All About our Move (and many other random thoughts)

I'm finally getting a little time to blog and write an overdue post about our experience moving out here- it's been a whirlwind and I sure don't want to forget all the details, so here we go-

Before I say anything, I just have to give a shout-out to all that helped us pack up and move. My mom and sister both took a few days out of their busy schedules the weeks before we moved to come help me. Rob's brother's family (Chad & Jill & girls) came the Saturday before we moved and were so much help to us! The day we moved out we had tons of ward members, friends, and family all there to help.  My amazing visiting teachers stayed late and cleaned my whole upstairs. Thanks to all of the ward, Chad, Damon, Mitch, Dad, Devanie, Hayley, the YM boys, and so many of our other neighbors! We obviously couldn't have done it without you!

We stayed at my parents house on Wednesday to celebrate Halloween and to find out that I had pneumonia. That is so like my body to get something the day before a huge event. I felt pretty awful, but was quickly given a Z-pack, inhaler, and a shot in the behind. I felt pretty yucky for several days and I'm still getting over the cough, but all is well and we got through it.

Thursday, the 1st of November, we took off on the 12-hour drive to our new place in California. Robert and my dad drove the moving truck and Mom, Hannah (my sis), Drake, and I left about an hour after and drove our car. We made it to Reno that day and stayed there overnight due to the possibility of snow problems over Donner Pass. My mom was amazing to drive most of the way and let me rest.

(Park Valley, somewhere in the mountains, one of our several McD's stops, Donner Pass, Lincoln where Hunter is serving his mission right now, and Welcome to California!)

Sweet little boy who did great in the car-

Friday, we woke up and finished our drive off. We arrived at our new house around 2:30pm. 

We immediately fell in love with the house we are renting! (We will look to buy in a year or so when we know the area better and our contract is up) It's spacious, updated, and comfortable inside. And the backyard is incredible! The backyard faces the 16th hole of a golf course so it's the most amazing view looking out our big kitchen windows. It makes the yard feel huge. The yard itself is beautiful too and our rent includes a gardener fee so we don't have to do any yard work- Yipee!  

After we'd done a walk-through of the house, I opened one kitchen cabinet and gagged. So, I immediately rolled up my sleeves, grabbed the Clorox, and got to work cleaning! (Mom & I tackled the bathrooms another day) I think my number one dislike about moving is having to move into someone else's filth. And the worst about this move is that we moved into a house that was previously rented by fraternity boys! They were evicted and we heard it was just a disaster when they left. I still think the cleaning people could have done a better job on the kitchen and bathrooms, but the rest of the house looked great and I was thankful for that.

Luckily, to our rescue came the heroic Hunsaker Family (the other one of many)- Rob's brother, Mikal, sister-in-law Jenn, and our niece Claire. They were so gracious to give up their Friday to help us move in. We had the truck unloaded by about 5pm with the help of two men from the Elder's Quorum in our ward- we sure appreciated them! And I don't want Mom & Dad to think I've forgotten them. They were obviously here the whole time, helping with everything and making my life so much easier. :) The next few hours were spent cleaning that nasty kitchen from top to bottom, putting beds together, organizing chaos, and starting to unpack. A couple of hours of that and we were all so exhausted and hungry that we headed to Chili's for dinner. 

A blurry picture of the move-in crew at Chili's after an exhausting day-

The next several days were spent organizing the mess that was our house. I don't know what I would have done without my mom here. I know I would have had a complete mental breakdown! I struggle a lot with anxiety when I'm put in situations like this where everything around me is a disaster and I have so much to do. I had a few stressed-out, frustrated, crying breakdowns, and I'm so glad my mom was here to tame them. Seriously, love ya madre! Dad had to work part of the time that he was here, but he was also a ginormous help in setting up my washer and dryer and helping Rob with little projects. Hannah was the best babysitter ever of Drake! I'm just so thankful that they were willing to give up so much of their time to help us move here.

Hannah playing with Drake in the backyard-

Before church on Sunday-

Mom, Dad, and Hannah went to church with us on Sunday, helped me that day and Monday and then left on Monday night. I drove them to the Oakland airport and that goodbye was heartbreaking. Definitely one of the times in my life that I've cried the hardest. It didn't help that I decided to stop by Ikea on my way home. It was my first time driving in California, it was dark, and my Garmin took me onto a very questionable street in Oakland. Scary enough that at a stoplight, I reached around and hand-locked all of my doors. When I finally got to Ikea, I realized that the store was nothing I expected. This was my first time going there and I was confused and disoriented (Um...hello! Have you been to one of these stores? What's with the crazy layout!) In the end, I got through it all, left with a pretty new bookshelf, and as I drove home, I felt an overall sense of peace and contentment between the tears over saying goodbye to my family.

I'd like to write a bit about this. For months now as we were planning this huge move, most of my prayers were just constant pleas to my Heavenly Father to please let my heart feel at peace with the whole situation and praying that I would be strong and calm through the whole ordeal. The week before we moved, Rob & I were able to attend a session in the new Brigham City Temple. In the temple, I had an epiphany. I was saying my same prayer for peace and comfort over the move, when I suddenly stopped myself and realized that this thing I had been praying and hoping for had already been granted to me over and over again and I just hadn't realized it. I thought about the amount of time I'd spent crying over the move and realized I hadn't really spend any time crying over it. I realized that when I was with my family or doing something that I would miss in Utah and I started to feel sad, in the next instant that sadness would be replaced with excitement and gratitude for the experience of moving. It was quite amazing to realize that I had been given peace and comfort and my prayers had been being answered. I have felt this same inner peace throughout the move and throughout being here. It's really been a neat experience for me and I know that Heavenly Father is aware of me and my struggles and is there to help me through my hard times. 

Attending church for the first and second time in our new ward has been a surprisingly wonderful experience! I can't believe the welcome we've received. Everyone has been so kind, friendly, and excited to have us in their ward. I had several girls around my age ask for my number and invite me to a playgroup that takes place every Tuesday. We went yesterday and were once again greeted with open arms and had a great time. Another couple invited us over to hang out on Sunday and I've received phone calls from other sisters calling to check on me. The Relief Society President in our ward is outstanding- she's checked on me and brought me dinner. Kind of funny story- When she brought dinner over she asked how I was doing now that my Mom was gone (she had left a few days prior). Well, I had been doing just fine, but for some reason, whether it be the maternal presence in the room, the kind gesture of her bringing dinner, or some inner feelings that I needed to get out, I immediately burst into tears when she asked me that question. Rob just kind of looked at me, like "are you ok?" Then, I started laughing because I truly did not know where those emotions had come from. She was sweet to comfort me. The whole new ward experience has sure made me realize that I need to do the same for others when they move into a new place. You forget how scary and uncomfortable it is to move unless you're in the middle of it. I hope I can remember this and return the favor to others someday.  

We have met a few of our neighbors, including a great retired couple across the street that are smitten over Drake. They are very excited to have a family in this house instead of 4 frat boys. Across the street from us is a darling park, pool, and school. This location is incredible and I'm not sure Rob is going to get me to leave this new house- I love it! Guess we may be renting for awhile! ;)

We've been greeted with kindness by so many people! My cousin Michelle and her husband Chris live just 10-15 minutes away in Santa Rosa (I'm thrilled about this!). They showed up with a welcoming gift (Diet Coke, dish soap, and pretty purple plant) and really made my day! We went to dinner altogether while my parents were here.
 

Another package that showed up was this gigantic gift basket full of goodies from Rob's co-workers with a note "Welcome to California! Congratulations on your new house!" It meant so much to us!

A few days after my parents left, Michelle was so sweet to get me out of my house. She picked Drake and I up and drove us around Santa Rosa to get to know the area. We drove around, went to the mall, got lunch, and then she helped me tackle Drake in Target where I had lots to get for the house. I really appreciated her taking me under her wing and I am so excited to spend more time with her! (Hopefully, we didn't scare you away with Drake's constant tantrums that day!)

Many have asked how Drake is handling this transition. He was doing quite well, but he has recently been through a very dramatic and emotional experience as his Mom & Dad took his binki away. He's almost three and we were going to try to get rid of it in the summer, but then with Rob moving to California before us, we decided to wait until we moved out here. For weeks and weeks, we've talked with him about throwing it away in California and he could get a new bike. Well, after a few days of being here, he kept asking and asking about throwing away his binki so we decided to go through with it. Yeah....it was definitely way too early after the move. I'm about to go CRAZY! The problem is throwing his binki away (even if it was his idea) has led to him no longer sleeping well at night and no longer taking naps during the day. He just can't soothe himself to sleep like he could with his binki. It's sure been a battle, but we aren't about to turn back now, so we are just pushing through. One thing is for sure, I don't like the "no-nap" thing. He needs a nap and I NEED him to have a nap. Argh!!! Hopefully, we'll get it figured out. On the optimistic side, he loves and adores his NEW BIKE and he looks so darn cute on it with his little helmet. He's always pleading with us to take him on a "bike ride". 

Here we are at the park across from our house on a bike ride after a particularly hard day without a nap. We had both had it with each other and I decided we needed to get away from unpacking and get some fresh air. It was gorgeous outside and we had the greatest time together. The fresh air cleared my head and made me realize that I needed to spend more time with Drake because he is going through a lot right now too.

This move made it possible for us to finally purchase our first pieces of furniture as a married couple- So Much Fun!! I've been on a hunt for a king-size bedspread and found the perfect one at Bed Bath & Beyond. For $230, it included the bedspread, pillow shams, and bedskirt- a pretty penny, but better than most prices I'd found online for a similar look. I applied for a 20% coupon and planned to come back a few days later when the coupon was sent to me. I got the coupon and went back to the store, I raced back to the bedding aisle hoping it was still there. It was! And guess what else was there? A giant sign reading "Clearance...on sale for $99" I looked around and it was the ONLY bedspread on Clearance. I truly and most sincerely started tearing up. I couldn't believe it. Such a small, strange thing, but I felt like the blessings of heaven were pouring down upon me. I told the guy checking me out about it and he responded "You must be one lucky person!" I know for a fact, that it wasn't "luck" that the only bedspread on sale was the one I wanted. I walked out of there with a $230 bedspread for $80 with my 20% coupon. Rock star day!!! (I just had to tell this story for my memory)

I'm really falling in love with California and especially Rohnert Park where I live. It's so beautiful here! It's warm in the 60's during the day and cool at night. It gets really dry in the summer here and then the fall/winter brings the rain. We have come at the right time because it's raining somewhat frequently and everything is going from brown to the brightest green. The other day, I went on a mid-day drive trying to get Drake to fall asleep in the car for a nap. The road I was on overlooked the valley. Everything was green and vibrant and there were huge, mature trees growing everywhere. I felt so happy in that moment to see such beauty around me. 

I woke up one morning and it was misting outside. I'd never seen or felt that. It wasn't raining, just misting. It was really cool! I looked out my kitchen windows at the golf course that was filled with fog. It was beautifully eery and I had to grab my camera for a picture. It didn't capture all the fog, but you get the gist. 

View from our backyard-

Overall, I feel like things are going really well. Yesterday, I unloaded my very last box. Everything is unpacked and organized and now I'll move onto decorating the house. I've been waiting for my nursing license to transfer from UT to CA and just got word today that I've been issued a California license so I spent the morning applying for jobs. I'm hoping to get the Labor & Delivery per diem position that I just applied for- we'll see what happens. :) Rob is happy to be back at work and to finally have his family here with him. It's so great to be together as a family! (even though our other family is so far away- boo!) 

Lunch date with Daddy-

On the left- "Mom, I'm going to sit here and wait for Daddy to get home and SHOOT him!"

On the right- Whip cream fight at dinner!

Everything is going great and the only thing I'm feeling bummed about today is the fact that I am absolutely NOT in the holiday spirit. It feels like summer to me because of the weather and I can't believe Christmas is a month away. I think I'm going to put my Christmas tree up this week to help with this! This is my favorite time of year and I'm not about to let this GORGEOUS California weather get in the way of that. haha! :) 

If you are still reading, I'm highly impressed. Thanks for listening to my rambling thoughts. We will keep the updates coming! 

Love, 

The Hunsaker Family in sunny CA!