Another Anniversary

This weekend marks our one year anniversary of moving to California. Last year at this time Ken had just arrived in California and was busy unloading the moving truck and setting up our home while I was getting ready to board a plane with my friend Becky, a six week old Brad, and Sky.
Wow! It has really been an amazing year full of new friends, new experiences, new church, new job, etc. It has also been lonely at times and difficult, especially as I have been staying at home with the kids. But, all in all, it's been a wild ride.
Some weird California cultural observations:
There are fruit trees everywhere. Some call CA "the land of fruits and nuts". We have a pink guava tree in our front yard. Before we moved to CA, I had never even heard of a pink guava.
No humidity but the locals still complain of it. I'm sure we will too in a few years.
No rain or snow. There are no seasons unless you drive up north or so we've been told...
Desert, mountains, and beaches all within a 1 hour drive.
Lots of fake boobs and "perfect" people.
The Governator.
People mow their lawns even when there is absolutely no need to do so. The grass really doesn't grow much out here.
Roses grow wild everywhere.
The houses are small with no basements and the garage is usually right in front of the house so when you pull into the driveway, all you see is GARAGE. Many walls have cracks in them due to past earthquakes. The houses are, for the most part, very close together. We can hear the neighbor's phone ring and we can hear them answer it.
Highways are called freeways and are designated with the word "the". So, there's the 5, the 105, the 110, the 405, the 605, etc.
There are frozen yogurt places everywhere. Our town alone probably has 5 different chains represented.
The population is very diverse. There are people from all over the world here and that means great opportunities to learn about different cultures, sample new foods, and shop in unique stores. Brad is definitely a minority with his blonde hair and blue eyes!
There are deadly spiders like the black widow and brown recluse. I'm convinced our town is built on one enormous ant hill. We just can't seem to get rid of them! There are no mosquitoes to speak of but the flies will pester you until you hear a perpetual buzzing.
There are weird birds and the common birds that we grew up with are strangely absent. There are no robins or cardinals or blue jays but there are flocks of parrots.
We still haven't seen any movie stars but we don't exactly hang out in any of the hot spots here.
People get around via skate boards, scooters, golf carts, roller skates, bikes, etc. Sure, people drive cars too but there are also so many other forms of transportation.
Well, these are just a few of our musings on our new life in this strange land. Thanks to all of you who helped us through this year of transition! We couldn't have made it without all of the prayers and support!