Life in Arkansas, Day 7...

So we're settling into our new version of normal. All in all, I can't complain too much about the transition, really. The kids have really done very well settling into the new house, which I think it largely due to the fact that we have a house as opposed to the originally planned apartment. We only went one day without childcare, and the kids are enjoying their new (temporary) babysitter, Arianna. We did a decent job of packing, with the exception of really underplanning on the toys that we might need to hold us over for a week. Brad ended up going to Target and getting some new puzzles, a set of Megablocks, and some books so the kids would have a bit more to do than the arts and crafts and handful of Polly Pockets I brought along.

I'm adjusting to life in the office. I really miss seeing the kids, but I think with the exception of Lyla, they're fairly ok with the situation. Sweet Lyla wants to cling to me quite a bit more now that I'm going to the office for the day, which obviously makes me very sad. But this office shuts down MUCH earlier than the Chicago office used to when I was there, and my commute is about 7 minutes. So it's very easy to get home at a reasonable hour and that has given us time to jet to the pool as soon as I get home and give the kids a nice swim to end the day. Brad and I were at the edge of the pool last night and both turned and looked at each other at the same time and he said, "Not a bad way to end the day, huh?" As often happens (I think this is really common after 10 years of marriage and more together...), we were both thinking the exactly the same thing at the same time. It's a good sign for when we move into our new houses, which will make swimming even easier since it's in the yard and doesn't require a drive to the clubhouse down the street. From a job standpoint, I'm relieved to finally be in Arkansas after months of feeling like I couldn't really do the job as well as I should be doing it from Massachusetts.

Our minivan arrives tomorrow morning off the car carrier (yay! I miss that thing SO much!) and our moving van is in the state. Humboldt is dropping off our shipment for temporary housing tomorrow morning (another YAY!) and the close on the new house is still on track for July 30th. So all in all - things are good!