We stayed in a hotel while we looked for a place to stay, but because that can rack up funds we we hurrying as much as possible. We checked out of our hotel on Wednesday morning and we're determined to be in a place by that night. We actually had 4 places that were all possibilities so we were confident. We even spent some time shopping- got a toddler bed for Lucy and an air mattress for because we had no beds for that night. Well around noon we had decided on one of the four, and had verbal agreed to get into this place but the landlord, at work, would have to do the contract that evening. The landlord's daughter and an uncle had showed us the place that morning. Well, we finally got to meet with her around 6pm. The main reason we had picked this place was because it was furnished. When we got to the place and were starting to do paperwork, the landlord kept making all these worried comments about the kid's safety- it was the second floor, they could fall down the stairs, there's a parking lot at the bottom, the kids will break through the windows and fall... (what?!) I slowly got the hint that this lady was trying to think of every possible reason not to have us move in not necessarily because of safety, but because she didn't want kids there. Ok, who didn't tell this lady we had kids?! That could have been so easy for them to screen us out, now we had waited all day and didn't have a place like we thought. The landlord knew our situation, and in a friendly yet sabotage way, suggested we come look at this 3 bedroom they also had for rent in a different little town. Ok (have no where else to go) so we went up to this house. It was hard to be optimistic when the place was caked in a year's worth of dirt, but we kind of thought it might work out. So we started to work out details. She kept trying to raise the rent higher than we had agreed. We stuck to our guns, not wanting to go over budget. They finally gave in and said they wanted to do month-to-month rent. Which really was just a trap for her to be able to raise rent the following month. We were not getting good feelings from being these people's renters. We did give them money (we had already taken it out of the bank for the first place we thought we were going to get). But we were going to do the contract the next day because it was getting late, the kids were hungry, not to mentioned covered in dirt from playing in the place and needed a bath (which needed to be cleaned before anyone stepped in it or they'd be making a mudslide). Well, that night was frustrated to say the least. As far as the place was concerned, I thought it could be fun- older but very big and closer to Jeremy's work. But it just wasn't ready for renters and we would have a hard time getting in ready to be live able, that was hard, and I wasn't feeling good about the whole month-to-month thing not knowing what was going to happen. That night was pretty terrible. The kids seemed to sleep okay. We were sleeping on the floor by morning as the air had all leaked out (it was a garage sale buy). We were still covered in dirt, and Jeremy was convinced because of the smell around the place, there was a dead animal somewhere. The little house was nestled between two other houses (all owned by the same person I think), it was actually connected to one of the houses by a door that was bolted. Here's Jeremy faking a smile because he really despised that place.
We knew right away we just had to leave. We talked to the landlord and told our desires. She was actually really cool about it and said she'd give us all the money back and don't worry about that night. That was very generous of her really, she was looking out for us in a way. We quickly called the next place on our list to see if we could get in. And so that's where we are. A little two bedroom house behind the landlords new house in front, it has a yard and place for a garden, private driveway. It has raised ceilings which makes it seem bigger and open, lots of storage space. The kitchen is nice and spacious. We have a washer and dryer, our own covered parking space (thank goodness on both accounts!!! we were especially looking forward to that!)
I don't have any pictures of the house much yet. One thing we found out about this dry and hot place is there are a ton of mosquitoes. Apparently Lucy has the sweetest blood, she is covered in bites! She had 38 last I counted. She scratches them until they bleed and so I put band aids on them or she'll pick off the scab. This is a beginning picture, because right now I think she has like 15 band aids up her arm and legs. She thinks they're totally cool, but she looks a little ridiculous.
Now that we were settled into a place, it was time to go exploring! Our first journey was to Hana on the famous "Road to Hana" to see Jeremy's running buddy from BYUH and his daughter. They've visited us a handful of times, but we were excited to finally visit them. The drive to Hana is about 52 miles of 617 turns and 46 one lane bridges. It's crazy, a little scary, and absolutely beautiful! I think it's one of the pretties scenic drives I've done.
When we got to Hana we searched out our friend who was surfing at this beach that I can't remember the name of for the life of me... but it's known for it's red, black and white sand. It was really cool, nice sand to play in. The break was a little rough to take the kids in very far, but they had tons of fun playing in the sand and chasing dogs around the beach. It was starting to get overcast and rainy before I got out the camera, so I don't have a bunch of pictures.
