First 48 Hours

We have gone nonstop since we arrived. Yesterday we looked at a potential school for Brylie and Will, bought some groceries, got our new cell phones, shopped for some clothes for Mikaylie and went to a dinner party. The American couple that have been here for nearly 2 years had us over for hamburgers, hotdogs and homemade mac and cheese (no Kraft or Velveeta). The Linas, including their girls whom we met last year were there as well.
Mikaylie spent the day with the girls, Bernadette and Stephanie. They had Facebooked and skyped and when they met face to face, it was as if they've been long lost friends. This is an enormous blessing as Mikaylie has had some difficulties with the move. Today, Mikaylie went with Bernadette to her boarding school for the day.  Much to my relief, she did not come back wishing to attend that school.
Billy and I spent the day with Victoria, one of the wives, shopping for washer/dryer, grill, outdoor table and benches and various other things we needed to purchase upon our arrival. We needed many small kitchen appliances that we were unable to ship because of the different electrical system. This turned out to be a blessing because we've found out this week that our container with our belongings will not be here until 25 April (Kiwi dating). The 26 February arrival date was erroneous, much to our disappointment. The hospital houses where we are currently residing are quite adequate, however, we are so tired of the nomadic, living-out-of-a-suitcase life that we just want to move into our home. The kids keep saying, "When are we going home?" and "I wanna go home!!" 
We did spend several hours there today. Billy and Kaigan assembled the grill and I unpacked the footlockers and put away our purchases. I also managed set off the alarm which resulted in an embarrassing meeting of the neighbors. Kaigan and I had been in the master bedroom trying to figure out what switches went to what. Well, one switch should have bold print reading "DO NOT PRESS". It was a panic button! Deafening alarm!!! Fortunately, the system is not currently monitored therefore did not summon emergency personnel... only the neighbors. They were very nice, however, and offered to help in any way.
Everyone is so very nice. We've been fed every night so far. Even the people from whom we bought the house left an awesome packet covering everything we could possibly need or want to know about the house, including photos of the house from before it was remodeled and added on to. (Yes, it identified the panic button. Unfortunately, I read it AFTER discovering it on my own.) It also included a note saying that they had left the large urn in the backyard as a gift to us and their three boys left the trampoline as a gift to our kids. So very kind of them. We look forward to meeting them. They clearly love this home very much and wish the same for us.
We're back at the hospital houses now but we are hoping tonight will be our last night here. Tomorrow Billy is going to collect some loaner mattresses so that we can stay at our own home. It is so beautiful there. The view is so amazing. I can't believe we will be living only 3 blocks from the beach. Graham and Nani's school is just around the corner, as is a convenience store that Mikaylie walked down to for a soda and a snack. It's so safe here it's inconceivable. In the states, I had become nervous going to public places with so many random shootings occurring across the country. In NZ, handguns are allowed only to be kept at the police station, taken out only for target shooting. Murders are virtually unheard of, only occasionally in a domestic dispute. Kids are walking everywhere. As long as they know their way around and how to cross a busy street, there is nothing to worry about.
Other noteworthy things we're finding in NZ... Things aren't as expensive as we had feared. There is a sort of sticker shock but when you consider the exchange rate and that tax is included in the price, it's really not that much more expensive.
Our electric/gas bill is projected to be at least half as much as what we were paying in Kentucky. We neither have, nor will we need, air conditioning. Heating is gas.  Line drying is the norm and, while we will have a dryer, I'm hoping to use the free drying system.
Speaking of dryers... they are quite, um, small. Washers too, are way smaller than we're accustomed to. The kids, however, will be wearing uniforms to school and with warmer winters, we shouldn't have the bulky winter clothes we've been wearing.

I do miss our dear friends and family. I miss our church family and my horses. And I miss Pete, but he'll be here in about six weeks. That being said, I have NEVER felt more relaxed or more at peace. Even in this still unsettled state, it's all good. And while I still can hardy believe we are actually here, I know it's where we are supposed to be. And more of God's timing is revealing itself. (For example, since we are nearing the end of the summer here, our outdoor table and grill were significantly cheaper!) 

Stay tuned. More Kiwi 101 to come...