Life in the Slow Lane

Is really a nice change of pace. 
Sure, there are negatives to living in a little tiny town (even one you love and grew up in) in Arizona. Like the only "big" store (where you can shop for mixed goods) is Wal-mart, and it's 15 minutes away. No beach. And the fact that my husband isn't here. Little things like that. But here are some positives that we're really enjoying though:
-My kids play outside every day. Pretty much whenever they want. And I don't have to go out with them, no matter if it's in the fenced backyard or the front yard. (My parents live on a dead end street and our two neighbors seem happy to watch for small cyclers. I like the freedom and "free range" they have here. They're getting more exercise, fresh air and sunshine here, and after living in a 2nd story apartment for a year, I love it.

-Everyone is so laid back. And things aren't busy. After 15 minutes at the DMV I had a license, and all they wanted from me was my VA license and one other form of ID. They gave me the paperwork for Jeremy to sign to get our registration and title. And they smiled at me. More than once. So refreshing. Signing him up for kindergarten was completely painless even though I didn't have his original birth certificate with me yet. (A copy was fine). Dropping him off and picking him up from school is painless. No one gave me a list of rules or asked for my ID or cared where I parked (within reason). Traffic is like a 0-3 at any given time in the whole valley. Especially after living in Chesapeake/Virginia Beach.

Not much grass. But you can't have everything. 

-I get to see the temple several times a week instead of every few months. And go there, too! Win.

-It -is- really hot here. But not so humid (at least comparatively). But it IS monsoon seasons, and we've had some amazing rain storms too, which made me feel a little better after hearing about all the rain Jeremy's been getting in Chesapeake!

-So many relatives here. My kids are loving spending time with everyone and getting so much attention.

-Space. It's so nice to have so much room for them to play in and area to spread out a little. Much appreciated, especially without lots of other places to go and without Jeremy here.

I'm not saying I don't miss Virginia, because I do. But we are really enjoying our time here in Arizona, and look forward to Daddy joining us. :)

My beloved Mt. Graham with some pretty clouds. (Taken with my cell
out the window while driving...)

For more pictures of our trip, including one trip up to the cabin, see this Facebook album.