Almost a month later and I'm finally starting to feel settled!  Of course I still haven't found the iron or my B vitamins, but all in all the unpacking process has only been slightly more frustrating than the packing process.  : p

The one thing we didn't count on was the extreme disarray in the office/craft room.  See, our other home had a ton of fabulous built-ins and we no longer have those so we're making do with one tiny desk and one file cabinet.  Fortunately yard sale season is almost here (not holding my breath though as it snowed 4 inches here a week ago!) so I can find a cast off dining room table of some sort to use as a two sided desk with some extra workspace.  Oooo, this would make a good before and after post, ya think?  : )

I have to say though, that the blessings of being in our country home FAR outweigh any packing/unpacking blues.  It's been such a joy to see the kids riding their bicycles along our 1/4 mile driveway without having to hover out there because there might be cars or pedestrians, or strange dogs, or what have you.  Not to mention the fact that we can now actually do a unit study on stars and the night sky because we can actually see it!  The quiet is absolutely lovely, as are the birds, coyotes, distant neighbors, etc.  My thanks to a mighty God that provides such wonderful things to enjoy!!

Coming out from behind all the boxes just for a moment to say that my opinion of packing has not changed.  Nope... not one bit.  Don't get me wrong, I am excited beyond belief to be moving into our home in the country finally, I just wish it didn't require packing.  Sigh... the amazing thing is that we've moved twice before and I still haven't managed to pare down much.  I'm constantly getting rid of stuff, but more just seems to seep in under the cracks in the doors.  : )  Of course it's all "useful" stuff designated for homeschool projects, crafting ideas, or some other task.  So my question then is... why am I having to pack it all???  Shouldn't it have all gotten used by now?  I'm beginning to understand the resistance many folks have later in life to leaving the home they've always lived in.  What an ordeal... sheesh!!

All that said... can I just say how thrilled I am at the idea of being out in the country again??  No more nervous monitoring of the kids while they ride bikes in the alley or play in the front yard.  No more shushing them for the neighbor's sake when we're out gardening and they're spraying each other with the  hose and squealing at 7am on a Saturday.  Oooo, and my favorite part at the moment?  We get to have chickens!!!  Has anyone checked the price of eggs lately??  Yikes!  So, bring on your good chickening tips!

Well, back to packing!!

It's been snowing here for days it seems.  In reality, we got 12" in 24 hrs and it's been snowing off and on ever since.  This makes things a little tough out at the homestead site...

We're running out of room to put the snow, especially along the 1/4 mile driveway.  If it doesn't stop soon, we won't be homesteading until summer!  =O

The kids are so excited they can barely contain themselves, though.  All they see is the fabulous sledding hills!