Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Mountainland.

No TV stand yet...

Our backyard with a garden area separate in the back.

Here is our home. We are renting it until we find a place to buy. This area is amazing. Right up against the mountains, up high on a hill, close to everything we need.

What a huge change. HUGE. The first night in our lovely little place our heater broke. Turned off. Never to turn back on no matter what we did. We froze. And Jake had to work the next morning. So the girls and I made phone calls starting very early until we had someone out by 11a.m. By then it was 55 degrees in our house. That is so far beyond cold for an indoor temperature. We were all in shock, huddled on the couch, with layers on, and a comforter on top. And the girls were nuts, asking me a million times if they could go outside and play in the snow. I'm like well that confirms it, none of you think clearly.

Problem fixed, we moved on to weekend chores and unpacking. I woke up each morning to massive mountains. Massive. I had forgotten how huge. We took a drive, drinking in our new surroundings, getting our bearings. We've never lived in this particular area so everything is new. I could have kissed the young mexican boy at Cafe Rio who handed me my first Veggie Salad With Shredded Lettuce And Everything On It.

Grace has moved on from the Lakeland crowd and onto the Utah boys. Apparently she is going to marry Evan from her class. He comes up to her cheek. She says he's a little small but very nice and plays Alvin the Chipmunks the Squeakquel on the playground with her and her new friends. I drop her off in the morning (curse the bitter cold that makes Lillie cry when it touches her warm morning hands) and she gallops off to form a line with the rest of her first grade class. She adapts so well.

When Lillie was born it took Ruby a few days to have the desire to hold her. She then fell in love and came into her big sister title in her own time. Same with our move. Wasn't happy with the change, missing Reef and Nana, didn't like the cold, etc. But today as she and Grace were outside playing in the snow, riding scooters around the driveway (it was in the 40s!) eating leftover Iceberg ice cream with two spoons (nuts I tell you), she proudly exclaimed that she LOVED THE SNOW. And she was VERY HAPPY! And I smiled back at her. What a little thing.

Jake and I are both really happy here. It's where we met and fell in love. It's where we started our family. It's where we feel the most at home. I have some dear friends that live here and I hope to meet more people as we settle in. I feel lucky to have a little house to tuck my family into, lucky to have a car to drive, lucky to live in another great place, lucky to have so many people who care for us.

Lucky to have eaten that root beer float a minute ago. In case you were wondering, 23-week baby girl Smylie in utero is growing just fine. And she loves root beer.

21 comments:

Kristie said...

It's good to read that you all made it safe and sound.

What a view you have. Those mountains look spectacular. The weather would be a little bit of a culture shock but I'm sure you'll all adjust very quickly.

Amy and Sean said...

So happy to hear everything is going so well...minus the broken heater, of course! We miss you!

Jenni of the Great Salt Lake said...

Sarah, where are you? Come to my house and lay on the couch. . . I will take care of you.

I have always tried hard to see the magical properties of snow. It can be difficult sometimes.

Megan said...

Welcome Home. Let's get together when you get settled.

Leanne said...

I'm so happy for you. I miss you like crazy but I know I'll come visit soon! Glad you guys are settling in-- go eat another Cafe Rio salad for me!!

Naomi said...

Everytime I go down to utah, the mountains seem bigger than they did the last time I went down! Your little rent-a-house looks cute! Cant wait to see it in person tomorrow!
Naomi

Lillie said...

I'm seriously wishing you moved there like one month ago while we were there for Christmas. Glad you made it all safe and sound. Hey--- do you have any interest in that photocamp utah?

Latisha said...

We're jealous of your mountains and snow! So glad you're settling in well.

Melissa said...

Wow, I bet that is a BIG change! Glad you are all there safe and sound! Stay warm! Glad you're back to the blogging world!

Lindsey said...

Yay!! Glad you made it safe!

Raelyn said...

So happy that you made it safely! Beautiful, it is!
Glad everyone is settling in!
Mainly, so happy you are back at a computer! :) I was missing your blog!

Jennifer said...

Glad to see you guys made it. It looks beautiful. I LOVE the mountains...especially with the snow.

Jodi said...

Sounds fabulous and I am so glad the girls are adapting well! Enjoy the weather for me, although it has been quite chilly here the past few weeks.

Danyel said...

We miss you...Aidan still cant believe that Grace doesn't live around the corner anymore. We went for a walk and were nearing your house and he said "mommy I cant go by there... it makes me to sad"
So glad you guys are so happy!!!
Danyel

Laurel said...

so happy to know we are in the same state. I shall begin my drive up and down the Wasatch Front looking for your house.

i'm a stalker like that.

lindseyj said...

Let's meet at Cafe Rio next week :) Deal?

Carrie and Jeff said...

I'm excited you're back in Utah. Hopefully I'll see ya around.

Josh, Kim & Kids said...

Welcome Home! Don't forget that you have lots of family close by who love you dearly. We should get the kids together one day...
Sorry about the heater, we went through that just last November but I don't think it was nearly as cold.

jakenapril said...

i'm sitting here listening to jack johnson's 'upside down' and am imagining that you probably feel a little like that.
glad you're back...where the mountains are at your back.
now, where are you so we can meet up for a veggie salad? i'm up in davis county, but am always looking for an(other) excuse to visit friends, wherever they may be! :)

Diana said...

Glad you got here safe. Happy unpacking. Happy the girls are adjusting....Yay for Cafe Rio!!Eat a salad for me too!! Haven't had one of those since we left St. George in 2000. Thanks for the photos....love the mountains. Quite beautiful.

Missy said...

What? I'm loving it. It seems so natural to see you guys back in Utah. I have a feeling this will lead to some great posts -- all those seasons changing and your photography + writing skills.

Gorgeous. Hope the heat stays on for you! That sounds just frigid.