP wall and were amazed to see that there have been nearly twenty Equip classes since we were there! It was super weird sleeping at the ITC with a boy in my room, let alone our three children. We noticed Indy has made their breakfast menu slightly more healthy since we’d been there last with no fake bacon. Mr. and Mrs. Gergany greeted us warmly and we got to meet two of their granddaughters also. We left late morning the last day of our road trip. I think I might have won the prize for most impatient to be done driving! I more or less begged to take a turn at the wheel and be free of nursing, reading, and spanking duty in the middle seat. When Taco Bell toppled from one of the back car seats and I lost the battle to keep any semblance of cleanness in our little van or to get food in the little urchins, it nearly did me in.  One of the last movies we watched in San Diego was Supersize Me. It was a good flick to watch before a road trip. We managed the entire trip soda, chips and fries-free! Our last stop we tanked up on a very make-shift dinner consisting predominantly of sugar in various forms. Never have I been so thrilled to round the rolling hills leading to Libertytown! My brothers, sisters and parents formed our enthusiastic welcoming committee.

It was Thursday when we arrived in Libertytown. Our belongings were supposed to land that weekend or Monday, but our expectations were off by over a week. It wasn’t until the following Monday that the moving van pulled in to our new home. What a home it is! I feel so unworthy of God’s rich blessings on our lives. We now live in a safe haven for family members and friends. Our home is down a half mile long driveway off of Liberty Road, surrounded by 8 1/2 acres of beautiful green grass that we don’t have to mow! and nestled in by trees. Somewhere beyond us are cows that we can hear moaning pittifully if they are neglected and not milked on schedule. We have a lovely porch and deck that connects to the capacious master bedroom. David estimated that three and a half of his bedrooms growing up would fit in our master bedroom. The master bath is a room in itself with a whirlpool and double doors! Aria sleeps in our walk-in closet. Wood floors and nine foot ceilings are throughout the house. There’s a fireplace and an enormous beautiful kitchen. There’s also a laundry room. The appliances are all so nice. I can scarcely believe this home stood empty for roughly two years before they posted it on Craig’s list just when David was looking and for rent the same price as a two-bedroom appartment in town.

We’ve been enjoying our first week moved in. David’s parents and the Browns were in the DC area for a conference and we enjoyed spending part of the weekend with them. Our things are nearly all in their places and it’s feeling like a very regal version of home! My mom made phone calls and lined up all sorts of unpacking help the day we moved in. The kids are getting back on schedule.

This afternoon I’m off to pick apples at a nearby orchard with my mom, sisters and a few friends. I’m happy to can applesause for the first time for my own little family. David’s work is falling into place. He met with his employer to discuss particulars this morning.  Uncle Steve preached an encouraging sermon from Joshua on scripture meditation and staying in the word this past Sunday. It was timely encouragement for me to go beyond just reading by trying to also read good books, study the Bible, memorize passages and meditate on scripture. David and I also are eager to train our children well. While Joel loves to sing the Christian songs he knows, his religion seems to be Thomas the Train more than anything. It’ll happen though! Joel and Chalice are good little mirrors into our lives as they parrot the things they hear us saying. It’s so fun being back in touch with so many dear friends, though we do miss our loved ones in San Diego!