So, it's been a week

As of today, we have been official residents of Juneau for one week.  And it has been a week...full of ups and downs.

The trip here went far better than even I expected.  The girls (& adults for that matter) slept very little on our overnight flights but in the end, I think that has helped us adjust quickly to the time change.  Due to a small miscommunication with the electric company, we didn't have any power when we arrived but that was quickly corrected by the end of the day.  And then there was the glacial flood, just to keep us on our toes (Jökulhlaup).  

But it's been more about the everyday.  So here are some of my reflections from one week in:

• Everyone we've met has been very, very friendly.  Regardless of the context in which we meet the person, whether it's at the church we visited or the cashier at Costco, we've been greeted with smiles and welcomes (and some interesting accents).  That said, coming from the streets of Shaker Heights where we could hardly walk out our door without bumping into a neighbor who wanted to chat or hang out at the playground, we are missing that community feel.  I'm reminding myself that we've only been here one week (a theme that will come up again)

• Our house is wonderful!  Despite the fact that we have very little of our personal belongings here with us, it is beginning to feel comfortable in that way that only your home does.  

• And when the sun is out, even the smallest bit, the landscape is beautiful.  Truly, truly beautiful.  We can drive to a glacier, have seen countless bald eagles and there are tree covered mountains every direction you turn - doesn't get much better than that!  I even got out on my very first small hike with Graham.  One day, we really were heading to the grocery store and I turned left out of neighborhood instead of right and ended up at the Mendenhall Glacier.  Absolutely break taking, and we can't wait to get back for a proper hike and visit.  And I think we may even have discovered the world's largest rhubarb in our backyard :)

The forest view on my first hike.  Graham & I joked it looked like the Ewoks should be coming through any moment.

• But, it has been so rainy and gray.  Thick clouds have blocked the sun for days.  I was anticipating the long sunny days to be a challenge, particularly with trying to get the girls and myself to fall asleep, but because it's been so overcast, it's hardly been a problem.  I knew it would rain a lot, but man, this has been tough.  

• We've made our first trips to the neighborhood Alaskan outfitters store...our purchases:  bear bells, bear spray, rain pants, Muck boots, and a rain hat for me.  I don't wear hats so for me to buy a rain hat, particularly one that looks like some sort of all-weather cowboy hat, tells you how much it's been raining!

• We have enjoyed moments of happy in finding the normal - visiting the library and seeing Adelaide absolutely ecstatic at getting her first library card.  Enjoying the park across the street from our house.  Finding an awesome neighborhood playground.

Watching the ducks at Riverside Park across the road from our house.

Climbing wall at Twin Lakes Playground

• But we've also been struggling with the pains of adjusting to the new.  Adelaide has probably been challenged the most.  Knowing that making friends will help with the transitions into a new home and new school, we signed her up for a soccer team through the city recreation department (so focus on fun and learning the game) and a soccer camp this second week.  But that doesn't make getting out there and participating in those activities for the first time any easier.  Some of her most challenging anxiety-induced behaviors have resurfaced.  We watched her essentially paralyzed and unable to take the field with her soccer team, despite the fact that she was so excited about the game an hour earlier.  Fears of new people, people cheering (which I think to her is a pressure about having to do well and not making a mistake), and it just generally being different than playing soccer at recess got the better of her.  We're recalling back to all we did as a family to get through the transition into kindergarten and it seems to be helping.  Tonight she had a soccer practice and we watched proudly as she went out there and ran around, talked with the other kids, and smiled.  Again, we're reminding ourselves, we've only been here on week and this has been huge change, so we just keep digging down to find the strength and energy to support each other. 

Pretty scenic view for soccer practice, huh?