Graduation was wildly fun--lots of Matt's relatives came into town to celebrate with us, and we got to see everyone we love best before we left. I even managed to fake my way out of a few tearful goodbyes by pretending I would see people soon. Then, of course, I cried like a love-sick teenager in the privacy of my own car as we drove out of town. I signed up for the military life with Matt to meet new people, see new places...kinda forgot that I couldn't just load them all up in the back of the truck when the next move came. Stinks.
But it's not all doom and gloom here. A list of things I love about Vegas so far:
1. The house is really wonderful. Although it could be significantly improved by say, furniture and dishes, we already got lovely new tropical brown granite countertops installed. I now spend more time than I should lovingly rubbing them with a burp cloth, but I haven't quite gotten to the point of naming them or anything, so it's all under control.
2. We have this giant, moon-like pointy mountain a few blocks from our house, standing separate from the nearby mountain range. It is appropriately (though not very creatively) named "Lone Mountain" and beckons me to come clamber and dirt bike and explore. It's a lovely reminder that despite commercialism and development, all God has to keep wildness about a place is just stick a big fat mountain in the middle. Try moving that thing with a backhoe!
3. The tile floor that we planned to complete in 2 days only took us 5. Knowing that for most home improvement projects, (time actually spent) = (time planned)x3, we came in an entire day behind schedule and rewarded ourselves by showering (for the first time in.....) and going out for dinner. And now, I have a truly awe inspiring porcelain-tiled bathroom floor. Be sure to schedule time for an unsolicited tour should you ever be invited for dinner.
4. Clouds roll in over the mountains in the evenings, and although we haven't actually had rain here, we've seen it falling in the distance in streaky watercolor brilliance. It also makes for sunsets layered with color and texture. All completely unobstructed by any pesky trees.
5. The girl down the street had me over for dinner, the next door neighbors gave us gardening tips, and a lady out taking a walk gave me tips on where the good local gyms are. I can already see that the neighborhood is friendly and that people are ready to make new friends.
6. Best of all, Matt is on his way back home now from picking Jack and Charlotte up from Salt Lake. Our whole family will finally be reunited, and this house will finally begin to feel like a home.
