What we are learning about ths area

What we love about the house is that it is so quiet at night!

Our development is surrounded by natural land so I guess you see lots of wildlife. So far we have only seen rabbits but last night we actually heard the coyotes howling. It was a cool sound to hear.

Also there are wild Javelinas that run around sometimes. I have yet to spot any but I keep searching.

They look like this:



I hope White Dog doesn't try and confront one up close!

Settling In

Things are starting to feel a bit more normal around here as I make my way around the new house and town. Our new carpet has been installed and the furniture was delievered the other day. It's been fun decorating and setting everything up. Now the visitors can arrive!

We have already had a neighborhood friend over to play and the boys are learning that the playroom is a great place to spend their time.

Today was our second meet up with a local Moms club group. I was excited yet nervous all at the same time. I could see from the evite that there would be about 25 people attending. Driving there I felt like a kid on the first day of school. So.very.nervous. But within 2 minutes I knew that I would fit in and felt welcome. There were a ton of kids at this girls' home (thank god she had a huge house) and I immediately lost Tyler as he ran outside to jump with the older kids on the trampoline. One thing I love about that kid is that he is not shy. He will run right up to any kid and start playing with them. I hope that doesn't change. Maybe he will make a good HR Director someday. I met several moms who are California transplants and it was comforting to know that they love this area. It was also nice to get advice about local shops, restaurants, inside scoop on schools, what pediatricians to see (or avoid). I look forward to attending more functions with this group of ladies.

What I learned from my state-to-state move.

#1) When Uhaul says their largest truck (a 26 footer) will be big enough for a 3 bedroom home, they really do mean just the stuff in those 3 bedrooms nothing else.



Yes all 3 vehicles were filled with our stuff. TLC called and they want to feature me on the show: Hoarders Buried Alive.

#2) Thanks to my brother I now know what a Trucker Bomb is. No it's not a shot you order from a bartender in Vegas. Those bottles of iced tea or orange soda on the side or the highway are NOT REALLY iced tea or orange soda. It's urine. Did you know urine changes color the longer it sits in the sun?



#3) The photo-enforced cameras in Prescott Valley really DO work. And that is all I will say about that.

Boxes & Boxes Oh My!

This is what my house feels like right now.

No it's NOT really my house but I am done with this crap everywhere and not being able to locate anything.

The house is empty tonight except for the boxes and just a bed frame and mattress set. Everything is broken down and awaiting loading in the Uhaul first thing tomorrow morning.

My heart is heavy tonight. I have a huge lump in my throat and the tears are welling. The boys said goodbye to their neighborhood friends last night and it was a hard scene to witness. Lots of tears and hugs from the all the kids on our block. Surprised me as just days before they fought like wild animals over the stupidest sh**!

Tonight is my last night sleeping in this house. I can recall thinking 8 years ago on our very first night in this house thinking how much room we had and that it seemed like we could never possibly have enough items to fill it up. Well 8 years later, 2 kids and a dog- it has been done. We have run out of room. So many wonderful memories in this home.

Goodbye Colucci home, you were loved!

Oh By the way, the air conditioning is about to go, the carpet should be replaced, the dishwasher only works half the time, ants always come out of the woodwork when it gets above 89, Tyler's door needs to be replaced and the upstairs bedrooms heat up like a freakin' sauna in the summer!

Goodbye & Hello

What I will miss:

My favorite local coffee shop.

Knowing where everything is at the supermarket.

Going to the pool in February.

Taking T to school and joking with the kids about the same set of dogs we always see or listening to D say "pack pack" meaning he wants to drive by the Alpaca Farm.

Getting off our freeway exit and watching the kids faces light up because we will soon drive by Temecula's famous Duck Pond.

Having some of CA's best vineyards in my backyard (well not really but less than 2 miles away).

Looking out my upstairs window and seeing if my best bud is home. Sometimes even yelling out the window to catch up on girl-stuff. I know the neighbors enjoy that!

Our 4th of July cul-de-sac block parties. We set up all the junk in the middle of the street, fire up the BBQ's, kids have their water wars and we walk up to the top of the hill to watch the coolest fireworks display in Riverside County.

Being so close to our family members. Right now I can easily hop in the car and call up either a set of Grandparents, a Great Grandma, a Great Uncle, my Brother and Sis: and say I will see you in about an hour.

Every.single.memory. we have in this house.

What I am looking forward to:

Finding out where all the cool places are to shop.

Meeting new friends.

Hopping on my road bike and exploring unridden territory.

Finding my new favorite coffee shop (thank you Brian & Maddy you could have possibly found it for me).

Watching my boys run through the house for the very first time with wide eyes about how much space we will now have.

Setting up their new rooms.

Watching the boys and White Dog explore the creek below our house. Hearing what cool "treasures" they may find.

The smile and relief on Paul's face at the end of his first trip, knowing its because he was able to DRIVE home.

The bazillion new memories we will make in our new home.