Just what the doctor ordered

Driving here is a challenge at best. There is no flow of traffic and the other drivers are so inconsiderate. The kids and I really needed to get out of the house though. So, Cody left us the car last Friday to go to the grocery store. We decided to try to get to the mall. ;) I googled directions to Jusco Tebrau. Tatum rode up front with me and helped navigate. We took it slow and easy...and never did find the mall we were looking for! When I finally decided to get off at the next exit and turn around there was a mall right there! Not the one we were looking for, but we went in anyway! We discovered a movie theater and a Pizza Hut! We didn't see a movie that day, we were on a mission to replace a broken iPod. (Thanks Tatum) We found an apple store and hit up Pizza Hut for some delicious comfort food! We found new flip flops for Claire and Tucker and the older girls also got some earrings. After wondering around the mall and checking things out for awhile we headed home, after all, we were supposed to be getting groceries too! Figuring out how to get back on the road home was interesting...heck, getting out of the parking lot was a challenge! Lol! I only did one illegal u-turn to get out and back on the highway though. :) We made it back to our neighborhood grocery store and knocked out our grocery list and back home we went. It was a leisurely day out shopping, eating, and just enjoying some time out of the house. Definitely just what the doctor ordered!

The view from Straits

We have been living at Straits View since Easter weekend. Moving day was hot and ridiculously long. We pushed thru and got it all finished in one day. Easter morning I was able to cook a real breakfast for my family! We had biscuits and gravy, bacon and eggs! Cody and the kids ate like it was their last meal! It was a pretty good feeling being able to cook for them when it had been so hard during our first month here.

Easter Sunday we were invited to a pitch in that some of the ladies here had arranged. Being the social butterfly that I am, I tried to graciously decline! ;) Cody however, wasn't letting me out of it that easy! They had it all set up in one of the cabanas by the pool and we went down around 6. I've never been to an Easter get together where they served Jell-O shots until now! I did decline those...Jell-O is gross! Anyway, we met people from all over the United States and World. Alabama, Texas, Kentucky, Louisiana,and Britain, Spain,Finland...and more I'm sure I do not remember. There were plenty of kids down there also. Everyone was very nice and all the women offered to take the kids and me around and show us the town. Basically anything or anywhere we wanted to go. One lady named Kat offered to take me to the library! Now that's a woman after my own heart! Haha! We met an older couple here from Alabama, Ziek and Cindy. They have been here for 3 years and will be headed home soon. Ziek talked me into trying sushi. I LOVED it. I'll take that over fried chicken any day! Cindy offered to show me where to go buy the freshest meats and veggies. We sat and chatted with them until 10 pm. In fact, we were some of the last people to leave. It was very nice to meet and hang out with people who I could easily understand!

Since then we have been settling in and adjusting to our final move until we head back to Bedford. It's a different world living in the city and on the 17th floor! It's nice here though because we have a mini market and two restaurants at our complex, plus the pool and a gym. Homeschooling is still an adjustment and not being able to hop in my car and run to the store if I want, but it will all smooth out sooner rather than later. It's all an adventure and part of the learning process!