Images of Michigan

Michigan has the ethereal feel that Maine has at certain times of the year. The moisture that saturates everything creates an amazing light that the dry, desert-like climate of Wenatchee just doesn't have. I had forgotten how much I love that light. I am really going to like Michigan.

There is definitely a Midwestern feel to the landscape. Gentle rolling hills and old barns, curving roads that lead to fields of agricultural growth.


I loved driving the country roads with Matt and the boys sleeping in the backseat. It was the first real peace I have felt in a long time.

I do hope we can find our house in the country. The more I think about living and raising the kids, the more I want it. I know Matt feels the same and I think we can find what we're looking for in Michigan. It feels like we are finally going to be in that place we've been wanting for nearly ten years.

Michigan: Day Three

This morning and afternoon was really enjoyable. I met up with two mamas from MDC at a children's garden on the MSU campus. SO sweet...little gardens and places for kiddos to play...an evergreen labyrinth and a chime game for kids to jump on! The weather was fantastic topping at 87 degrees and we really enjoyed the sun and good company.
Ginger and Drake (who is 2 weeks younger than Sam) invited us for lunch and Sam and Drake played so well together. It was nice to just hang out and get to know a new mom.She helped me a lot with good info about preschools and neighborhoods.
We explored a little more this afternoon and then had a great backyard dinner with some of Matt's new co-workers.
Tomorrow we'll drive to Detroit and fly back to Wenatchee. It seems like another world to me right now. I miss it, but feel very excited to be here...

Michigan: Day Two

Oh, today was fantastic!!! I met with some AP mamas this morning and felt so at home...it was great. We had coffee at a little cafe and then went to a park and chatted and the kids played. I had Arlo today with out Sam! Sam and Matt explored the campus, as Matt had a few informal meetings. I can't even begin to express how nice it was to meet these women and know that I will fit right in with the large group of AP mamas already established here.

In the afternoon Matt, and the boys and I explored the towns surrounding Lansing/E. Lansing and it is beautiful here! I have some great photos I will share when we return to WA. I definitely feel that we'll find our "dream" home and likely with a little land.

A nice dinner with co-workers and then a little more exploring in E. Lansing. To bed early tonight as I think we're all finally adjusting to the time zone. More mama meeting tomorrow!!

Michigan: Day One

We arrived in Detroit late last night and after a horrible drive to E. Lansing due to a screaming baby, a husband that decided (while we were parked in a an empty lot so I could nurse the screaming baby) AP parenting was silly (when reminded of how sweet Sam is, he retracted his comment made in frustration), and getting lost a little...we arrived at our cute hotel (a Town Suites...or something of the like. We have a full kitchen, queen size bed and a pull-out bed for Sam...very nice) about 11 pm, ET. We were all wired, even the baby. We took baths, watched TV and ate snacks...our bodies still on Pacific Time! It was fun.

Today we slept in a bit and explored the towns. I really like this area. E. Lansing and Lansing, despite being the capital of Michigan, is actually a pretty mellow city. We even found dirt roads within city limits and some great large parks. It reminds me a lot of inland Maine and I love the green grasses and trees everywhere. I think I'll really like living here.

We met with a new family, Cassie, Rufus and 8 mos. old Ruby, at their home in Lansing. They will be going on sabbatical for 6 mos in the fall and spring and we may be house sitting for them! It is a very cute house in a very cute neighborhood. It will give us some time to figure out where we'd like to buy a house and get to know the area. It isn't set in stone yet, but it looks like a very good possibility. Yeah.

We then went to a BBQ at one of Matt's new co-worker's house. It was fun to talk with some professor's wives that have lived in the area for a while and get a different feel for E. Lansing. I was able to chat with one woman about her adjustment to moving to E. Lansing following her husband here. It was a really comforting talk. Very nice folks. I was also able to listen in on some of Matt's work talk and I realized how HUGE it is that he got this job! A real feather in his cap...I am so proud of him.

Tomorrow Matt will take Sam to the campus to explore and I will meet up with a few AP mamas at a cafe! I am so excited for that. More later...

Oh, Sam pooped on the potty today!