They’re here! They’re really really here!
My parents are now residents of Colorado Springs! Yippee! 
Mom and Dad left NJ on May 22. I went to all this trouble to plan their itinerary, with my dad’s condition of driving just 8-10 hours per day. Well, what he didn’t mention was that he was going to start driving at 4:30 AM. They were at my first planned stop by 1 PM their first day! Thanks to cell phone coverage, our high speed internet connection and TravMatix, I was able to adjust their itinerary on the fly – their one requirement of a hotel that accomodated parking their U-Haul fulfilled.
The first night they stopped in Indiana, the next night, they were already in Hays, KS! They arrived a full day earlier than expected. I heard some vehicle noise outside, and ran out to open the garage door. As the door lifted, I see my mom standing by their Mercedes, with my dad backing up their 26′ rented UHaul truck. Right into the rear passenger door of the Mercedes. My mom and I both screamed for him to stop – unbeknowst to my dad who HAD HIS WINDOW CLOSED and couldn’t hear it. 
He punctured the door with a good size hole. 
Once we told him what he had done, it was the first time I ever heard my dad drop the F-bomb. 
Despite that, we had a warm welcome all around. The kids were great – reaffirming my parents decision to move here. 
THURSDAY
On Thursday morning we had a walk-through at the new house, and hired a guy to steam clean the carpets. We met the current owners, a nice couple. The husband grew up in the house. His mother has passed away 2 years ago, he worked on fixing up the house to sell since then. His wife took care of his mom until the end. They were thrilled to know that grandkids would be playing in the house.
My parents went to Denver to visit my sister, who is on bedrest at 35.5 weeks. That night, Doug, Zander, Zevan and I met up with John, Tiffany and Eli at the zoo for opening night of the Wallaby Walkabout.
FRIDAY
On Friday, we had the closing! The house buying process, especially the mortgage application, is grueling. I didn’t do this much work when Doug and I bought either of our homes. That’s a whole other story. Thankfully, our realtor/buying agent, John Hauber was a trooper through the whole process. He nearly always answered the phone when I called, and if he wasn’t available, he called me back right away. 
During the closing, while waiting on the call from the bank that the funds were there (another long story), my parents recounted their story of coming to the US and how they had to fight deportation. Stuff I never even knew. I think I need to start recording an oral history from my parents.
After the closing, we went over to Colorado Springs Utilities to transfer the services. I have to admit, their customer service was quick and easy that day. I was impressed.
After that, we went over to the house to start moving in. Dad and I picked up the truck while Jeff, Kristi and Kylie waited at the new house. Doug came and we started unloading around 1 PM. Dani and Auri came by to help out for a while, too. 
After helping with the huge treadmill, Doug had to leave to work at the comic book store. which left dad, Jeff and I to finish unloading. There were just 4 really BIG pieces, my dad’s treadmill, the dining room hutch and top and the headboard unit of my parents bed. Thankfully my dad rented the appliance dolly – that’s a back saver! We only had one near disaster when my dad almost dropped his end of the dining room hutch, but I was right behind him and helped him catch it before it hit the ground. We took a short break around 3 PM to eat pizza and fruit. We were done before 4:00 PM. I couldn’t believe it went by so fast. I thought we’d be unloading for a lot longer! Especially with such a small crew.
Side note: Yes, Jeff rescued those kids after 3 hours of heavy lifting! Even more reason he’s a HERO! 
My parents had tons of stuff in storage and furniture that was living at various relative’s homes which they recollected and loaded onto the truck. It was like a time capsule. The dining room hutch and top were among the first pieces of furniture they bought, right after my brother was born in 1970. There WAS a matching table and chair set which my brother threw away (yes, Fran, I think Dad’s a little bitter about that still 
). I remember eating at that table as a child. The best was the pictures. Two huge formal family photos…one from the mid 80s (the hair!) and one from a few years later.
We went back to my house to relieve Vikki and check in with the boys. My mom cooked us beef sinagang for dinner while dad went back to his new house to unpack – his computer, of course! We all had dinner together and then my parents went back to their new house to spend the night.
SATURDAY
Saturday morning, after breakfast, the boys and I went to their house. The boys ran around while we spent some time unpacking. After lunch, my dad set up the TV and we turned on PBS for the kids. We went downtown and had lunch at Acacia Park, visited Uncle Wilber’s fountain and stopped by the comic shop where Doug was working. We ended the day trip with a trip to Coldstone Creamery. My parents went home so my dad could pack for his trip back (he has to go back to NJ to finish his Diaconate classes until June 17). Around 8, my mom and I drove him to the Denver airport for his red eye flight to NJ.
SUNDAY
Mom’s staying the nights at our place until dad gets back. Mom got up early to go to Sacred Heart Mass at 7:30 AM. Thankfully, she let me sleep in. That morning, after breakfast, Mom, Doug, Zander, Zevan and I went to Territory Days. We ran into Lindsey and her family at Bancroft Park, and met up with Candy & Misha over by Meadow Muffins. It was a HOT day! We took in the sights for a couple of hours and then headed home.
We have been busy! My house is a wreck, and I’m barely keeping up with laundry, but for now, it’s all worth it. I’m SO excited and thrilled that my parents live here!
The last time I went dancing was the last Mom’s night out (we need to do that soon!). Even more fun – one of the go-go dancers was like a past version of my skinny self, and invited me to come dance on the stage with her 
before we met up with John and Tiffany at Sonterra Grill for Stoli Dolies. 
We briefly walked through The Ritz before we decided to check out Eden instead. Much better choice.
but walked the rest of the way (a little over a mile). 
I took a nice long nap with the boys this afternoon 
That’s right, up 5 lbs! 
A week later, at the end of my period, I’m back down to a respectable 132.8. 
Calgon, take me away! 
On the way there, the boys told me “I love you THIS much, mama” and stretched their arms out wide. So cute! 
