Anniversary getaway

This past week Greg and I went to McMenamin's Edgefield for two nights to celebrate our 11th Anniversary. Wanda was gracious and brave enough to take both kids... which was much, much appreciated. We had a fun and restful time together. The first night we got there I slept for 12 hours... it made me realize just how tired I have been. The next day I was ready for adventure. We went  out to breakfast at the Multnomah Falls restaurant and then hiked our way up Angel's rest. It was a new hike to us and absolutely beautiful.

A forest fire came through this area about 20 years ago and in the background of this picture you can kind of tell. Since a lot of the tall older fir trees are now just dead standing trunks, more light can filter through to the forest below. This means smaller deciduous trees and wildflowers have a better chance.  It also means there are more viewpoints along the way.

I made it to the top... just barely. If it had been any farther, or any steeper I may have given in before we reached the top. But it was well worth the view. Here I am showing off my 30 week baby belly.

We spent the rest of our time eating good food, relaxing in the heated (think hot tub temp) soaking pool, and doing some shopping at the outlet malls. Then we headed for home where we were still kid-free for another night. We were able to get quite a bit of work done (we've been moving into a new house on campus). All in all a great 11th anniversary getaway.

After the busy-ness and stress of moving, pregnancy, and parenting it was good to relax and take a breather together. It reminded me just how much I like this man I married 11 years ago. Thanks Babe, for all you do for me and our family. I love you so much! 

New Apartment

So we are now living in SE Portland. Once again we're in an apartment in the men's dorm; this time at Warner Pacific College. The living space in the apartment is tiny. Yep, so tiny that it warrants its own font size. The living room is 10x10 and there isn't really a dining room... just a space between the front door and the bathroom door that serves as a hallway and play area and dining area all in one. Needless to say, I needed a small table. I decided a drop leaf table would probably be the way to go. I've always loved drop leaf tables, so this gave me an excuse to buy one. But then my brother said I could borrow one from him. So that's what we were planning on doing... until this morning.

My mom came to stay with me for a few days this week and help out while Greg is away with student leaders on a big backpacking trip. This morning we decided we'd check out the local Habitat for Humanity Restore. It's a store that sells both new and used building materials and some furniture. It's a really great place. Not only does it keep reusable building materials out of the landfill, it also raises money for Habitat for Humanity and provides great deals for... well, me!

So, I'll cut to the chase. There we were at Restore and what do I see but a beautiful drop leaf table! And of course, I just have to check it out. It's solid wood; has an extra leaf; everything is in working order; and the best part is... it's $25. Yes, you see that right: $25.

Well, we take measurements and talk about whether or not it will fit in my dining room (er, my wall) and then whether or not it will fit in the car. We drive back home, measure the wall, and decide to get it. I drive back (without kids and car seats this time). When I get to the store I tell the man that I want to buy the drop leaf table. He asks me how much it is and when I tell him $25 I feel a little bit bad. I kind of wonder if he'll believe me. So I say, "It's a steal." He replies, "Everything here is a steal." It slides like a dream into the back of the Subaru. And now I am the proud owner of this little beauty:

WooHoo!

Greg has a job.

Phew! What a relief!

He will be working at Warner Pacific (a very small Christian University in Portland) as the Area Coordinator or Residence Life Director or some such title... basically doing the same thing he was doing at JBU. We are excited... and most of all, we are relieved. It's good to be done with the waiting. We'll start moving into our new apartment (on campus - in the dorm) sometime this weekend. And Greg just jumps right in and starts work next week.

I'm sure I will have more details soon. But for now... it's just a big sigh of relief.

Transition

Well, life in transition continues... We would have liked to be settled by now, in an apartment or home, and in a new job. But that apparently is not what God had for us. And so we continue to wait. It gets a bit discouraging at times. (You can read Greg's posts here, here, and here for a little more info on the past month of job searching)

I'm trying to be patient, and thankful. I'm trying to trust instead of worrying.

So in this moment I choose to be thankful... thankful that we have wonderful families who have graciously opened their homes to us and let us take over their living space with toys and clothes and diapers; thankful that we have still have some money in the bank and one last paycheck coming from JBU, thankful that I get to have my wonderful husband around a little more often, thankful for my beautiful children, thankful for wonderful weather... most of all, thankful for a heavenly Father who loves us, is all-powerful, and will work to bring about what is best in His time.

Thicker than water

Blogging has been kind of sparse lately. It's not that I don't have time... I do. It's not that I don't have internet access... I do. I've been thinking about it, and I've decided it's that I don't have the emotional space. There's been a lot of change in our lives and there is going to be a lot more change before we are done. And I just can't quite sort through it to come up with any kind of cohesive thought to write about. And even when I do sort through part of it, I don't really feel like writing about it for all to see.

But here's something I can say. Though it was sad to leave, there are moments when I'm reminded that this is why we moved. Here's one of those moments:

My dad gives horsey rides to both kids and when he gives Jonathan a horsey ride, Elisa often joins in the fun. You can't quite see it in this picture but she has Itty on her shoulders and is following Papa all around the yard. I'm so glad that our kids have the chance to get to know their grandparents (and aunt and uncle too). That really is the reason we moved back and it's so good to be around our families again.

Here we are

A lot has happened in the last few weeks. We're now in Oregon (Columbia City) at Wanda's (Greg's mom's) house. Every summer we spend a few weeks with each set of parents. This year however, we're here in the Northwest to stay. It's weird, in some ways it feels like just another summer.... but not quite. I can't stop thinking about all that needs to happen in the next month. Greg still needs to find a job, and we need to find an apartment and move all of our stuff in (right now it's in Wanda's garage).

At different times I feel quite anxious about the fact that Greg doesn't have a job. But I keep hearing God say, "Rest." "Trust me," "Wait and see how I provide for you."

He also says,

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

So here we are in Oregon... in a place of dependence on God.