Life in the (not so) fast lane

Well, we made it. We are officially living in South Carolina. It's crazy how in the midst of the transition - getting the house ready to sell, finding a place to stay, cars to rent etc - it seemed like the "day" would never come. Then when we were boarding the airplane, it all seemed like it went so fast...to all of you helped paint, clean, fix, love and encourage - thank you beyond words.
Here a couple updates. First - our house in the Tri -Cities...God was SOOO in it! We listed it on Monday (last week) at about noon. By two someone had called to look at it and offered by 6pm. We countered, he countered and we accepted...amazing! Then yesterday while we were looking at a house (that I am in love with) the realtor called and said that the inspection passed and we were good to go. How good is our GOD!!!??? We still have not settled 100% on a house here, but have two really promising prospects...just waiting and listening. Hopefully my next post will have pictures of the new Thompson Landing!
The plane ride(s) went really well considering 4 young, tired, excited kids. Two notabe moments - on the descent into Minneapolis there was a TON of turbulence. I was not having fun---at all. The kids, on the other hand, had to be convinced they were not on a rollercoaster - kind of funny - to us anyway. Finally, we landed in Charlotte - we were tired and anxious and in the back of the plane. Everyone was standing, mostly patiently, and they finally turned of the seat belt and no-smoking signs. Dear Kylie said, quite loudly, "great, now we can smoke!" -- Oh - Kylie, Kylie, Kylie --- gotta love her!!!
So - Southern Living is definitely different. One of the "cart boy" at wal-mart the other day walked up and asked if he could load my groceries for me while I buckled the kids in...wow. Then at Starbucks (of which I have only seen two in the ENTIRE TOWN) I was waiting to go through the drive through - to no avail. Bubba in the truck in front of me was just sitting there. Hmmmm....then one of the employees walked out and informed me in a very charming southern drawl, that the drive through was closed for about 10 minutes while they poured concrete. He politely invited me to come in and order inside. I informed him that there was no way I was coming into a very small store with 4 kids. "Oh," he said "well just tell me what you want and I'll bring it out to you...in fact, why don't you park in the handicap spot so you can be closer." Wow - only in the south - I love it!!!
We are having a great time with Ty and Jenn - they are such saints to allow the 6 of us to join in their home life - What a blessing and encouragement they are....

We all miss everyone there sooo much - I feel like there is so much I want to say to everyone to the make the goodbye proper. But how do you say good bye to people who have encouraged and loved and corrected and upheld and poured into and blessed you. How do you tell people how proud you are of who they have become, how blessed you are to have been a part of their lives. I don't know if words can express the depth of out love for you...Thanks to all! I keep thinking of the verse "The Lord watch over you and me, while we are apart, one from another."

Until Later -- I have to go, and so do you (that one is for you, Rich) --

Danni