I know you guys want to hear about the new house, and see pictures, and all that good stuff. But because of all the moving-day craziness (being locked out, the previous tenants leaving stuff here including their very sweet cat, etc.) I didn’t get to take the photos I’d envisioned taking. [Edited to add: Yes, the previous tenants did come get their stuff and their cat that same day. It all ended about as well as that situation possibly could have.] The photos I got aren’t inspiring me very much. Honestly, you might not get to see many photos till after Brenda has the house whipped into shape in a couple of weeks.

The good news is, you’ll get to see photos in a couple of weeks instead of in six to eight months. Usually when we move our goal is to be completely unpacked by the following Christmas, but next week Brenda (and Bug) are coming to visit and help us unpack! I’m very excited about it, which is a first for me. I hate unpacking. I get overwhelmed trying to think of where I want everything to go, so I do nothing. Well, not nothing. I unpack and organize the kitchen right away, and then I stall on the rest of the house.

Given all that, you can see why it was SO COMPLETELY AWESOME when Brenda house-sat for us a couple of years ago and asked if we minded if she unpacked a few boxes while she was there, and then went and unpacked and organized the entire house for us. I told her that I would fly her to all our future homes if she wanted to help us unpack them all, and she enthusiastically accepted. That is why she gets free birthday cakes for life, people. Well, that and being one of my best friends. You know what I mean.

I’m sorry you won’t be seeing pictures of the house just yet. I’m sure I’ll get some of the “before” photos up on Flickr eventually, so keep an eye on my Flickr stream. Meanwhile, here’s a conversation that took place this morning as we were driving around trying to find a McD’s with a PlayLand:

“I guess there’s an election tomorrow.”

“On a Wednesday? Where did you hear that?”

I pointed at the election signs clustered on the median. “It says ‘Vote March 2nd’ on those signs right there.”

“That’s today. Which makes sense, because it’s Tuesday.”

“Oh. Oh! In that case, happy anniversary!”

Troy laughed. “Uh, happy anniversary to you too!”

Annalie piped up from the backseat. “What anniversary? What are you talking about?” I explained that it was the fourteenth anniversary of the day we got married. “Oh. Uh, Mom?”

“What, sweetie?”

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t get to buy you and Daddy an anniversary present.”

“Aw, thanks, but that’s okay. It’s been kinda crazy with all the moving and stuff, hasn’t it?” Annalie agreed. I winked at Troy and said, “Besides, I’m sure Daddy has a fabulous anniversary surprise for me. I can’t wait to see what it is.”

Without missing a beat, Troy said, “What do you mean? Isn’t the 14th anniversary the McDonald’s anniversary?”

Happy anniversary, Troy! Fourteen years, eight moves, six states, one Canadian province, two years of grad school, three cats, six years of parenthood, and countless remote controls…and you’re still the one who makes me laugh. Thank God for that!

p.s. New banner! What do you think?

We found a place! We think.

We’re about 95% sure that we’ll get it. We filled out the rental application forms and dropped them and the requisite checks off at the rental agency, and have been assured that everything looks good. We should find out for sure tomorrow, and hope to sign a lease then. I’ve done this too many times to get cocky about it though. No pictures or detailed descriptions of anything till our names are on that lease. I am just as eager to show you photos as you are to see them, believe me, but I don’t want to get all attached to a house only to have it not work out.

I’ve been updating my Twitter and Facebook accounts frequently about our travels and the moving process, in case you aren’t already following me. If I don’t know your real name and you want to friend me on Facebook, please just send me a message letting me know you read my blog and what name you comment under so I don’t think you’re a random stranger who wants to stalk me.

Thanks again for all wishes-upon-a-star, prayers, and crossed fingers on our behalf!

Annalie and I made it safely to Omaha. We dropped our bags off at my parents’ house and then took pizza over to my brother’s so we could meet my niece, who is adorable and a champion sleeper—she didn’t wake up once during the hour we were there even though we were passing her around and taking photos. Now my mom is reading a bedtime story to Annalie while my dad drives me slightly nuts by changing the TV channel every 13 seconds during the commercials and their crazy cat meows at me for sitting in her spot on the loveseat.

I’ll be checking in again soon, but for now I think I’m gonna go to bed early and enjoy my vacation. Peace! (And Happy Hanukkah!)