Where in the world are we this New Year?

We are officially bloggers! Well, not officially until we have done more than one blog I guess, but I am determined to have this become the family history of the Slichtas. I imagine that it will take a few good entries to figure this thing out and get good an fast at it, but watch out! It's my New Year's Resolution and January is almost over so I have to at least get one entry in.

This family history record begins in the state of Washington. We moved to Sammamish on October 24th...bought a house that Jeff picked out and we've been trying to make it "ours" for the last 3 months.

It's all still a blur of us leaving Redding, CA...a place we surprisingly became quite fond of. We sobbed huge amounts of saddness at leaving our friends, the Madsens and leaving our wonderful home. We miss our yard, our side street where the kids played, our trees and our privacy.

We miss our backyard, fruit trees, huge playset, hot tub, swimming pool with diving board and our new deck. I'm pretty sure that we enjoyed that house to its fullest while we were there having parties, visitors and being outside as much as we could be. Oh, how we miss Redding. Good-bye to 6190 Riverside Dr. Redding, Ca. 96001.

It only took about a day for the kids to feel settled at being here. The school, Cascade Ridge Elementary gave a warm welcome to Maryn and Adyson and they were delighted to have a million kids on the street to play with and a million kids in the Primary at church who are their same age. Going from 15 kids in the Primary to 115 here was pretty amazing for them. Our first church was the Primary program and as all the kids flooded up to the stand Maryn, Ady and Emmy looked in wonderment at all the children. Now, children have become our blesing and our curse as we try to keep a good balance with family life, getting jobs done and being suffocated with wanting to play. The kids couldn't be happier.

Jeff loves his job with Era Living...the COO of this company managing 6 retirement communities in the Seattle area. He has no traveling which is a definate difference with this company. He's happy and busy trying to be patient with all the changes he needs to make and knowing it only takes time.

We quickly found a piano teacher for Maryn and Adyson. No he's not Suzuki and yes he's fantastic and fun and very quirky. The girls aren't sure what to think of him, Mr. Jackson, but he's made it known that musicians are too serious and he doesn't want to be one of them and that practicing every day for an hour is a requirement and not an option. He's expensive enough that we are afraid not to practice. Emmy started the harp since being here...taking from Mrs. Leslie McMichael. We're excited about Emmy playing this new instrument and besides that it's so darn cute in our living room. Ady is also taking gymnastics and after the first class her teacher has been begging her to jump up to the "pre team" class because she's so little and strong. But, Ady's mommy is afraid of the time commitment of "pre team" twice a week for 2 1/2 hours each. Yikes! That just means she's a natural and we're proud of her. Maryn is taking Ballet and Hip Hop at a dance studio close to the house. She's a natural too and can't get enough of dancing. We'll hold her back to 2 classes a week for now.

As you can see we have quickly found our place here...the kids anyway. We are busy and enjoying our life. It sure is beautiful here and everyone only has great things to say about the Seattle area. So, we are prepared for a lovely stay however long that may be. Jeff swears we are establishing our roots here...laying the foundation for this place to be our "home" forever. I say, "yea, I've heard that before." But, however long we're here we will enjoy it and do as much fun as we can. We surely have seen how Heavenly Father has blessed us along the way in getting here. As hard as it has been for me to admit it we are convinced that the Lord wants us here. As one example...we sold our home in Redding in 7 days when there had been homes on our street for sale for a year or longer. The market was terrible, but we miraculously sold our home and found this one. Everything was so smooth in our transition. Now, we have to just be grateful for the past and look ahead for wonderful times and lots of growth.

Happy New year!