We're here!

Hi Family and Friends!

I said I'd do it...begin a blog!! What with all our exciting new changes going on, we thought it was time to get out a blog so we can update you through something other than the Walgreens photo website. :)

After a little more than one week, we are finally feeling settled into our new Jacksonville home. (I should use the word "new" lightly since our home was built in 1907!) We want to give a huge shout-out to our parents and families and friends for all your love, sweat, time, number-crunching, contract-reviewing, house-prepping, packing, wrapping, unpacking, tree-trimming, cleaning, Oliver-watching, food-delivering, prayers and LOVE you gave to us over this last month. We couldn't have gotten through it without lots of help and hands. I'd mention everyone by name but I know I'd leave someone out so THANKS!! We know that this move was all part of the plan because of the way things moved along so quickly.

Andrew is feeling really good about his job at Illinios College (IC). Since he's been there for over a month, he's more acclimated and is enjoying the good people he's met there. IC is such a small community feel--all the staff and faculty know each other and all practically live within walking distance to campus. We've been welcomed with open arms by the IC family.

As far as our street, we feel SO LUCKY to have gotten this house...239 Finley. The Finley street welcoming crew has been by with flowers, wine, mums and well-wishes. There are lots of kids on the street and there's even an upcoming Fall Fest on the block. I've already volunteered our home to be part of the Holiday Progressive Dinner! :) Gotta have a party as a motivation for getting things done, right?! :) We feel so lucky to have these kind of neighbors: Saturday day was spent tree-trimming (thanks, Rodger!) using a ladder and trimmer from neighbors and then that evening, we hung out, had s'mores and drinks with two families a couple doors down...the baby monitor stretched that far! :)

We're getting used to small-town life (it's kinda like Mayberry where everyone knows everything and everyone). Now we're just settling in--we've found a great church, I'm going to sing for the Symphony Chorale's December MESSIAH concert (can you believe that tiny J'ville has a Symphony??), Andrew is getting used to mowing our new HUGE yard (he got a great new edger that he LOVES), I'm cleaning out over-grown gardens and finding great big old hostas and hydrangea bushes, Oliver loves his new swing and Duncan Park, and Baby Jones #2 is reminding us that he/she is here by Mama's growing belly.... There's lots of work to be done but we're enjoying making this house a home.

We look forward to having all our family here soon (they have trips already scheduled!), enjoying the Farmer's Markets (there are 4 of them here a week!), Fall activities coming up and more...Come visit us!!

Lots of love,

Polly, Andrew, Oliver and Baby Jones