Feb 23: First Austin update

Hi friends, Good morning.

First Day of School for Ava
It's Monday, just took Ava to her first day of Texas Kindergarten (a.k.a Colorado First Grade. ha!) It was hard because she was a little sad. But I left with overall good feelings. They are VERY much ahead of her school in Glenwood but I know she'll catch up. The kids in her class are very bright and seem very, very sweet. The teacher, Ms.Goulet (Brett's choice when he visited the school in Jan.) sat her by a really sweet girl named Ellie, who Ms. Goulet said was very helpful and kind. She is now in all day Kindergarten, so she brought her new Hello Kitty lunch bag with a lovingly made kid-lunch. : ) The whole way home from taking her, I prayed God would help her catch up, give her teacher the grace and patience she'll need, for new friends, protection, etc. It will be hard for her at first, but better later as she'll learn more from such a great school. I'll keep you posted on her progress.

Choices!
We have enjoyed our vast array of choices for everything....groceries, eating out, computer parts. I could go on. We've had some great food out as we re-stock the kitchen and unpack millions of boxes. Greek food, BBQ, Pei Wei (my favorite), Schlotzsky's, Chick-Fil-A, Joe's Crab Shack....all these are (no joke) within minutes of our home. Brett found a computer parts store (Discount Electronics) for his web cam, etc that is almost 50% off reg prices. I've been to 6 different grocery stores (half of them natural type stores). Last night I went to Whole Foods (which started in Austin) alone....walked up and down the aisles for 1 1/2 hours. It was sheer bliss....so much so I'm considering having my ashes scattered there when I die. : ) They had Organic choices for almost all produce! Can you tell I'm excited??? Until my garden gets going, it'll be my home away from home.

House
Amazing backyard...kids are in heaven. Brett put together their little tykes play gym (a big plastic type...thanks to Tina!). They are either digging or running around all day long. The house has enough storage for our tons and tons of stuff (though we still have many boxes to unpack). It is very comfy and nice. We really love it. The neighborhood is GREAT. Nice brick houses, lots of mature trees. Living on a cul-de-sac is also great. The location is nice....lots of shopping close but not too close (Target, Costco, mall within 10 minutes). The backyard and home have lots of room for house church for sure. Also, a big garden which I am itching to get going. (Unpacking unfortunately takes precedence)

Kids
Ava and Lily are flourishing....loving the yard, their room. No complaints from them. Josh is having a bit of a hard time though I think it is his age. I remember visiting relatives when the girls were his age and dealing with the same issues. He is not his usual super-happy self but more clingy and whiney at times. Still somewhat happy but has to have mama in a 2 foot radius at all times (which makes unpacking very difficult). : ) I know he'll bounce back, we're praying for our little man to be happy and secure in his new home. Emmett, poor Emmett, we discovered last night that he has FLEAS! Brett, the avid internet researcher he is, already found the proper treatment....we're on that today! Other than fleas, he's happy too...loving the yard and looking slim and trim already. : )

Grown-ups
Tiff ventured out to dinner with some girls last week (one friend from College and some of her friends). Wow! Great food with some VERY fashionable Christian moms. Ava and Lily would have been impressed...like grown up Fancy Nancies....dangly stone earrings, hats, long patterned coats, high boots, high heels. It's exciting to be back in Texas where gals dress up...I need to re-think my wardrobe for sure. : ) Brett has been on some solo BMX rides (he misses his BMX buddies for sure). He's also been like our own Geek Squad getting the computer ramped up. We've been watching movies at night. Basic cable here in lame....we are about to add more channels this week. We've also been praying...kind of like "OK...we're here God. What now?" We're praying for Him to order our days with how He'd have us use our time, set up divine appointments with those we need to meet. We're tired of unpacking and ready to get to it! Pray we can finish our home and get our House Church going.

Parting thoughts
It is good to be here, but we really miss our Glenwood community. Starting over is tough but exciting. It is sooooo good to see the kids flourishing in this environment. We love you and miss you. I still am resisting the lure of Facebook, so these emails updates will keep coming. : )

In Christ, Tiff