We’ve been busy. Sorry.
So Taylor got off to the airport on Monday before we were even awake. We ate a little bit of breakfast and then went to Ritual Coffee Roasters for some coffee. Then we went to IKEA. It was my virginal IKEA run. It’s a pretty cool place, but I got dizzy going through the showroom. We found a table with four chairs for under $100 and a sofa we liked, but they will all have to wait. If you want to get us anything, gift cards to IKEA would be a great idea.
They had this one setup of a 390 square foot home. Inspiring, mind you, and giving me hope of how small of a space we could actually live in, considering what we can afford. It had a living/dining area, kitchen, bath, bedroom, and small bedroom with bunk kid beds. Good creative uses of space. I’m a bit in awe, actually.
On Tuesday, we spent the day going through boxes and deciding what things we will need here in the apartment for however long (or short) it is that we live here. We packed the rest up and Joshua returned the U-haul and rented a storage unit for the rest of our things. It was Mark’s birthday, and we were invited upstairs for dinner and the dance party that followed. Unfortunately, or maybe not so unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures.
Yesterday we got our California driver’s licenses. That made things feel much more real. After that we went to T-mobile and got new phones. That’s right - plural. And they are 415 numbers. That made things feel even that much more real. Until the sales associate asked for Joshua’s driver’s license and he gave her his Texas one. The Jesus Dojo was meeting upstairs for dinner, so we joined in to see what that was like. We had to tag team it to bathe Judah and put her to bed, so once we can compare notes, maybe we can give a summary.
Today, we went to a park a few blocks away. Judah fell in love with this park. So did we. The playing surface is made of little bits of rubber, kind of like a track, only softer, so Judah practically bounces on it when she runs. There’s a sand pit snaking its way through, a see-saw, a spinning saucer, a tire swing and this really cool, gigantic rope-web thing the kids can climb all into. I’ll have to post a photo - I don’t know how to explain it. Judah went up really high and was moving all around it. That child has no fear. There’s benches, toilets, a metal gazebo, picnic benches and big grassy area. And the best part? They lock it at night. It’s three blocks away. We’re going tomorrow if it’s not raining. There’s also a small grocer a block away from the park, four blocks from the house.
We might have to choose our place based on our proximity to that park.
where do we send said IKEA cards? many kisses and so proud of you i’m tearing up!
Aha! I TOLD you IKEA is a cool place! Btw, I gotta ask…is Jesus Dojo your own slang term or is the real name of a fellowship there where you are living?
Nope, we didn’t make up Jesus Dojo. It’s for real.
the Jesus Dojo is something that the community we are currently living in does. I’ll need to figure out more if what it is myself before I can try to explain it in a sentence.
Welcome to the Left Coast!! Looking forward to seeing some pictures! We’ll give you a call next time we’re in town.
Proximity to a great park is an excellent criteria for home location at this point in your lives, maybe at any point in anyone’s life. We miss you enormously, but are so glad you are there where there are new joys around every corner.
That would be neat to see a 390 sq. ft. living setup. I can’t fathom. My garage is that size. 2 adults, 2 kids. I’d have to see it to believe it.
Wow, a park that actually has a seesaw and merry-go-round? In a state like California I figured they would have legislated those out because they’re “dangerous”. Whenever I drive by the elementary school I went to, I am always thrown off by the bare spot where the see-saws used to be. Heaven forbid a kid does what they do best - hurt themselves having fun.
Planning a trip to see you in april. Want you to take me to that park too! Miss you guys.