Another Opens

The plane went over Israel and the scenery didn't exactly look familiar. The kids said "there's Yerushalayim" and "I see our house in Beit Shemesh." It was so sweet to hear.

Upon approaching the gate, the crew alerted us over the plane intercom that we have someone waiting for משפחת ווגל. We received VIP service to help us with our bags and went straight to the misrad haklita. A woman from Ukraine was really great and funny helping us through signing a bunch of papers. We chose to take a ride (covered by the Jewish Agency, I believe an aliyah perk). It was a wise decision to come right to the house. Kids didn't sit in car seats - רק בישראל.

We had no issues retrieving our bags, rather disappointed that our sim cards did not work. Olim receive one free per family, so one phone is now hooked up but not mine. Luckily we have wifi. But this created a mix up since many numbers were on my phone.... and so we missed some very wanted welcome introductions.

While on the hasa'ah, the kids looked for olive trees and definitely were soaking it all in.

We felt really happy with being here.

The house we are renting is huge. While outside neighbors met us and brought dinner. I even met my high school teachers wife, who was on a walk. Seeing familiar faces makes a huge difference. And the fact that I was even just approached was so friendly.

I'm currently now trying to help the baby get back on what was a perfect sleeping record. Hopefully jet lag doesn't bother us too much.

Tomorrow we have to go to misrad hampnim, open a joint bank account and pick up our rental car.

It's crazy that we are legit living here. A neighbor says to me "we've all been through this and are here for you."

----

2 am everyone wakes up like it's morning here. Five living, breathing souls end up in our bed. Josh says to me "Tamar, we did it."

It's a beautiful thing.

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