Thursday, January 17, 2013

Moving...

Moving is hard. Everyone says that and everyone is right. It is hard. Really hard. Do you know what else is hard? Moving when you're pregnant. I don't recommend doing it if you can help it. Pregnancy makes you grumpy and emotional and tired and sore. On the other hand, it does lend a fabulous excuse for being all those things, which you probably would be anyway BECAUSE...moving is HARD!

We have been here in Florida for about a month now. I wish I could say that it feels like home now. I will have to settle for saying that most of our boxes are unpacked and I can find Target, the grocery store, the zoo and the church building without using my GPS.

It's different here. For one thing, it's been 80 degrees outside...in January. It's actually kind of a time-warping thing. I totally forget that it's winter. Some of that might also be that my kids are still not in school. That's another story entirely, one we will just leave alone for now.

Another thing that's different is the wildlife. There are creatures everywhere. EVERYWHERE. This part is actually kinda cool. We have lizards on our back patio all the time. No, I'm serious...all the time. Not like we see lots of lizards, but like, I can go out on my patio and spot three lizards at any time. Lots of cranes too. We see them when we walk to get the mail, they stop traffic to cross the street (no joke ya'll). There are also gators swimming around. Interestingly enough, it's not as scary as I thought it would be. They aren't walking around my front yard or swinging from the trees like I pictured before we moved. You just see them swimming around sometimes in one of the fifty five thousand bodies of water in a three mile radius. Seriously, lots of water here. The scariest part of the gators is being married to Mike Ramsey who has an unquenchable compulsion to catch and play with dangerous animals.

The people here are wonderful. Everyone is friendly and welcoming...although they do have this thing with ignoring anything red. I can't tell you how many people I have seen blow through a stop sign or stop light as if it's not even there. Seriously. I might be nervous except that I drive the largest, most monstrous vehicle on the roads so their measly sports cars don't intimidate me. They'd bounce off like a flea. Florida drivers, you've been warned.

I'm still horribly homesick. I miss my familiar places. I REALLY miss my wonderful friends and my doctors. Oh my goodness, if you have great doctors, please don't take them for granted. In fact, after you read this blog, get off the computer and go write them a note and make them a plate of cookies and take it to them. They are worth their weight in gold and diamonds and chocolate. If you don't have good doctors, move to Richmond, VA because I have some great recommendations. Same with your teachers. Teachers and doctors...for real.

But challenges aside, we have had some really fun experiences in Florida. Actually being away from our social network has forced us to get out and really look for things to do as a family. It has brought us closer together and we have enjoyed this special time.

Some of the neat things we've done in Florida:
* We got an annual pass to the local zoo and have enjoyed a couple of trips there already.
* We went on a "river walk" along Lake Monroe. The highlight was the ducks. I love ducks.
* We went to the Blue Springs State Park and got to see the manatees and the gators. It was breathtaking.
* We went to the DeLand Reptile Center and got to watch them milk venomous snakes. It was actually super cool to watch.
* Gavin went "bungee jumping" at the mall. 6 out of the 7 of us thought this was fun to watch...I'll let you guess who the 1 freaked out one was.
* We went to Target. Target is cool no matter where you go. Period.

So that's been our adventure so far. We miss home but have felt such a remarkable peace from our Heavenly Father. We know this is where we are supposed to be and are thankful for the opportunities He has given us. We are looking forward to welcoming baby Ramsey here shortly and enjoying whatever Florida adventures might await us.






17 comments:

Richelle said...

love your blog post! And i totally feel your pain. we moved here to FL from WA about 2 years ago, I was 8mo pregnant with my second. I miss the mountains (and tax-free Portland, OR!!) terribly. I have a blog as well. Chelleybean.blogspot.com. I try to keep it updated, but it gets neglected a lot.

Jenny Ramsey said...

Yay for a new blogging buddy! :)

Jenny said...

What a great attitude you have. Moving can be tough and it usually takes time to feel at home & to feel like you know your way around. Sounds like you're on the fast track to that! Best of luck as you await the arrival of your sweet little one. His arrival will only make your experience in FL all the better! xo

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
crobl005 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

To talk the fact this is a pleasant post concerning this topic. I got an unadulterated solution from here. Also I can refer to you all www.bestessaywriting.org/essay_writing.php here to get educational helps. Yet will wait for more posts from the blogger. Thanks a lot…….

Anonymous said...

Excellent information, valuable and excellent design, as share good stuff with good ideas and concepts, lots of great information and http://www.hwsolvers.com/programming_project, both of which I need, thanks to offer such a helpful information here.

Unknown said...

In truth well-off content and exceptionally constructive information. I got it my resolution from here. I exceedingly propose his/her moving parts with the constructive edifying information. Thanks a lot.why is olive oil good for the skin

FORID said...

This is the first time I journeyed to this blog. actually this is awesome work with the blog. It is very great delight to get it as I got gigantic assists right here. I highly appreciate the bloggers workings and will hold up for more mail from the admin.thesis writing

FORID said...

I accept as factual you've made some actually intriguing points. Not too many people would actually accept as factual about this the way you just did. I'm actually leveraged that there's so much about this subject that's been uncovered and you did it so well, with so much class,merchant services

halum99 said...

I really find some new data. And the information is really new and helpful to understand about environment and lives. I am a expert work in business. Thanks for this pleasant blog.proofreading essays

Anonymous said...

This is the prime bit I actually have glimpsed you’re comfy and do favour to announce you – it's actually fastidious to glimpse and that i soak up your mighty paid work. although if you probably did it in a clear-cut manner that may be very pleasant. although over all I unquestionably proposed you and clear in your brain can gaze forward to additional mails like this. Thanks most. payday loans oceanside

Unknown said...

To launch by way of the first line of my affirmation – I do approximating to bestow a large-scale thanks to the blog rank. actually it is a large work by him and I found out a good help by his/her large facts and figures. I just covet to notify, great pleasure maintain it up your work. rarely I will double-check with you are posting and updating. Looking ahead to your more mails. cash advance Riverside

Unknown said...

Wow! I am glad after reading that post.Thanks for sharing this information! This is great and I enjoyed sharing with my children. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful.sell gift cards

Unknown said...

I effortlessly have a momentary look here and undergo satisfying to try to find out this periodical. Made content conceiving hand and actually cooperative world wide world wide world wide web position. I foresee most of we are inclined to joined nations bureau are to search for out these procedures of things, here we are proficient to recognise everything. I’m with the content esteem and do esteem him as a exactly supplier. Thanks for your efforts and you too…………….. auto title loans st. louis

Unknown said...

You won't parcel out one everything of curiosity by yourself principal day sum that includes u. s. OF AMERICA Tests paid. variety people perceive there ar a lot of another money firms easy auto title loans coronal choose to try to to business with, however all people created the actual “1st day sum Enchantment Free” provide you with for the rationale that the technique of desirous to acquire the esteem and additionally thanks an entire heap by yourself business.