In the Beginning

Another week and we are getting into a routine. I have drunk more hot drinks in the last few weeks than probably all of last year! We went to a local church this Sunday in Jacksonville. Its location is within a new housing development that apparently provided resistance for several years even though the church owned the land prior to the new development. Gavin went to Sunday school while Ethan crawled up one side and down the other in the main church. We still have a few others we would like to attend but that of course will take some time.

Every chance I get I try to learn more about the area through the people such Linda and Mark who run Whites Country Farm, which is a small produce store selling organics to the local community, or Linda who works at Gary West which sells wine, cheeses, and their world famous jerky, or even Jackie who works at Olive Garden with her new husband as a server, or Janine who manages the storage unit. All of them have a story and it usually involves family in one form or another.

On Saturday we went on a tour of one of the local hospitals. It was very nice and very professional. During the tour the nurse said that the FBI is now suggesting that new parents refrain from putting those large wooden storks in their front yard or making announcements in the newspaper so as not to attract attention. DeeAnn and I also suggest that you buy your diapers from a discrete online retailer that ships in plain unmarked packaging. Or when out in public place your newborn in a standard briefcase or large handbag but if caught in public with your newborn in plain view and a stranger asks how old they are you simply look around and deny that the child is yours until you can make a safe escape. So much for small towns. HAHA

Well the first casualty was the battery on the VW as the temps have been in the teens this last week and it finally took the last bit of energy it had stored. Funny thing is that with the cold in SoCal perhaps I still would have had a problem. Locals say this cold temp is very unusual and it is normally just around 31 degrees. The boys are learning the bundling up process to go out side, gloves, fleece jackets, fuzzy hats and then off we go. Gavin now refers to Ethan as “marshmallow” when bundled up. Well about time to sign off, we have a busy week ahead and we need out rest.

Rich, DeeAnn, Gavin and Ethan, and baby (only 4 weeks left)