Things are Looking UP!

This week has been really an exciting one. We had lots of good news and our life just got a bit easier.

After dragging these kids to so many houses, we finally got word that the house we really wanted was ours. It originally was a little out of our budget, and we were told by numerous people here that Norwegians don't negotiate rent. They just don't have to, the market is so hot right now. But Aaron didn't listen and went ahead and discussed our issue with the realtor & owner and after a few days we got word that the house was ours at a lower price. And the owner said "your dog is also welcome" so as you can imagine...we are so thrilled and I am so thankful that Aaron has courage to break the rules sometimes! (I was going to use another term...ha ha) LOL. This is the house I wanted...and its location, view, space & light will help us through those cold & dark winters. Great job Big A! We move in Aug 2nd. Our stuff doesn't arrive until the end of August but we are getting loaner furniture for 30 days which will be great.

The base had its mandatory Newcomers Briefing this week and we all went. We were the only couple with small kids and the commanders secretary actually watched them for the entire morning in her office while we were in the briefing...she was so good to them. We sat through a few hours of briefings (legal, host nation laws, medical/dental, chaplain services, and Morale/Welfare/Recreation) ending with the dreaded drivers test for all of the international street signs. I was studying the sheet all morning during the briefs...because Aaron kept telling me that I couldn't fail LOL....but lucky us, the teacher was on vacation and because everyone in the room had lived in Europe before, we were all exempt from the test! Now I just have to drive...one of these days......

We have made a few friends, there is a Navy couple living in the hotel with us...Chip is a pilot from Ridgewood, NJ, of all places. His grandfather was a Paterson, NJ Police Officer in the 60s. (small world) His wife Ingelissa is a native Norwegian. They hope to retire here in 3 years after their tour. Ingerlise has been such a good travel guide, she tells us where all the good museums, playgrounds, restaurants are for kids. She translates and is just such a wonderful friend to us so far. They have two little girls Hanna & Solveig and they are fluent in Norske. They have lived all over the US but you would think those girls have lived here all of their lives. They are blonde beauties and Logan & Avery love them so much...we see them everyday at breakfast and go over the plan for the day. I really love military families...always looking out for each other.

The weather has been just beautiful. Sunny, warm and most importantly NO RAIN. I had to order rain jackets & pants for the kids. Norwegians do not let the weather stop them. So our kids will be the same! Next weekend is Stavanger's Food Festival. Gordon Ramsay of HELLS KITCHEN is the host and I hope to meet the SOB...we watch his show all the time here...they don't bleep out the curse words here so it is a blast to watch. I want to meet him...

Thanks for all of the great posts on FB with the pictures of the house. We are so excited. I am trying to add photos on the blog but having trouble...still working on it. Have a great week...we miss all of you. Thanks for thinking of us. xoxo