Summer is....

OVER!

Yes, I know summer is over because as I type this there is rain on my windows and a blazing fire in the fireplace, BUT I am going to do a picture post of what some of summer 2010 WAS!

move #8

You have probably figured out from previous posts that we moved...AGAIN! Justin got a job north of where we were so we packed a moving van in the middle of August and headed up I-5. We are really hoping to make this our final destination because the kids are only getting older and it is getting harder to say good bye to friends! We miss all of our friends but especially the Bruner's who lived across the street. We loved hanging out with them, camping with them, and there is something so comforting to know you can call a friend for anything from a can of soup to help with kids. We are planning to go camping with them every 4th of July so we can stay in touch!And let us not forget the Savage family. Friends that accepted us 100% messy house and all!

We also miss the health club I worked at and it's great pool, the book club I belonged to, church friends, the school the kids went to, our great long driveway that was perfect for the kids, living so close to the Redwoods and the coast, Super Wal-Mart and it's cheap groceries, having everything within 15 minutes of our house, etc...

Our new area has lots of nice things that we love like, acres and acres of orchards with cherries, apples, pears, and peaches, beautiful views of Mt Hood, Mt Adams, and other large mountains, all kinds of hiking, camping, and fishing areas, decent weather, and laid back people! Our new ward is awesome. When we pulled in to our driveway with the moving van, there were so many people to help us unload! Plus they brought us dinner for a few nights and they have been great about making sure we are invited to different activities.

I have been able to join a community choir and I go with a couple ladies from church. It is not Dr Anderson's choir but it is not ward choir either! :-) It is an audition only choir and they have been around since the 70's (including some of the members). The director Loyd Walworth LOVES music and gets as excited as a kid at Christmas when he talks about it. It is so much fun to sing in a decent choir again!

Since we moved, I also started working! All 3 kids go to school all day so I figured it was time for me to do something besides sit home and waste time on the computer! I heard about a caregiver job and applied. I started work 2 weeks ago and it is great! I go into people's homes and assist them in everything from dressing to cleaning to running errands. I am with one client right now who is recovering from a fall. I am there to make sure she is safe while her daughter works. I work while the kids are in school so when they come home, I am done and ready to be a mom again. Right now I have to leave by 6:30 a.m. so Justin gets to get the kids up and out the door to catch the bus. It has been good for all of them, especially Justin!

The house we are living in right now is old! It is in a great location with a wonderful yard including a fun barn, for the kids but it is old. It smells old, has old curtains, and is like I said, old! The kids are all sharing a bedroom because the "3rd" bedroom is really just a bonus room and is so far removed from the rest of the house, that we were not comfortable having anyone sleep in it. So instead we are using it as a toy room! We live kind of in the boonies and so we get to deal with all sorts of rodents! The cats are in heaven catching mice and other critters but we are not so sure we appreciate their "gifts". We have had bunny backsides left for us, moles, mice, intestines, and other rodents that I can't name. One day in a matter of 10 hours, I had to dispose of 4 mice! Our landlords were not sure they wanted us to lease their home since we own 2 cats. I am so glad we do have two cats! If not we would be taken over by mice! We will be in this house for a few more months and then the plan is to "house-sit" a Dr's home while he goes on sabbatical to New Zealand for 2 years.

The longer we are here, the more I like it. I have to be better at planning shopping trips because we don't live too close to any stores. I am spending less on impulse shopping. As I said before, our ward has been so friendly on Sunday's as well as during the week. We feel like we can be ourselves and be accepted and loved. The kids are having fun, and it is a beautiful part of Oregon! What more could I ask for!

VBS

When you don't live in Mormonville aka Idaho or Utah, you have the opportunity to allow your kids to participate in VBS or Vacation Bible School during summer break. You could go to a new one each week! They are free, teach simple bible stories, fun songs, and most importantly, entertain your kids for 3 hours a day!

Some people might think it strange that I send my kids to VBS since we are very active in the LDS church. I think it is good education! I grew up in sheltered Idaho Falls and was surrounded by Mormon's. I knew almost nothing about other religions. Then my hubby ripped me from my comfort zone when he was accepted to medical school in Iowa. All of a sudden I had as many friends outside of church as I did in church. Most importantly my eyes were opened and I realized there are really amazing people in this world and it was OK that we attended different church services. This probably sounds very close minded but if you have ever lived in Idaho or Utah, I hope you understand. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to leave Idaho because I now have friends all over the country some of which I share the same beliefs and others who I share a love of our Savior with and that is more than enough! I apologize if I did not include anyone growing up because they were not Mormon. I am trying to raise my own kids with strong testimonies of the gospel and open minds and hearts to accept all people. I am teaching them that even if someone does not live a life style we practice as Mormon's, they are still good people doing great things!

Ok, I am done preaching! The girls participated in 3 different VBS this summer and it was great! They had fun, learned Bible stories, and I had time to pack for our big move!

Care Bear and La-La eating lunch with Camdyn, Raegen, and Peyton Bruner!

Crazy day at VBS!