Arky trip :)

This past weekend we took a 3 day trip to Arkansas. It was the first time for the both of us had been in the state of Arkansas. It was so beautiful. We got up Monday morning and walked outside to this....



It is so unbelievably green there. Not only really green but super humid. When Jonny and I stepped off the plane Sunday night at 11 pm, it was hard to breathe. It was like getting out of a hot shower but staying in the bathroom. It is very hot. So Sunday night we drove to the guy we were staying with whose name is Jim. He is the Athletic Director at the High School. He was so kind to open up his home for us to stay with him. Thanks Jim! Anyway, we got up pretty early (considering the time difference from AZ to AR is 2 hours ahead) to head to the Junior High. The reason why we took this trip out there this week was because the whole week, the Junior High was holding a volleyball camp for the 8th and 9th graders (which is who Jonny will be coaching) so that they could meet him as well as him being able to see where their skill level was at. They were all so nice and welcoming. The girls seem like they will be a lot of fun and Jonny is super excited!

I know I will probably say this over and over again but everyone there was SO NICE!!!!! Within 10 seconds of meeting someone, they would always say, "here is my number....if you need anything just let me know." They are all so nice!

So Monday after the volleyball camp was over which was about 11:30 am we started our house hunt. We checked the classifieds, craigslist, etc. and started to get ourselves familiar with the street names and the area. What we did find out was that the little town of Russellville has a grid system. Not as easy as Utah's with numbers but similar. So that helped to be able to understand where some streets are. We had no luck the first day looking for houses. WE decided to call up the Bishop so we could meet him and family. They are so nice and we know that we will be close with them. Then, we went back to Jim's and woke up the next morning.

Tuesday, we woke up and decided to go by the school again to see the girls. However, we had some appointments for some places to look inside that afternoon so we left early. We liked one of the places that was a duplex with a garage but it just wasn't exactly what we were looking for. So we kept looking. The search contiuned to not go super well and we started getting super frustrated and overwhelmed. All of a sudden we got a blessing. We decided that we were going to go to a real estate agency and see what they can do to help. This happened to be at 4:00 at night and they closed in an hour. We went by and they had a list of all the houses and apartments that are for rent, all the amentities, the rent, and when it will be made available. It was like a prayer answered. We started to drive around and look at the outside of most houses and got to go in a few. Thats when we came across what we hoped would become our house. This....


The owner was outside but said he wouldn't let us in because he didn't want to invade. We looked around and realized that the previous tenants had already moved all of their stuff out. So we decided that we would go to the real estate as early as possible the next morning so if we like it we could get it for sure. So we woke up the next morning, drove to the place and asked if they could go show us around. We went there and LOVED IT!!!!! Here are just some pictures that I took of the place. I have more but its hard to tell what they are unless you know the layout of the place.


Here is the backyard. We found out that it is 1/6 an acre. So pretty big and super open. I don't know what we will do with all that room but I think that it will be nice :)

This is the living room. We love the wood floor and the fireplace. Now the only thing we don't know what to do is where to put our sectional. But I bet we will figure it out. To the right but out of the picture is a sliding glass door and an area to put our table that Sandy gave us. Thanks Sandy!!

The house is 3 bedrooms with all walk-in closets. There is 2 full bathrooms. A pretty small kitchen but all new applicances. There is also a washer and dryer that comes with the apartment. And a garage! We are so excited for a little house but now we will just need to have some friends and family come visit cause we have extra bedrooms and bathroom! :)


So to finish off what we did. Jonny was super nice to me Tuesday for my birthday. He took me shopping for cowboy boots (which we didn't find any :( but I will keep looking ) and then Jim and his wife took Jonny and I out to dinner. Then that night, Jonny had secretly planned for the Bishop and his family to bake me a cake and have us over. It was a great birthday!


Wednesday is when we woke up and got our house squared away, just in the nic of time! After, we went by a school board's office to make sure all of the paperwork is done. After, we went by the school and said bye to the girls and coaches. Then headed to the airport. Luckily we had better luck getting on flights yesterday then we had on Sunday. We are glad to be back safe and sound.

We are so excited to move out there. The town was great. The people are super nice. I even applied for a job while I was out there and we will see if I get it! :) It will be SO sad to leave family and friends but I really think this is will be fun for Jonny and I and it will help us to grow together. Thanks for all the support and we hope that some of y'all will be able to come out and see us. If anything, come visit the beautiful area.

P.S: Jonny did say that within 2 days of being there, I was already picking up the accent. Oh boy. It's just so catchy and easy to catch on to.


Here are some other random pictures to see...

Everyone there is so religious and openly religious. I like that. We prayed in the restaurant and no one even cared.
This is the view of the lake that is right next the Junior High School. It is so pretty and we caught it right at sun down.


So at the Chicago airport, we were waiting for the plane to board and had some time to kill so I walked to a little shop to look around. As I was walking out of the shop, I looked up to find Barto walking by that EXACT shop. It was crazy! We both were in shock and it was a nice little surprise to be able to see her before we left for good to go to Arkansas and before she took off to Poland. She was on her way to the terminal to wait for her plane to Poland. It was awesome and we had a good kick out of it!
That's all for now. Hope you enjoy reading and looking at the pictures. Maybe later I will just post all the pictures of the house and you can try and figure out what they are. :) Love y'all!