July 2nd, Mom, Nick and I drove to Stanford to get the keys to our place while the kids played with Grammy, Poppy, Uncle Grant, Sam, Auntie Eliana and Hailey. We had a laundry list of things to take care of, including ID cards, parking passes, meeting with the military coordinator and getting into our new place. We squeezed in lunch and the incredible Califa Cafe in the Town and Country shopping center just a mile down the road. I could hardly believe that this place is now home.
The next morning, with the kids in Mom's care, Dad, Jamie and JP joined Nick and I at the storage unit to get our rental truck and start loading up belongings. We only had 8 hours with the truck (and a limited number of miles) so we jetted to the Grammy and Poppy's house to load up remaining items and reshuffle the load in their garage. We made it out to Stanford in good time to begin unloading the truck into our family "dorm." At first sight, Nick and I were a little jarred by the size. Cognitively, we knew it would be small, but then standing in it was a different story.
Luckily, we were very discriminatory as far as what of our belongings made the cut. We took the fourth of July off to spend the time with family, and so Sunday we were back to work unpacking with Mom, Kris and JP's help.
Nick began classes on July 6th, and started "drinking from the fire hose" with a heavy load of classes. Getting back into the school mode has been very overwhelming for Nick, and, admittedly for me, too. The first couple weeks were tough. Living in very tight quarters with the kids, getting set-up and trying to learn our new surroundings with a temperamental 3 year old (in particular) was tear-inducing. Our first full day here, we were in desperate need of food and things like a microwave and a garbage can. I made the grave mistake of taking them all to Walmart much too close to lunch time and paid for it dearly with atrocious tantrums.
The first few weeks, the kids and I came back to the east bay to spend weekends with family while Nick was studying. It was a welcome break, even though we missed Nick so much. It was reminiscent from my own college days, and how wonderful it was to escape the dorms (but this time with my four kids.) We had to get our snuggles in with Molly and Darla, too, who have been living large at Mimi and Papa's house. They aren't allowed in the apartment, and even if we were to pull the "therapy dog" card that some people do, they would be a flight risk that is way, way, way more than I can handle. I am so very grateful to my parents for their help this year with our fur babies.
It didn't take long for us to meet our amazing neighbors! The apartments are configured in a circle around a "courtyard" with a large grassy area, mature trees, and a sandy play area, with a walking path around the perimeter. The set-up lends itself to a great sense of community. We share a wall with another family in the same program as Nick. Dave and Bridie are from Australia, with a 4 year old daughter, Imogen and 1 year old son, Jude. The kiddos became fast friends, and so did we adults. With the summer ending, more families have returned and the kids' group of friends is growing. It is such a joy to watch the kids playing with new friends.
We have met families from all over the world. I am in awe of all the people and the stories that have brought them here. The administration has done an incredible job including families in activities so that we can get to know one another. There have been TGIF gatherings, BBQs, cultural celebrations such as "Japan Day," "Singapore Day" and playdates for the kids.
Almost two months into living here at Stanford, we are so happy. We are settled and grateful to be where we are. Nick is thoroughly enjoying his program and the people that he's met in it. The kids and I have found our groove and are so thankful for the new people that have come into our lives. The apartment, while small, is so very convenient to everything. Nick rides his bike to class, it's a three minute drive to Emmy's school and I have every store I could wish to have within 10 minutes of our place. The courtyard play space is amazing, and I've even been able to start running again around the trail early in the morning before Nick and the kids wake up. I feel so at peace.
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| We drove out to Stanford the day after we got into town (before Nick left to go back to Tennessee) to scout it out. |
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| These babies were smoked. |
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| Never, ever, thought I'd see my face on one of these. :-P |
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| Just after we got the keys! |
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| Daddy's first day of school! |
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| Emmy pouting over God knows what, James tried to help the situation. |
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| Playtime with Imogen. |
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| Our front door... |
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| The girls' room! All clean! |
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| The twins' room! |
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| Our one and only bathroom. Emmy and Hannah have both told me repeatedly that they miss our three potties in Tennessee (and all of their friends, of course.) |
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| The master! |
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| The living room. |
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Daddy's solution to walking with four kids to the bike shop to repair a flat tire.
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| All day, every day. |
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| We paid a visit to the Gustafson family! |
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Oh my, we have logged so many hours at the play area already!
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James and Jude
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My only complaint, aside from the one bathroom, is the parking situation. We have a little walk to the parking lot and it is such a source of anxiety, especially since James takes off running the moment the door is opened and Hannah is rarely ready to leave with the rest of us since she packs multiple changes of clothes for even quick trips to the store.
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| I have the hardest time keeping the kids near...The very sound of their friends' voices beyond the gate sends them into an excited frenzy. |
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| We found Emmy's school! |
