Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

One year ago today we pulled into the driveway of our new home. And one year ago today I wanted nothing more than to pull out of our driveway and move back home. The Home as in “where the heart is,” because I feel like I left my heart on the West Coast, and it’s been difficult to feel comfortable here in North Carolina ever since. At first I wasn’t trying, I was only complaining… about the insects, the weather, how far away everything was, the lack of thrift stores and parks…really, I was complaining about everything. A girlfriend of mine told me to “just give it a year.” Well, it’s been 1 year, exactly.

I certainly don’t love it here, but I am liking it much more than I did 12 months ago.

I actually sat down with the kids today. “Okay guys, we’ve lived in North Carolina for 1 year, I want you to tell me everything you love about it here.” They all looked at me puzzled. I continued, “pretend someone is about to move to NC, what good things would you tell them about it here?” More bewildered looks. Then Jefferson says, “Can we just say what we ‘hate’ about NC?”  

“No, from now on we are only going to talk about the things we like.” (maybe my negativity has rubbed off on them)

Then Jefferson says, “Well, I do like it here, but I just can’t think of anything that makes it ‘better’ than California or Oregon.”

So true.

Anyways, all 3 kids put their heads together and came up with this list. (this small list).
1. We have friends
2. We have good schools
3. The rain is warm and we can play outside in our bathing suits... unless there is lightening and then we have to come inside

That's what they have, after contemplating for about 10 minutes. I know there's more they like, but it's hot and humid, school is out, and our brains aren't functioning up to par.

The fact is... we're liking it. In a different way. Different because there is nothing that can compare to CA or OR. Other than say... Italy, but we're not headed there any time soon.

I thought perhaps it's time I show you pictures of my house, since it has been a year already.....

Mi Casa,

 

The boys, on the front steps. No, we're not going inside. At least not today. I was not in the mood to clean my entire house. I guess I could take pictures of it actually lived in and realistic... but right now I want to live under the façade of having a perfectly clean home. We'll go inside later, right now I'll just bore you with outside pictures.

 

 

Our view from the front door. We live in the most beautiful neighborhood, just saying. I love it!

 

Part of our backyard (the grassy side)

 

The other part of our yard (the pine straw side), and my garden in the corner that has overgrown into the Amazon.... I swear, my tomato plant is taller than Shawn!

 

Well, that is our home. Yes, our home as is in "where the heart is."

To get into the mood of loving this area even more, I created my NC/East Coast bucket list.
Some things have already been completed, and some things I haven't added on yet. But don't you worry, I will keep you fully updated.

Cape Hatteras
Chimney Rock
Craggy Gardens
Hanging Rock State Park
Lake James State Park
Stone Mountain State Park
Roanoke Island
Monticello
USS North Carolina
Kitty Hawk
Biltmore Estate
Sliding Rock
NC Aquarium
Lowes Motor Speedway
Blue Ridge Parkway
Wright Brothers National Memorial
NC Pickle Festival in Mt. Olive
NC Zoo
Carowinds Amusement park
ZipQuest
Aloha Safari Zoo
Orton Plantation
Myrtle Beach
Cape Canaveral
Savannah, GA
Charleston, SC
Washington DC (which has an entire bucket list of it's own)
Church History (which also has a bucket list of it's own)
Disney World (if we have money left after everything above)
 

And by the way, I am promising to update this sucker with some real blog posts... some really juicy ones, with pictures of actual people (instead of trees), and events (instead of my boring thoughts). Really, this isn't an empty promise this time.