hello from the other side

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.