Where we are now!

A lot has changed since Bella’s first day of school (see previous blog entry). For starters Bella is no longer in school, but let me back up and tell the entire story.

On October 2nd my boss called me into her office. Turns out that there was a need for an engineer in Cincinnati Ohio at my level, starting in a few months, December or later. I was identified as someone who might be able to fill this position (by the way incase you, the reader, haven’t figured it out, this is Nick telling the story). So I told my boss that I would be ok with the transfer if they really needed me. She said I should consult with my wife about it before I made a decision. By the way, I knew my wife would be ok with it, and sure enough, she was.

Then on October 6th (aka Rowan’s Birthday) my boss called me into her office again. She said, pack your bags you are going to Cincy (that is what the locals call it) tomorrow! I fainted, then got up and said, ok. So the next day I was in Cincy. It was just an interview type trip to see the Cincy crew and have them evaluate me.

So I return home a few days later and that is the end of that. I didn’t hear anything back for a few weeks so I figured they found someone else. Which was totally ok with me, I didn’t want to go through the hassle of moving my family to Ohio. Then all of a sudden they called and said they wanted me up there by Nov 1st, about two weeks away. Again I fainted. They eventually changed the start date to Dec 1st which was good.

So we spent a very busy month getting ready to move. The home repairs, cleaning, and packing were interrupted by a week long visit to Cincy to find a place to live and other various problems, mostly sickness. We did get to have a great Thanksgiving feast on Sunday before we left. My sister hosted and the entire family was there (except for my brother, who will get worked into this story somehow…).

On November 21st the U-Haul was packed up, then more on the 22nd, and then more on the 23rd. We the drove to Atlanta and stayed the night at my brothers (told you I would work him in). We then drove some more on the 24th, finally arriving in Cincy. We actually live in one of the many townships that surround Cincy. We live in Mason, which is north-east of Cincy.

So here we are; snow living people in the great north. Bella had to be pulled out of school, family and friends left behind, home had to prepped, callings released, phone shut off, and the other multitude of things that happen during a move.

We are all settled in and learning how to cope the north. The second week up here, it snowed! On the following Saturday I cleaned the cars and had the Windex freeze on the windshield. We haven’t made many friends yet, but we have met some wonderfully nice people at church. One family invited us for thanksgiving; which was super awesome because (per the above) we had just moved in and had no groceries or other Thanksgiving plans.

Right now the story is that I will be there temporarily for six months. Originally they said it would be a year to 18 months. It may be extended after six months, but right now I should be back home in Jacksonville in June. We will see!

That’s all I have to say about that.

Bels first week of school!

It went off without a hitch. She was excited to go everyday. We were never late. Whoo hoo! That'll probably never happen again. She had fun!!! And I cleaned! I actually kept up with the house pretty good. Ask Nic if you don't believe me! Speaking of , he was great this week too. Ecspecially since he got the kids all day on saturday so I could go to the temple. I have one awesome husband. (If you see the rotten husband anywhere don't tell him I said that.):)hehe

And this week looks like it'll be great too! booya monday!

First Day of School!

Well it finally happened, our baby started school. It is hard to believe she is old enough to go but she is. Bella is in Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) at a local Baptist School. She is in a class with about 20 kids, two of which are in her Primary class at church.

So the first day of school comes and goes with no problems. Our shy Bella went right into class with no crying or fussing. Normally she cries and fusses when she goes into her Primary class on Sunday's. So it started good.

Later that evening I asked Bella how school was and she went through all the activities she did: playing, coloring, reading, etc. Later that night (I was still excited)so I asked her more about school, trying to get some more details.

So there we were, just the two of us and she is telling me of her day, and she turns to me and puts on those huge puppy eyes. She said she was on the playground and she wanted one of the other children to see-saw with her, but she wouldn't. Her bottom lip quivered and she turned up the puppy eyes and just melted my heart. I then had the fun of trying to explain to her about playing and not taking it personally, making friends, etc.

Quite a first day! Second was more of the same, I will know tonight about the third. Hopefully Peg will be posting some pics soon!

Cool Truck

So a while back I went to a tool store to get some tools for one of the many home improvement projects going on. I took Bella and Rowan with me, so Peg could sleep in. We get to the store (which is a little mom and pop type tool place with great deals) and get out of the car. Bella hopes out one side, and closes the door; I help Rowan out the other side and let him shut the door. We then start walking up to the store. I check at the door to make sure I am being followed by all my little ones, and notice that Rowan is missing.

I walk back to the car and find him on the other side of the car staring at the parking lot. I asked him what was up; he pointed and said "Cool truck!". I didn't even know his vocabulary was that good. I look and there is a big home-modified raised truck with a few spots of bondo. I guess this is what a 2 year old thinks is cool in a truck. He does love cars and the “cool truck” kept his attention.

Now days when we drive by construction he loves to look at the big construction trucks and comment. And he loves to point out “cool trucks” when we are driving.

Babysitting

Just wanted to blog about this small snipet of conversation with Bel. Yesterday I had to have some dental work done and since my mom hasn't seen my kids in awhile I thought it would be great that she watch them.

So Bel and Ro are in the back yard playing in the dirt and I tell them to come in.

"Come on, we have to go get ready to go get nana." I tell them.
Of course Ro says no. (He says no to everything, terrible twos, go figure.)
But Bel asks me "Which nana?" I tell her my nana. This is what she replied.

"NO I DON'T WANT TO! SHE'S NOT MY FAVORITE!"


SO FUNNY!!!! I told my mother and she laughed. Thanks for not taking it to heart ma!

Mom's Loot

Mom's Loot: "Mom's Loot"

just some pics of the kids

Just an Update

Hello out there friends and relatives. Sorry it has been so long but I got busy with the kids. Tana is now 6m old and is getting to be a big girl. She can pull herslef up now and walks along the furniture as well. Rowan has started talking to strangers...ie nursery leaders and such. He is also potty training and has got the basics down. We're still workning on how to get our pants down and telling mommy we have to go. Bella is doing great she's so tall. She's a great big sister and likes to help with Tana. But she's still so timid with people. She at least talks to some family. NICK HAS PASSED HIS PE EXAM!!!!!!! Otherwise I'm fine. I have plenty of projects to keep me busy and the house and the kids. So thats the Eckhardt family in a nut shell.