Home!!

The cruise ended on January 27th. We flew from Houston back to Phoenix where we spent one final evening with my parents and visiting Tyler and Kate (my nephew and niece) before we took the 10 hour drive home. As we got closer, I steeled my nerves to brace (or try to embrace) for the cold weather. This Arizona girl is going to have a lot to adjust to in the coming months. However, the cold could not pentrate the warm feeling I felt inside when we got home and realized the kids had made a "Welcome Home" sign. I was truly home.

 

The couple weeks I've been home and have been full of ups and downs. The first week I kept busy organizing my things and starting to decorate the house (see the following pictures), but the second week I struggled to figure out where I fit now. I don't necessarily miss working, but I miss being busy. I've spent almost 34 years building a life that has almost completely changed in 8 months. Now I am floundering a bit as I try to find out who "Alisha Southwick" is. I am excited to have contacted the boys' teachers and to be able to work in their classes. I am looking forward to helping Jeff with some business aspects and to continue to manage the affairs of the house. I love participating in the kids' activities. I have been given a calling in the ward (primary teacher). Now all I need is time to let it all sink in and discover the new me.