Huntin' fo Wabbits

i can't believe it. i know we moved here for family and for all of the stuff, traditions, and memories that come with them, but i'm still surprised.

we've been here just over a month and we've already had family dinners, last minute stop overs, date nights, and today we're taking our kids to participate in the huge Easter Egg Hunt that my mom puts on with the neighbor women since they have a huge amount of kids in the neighborhood.

i don't think it's possible to really estimate the importance of family, and although there are rare and blessed people who can live apart from family, given the opportunity, living near family with them involved in your life can have atomic impact on your life and the lives of those in your family.

claudia has gotten more hugs and smooches in the past 5 weeks than she could possibly imagine, from all these people who love her, want her, and care about her. joe has had more fun, learned more games, and gotten to be a part of more adventures and made more friends that he ever could have hoped for. theia doesn't even know what to think. she's warmed up to everyone and has grown so accustomed to people just wanting to see her smile and hug her that she randomly walks up to strangers in public and hugs their legs, smiles, and then runs away giggling. i absolutely love it that she's learned that people love her, and doesn't expect that there would be some who don't. even though i do worry a little that her lack of stranger danger could be a problem in the furture!

everyone here is so unconditional, and the kids really really needed that. and i needed it too.