Hello California...

Well we made it and are getting all settled in to our new reality.

For the first few days we did nothing but work work work to get settled in.

My Mom drove in with us and literally scrubbed our apartment from top to bottom.

What would we do without Mothers?

No matter how old I get it is still so nice to have her come and help me set up my home.

 

It was fun have her see where we will be calling home for the next bit.

She fell in love with our neighborhood 

and we enjoyed going on morning walks before we got to work on unpacking.

Without her I am pretty sure we would still be in an absolute disaster.

But as for now we are all unpacked and

only a few projects left to make this place feel like home!

I was adjusting so well until I said goodbye to my Mom.

She sent me a text saying she couldnt believe she was leaving me 

with my husband in a new state.

Truth be told I cant believe it either.

I cant believe that real life has arrived -

although it was hard to say goodbye 

my Mom and I both agreed that it was nothing short of wonderful!

It is just the way its supposed to be and I know James and I are meant to be here.

And lets be honest...

I don't think either sets of our parents will complain about visiting us here.

So I am sure we are going to be seeing a lot of them despite the distance.

 Within the first week of being here we have already had 4 visitors!

We like to call our place Hotel Barker -

which is just what we wanted!

Nicole and Blair bunked up with us on their way to San Diego.

We were so glad to have them as some of our first house guests.

From the second they walked in it just felt like old times in Provo -

and made us feel a little more at home.

The boys went to an Angels game while the girls did some beach time

and shopping at Fashion Island.

I was glad they crossed paths with my Mom as she adores them just as much as we do.

We enjoyed going down to Laguna Beach with them and eating at BJs Pizza -

Home of the original pazooki!

We were sad to see them go but happy that they made it down to see our new home!

Next up...

Mike Moesel pulled into town for a wedding.

He was our next house guest and some how I managed not to snap a picture of the boys together.

But we were certainly glad to have him here!

He loved going on our morning walk with us

and we loved having him here to play football with James.

He gave James a little relief from interior decorating which was greatly appreciated.

We are absolutely loving our neighborhood.

It makes me want to get out and be active.

James and I walk almost everywhere these days.

Because it is just so beautiful.

Both the weather and the scenery.

I am in awe of what can grow here in peoples yards.

I am sure I look like a freak snapping pictures along my morning walk.

But oh well!

I am just pinching myself trying to decide if this is reality.

We are just a mile to the harbor and about 1.5 miles to the beach.

Needless to say I have worked out more in one week than I think I did all winter in Provo.

{hopefully soon the walk will turn more into a run 

- but I wont get my hopes up too high}

 My friend Caitlin who I met on my study abroad to London texted me

and invited us us to a beach day with some of her friends on Saturday.

I am sure it was no big deal to her-

but James and I were thrilled to already be making friends.

You would have thought we were in the seventh grade 

and just got invited over to the popular kids house.

Pathetic - but oh so true.

And we had a blast!

We were at the beach for almost 5 hours.

Boy are we feeling the burn today.

We were excited to meet the Collins and instantly clicked with them.

And as luck would have it 3 of the husbands are accountants from BYU -

working for the big 4.

Hysterical.

The boys laughed saying who knew accountants could have this much fun.

And I must admit I was so excited to meet some wives 

who will be built in late night friends during the busy season.

We met up later for some yogurtland and good chats.

They were all so nice to let us tag along for the day.

And we hope to be seeing more of them soon!

 

I cant wait to post pictures of our new place...

but for now this is about all I have.

I still have lots of work to do around here.

I am hoping if I make this place feel like an incredible home James will never make me leave.

A girl can always dream right.

Its funny to think that almost 2 years ago James and I met right here on the beach

and although I would have never dreamed of dating him -

let alone marrying him...

here I am.

Living in the same place where we met -

married to him -

and here to stay!

{for now}

I would have never pictured myself living here.

But now I couldn't imagine it any other way.

We have no idea how long we will be in this gorgeous place.

Could be one year - could be fifty.

So I am trying to teach myself a valuable lesson and live in the moment.

I don't want to miss out on one thing in this place.

I am trying not to worry about my zero prospects for a job -

or when we should have a little one.

As for now I am simply enjoying the journey...

and taking it as it comes!