02 April 2007

hello from the other side

055: 3.27.2007

I keep asking myself, is it real? I find myself on peculiar side streets with unfamiliar names and wandering wide-eyed through the new house in a state of disbelief. did we really just drive cross country and move all of our belongings to this strange new city? did ava really start at a brand new school today? is ward really working for laika now? am I living in portland? oregon? it's the most surreal sort of feeling and I just can't shake it. but maybe I really don't want to shake it because it's all so terribly exciting and unknown. I think maybe I've been ready for something like this for a while now.

oh, internets. is it wrong that I have missed you so much? though I did enjoy a lovely reunion with pen and paper-- hours in the car with nothing to do but read, write and see. I don't really even know how or where to start because the stories are much fuller and each begs to be told. I suppose it should begin just like this:

we are here.

and thank you to everyone who wished us luck, who prayed for our safety (and sanity), who thought of us, who checked in on us, who left comments, sent emails or cards, or helped in any big or small way. a thousand times over, we thank you.

28 comments:

  1. welcome to your new petal-ey home :)

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  2. oh yay! so glad to know you made it!
    aaaaand so looking forward to sharing in this adventure through your words and photos.

    we have friends visiting from portland right now and i have been thinking of you and wondering when you would emerge.

    welcome back, girlie. good to see you again. xo

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  3. Oh, so glad to see you have made it! Can't wait for more details.

    Love, Beth

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  4. Hi Andrea,

    I'm de-lurking to say "glad you made it safely!"

    I'm a stay-at-home mom of two little kids too (boys, 4 & 5 yrs.), and I love seeing your gorgeous photos and reading your creative, heartfelt take on this thing called motherhood.

    Best wishes as you settle in, and especially for Ava as she starts a new school - I look forward to seeing and reading about it!

    -Hi Kooky

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  5. yay! happy landing!

    can't wait to hear all about the new life!

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  6. YaaaaaY!! I'm so glad you are back and that you and the fam had a safe trip :)

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  7. You made it! I am so happy for you. We have missed you out here in blogger land!
    Email me with your new address when you get a chance.

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  8. welcome to your new home! i'm so glad you had a safe trip. can't wait to hear all about your new adventures.

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  9. welcome HOME! it's so sureally real!s

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  10. Yes. We are here. We made it.

    Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, well-wishes, shout-outs, love, money, etc. We eternally thank you.

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  11. I am SO glad that you are back lovey!!! I am imagining a way to get up there already :)

    much much love and so so much to tell you...

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  12. Cue Mary Tyler Moore theme song: "You're gonna make it afteeeer alllllllll!"

    Now throw your hat in the air! I'm so jazzed for you guys and your new playing field!

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  13. Welcome to your new home!
    I'm delighted to read that you are all safe, sound, and excited!
    Wishing you all the best...
    - Lee

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  14. Welcome, welcome beautiful family! I am so happy that you're here, and can't wait to spend some time together. It will be fun to see Portland unfold through your artistic eyes.

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  15. yay! welcome to the northwest, xoxoxo! :0)

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  16. Hurray! *Isn't* it a weird feeling? The other day we were driving around and I turned to Jeremy and said, "Um, we live on the east coast."

    I hope you like your new place and Ava likes her new school. You'll have to tell me how you handle the rain -- Jeremy's just had an offer for Seattle. Good thing I haven't unpacked too much, GULP.

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  17. wow. i wish you lots of luck in your new spot!!! it always takes time. i remember when i moved to maine from chicago the very first saturday i was watching a movie and i was sitting on the couch in the new apartment and i paniced ... i was like, "what did i do? what did i do???" ... but now it's been 3 years and life has healed any sadness. remember that time does make things more clear ... always. hugs, mav

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  18. so glad to see you guys made it there safely! have fun and relish every moment of the newness of it all...

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  19. I've been thinking of you and missing you here - so glad you made it safe and sound and I can't wait to hear of your adventures. xo

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  20. Great Andrea - god, how exciting. So glad you landed. Can't wait to hear more. xoxo, D

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  21. yay! i see you found the beautiful blossoms that awaited you! can hardly wait to hear the stories! hope ava, well i'm sure she'll do well, brave little girl in her new school! i remember my best friend leaving school in first grade, it was tough.

    welcome to our side of the world!

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  22. peeking in on your story, jenny sent me this way. so glad you made it safely. looking forward to your thoughts, as our family is heading towards a similar journey.

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  23. congrats! i can't wait to see you document all of the sights in your new town!

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  24. glad to see you made it...

    i always heart your freakin' pictures.

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  25. And now the fun really starts - feathering your new nest! So glad to hear it went smoothly xo

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  26. you made it! let the settling in begin. best wishes to you and yours in your new home :)

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  27. welcome to portland. i hope you enjoy it here.

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  28. wow! how exciting. i'm so happy for you guys. and just a little bit jealous, dare i say! we were always tossing around the idea of a big move to portland, but haven't had the guts to do it yet, i suppose.
    good for you! life is short, and you are living it up. that is truly awesome. hooray!

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