Impatiently Waiting

I'm waiting and waiting for so many things right now and I'm feeling impatient.

We found a couple of places walking distance from the boy's school, one of which we've submitted an application for.  I don't know if we'll get it but here's a link as to what it'll look like.  http://www.furniture-rental-tokyo.com/arrangement/furnish_grace23.html

While searching for "furniture in Tokyo" online, I came across our apartment.  This was one on the second floor of the apartment building.  Ours will be on the 4th floor.  It has 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths and it will be remodeled and won't be available for a couple of months...I believe it's about 2000 sq. ft. 

I'm also waiting for our air freight to arrive, a few important emails and phone calls, a package, etc. etc.

ahhhhh

Update

1.  We got an offer on our house in Sandy.  But it was a little low for what we want.  If someone doesn't step up by July 1st, it will be a rental for a couple years before we try to sell again.  By then our realtor fees will be paid for by the company.  So there's not a huge incentive to sell especially if it's not our asking price.
2.  We've been out house/apt. hunting  a couple of times.  I'm going out again this afternoon with our agent.  I found the perfect house.  I love it.  It's so awesome and trendy and in a beautiful residential area.  It's about 1 mile away from the boys school.  But because of the traffic it might be a hassle every morning.  It's a huge dilemma because it is such a wonderful house.  Back in Sandy, our kids attended a school 1 1/2 miles from our home.  It took me 3 minutes to take them to school and 5 minutes on a snowy day.  It's so crazy how many more people/cars we have to drive by here in Tokyo.
3.  On Tuesday the two younger boys were tested at the private school, something Toki was able to do back in the states.  Because he was accepted into the school earlier this year, 2 spots were reserved for brothers.  Lucky boys since there is a waiting line for Lolo's class and first grade.  I read that enrollment for international schools is down 20% but at this school, it is not the case.  They have almost the same amount of students returning who have already paid their tuition.  I was so worried that the boys wouldn't get in after their assessment.  It would have complicated things a bit...trying to find a new school/applying and looking for housing in a different area.  They both got in....having 3 kids get in.....is rare.  I'm ecstatic.
4.  The place we're staying at has the nicest workers.  The boys have been getting bites.  Their legs are covered.  It occurred to us, it might be bed bugs.  I checked the beds.....clean.  I checked the couch....gross.  This would explain why they were complaining of bites during the day.  They take the couch pillows off and jump on the nasty couch and get eaten alive.  Yesterday was a no couch day and therefore no new bites.  I however am a little paranoid about transferring bedbugs into our new place.  They were so kind to remove the couches and replace them.  They also ran out to get creams for the boys and apologized profusely.   Before we move........there will be a major day at the laundromat. 

5.  We've been here for a week and a day.  It's kind of a tough transition.  We walk everyone which is fine when the kids are not tired and whinny.  We don't have a car to go to Cosco.  We spend more on groceries than we would like and we have to go more often.  I miss Walmart.  I swear the taxi cabs are taking advantage of us... supposedly not knowing where a location is and taking the long way.  I miss grass.  No one smiles or says hi when you walk by....think how many times you'd have to say hi when you walk everywhere and when there are thousands of people doing the same thing.  We need to get settled quickly....set up swim lessons, find kid activities, before the summer is gone.  I suppose moving across the world and learning a new language and culture is adventure enough but I'm thinking about their soccer camps, pool time, etc. that they're missing.  And I've been too freaked out to go out for a run.  I guess it's only been a week. 

6.  We're over jet lag.  Waking up between 3 and 5 am was getting old.  The kids are now at 7 and 7:30.  I don't even mind 6:30am.

Our first trip to church on Father's Day

Train ride to church

Walking the rest of the way

about 30 minutes

Last day in Sandy, First day in Tokyo

Uncle Quin helped us clean the house on Tuesday.  Thanks so much!

Last minute goodbyes

Waiting at the airport

Getting on the airplane

Feeling spoiled in first class

Chris' family coming to pick us up at the airport and here they are trying to fit everything in.  We were allowed 3 pieces of luggage each.  We didn't use all of it.  But still a lot of stuff.

Temporary housing.  Has 3 bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a kitchen and nice size living room.  4th floor in Residence Akasaka.

masterbedroom

master bath.  can't get the picture to rotate.  any suggestions?

We have finally made it to Japan.  It's rainy season here.  The weather is overcast and it's sprinkling all the time.   Lolo was the only kiddo who really slept on the 12 hour plane ride.  Vy did take a nap during the last hour of the ride.  On the way to the apartment, the boys crashed.  They woke up around 5am. We went on a walk at about 8:30am and then for lunch we hunted down a ramen shop.  We visited the little parks, cemeteries, and temples that we came across.  We also went grocery shopping.  Every where we go, we get stared at.  We've watched cartoons in Japanese and now the boys and Chris are out for another walk to look for some shops.  That is pretty much how we have spent our first day in Tokyo.