We're Here!

Hi everyone! It's been several days since I've posted here, and I'm sure you all are disappointed because I know you check it constantly! Anyways, Cari and I are here at our new home in Albuquerque, and I feel like there is quite a bit to update you all on since we left. I'll try to keep it short, but no promises.

We left Friday morning early and made it about 5 miles before pulling off the interstate due to the "check engine light" coming on in the moving truck. After a quick call to Penske, we were informed it may be an oxygen sensor and should go off upon filling the truck with gas. It did. We made it all the way to Memphis on day 1...a total of about 15 hours altogether, including stops. Belle (our dog) did well, mainly sleeping in the back of the Trailblazer most of the way.

Day 2 was a little more interesting. The goal was to get to Elk City (western Oklahoma). We stopped in Oklahoma City for dinner, and noticed some dark clouds to the west when we finished and were preparing to leave. After some calls to friends/family for a weather radar check, we thought we could make it and headed out. As night fell, it started to get worse. Although it wasn't raining, the lightening surrounding the interstate was INCREDIBLE. Eventually, the rain started and we pulled off into a gas station. Over the next 45 minutes, the wind/rain picked up, we learned there was tornadic activity nearby, learned of a tornado northeast of our location, met some locals who educated us on tornadoes and what to do, saw quarter-size hail, and had a dead battery. Whew! Things cleared up and we finally made it to our hotel much later than expected.

Day 3 driving was pretty straight-forward. It was incredible to see how the terrain changed so quickly from green to greenish-brown to desert. We made it to Albuquerque around 4:30 and signed the lease on our new apartment. Luckily, we have some great friends here (Preston and Laurel) who mustered their friends and we had the moving truck unloaded in 40 minutes flat. Granted, there was no room left in our small apartment so we went to Laurel's parents for dinner and to stay overnight.

Since we've been here, I've been in training for work everyday (and will be for the next five weeks) and Cari has been working diligently on the apartment. I think we'll be successful at fitting everything in here, it's just a matter of time and patience in unpacking. I think that's all for now...thanks again to everyone who helped us load up and to everyone who helped us unload...we couldn't have done it without you. Also, special thanks to my dad, who drove the ENTIRE way in the moving truck and has devoted his past week to helping us. We love you all and miss everyone and will update this constantly.