Let's Move

Living in western Oregon during Covid was not a pleasant experience for me.  I felt like a prisoner, that my freedoms were trampled upon, and I began to seriously contemplate what our future held. 

It didn't look good.

Here's the thing: the Pacific Northwest is gorgeous.  Absolutely stunning.  I love the trees, the coastline, the weather, all of it.  When we moved to Oregon 9 years ago, I was certain it was our forever home.

But things change.  

Here's the thing: the Pacific Northwest is plagued by serious social issues.  In my experience, homelessness is rampant, religion is largely unvalued, and the cost of living is suffocating.  For the most part, I've been able to overlook these warts over the past 9 years.  

But things change.

Once Covid hit, we were under crazy restrictions long after the rest of the country had eased control, homeless camps skyrocketed, and I began to be unable to overlook the warts.  I lost confidence in our political leaders and felt suffocated by the liberal climate.  After a while, I just didn't want to be suffocated anymore.  So we decided to move.

But where?  

We considered a few options but I didn't want to go somewhere ugly.  Or expensive.  It had to be a move that made financial sense and had a beautiful landscape. We couldn't think of anyplace.  So we decided to stay - I wasn't very happy.

One day I was lamenting to my friend about the state of our lives in Oregon and my desire for a change.  When I told her we couldn't find any acceptable options, she suggested eastern Tennessee.  It was a place they had considered at one point.  My heart was pricked and I was intrigued.     

Michael and I researched, we prayed, we crunched the numbers, we prayed some more, and then we went to the temple with our question.

As I was sitting in the temple, I didn't feel any confirmation that we should move.  For over an hour I sat there without any confirmation.  I thought to myself, "Well, I guess that's a no."  Just as that thought skated by, my stomach filled with butterflies, my heart started racing, and my face flushed with warmth.  I was overcome with the unmistakable peace in my heart that eastern Tennessee was the place. It was a yes.

So today we did this.

I have a lot of feelings about moving: excitement, nervousness, sadness, but not one ounce of fear.  

That's the miracle of the Holy Ghost.  The confirmation I received in the temple eliminates space for fear.  I know our decision is right and I know God will be directing our path. 

So here we go. Let's do this!         

Farewell 2021

What's the best way to kick 2021 to the curb?

Why, go to my sissy's house of course!  We played games, ate Chinese food, talked, laughed, and managed to hold our eyes open until midnight.

It was wonderfully fun - a great close to another year.

Happy New Year!

Yuletide

This year we were excited weeks in advance for Christmastime.  Dressing up for pajama day at school really put us in the Christmas spirit.

Another excitement-inducer was giving Kitty her Legends of Zelda present early since we'd be in Idaho and she wouldn't have a chance to play it right away.  That really got her excited.  

And then we found ourselves extremely excited for our trip to Idaho. You should know by now that Christmas at my parent's house is non-negotiable.  We steel ourselves for the long, potentially snowy drive, and we go for it.

It never disappoints.

This year our trip was slightly shorter than I would have liked but we still had a great time.  We did all of the important things like Christmas Eve fondue at my sissy's house.

Complete with cousin time time in the basement.  

We had plenty of opportunities to play in the snow.  (Well, I didn't play in the snow.  You know I don't do that.)

Kitty loved the snow.  She played for hours with her cousins and his friends.  They made an entire game out of mining for snow and ice.  There was a city and a mayor and snow was currency.  I'm telling you...HOURS.

Christmas morning was a flurry of gifts and Caramel French Toast for breakfast. Kitty even made us presents at school.  I loved them.

It was the Christmas of the VR sets.

And like always, the time flew by and we had to make the long trek home, stopping in Pendleton for our annual photo with Sasquatch, of course.

This photo was bittersweet.  We are moving to TN in the coming months and this was our last road trip from Oregon to Idaho for Christmas.  Next year we'll arrive by airplane.

It's funny how life works out.  It is ever changing, full of unexpected shifts, and moments of joy and sadness.  

It makes me especially grateful for the constants like Christmas in Idaho.

Merry Christmas!

Thankful

We had the best Thanksgiving break a gal could ever hope for.  We journeyed to my sissy's house in Coeur d'Alene, which is where all the good things happen.

Like my nieces coming home from college for the holiday.  And talking to my nephew on the phone from his mission.  And my parents making the trek to join in the fun.

It was a houseful of family, noise, and yummy food.

It was divine.

We did all sorts of fun things.

We painted rocks and got boba drinks.

Kitty went to the crystal shop.  Her favorite!

We tried to re-pierce Grandma's ears.

We reunited with a friend and saw a parade and fireworks.  Kitty is so loved that Captain Graybeard lifted her up so she could see better.  She's incredibly lucky.

Perhaps the highlight came when Kitty learned a valuable lesson about listening to her all-knowing mother.  She was balancing on a rock on the water's edge while we waited for the fireworks to start.  I asked her to get down since it was slick and she was going to fall into the water.

Kitty did not listen to her all-knowing mother.

Kitty fell into the icy water.  Lake Coeur d'Alene in November.  BRRR!

Like all good parents, I made her sit in her wet clothes and watch the fireworks.  We were a few miles from the car and I didn't want to miss the show.  You might call it heartless but I call it a teaching moment.

Kitty said later, "Do you know what's worse than falling in freezing cold water?  Falling in freezing cold water in front of a hundred people!"

She's right about that.

We ended our trip with a stop in Hermiston for my niece's baptism.  It was a lovely day and the perfect end to a perfect trip.

I am incredibly grateful for family relationships that make life sweet.  I'm thankful for sisters who are also my friends, and for the feeling of belonging.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Domination

I think my husband is trying to take over the world.

Don't tell the government.

42!

Well, I'm 42 now.  This means I am officially the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.  

Lucky me.

Mostly I just feel like 42 is the answer to the question, "Why do I want to eat dinner at 4:30?"

But I did have a wonderful birthday.  There were presents.  Michael got me a flat iron and a car detailing certificate.  I was grateful. 

I also received a beautiful handmade giraffe card from Kitty.  I love her.

Michael marked the occasion by taking blurry photos of me with my eyes closed.  He's 45.  That's the answer to the question, "How do you work this goldarn camera?!" 

My friends took me to dinner and showered me with even more presents.

I guess being 42 ain't so bad.

Happy Birthday to me!

19 Years and Counting

On our 19th wedding anniversary, the activity Michael and I looked forward to the most was this:

Getting a Super Mario burger from Mr. Bento Burger.  And then we watched a movie.  

The romance is still alive!