A Utah Girl

Being born and raised in Utah and living there all my life, I've realized it's been a long time since I've moved some place entirely new....It kind of reminds me of when I went away for college...although, USU and Cache Valley are still technically Utah.  I had some adventures back then getting around in a big new town (ie.getting lost on the bus, finding the grocery store, learning about the area etc). Well after being here almost a month, I've come up with a quick list of...

Things a Utah girl has learned about living in Illinois:

• Watch out for the wildlife here! We live super close to a forest preserve. I love it because it's soooo green and lush it makes us feel like we're out in the country. You wouldn't guess the O'Hare Airport is just 22 miles away.  On the other hand, there are wild coyote that roam through the local neighborhoods. We've been told to keep our eyes out. Also, I've seen little frogs just hanging out on our windows and snapping turtles in the little creek down the street. A little different wildlife than living in a desert.

• Bug Spray is a definite MUST! Let's just say I won't leave home with out it and we've stocked up....We went on a walk the other day and I had (we actually counted) 15 mosquito bites on just one arm. I will never leave home without it!

• Also keeping Change in the Car is an absolute MUST! There are toll roads everywhere. When you're relying on a GPS to get you from point A to point B don't get caught without some spare change.

• Deep Dish Chicago Style Pizza .DELICIOUS!!! I really don't need to say much more other than I don't think I could go back and have "thin" pizza (as they call it out here) It is simply divine and a pizza lovers heaven. Stephen and I found a yummy place close to the children's hospital, when we had an unexpected stay there a few weeks ago with Andrew 
• Mileage vs. time to get places are two totally different things. In Utah if some place is about 15 miles away, it usually took about 15-20 minutest to get there...give or take. Well here....not so much. I had to drive into the city for a dr.'s appointment for Andrew. It was only 40 miles away. But yeah, it took over two hours. I've decided that I really hate driving in the city, especially during rush hour.

• Instead of Mountains to help me with my direction and orientation....water towers have taken place. (Although, I miss the mountains terribly!) However, if I'm ever wondering what city I'm driving through, I just look around and the only thing tall enough over the trees are the huge water towers. Whoever thought to put the city names upon them was a genius.

• Everyone warned us about Chicago's weather...well, I haven't been here during the winter months, which I know are crazy. But I love the fact that we've had 70-80 degree weather this entire month. It's been awesome! I think I'd prefer that over the 100 degree weather in Utah.

So far we have been doing great out here in the "Land of Lincoln".  In some ways it seems very surreal that we are even here. We've been talking and planning on this big move and Stephen starting this new job for over 7 months. It was a big effort to get out here and packing up all of our things having our car shipped out here with the rest of our things. The airport and airplane ride were a fun adventure! Flying with an infant is one thing, but flying with one on oxygen is a whole other ball game. We were "those" people standing in the security line that you'd avoid...especially if you were running late. It was quite the sight. Andrew slept through the entire thing. Thank goodness for direct flights. :)

I also absolutely love that we live so close to Stephen's work. When we were looking at where to live this wasn't a huge priority on my list. I'm so glad it was on Stephen's! He has about a 15 min commute each day. It's wonderful to have him come home for lunch every once in a while and he usually goes in early so he can be home by 4:30 or so.  Couldn't ask for any more! It is so wonderful to be together as a family and here with Stephen in Illinois!