Adjusting

I don't know if it hasn't sunk in yet that I am away from everything familiar and people I love (most likely) or that it actually is true that I am really excited, hopefull, and happy about being here. I feel at peace. Something feels right. I like it here.

I keep having dreams about being pregnant and actually wake up excited that I might be (I don't tell Dom any of this... he would freak out. He is definately the 'provider personality' where he wouldn't feel good about a child when he doesn't have a job yet, which I TOTALLY appreciate), I am not pregnant. The dreams were so realistic, so I took a test this morning and no. No bad feelings about it either, just knew it was how it should be. I guess I am seeing it as another sign that I feel this is a safe place to be.

Dominik's dad wrote us a letter. Yeah! Our first mail here. He said that they would eventually like to move here to be near us. Wow. Dom is sure it is probably a pipe dream, but deep down I kind of like the idea (Please note that I have yet to meet my in-laws and reserve the right to strike this from the record). Close family nearby... someone to pawn the kids off on one day...

I think we'll make new friends here, but to have my close friends physically close too... to feel those hugs and see their faces, I really want them here too. Okay, you know who you are, yes you! Move over here! I know I am being completley selfish, but come on! That would make this place perfect, because seriously no matter how attached I may become to this place and how wonderful I think it is, it will always be lacking in the fact that it doesn't have those amazing people that are my best friends.

Last week in Victoria

Wow. I don't think I have ever been so busy in my life (at least not that I remember, trying to live in the moment here). This post is going to be very random because that is how my thoughts are.
- A few weeks ago I took all these pictures of the village (area of town I live in) to post because all the trees are blooming and it is so beautiful here. I haven't had a chance to go through them yet.
- Dom and I went sailing for Easter weekend with my aunt and uncle here in the gulf islands which was fantastic and I have some cool pics from that and keep meaning to do a write up.
- The car sold! Yeah!
- Did a crazy, very emotional two day road trip to Seattle to drop Maya off at the airport to be shipped to my parents. Just got back last night and already miss her immensely. I wish she could be our buddy on the start of this adventure.
- Got to see my sister Naomi in Seattle yesterday with her adorable family. They are soooo awesome and make the best parents. I love them so much. Even though I only got to spend a couple hours with them, it was really special to me.
- My great friend Laurie drove us to Seattle and even though she was the first to start crying as Maya was going in her crate to leave, I don't think I could have done it without her. She always knows what to say, and is a beautiful positive person.
- I am getting really, REALLY excited to go. I am really proud of Dom and I for being able to make this happen.
- My body hurts. all over. (most likely from stress, emotions and hormones all at once)
- Don't know if I'll be able to post again before we leave... so if not, stay tuned for Norway!!! Ahhhh!!!

Great Weekend!

I had a fantastic weekend. The weather here is just beautiful and warm. Our really good friend (that is a pro photographer on the side) took some pics of us on Saturday which I will post in the next few days after sifting through the hundreds. I am so happy with how they turned out though. Really stunning work. We went out for photos at sunrise which kind of sucked because the ground was all frosty and it was really cold, and no sleeping in on a Sat. But, I am so glad we did because the light was great and it really shows.

This same amazing friend then went luggage shopping with me and we found a killer deal, so that part is all taken care of. Yeah! One more thing off the list. What else is on that list that is stressing me out?
- Sell the car... I have posted and listed it everywhere I can think of, and still no bites over the last week. :(
- Find someone to take over our cell phone contract or we have to pay $350 in cancellation fees.
- Find a place to live in Kristiansand. I thought we could stay in a hostel for a bit while we got to know the neighborhoods, but it is seriously 3X the price of renting!
- Finalize all the dog info for shipping: this is seriously frustrating as each site seems to say something different. Even the Norwegian official site has conflicting info. I'm waiting for an email response from them, and will try calling tomorrow.
- Plan our going-away party that is in 2 weeks
- Everything else :)

I love my neighbours!

We have fantastic neighbours, and especially next-door. They are a wonderful couple that lived in Sweden for 5 years and came back to Canada and bought the place next door to us. Needless to say, we have picked their brains on numerous dinner parties, nights out, and walks on moving to Scandinavia. I really hope they move back to Sweden (they are contemplating it) so they can be our next door country neighbours.

They just brought over a beautiful basket full of delicious treat for our cottage wedding getaway this weekend. It has crackers and cheese, chips, fruit, olives, champagne, candles... wow! It is so great, and I'm getting so excited!!

These wonderful people are also letting us host our reception/going away party in their back-yard. No hesitation or questions asked, just extremely giving, kind and sincere.

If I don't post again before we leave, have a great weekend! We are getting married on Friday which is the Spring Equinox (the day when night is equal to day... poetic for a marriage). I will definitely have pictures when we are back!

Love to you all.