First full week in Borger!

It doesn't seem like it has been a full week since we got in our van and moving truck to head this way, but here we are a week later and now at home in our new house in Borger Tx!

So - for the basic recap of the past week, here goes! Friday and Saturday nights were spent at the Holiday Inn Express. We were so thankful to not have to worry about beds or anything for the first few days. Saturday we had a lot of wonderful people waiting at our home to unload - and they got it done quick! Sunday was wonderful and full of meeting new people as well as seeing others that we had met on previous visits.

Monday and Tuesday Joel spent the day at the church getting oriented to where things are, keys, office space, etc. My focus was unpacking/cleaning/getting the house organized! By Wednesday the majority of the house was unpacked and the kids and I as well as Joel were ready for some fun - so it was off to Amarillo to do some shopping for a few things we needed around the house! Wednesday night, was prayer meeting and for Hannah and Malachi - their first night of Youth Group. It was a fun time and they got to know even more of the kids!

Yesterday - after spending the morning working on the last bit of unpacking the kids and I headed for the Community Pool! It was a welcome treat in this 104 degree weather! Last night, Joel and I had the opportunity to go to the home of some of the Children's Workers for a bit and visit about what is working/not working and brainstorm! Then today was a work day at the house for me and the church for Joel finished with a fun family night at home tonight - we had pizza, snowcones, played Apples to Apples Bible Edition and watched the original Karate Kid! So fun to just be together as a family!!!

The biggest challenge of the week - getting the natural gas turned on so that we could have a stove to cook and HOT WATER to take showers! Apparently there was no shut off valve on the water heater and so the gas company wouldn't turn on the gas until that was repaired - so it wasn't til today that we could have gas on! However - we did take advantage of the Rec Center and were able to take showers there a few times this week and thanks to our handy dandy Microwave we had some creative meals! Ha ha ha!

However - as of tonight the bulk of the packing is done with the exception of books, gas is on and running well, we have almost caught up on laundry and finally feel semi-normal in our house here! I think all 6 of us are ready to settle into some semblance of routine and normal for the remainder of the summer and to really start developing relationships and ministering here. The kids have really done great at being outgoing and meeting new friends - I am so thankful for this! Joel has had the opportunity to not only meet church members but even met a new doctor that is in the process of moving here as well! Thanks to our dog Beauty being curious and running to the neighbor - I had the opportunity to meet our next door neighbors and their new little puppy Dixie...

The big task for next week is enrolling the kids in school! I will confess that I am the one nervous about that but I also know the Lord has already chosen teachers, schedules, therapists, etc for us and it will all work out. Hannah and Malachi are really no big deal as far as registering as they are not in any resource classes or anything. Kestra will have to be in a resource room for help in reading and math but for the most part should be fine. Tyler on the other hand will have to be set up not only for resource but also for speech and occupational therapy. Thankfully the team in Bayfield did a GREAT job of making sure I have everything in terms of documentation and testing that we should need! However - prayers would be really appreciated for a smooth transition both for the kids and for me into a new school district.

Many have wondered if I am going to work or not. The simple answer is probably in some form but we aren't exactly sure what that will look like at this point. I am possibly going to try and continue to work for my Dad from here to some extent depending on how the logistics work out. I am also considering either subbing or perhaps working a part or full time job. Although we can pay bills with Joel's income - we are really determined to work on getting out of debt within the next year so that we can potentially buy a house. My working either part or full time would definitely be a help to this. The other side of this is that at least for the first part of school - there will probably be some meetings, transitions, etc that I need to be available for with the kids; thus our decision for me to not worry about a permanent job right away. Please be in prayer for that as well - that we will make the right choice one way or the other.

Well with that - I think I am headed to bed since it is now 11:00 here and I have a busy morning helping Joel get ready for Sunday tomorrow...