Life with the Grimme's: A week ago today...

It's officially been 1 week since our truck arrived at our new home and the unpacking began. My mom and step dad arrived the next day and the serious unpacking, putting together, errand running began. It was a blessing having them here to entertain the boys almost all day every day. It gave us much needed uninterrupted time to try and get things a little more settled, and it made the first week a little less lonely!! A few things we love about where we ended up... a park in the neighborhood. Along with 2 ponds, a dog park and a library within walking distance. Not to mention the world's best grocery store that is like a combination of the food and restaurant like atmosphere from Whole Foods, pharmacy and toiletries of Target, ease and simplicity of Harris Teeter, and the prices of Kroger. Such a simple thing to be excited about, I do realize...but seeing as I spend a large portion of my time revolving around food and groceries and hungry boys, it's rather delightful.

The weather has strangely resembled the unpredictability of North Carolina, as it was 54 and sunny on Monday while today we woke up to 4 inches of snow. Billy started his new job this week and our family left. It has definitely been more quiet around here but we are getting into a new "normal." Like staying in our pajamas until 10 am.... or 3 pm.... or until bedtime when I put a new pair on the sweet child who is still in his pajamas at bedtime....

A few things I've learned so far in this process and life in general here in Buffalo Grove:
-Everything takes longer. As in at least an hour longer. A quick run to the grocery store is not quick. A quick trip to Ikea that is 25 minutes away ends up being a 4 hour trip. Running into Target? More like a stroll in the park.
-When you are browsing rentals in which you plan to reside, always look at light fixtures. And washer/dryer connections. We were a bit surprised to find that not a single room in this house has an overhead light fixture. AFTER we arrived of course. We were even more surprised to find that our electric dryer did not work in gas-run house. And even MORE surprised to find out it would be close to a $1500 fix to either buy a GAS dryer equivalent or have the house wired to accommodate our electric dryer.
-If you think you will need 1 or 2 pairs of clothes per person during a move, add an extra 2. Or 4. Or wash every article of clothing before you leave. Because the movers *might* drill a hole in your washing machine. And all the Lowes within a 30 mile radius *might* be out of stock on the washer and dryers you want. And it *might* take more than a week to get your new ones delivered and installed. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything........... (DO YALL KNOW HOW MUCH LAUNDRY THIS FAMILY PRODUCES IN 9 DAYS?!)
-Always ask...
In aforementioned scenario when your washing machine might get completely damaged, and the claims department of the moving company offers to replace the unit they damaged... it is worth asking them to replace the entire set. After all doing laundry in 5 year apart machines that don't match would be a travesty. You might be pleasantly surprised that they will indeed buy you an entire new set.
-Then when at Lowes and you are looking for your new [paid in full by said moving company] set to wash the ungodly amount of dirty clothes piling up in the house, and they are out of stock, why not ask them to match the price from the less expensive ones that aren't in stock on the $500 more expensive ones that ARE in stock. You might again be pleasantly surprised that they will accommodate your request. Even when those are too out of stock. But hey, you just got a brand new washer and dryer for free, worth twice as much as your current machines, and completely eliminating the gas/electric dryer problem. Thank you, Lord.

All in all it's been a pretty good week, though I cannot believe it's only been a week. We are thankful for the area in which we live and our house, though dainty and little yard, is quite cozy and homey already.

And here are a few pictures just because.