In DC

Well hello there. We are in the DC area.  And let me tell you, it's been quite the wild ride. 

I can now say I'm enjoying myself, but a week ago I was begging Adam to put me on a plane back to Utah. 

So we drove across the country.  It was surprisingly fun.  Overall the kids were great.  We stayed a night in Lincoln Nebraska, then spent the next night in Nauvoo.  Nauvoo was fun and so beautiful. 

Then we moved onto Chicago for a few nights.  We stayed with Adam's aunt and uncle who were fabulous hosts.  Surprisingly, I loved Chicago.  Way fun place.  I never considered searching for a job out there but we're going to add it to the list. 

We did the drive from Chicago to DC in one day.  Our maps lead us through the backwoods of West Virginia.  It was a weird weird place.  It was late and I thought we were going to get hit by a drunk driver.  People driving fast on dark, twisty and turny 2 lane roads.  Just as we were getting worried, we came to the freeway.

We had arranged to stay with a friend's father in Virginia.  As soon as we got there we all crashed, it was late at night.

The next morning (last Saturday), we started to feel that this wasn't the place for us.  Looking on craigslist, we found places to check out and so we headed into DC for the day.  We looked at a few then went to the Museum of Natural History at Sam's urging. 

It was crowded.  Lots of people + pushing a stroller + a baby in a sling + tired from driving = not fun. 

I had my phone on the stroller by the cupholders.  I kept checking the time and telling Adam we should leave so we could get internet reception and check out some more places to live.

100 feet out the doors I realized my phone was gone.  I think it fell off the stroller.  Adam ran back in the museum and retraced our steps, nothing.  He locked my phone from his, and we sent an overriding message saying the phone was lost and there was a cash reward.  Nothing.  He started to track it, and of course, it was heading away from the museum.  Assuming it was stolen, we decided to head home.

On our way out, still tracking the phone, we noticed it stopped.  At the Mongolian Embassy, which we were surprisingly right outside of.  Adam went in and talked to the translator, who was from BYU.  Nothing.  When he came out, the signal from my phone went dead.  And that's the end of my phone. Happy anniversary to us.

Totally heartbroken, we headed back to our place in Virginia.  Again, it didn't feel right.  And it was much too far from the city.  Adam would be traveling at least an hour each way.  We all came out to DC with him, so why were we living so far out?

Church was good the next day.  It was nice to have some clarity.  We knew we couldn't stay.

We packed up and headed out.  Our host was very understanding.

And at that moment we were homeless.  In Washington DC.  With 3 babies.  It was terrifying. Happy Mothers Day.

So we did what any people in our situation would do.  Sightseeing.  We walked around the Jefferson Memorial and Potomac river.  All the while waiting for someone to call from Craigslist.

And nothing happened.  We checked into a Howard Johnson that night.  I sent out even more emails, praying something would work out.

That evening I got a few emails, and one felt right.  I arranged with her to see her place after we checked out in the morning.

The next morning Adam got ready, we had breakfast as a family, and he left for the Metro.  His first day of work.  And we were left alone by ourselves, to find a home.  Me, dragging 3 kids around DC.  I was even more scared as he left.

But I knew I couldn't fall apart.  I started calling people back, arranging times to see apartments, all while the boys were glued to the iPad and Oliver slept.  

Then the phone in my hotel room rang.  I answered.  "Katie?" Who in the heck knew I was here?  A friend saw my facebook post and tracked me down.  She offered me a place to stay--her place.  I said I'd call her if I did need something, but I was going to try to find a place that day.

We checked out and ventured out to see places.  The first place we checked was great.  It was everything we wanted and needed, minus a backyard.  Great price.  And it was the soonest any place was letting anyone in, May 26th.  I actually managed to talk her into letting us in move in the 22nd. 

I called everyone else and I said we had found a place.  Adam is trusting me completely, he has not seen it besides pictures on Craigslist. 

I had found a guy on Airbnb (website), who had a big house and rented out rooms and said he had a spot for us for 2 nights.  We went there that afternoon and all the kids crashed.  It was an okay place to stay, but I kept feeling like I should call the friend back.

So I did.  And I asked if I could stay.  Do you know how hard it is to ask someone, "Hey, can my family of 5 crash at your house for 8 nights?" She was so kind and said, "Of course."  And we then bombarded their home with all our craziness. 

And so here we are.  The boys are having a grand time with friends, Oliver is getting his sleep, I got a new phone and we are doing much better than we were a week ago. 

We move out Tuesday.  Adam will be within walking distance of the Metro and we will see him more.  He LOVES his job with the Department of Justice.

We are happy.  So what more could we ask for?  Bring the rest of the adventure on!  We've been through the worst part...right?