Our Journey to Nova Scotia

WHAT??!! We moved to Nova Scotia??

Yes, it is true. We have moved far, far, away to begin a new chapter in our lives. Getting here was a journey all on it's own, but being here now has proven to be even more of an adventure. We have been going non stop trying to organize our lives in a new country. We are settling in but there is still a lot to keep us busy up to our eyebrows. We are extremely grateful for this opportunity, and we are looking forward to what the next four years have in store for our family. Our journey began on August 1st when we moved out of our apartment in Logan, Utah, and Justin and I parted ways for a week while he drove all of our belongings across the United States with his Dad in a U-HAUL. (This adventure was documented on a different camera, so I will post pictures when I can get them.) They visited friends of ours in Lincoln, Nebraska, saw church sites in Kirtland, Ohio, Palmyra, New York, and traveled through 13 states, and 2 Canadian Provinces to get us to our new home. My Dad and his friend Jim drove our car across the U.S. also to help us get there. In the mean time Miley and I spent time with family, and waited for our turn to travel across the country. Our version involved lots of help from Grandma, and a couple airplane flights. Not a bad way to go. We had a lot of help and support from family, and we are so grateful! During my stay in Salt Lake I turned 24. My mom spoiled me from head to toe with a new hair cut, eye brow wax, new shoes and a pedicure for my birthday. My Sister drove all the way from Los Angeles to spend time with me before I left. She also put together a book of memories for me. She had each one of my family members write me a letter and give advice about leaving home, and being away from family. She put it together with pictures and beautiful artwork. It was amazing! I will always treasure it and appreciate all of her hard work in putting it together for me. My whole family got together that evening at my grandparents for a little swim party/BBQ to celebrate. I loved making fun memories with them before I left. Thank you, family for doing that for me!

Jess at 24

Our Sis-in-law Miss and sweet baby Lexi

Uncle Trav and IJP

All the girls. Mom, Miss, Lexi baby, Jess, Ash, Jess, Miley, Celeste

Celeste and Trav I got to see some dear friends of mine before I left. Laura and baby Joe, Krissi, Rachel, and Sydney. Thank you for making time to be with me. I thought I would be a lot more sad and weepy to say goodbye to my dear friends and family. Don't get me wrong, I definitely shed some tears, I just was not the emotional wreck I was anticipating. In all truthfulness the hardest part was being apart from Justin while he was driving. I cried when I said goodbye to my mom, and all the way to JFK Airport. Once I got all my tears out I got pretty pumped and excited to get to Nova Scotia and see Just. I miss my family and friends terribly! But, I know this is where our family needs to be at this time, and so I can't help but be excited and happy to see it happening. Once we got to Nova Scotia it was work, work, work to get the house ready to be a home. Like I mentioned before, we had a lot of help and support from our families. Scott, Kerri, Dad, and Jim, you are our guardian angels! You saved us so much time, money, and energy. Thank you for all you did to help us get started here! The house was not exactly in tip top shape when we arrived, so there was a lot of cleaning and errand running to be done, not to mention unpacking an entire household. My dad took me to a local garden market, and purchased a ton of beautiful flowers for our yard. Then, while Kerri, Scott, and Jim feverishly weeded and planted flower beds my dad took me to the grocery store and bought us a kitchen full of food. The yard was completely put together, refreshing and beautiful when we returned. What a treat!! I have never had flowers in my yard before. I am so excited. It definitely made things start to feel more like home. Here is a picture of our new home with the awesome flowers. We are definitely not disappointed with our place. We can see the ocean from our front porch! We have really sweet neighbors and it is a safe community. We are very happy that coming here on a hope and a prayer, without ever seeing the place, worked out for us.

Our Dad's. Alan and Scott working on the house "Uncle" Jim, the ultimate handy man Sweet grandma Kerri Scrubbed this oven until you could see yourself in it! There are not enough "Thank yous" to express our appreciation for the countless acts of service you rendered to us! Thank you! We love you all very much! My Dad and Jim stayed and helped for the the week, and then we had to take them to the airport and say goodbye. We were fortunate though, because Scott and Kerri were able to stay a little longer and enjoy a few things around Halifax. The five of us went to a fun carnival to watch street performers and have lunch on the pier Saturday afternoon, they also got to go with us to our ward for the first time on Sunday, see Justin's Dental School on Monday, and a fun place called Peggy's Cove all before flying out on Tuesday. One of the Australian street performers. He is juggling knives, with helicopter knives above his head supported by his mouth. Crazy Halifax folk, eh? Us at Peggy's Cove lighthouse Halifax Harbor Miley reading books with Grandpa And snuggling with Grandma.

We are so glad it did not take her too long to warm up. She's definitely missing the company and attention. Then, of course, the time has to come to say goodbye, which is never easy to do. We can't thank you enough for traveling our here to help us begin our journey in Nova Scotia. We will look forward to seeing you at Christmas!