Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Welcome to El Paso

We've been in El Paso for a little over a week now. The first week was spent living at a Embassy Suites Hotel while we searched for a place to live. We think we've found a place and are currently waiting to see if everything goes through. In the meantime we have moved to a more permanent-temporary home at the Value Place. We have a studio with two double beds, a fridge, microwave and a two burner electric stove top. Just like home! Actually if there was a bedroom and a hallway it would be about the size of our Jersey place....which we miss like crazy in case anyone was wondering.

We are luckier than most military families as it just so happens I have a friend from MHS (carry on Jackrabbits) whose husband is stationed in El Paso is well. They have been great, even having us over for a real meal on Sunday (all we've had for over a week is fast food...disgusting). Slowley but surely things are getting better!

In the last two months since I've posted Tom has completed his Officer Basic Training in San Antonio. It went better then expected. He ended up being assigned the best room mate ever, Kevin. He was also LDS, and I personally think they had way too much fun. The went to Magic Mountain a few times, Sea World, and ended up Golfing 90 holes in the last two weeks!

In the meantime, I was living back in AZ with my family. It ended up being better then expected. I hired my 15 year old sister to babysit for me while I went to Pilates sessions. I went to K Pilates studio in Mesa and it was one of the best studios I've ever practiced at. I don't feel so bad about all of Toms fun since I was going to Pilates sessions everyday that I could. That took the sting out of living back at home! We did have lots of fun getting to know grandparents and cousins. Haylie ended up having a really sweet bond with her cousin Travis. She would wake up and ask about "Travy".

Being back out west has taken a bit of getting use to, I forgot how hot it gets in AZ. El Paso is about 10 degrees cooler so when we got here it felt like heaven. El Paso seems to be a great place and we are excited to get settled, sooner rather then later hopefully. We really miss the City and hope to possibly go back there to live one of these days. Although, my only request of going back East is I want to live in Manhattan. Sometimes I still feel robbed that I had to live in Jersey for part of our time there.

Tom misses everyone from school, especially Mike, Audrey, Anne and Dr. Meeker! He starts work on Thursday, and I'm sure he's excited to find out what it's like to be a dentist for the US Army.

9 comments:

Team Caldwell said...

i am more excited than you! Ps- you are now my emergency contact for school!!! didn't know you'd get a job so fast did you?!

Great Scott's! said...

Great update! Happy to hear things are looking up, out there. I am so jealous of your pilates sessions, I should try it, I'm sure I'd love it too!

Naomi said...

So glad you are getting settled in. Was thinking about you guys the last couple of weeks wondering if Tom had started yet. You'll have to share pictures of your new digs.

*julie* said...

Howdy!
I know, I'm sure you haven't heard one of those yet ;)
I'm so excited for this new chapter in your lives! Thanks for keeping us posted. Good luck Tom!
Now go take pictures of your kids, because I know they're growing like crazy and I'm missing it!
Love you!

Grandma's Cookie Jar said...

Glad you are back and settled. I hope 'y'all' like it down there! I truly hope Tom enjoys this next phase of military life. I'm sure he will be a great denist! Are you going to be a stay-at-home mom or a working mom?
Julie's Mom -Diana :o)

Jenny said...

Sweet,Kristal! Thanks for making me feel like a real part of the community as your emergency contact!

And to Grandma's cookie jar...I am a stay at home Mom, that's always been my career goal...although I do plan on getting certified to instruct pilates!

The earlier limn gets the worm said...

Hey girl! You do not know me,but I stumbled upon you through great scotts!!! Thanks for letting me visit the Wilson blog!! El Paso sounds fab!! There is really nothing better than throwing on a pair of distressed jeans combined with some chic cowboy boots!!!Texas is the perfect place for that!! Good luck with paso!!! -Earlier

Starr Phippen said...

Jen, I'm too sad I didn't make our visit happen this summer. I hope you enjoy El Paso. I went there when I was 12. The only thing I remember is being the only white family in the WalMart.

Starr Phippen said...

I tried to make your mom's bread yesterday. I did not turn out. Maybe cuz I only wrote the ingredients down and nothing else!