Data Overload

Two years, three cell phone carriers, and numerous phones. It all started with Alltel's demise, and the unavoidable transfer to AT&T. Initially, I thought awesome! A nation wide carrier, one of the big ones I had always heard of, means we are going to have great services and more options. It didn't even occur to me that North Dakota was simply a part of the package for them, not an area they necessarily wanted. After 23+ hours on the phone I was happy to say that we were free and clear without a penalty of early cancelation. I even had the opportunity to speak with the office of the president - not once, but twice - to thank them for dropping the call in the middle of our conversation.

So, you can only imagine how excited I was to find that we had no service here and that Sprint has no intention of changing that in the very near future. We signed our contract with them in October of 2011 - leaving the world of technology to save some money by choosing the dumb phones that were outdated before they hit the shelf. They served the purpose - I could send and receive text messages and phone calls. There was no facebook, no internet, I couldn't stream music, games weren't compatible, and I couldn't upload the crappy pictures it took to social media. But I couldn't complain either - the agreement was fairly cheap in the world of phones and the service was awesome. It was going to be hard to walk away, but we did - again with no penalty for early cancelation.

Being faced with only one option - we are now Verizon members. I am pretty sure AT&T would not have welcomed us back with open arms - and in this area, those are the only two choices. And let me tell you, I forgot how AWESOME living in the world of technology is. Don't get me wrong - I have always had access to a computer, my Nook was a temporary replacement, and I have never been without a phone. However, having all those abilities in my palm at any given time is great. So, let me apologize ahead of time for the barrage of photos, status updates, and information coming your way - I just can't help myself.

Everyone dies famous in a small town...

I spent the majority of my teenage years longing for the day I got to leave this place. A place where Miranda said it best - "everyone dies famous in a small town." My life plans were going to be full of big city lights, opportunity, and people - millions and millions of people. Had you told me 10 years ago that I would be back, I would have laughed in your face. Funny how life never quite works out like you plan...even funnier how you don't realize that sometimes the things you plan, are not really what's best for you after all.
I have officially been back 'home' for a week, and I am having a hard time trying to figure out what it was that I wanted to run from all those years ago. Granted, I do understand that 10 years changes a person - and I am not the young dreamer I once was. Mostly though, I can thank Tate for my newfound appreciation of my roots. Yes, I am still in the vacation stage of being a stay at home mom, but so far days filled with long walks, playing in the park, and helping my little guy discover the wonders of the world - have been awesome! We have done things in the past week that we likely would have never done where we used to call home. Truly, I forgot how great it was to walk down the street and have people driving by wave to you - or to have someone pull over just to say hi and ask how you are doing.
I know that it won't always be like this, and eventually the lack of things to do will likely get to me. Someday I will miss being able to run down the street and grab supper. And I know that the 3rd time I have to drive 40 miles to get something I need because I forgot it the first 2, I will long for the city life. However, for now, I am openly admitting that I am liking small town life - more than I thought I ever would. So there, I admit I was wrong all those years ago....now, bring on the fame!

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Well, we made it - we are officially relocated (if you don't count the fact that our entire house contents are still in Moorhead, along with all the necessary stuff that doesn't fit in the back of my Tahoe).  Traveling with a toddler is exhausting in itself, especially when he decides sleeping is optional for the whole trip - but add to it the constant howl of a stressed out cat, and it's a wonder I drove past the state hospital without stopping to check in.
It was a long ride, that only got longer about 50 miles outside of Regent. After struggling with Tate to get him comfortable enough to think about taking a nap, I glance in my rearview mirror to see the distressed look on his face. If only I was prepared for what was coming next, I would have probably selected different blanket placement earlier. Upon my next glance in the mirror, my vision is blinded by the sight of my son projectile vomiting in the car. And not just a little bit either, I don't know that I have ever seen that much puke come out of something so small. Let me tell you, 75 mph on interstate is simply not fast enough when your child is covered head to toe in vomit. Oh and the smell....ugh, let's just say it took everything I had not to throw up the rest of the way. I did my best to clean him off - but it was impossible to get the nooks and crannys of the car seat. Ish. Needless to say, the carseat was removed upon our arrival and hosed down - and the Tahoe seats have been loved with Pinsol. Yet, I still can't get the smell out of my nose.

So far, with the exception of yesterday's travels, this journey of staying at home has been wonderful - although I must admit is still feels like a vacation instead of my reality! Monday was so beautiful, and we spent a good majority of the day playing outside soaking up the sunshine. Tuesday was really no different. In fact, it was nearly 9:30 before I was able to drag Tate inside kicking and screaming. Way past his bedtime, but he was having so much fun!! I have learned this week, that the majority of our days will be spent outdoors discovering the wonders of the world - he just loves it outside, which I am thankful for. I can't wait to share some of those adventures with you all!