The Jackson's...Our life in a Blog: We're Here, We're Hot, We're Tired, We're,...Here!!

Yes, it was a long drive down, but with stops, a hotel stay overnight, a DVD player to play disney movies on, and a prayer, we made it! and with our sanity in tact! (for the most part)

Right now, we're camped out comfortably in a nice furnished apartment in Duluth, GA (located about 30mins north of Atlanta) in a place called "The Reserve at Sugarloaf". Doesn't that sound so fancy and formal like? "so, where are you staying? "uhh hmm..The Reserrrrrve at Sugarloaf." haha. I guess they had to give it a fancy name because it's a pretty fancy place, in a gated community no less. The girls are sharing a room and have their own bathroom which is great! and Carey and I share a nice master suite with a bathroom that has a double vanity! it's definetely a luxury for me to have my own sink because now I don't have to worry about cleaning up any stray shaving hairs! pet peeve. big time.

Anyway, since we got here, it's been exciting driving around and scoping out what the area has to offer. So far, we've found it's a booming place, busy, lot's of new businesses, shopping centers and new things still being built. In our search to find a place we'd like to settle in our first home, we like the town called "Suwanee" which is only a few miles north of where we're staying now. The schools we hear, are very good, and we like the fact that it's near everything (ie., carey's job, shopping, stores, school, etc.) but it also has it's quiet, more remote neighborhoods where it's not so busy. There's a nice "town square" type of place in the middle of the town where there's a big fountain water park where we've already taken the kids to a few times. It's a great place to go to cool off, even though sometimes, it can get a little overcrowded.

Since we got here, it's also been stressful. The day after we got here, we already started househunting with our realtor that Carey's job hooked us up with. (Very nice lady by the way with a deep southern accent.) I know it's supposed to be exciting, but taking the girls with us through the process and on top of the heat, does not make it a very enjoyable experience. So far, we've found a few that we like, but haven't quite found the "perfect" one for us yet. I hope we can be patient through the process and not make any impulsive decisions (trying my best to heed the advice of my Uncle Bill)

Searching for a house, also means I must search for a job. I'm a little hesitant to go back to work since it has been quite some time since I've been away from the workplace, not to mention the huge transition it's going be be being away from my girls!!(not sure at this point if that's a good or bad thing) but I'm trying to stay positive and confident since I know what I'm capable of and there are a lot of companies out here to choose from. Ahh, the extra income will definetely help, and I'm sure Alana will enjoy being in summercamp and making friends since that's all she talks about is wanting friends to play with. Mia can probably use the interaction with other toddlers her age since she hasn't had any really, just as much as I could use the interaction with other adults! At least those are the positive things I try to keep in the forefront of my mind. Plus it doesn't have to be permanent, unless I want it to be.

So..that pretty much sums up our new life in Georgia for now, but watch for more news to come! I miss all you friends and family! Meli, less then a couple more weeks to go..I can't wait to see you and my new niece!

Love "ya'll!"

Here's some pics of the time we enjoyed spending

with our families before we left for Georgia