four days, over a thousand miles, and not enough sleep!

Well, we did it. We rented a small pull behind U-haul. That in and of itself isn't really that impressive. Actually, none of it is impressive, kind of depressing actually. We picked it up Thursday am, and by one oclock it was loaded with all the things a guy needs to make a temporary home:

• Loveseat- check


• Card table to act as a dinette- check


• four folding metal chairs to compliment table- check


• mattress- check


• computer- duh! check


• folding table to act as desk- check


• armoire- check


• tv- check


• xbox 360-duh! check


• dvd player- check


• towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, etc.- check

Ok...i won't go on.....well not with that at least. We get the uhaul loaded. The house cleaned. And we wait for the kids to come home. I don't think the little boys understood what was going on. Drew asked why he couldn't take all his toys with him. I think he thought we were all moving.

The big kids get home from school, and off we go! We get to around Bowling Green, Kentucky before we stop for the night. Next morning, up and at them! Oh, and did I mention it is COLD...not chilly, not brisk....but COLD! We get in the truck and head on the road. We stopped at a McDonalds near Mammoth Caves to get some "breakfast". (Have I ever mentioned that I HATE McD's breakfast food?) I would have loved to have gone to the caves, but we had places to go, people to see.....on we go! Blake drove the entire way, as he didn't trust me to drive pulling the U-haul. I can't say I blame him. We did notice on this trip a LARGE number of dead deer along the road. Not a good travel season for deer........

Anyway, so we arrive in Ohio around 12, get the kids some lunch and then go to meet our future landlords at the house we are renting for 6 months. House is a house...nothing spectacular. It does sit on the 4th hole of a golf course. However, when it is 14 degrees (feels like 6 with the windchill), you could care less what is outside the house. The kids explored, we talked to the landlords (nice people, chattier than i am....and that says something), took care of the paperwork, and got to work. It took us less than 30 minutes to unload the U-haul. Jonathon was a big help. it was SO cold no one wanted to be outside for long. Then we set out to wait for Mr. Time Warner Cable Man. Our time window was "a technician will arrive at your home sometime between 3 and 6 pm. They will call you 30 minutes prior to arrival." So at 5:45 when we hadn't gotten our arrival call, we called them. Still coming we are told! Great....hurry up man, we have stuff to DO!

He shows, does the stuff he has to do. Hands Blake the remote control........................can you say DVR? I think we have a new best friend. Pretty cool. I can see an addiction coming.

Cable guy leaves and we are off to take the dang Uhaul back so we can drive around without the Chinese Dragon effect. You know the ones in the parades that keep going and twisting and curving and seem to never end....Yeah, that is an excursion pulling a uhaul. Seriously, a few rules: Dont pull out infront of anyone and Don't make any quick turns......We find the Kwick Mart, return the uhaul, and we are free. Next stop....WALMART for some necessities. Moe's for some....burritos and queso, ofcourse! YUMMIE! So that was Friday.

Saturday consisted of a trip to Target (I had to check out the potential shopping), a stop at an actual Aldi's so the kids can see who dad works for, and a drive around the area looking for the church. Apparently google map's directions were a little off....but we found it eventually.

Sunday, we get to sleep in! YEAH!!!! No church until 1pm. I like that. Church was nice. Seems to be a friendly ward. We only stay for sacrament, so we can head to Springfield early. We stay in a country inn and suites so we can drop blake off in the morning. We get applebees to go, and watch The Game Plan with the kids. It was lots of fun. We really had a great time, but I would get a little weepy when it would hit me we were leaving in the morning. I am not going to like this separation thing.

Monday morning, we get up, eat the hotels breakfast, and take dad to Aldi's regional office. Turns out Google maps directions were a little off again. We almost made dad late for his first day, wouldn't that have been pleasant. We say our goodbyes, give kisses, and start our journey home.

The drive went well. We got home in 10 hours exactly. So, if we do the drive from our house to our house (isn't that confusing?), door to door, it should be 8 1/2 hours including stops. Not too bad.

I guess that is it for now. I am falling asleep, so I'd assume you readers are too!