One year and 10 months. Our time here was eventful, but shorter than expected. It was like picking up an O. Henry book hoping to settle in for the evening, only realizing the beginning, middle and end take up a mere 13 pages.
Our New Jersey memories will be like an O. Henry short story. Packed with details and to the point.
Ellie learned to walk here, with the help of Jacob. I will never forget how patient he was. And how funny.
The boys learned to ski (well, kind of). I totally
count riding the Magic Carpet ride up and down as "learning." Jacob was a
master of that thing.
We befriended a wonderful man and his wife--Terrance and Jenny Ganaway. They taught us that being a Jet isn't as good as being a Ram and that the power of prayer and Catchphrase is nourishment for the soul. We are more special for knowing them.
We survived two hurricanes and several blizzards. We have spent more
time without power than Abigail Adams (exaggeration). We consider
35 degrees "not bad," and 65 degrees "an answer to a prayer."
We will
miss our sweet little garden in the back that Steve so lovingly and
carefully cultivated. Ellie thinks all "begtebles" come from Daddy.
We will miss New York, Princeton and fruit picking. Those "pick your own" places only need a "bring your own" beer sign and they would be the HIT of party. We will miss these little day trips--they were fun and interesting and great, great people-watching.
Our kids changed so much--our height board looks like a race to the top. Nick discovered he couldn't eat enough (he started fighting with Bonnie for the carcass of the rotisserie chicken). Jacob discovered he liked to wear the same shirt everyday. Every, stinking, day. And Ellie grew hair, and teeth and a personality. Oh my!
Thank you, New Jersey, for being good to us. But what can I say? How could someone resist living in a state that sings THIS song?! We, for one, cannot! So, we're off. Saddle up, cowboys.
The stars at night are big and bright
Deep in the heart of Texas
The prairie sky is wide and high
Deep in the heart of Texas
The sage in bloom is like perfume
Deep in the heart of Texas
Reminds me of the one that I love
Deep in the heart of Texas
The coyotes wail along the trail
Deep in the heart of Texas
The rabbits rush around the brush
Deep in the heart of Texas!
