Day 11

I think today was probably the most "emotionally stable" day we've had, collectively as a family.  When I say this I mean that not one person cried or had any sort of meltdown whatsoever.  It took 11 days, but it happened!
The kids and I ventured out again today and found a Bed, Bath & Beyond.  We managed to do some damage in there...if ya know what I mean.  We got some good deals.
My husband hung some blinds in the basement.  We may be having a guest this weekend, so we wanted to make sure the basement was ready for her.
Cray story...and I mean, CRAZY.  This story proves what a small world we really live in, even when it feels HUGE!
I got a message on facebook today from a woman.  She was given my link from her cousin because this woman lives in Manhattan.  We began facebook messaging and it turns out that we are related!  My grandpa and her grandma were siblings!  Her dad and my dad are cousins...no joke!  She currently lives in Manhattan, which is about 30 miles from me, but her husband's family lives in the same town that we live in, and they visit here about every other weekend!  We are hoping to reconnect soon. I was so excited and surprised!
Sometimes, I wake up in the morning and actually forget that I live here.  It's like, "Well, I guess we'll be going home soon."  Obviously, I know that's not true, but it certainly is a strange feeling.
I am seeing improvements in my kids...at least for now.  I know they are beginning to adjust and I am seeing more smiles, hearing more laughter, and noticing their familiar personality traits coming out again.  I know they will still have "moments."  A pshychologist told me that kids grieve in "bursts."  When I say "grieve," I don't mean due to a death, but due to the "death" of what they formerly knew every day...their home, friends, fanily, frequently visited places, schools, church, etc...Those things all still exist, but they are not seen on a daily basis anymore.  I have found that what the pshychologist said to be true.
I have a magnet on my refridgerator, and it reads:
peace
it does not mean to be in a place
where there is no noise, trouble
or hard work.  it means to be in
the midst of those things and still
be calm in your heart.
The author is unknown. 

I have that peace.  There is noise, hard work, trouble adjusting, and even some fear, but I am calm in my heart.  I know it is the peace of God.  It has to be.  It is unexplainable otherwise.  I am a total "comfort zone" person.  Currently, I am completely out of my comfort zone.  I haven't even found my comfort zone here yet; even so, I have calmness in my heart, and it feels good.
It is because Jesus is with me always, and I am surrounded by three amazing people every day.