Saturday, January 25, 2014

Finding the new normal...

We are settling in a little and exploring out a little further.  We spent a lot of this past week putting all of our furniture together and getting things organized.

We found the cutest little quaint coffee shop in the shopping center by our house and although it was very expensive, it was fun to visit!










The mall across the street from our apartment...very thankful for so much around us in walking distance!

Karis found the school supply aisle and was THRILLED!!!  She was on cloud nine!

Walking back to our apartment...

Karis' first new friend...although language was a barrier, it didn't keep the girls from playing for THREE hours and have played almost every day since.  She lives right across the hall from us and has a brother B's age!

The view of the city outside from one of our 2 balconies....

Waiting ALL day trying to get our residencies...


I hosted my first tea in my home with national ladies and I was so excited!  Hoping for lots more to come!

The kids spent some of their Christmas money and bought new roller blades.  Lucy bought a baby instead but enjoyed wearing brother's for a few.

The things you do without a car...push this cart with a tv from the mall all the way home.  Yes we got lots of stares and yes we returned the cart.

My Father is teaching me so much about relying on Him...


Just a sneak peek of our new home...more pics to come when it is all finished.  It is a constant work in progress...hoping to finish soon!


More grocery shopping...adventures!

New friends we met at the park...we call them the "Karis posse!"

We are loving our new home!

Saturday, January 18, 2014

A week of transition

We all arrived to our new home in one piece and retrieved all of our luggage.  We received LOTS of stares with all of our bags but we discovered quickly that was the new norm for us.  

We did so much in our first week despite the serious jet lag.  The kids did great actually except fighting off wanting to wake up at 2 or 3 a.m. for a couple of days.

Our first week consisted of trying to get our apartment set up as fast as we could so that we could figure out the new "normal" and get in a routine.  We tried lots of new foods....


Had lots of chai of course which even the kids loved and embraced...



We also spent a whole 16 hour day (10) hours in IKEA looking for furniture for our apartment.  Having sold everything before we left, we had to purchase all new things for our home.  I had never been to IKEA before and have always wanted to so I got quite the dose all at one time.



These little helpers were so sweet and cooperative during our long day...

Here are some panoramics of our apartment before we bought furniture.  Furnished pictures will come in a few weeks when we finish doing everything.








Our first little family meeting in our new place...so glad to have a place to call our own!

Our first meal thanks to a friend...lasagna!


We got out and explored the city and our neighborhood...



Getting new phones...

Feeding the birds...






Waiting for the bus rides...


Of course we had to visit the new playgrounds near our house...








Brayden was pumped to find there is a b-bal court right outside of our apartment building...

We visited several grocery stores that are within walking distance from our house and discovered new foods that we love...


The first week was great and so far we love it here.  Ready to get settled in!