Little House on the Ant Hill

We're glad to say we are finally at our new home across town from where we were before. After the anxiety of packing and moving, we're finally getting settled (phew...we're tired). Both sets of parents were in town this past weekend to lend a hand. And we couldn't have done it without all those extra hands (Jodi, Meg & Nico, Katie and the Parents). We've discovered a few minor setbacks in the new place.

Setbacks or "Creative Challenges":
1. We moved in. Same day, the ants moved into our bathroom and took over. We're still ro-sham-bo'ing for the rights to it. I'm betting that "rock" wins!!
2. The owner told us the garage only had a 110 outlet. We hired a plumber who installed a gas extention for a dryer and are selling our electric dryer. We bought a new gas dryer. The team installing the new one found the 220 outlet hiding. grrr....
3. The fire alarm does random tests in which a voice yells "THIS IS A TEST! CARBON MINOXIDE HAS BEEN DETECTED. EVACUATE!! LEAVE THE PREMESIS!!!" Luckily, it was 7:00 a.m. and we were already awake. Although happy that we have such an enthusiatic electronic advocate for our safety... well, you get the idea.
4. Little tiny garage that smells like rat pee. We think they are gone, but left their mark nonetheless.
5. 3 prong outlets are hard to find. The house doesn't appear to be grounded, which means there are only like 2 outlets in the place that are 3 prong.
6. The pink curtains in Toby's room. (Thanks Nana Anna for making him some new ones!)
7. No more spontaneous Atkins visits for the Gap Family. What's Toby going to do without his baby Isella fix?

For all the creative challenges, we have plenty of reasons to love it, which make it all worth it.

Love it:
1. It's a stand alone house.
2. It has a big backyard that is landscaped by a gardener 2X a month.
3. It has a nice deck in back and a working hot tub.
4. Much bigger living space in the living room for us, and kitchen.
5. We have a front window. Our past few places didn't. So now you can actually see our Christmas tree at Christmas time.
6. The park is a few blocks away.
7. Working fireplace.
8. New windows.
9. Gas stove.
10. Now, spontaneous Atkins visits for the Fernandi (plural for Fernandez).

For those of you wondering, we're renting. God seemed to have led us to this place with all sorts of doors opening that we had not anticipated. Wonder what plans he has for us. I'll send out the new address in an email, as to not post specific info on the blog (always mindful of keeping us safe).

Working on unpacking.
Jen