OREGON

I guess I have kind of been on blog strike for last 2 months. Partly because I feel like our life has been turned upside down since about May. We went to California and had a very busy and fun and Disney and Sea World vacation. Then a week later we sold our house. So, me being me, got to work. I feverishly worked on finding placements for my girls, sold every large item I could, and spent days boxing and boxing and purging and purging. Did I mention, I rented our house online and picked the area we wanted to live by talking to a few people that I never even met?

Then away we went to Oregon on a very long drive and arrived in the middle of the trees at dusk. Day 1, I got so lost on my way to Costco that I was having a small panic attack. I couldn't find my way out of the woods and finally asked a utility truck to help me out. (For father's day I bought a Tom Tom) Luckily "Lori" now helps we with that problem and we seem to be getting around just fine. And if I don't hear Lori when she tells me to turn, I have 3 kids telling me "Lori said, turn right!"

What do I love about this place, the vegetation is amazing! I planted Romain lettuce on the 4th of July and can already put lettuce on my sandwiches. There are blackberry bushes EVERYWHERE and the people have been so nice. My neighborhood is quiet, but I don't mind because I still feel safe with my kids outside. There walking paths that lead you all over the city and we can even walk to the YMCA. We have never gone on so many walks as a family as we do now. We love all the produce stands and the local farmers market on Saturdays. I love all the little festivals. I took the kids to the Robin Hood festival and they loved the parade. I think it was their first. We had a good time going to watch fireworks on the River on the 4th of July and Will and I were more entertained by the crowd watching. We love going downtown to eat and have had a great time seeing Portland. The kids just love the bridges every time we go to visit their aunt in the city.

We brought a cute calico kitten with us and have named her Lily. The entire street just adores her and is always petting her and giving her attention. We also adopted a sweet dog a few days ago at the local shelter. (Family, we don't want to hear from the peanut gallery) They tell us she was aged by a vet at 2 years old, but Will and I just keep saying she must be drugged or really old because she is so quiet. She never barks and prefers to lay around all day on one of the kids beds while they play in their room. She hates being alone. I really think we lucked out this time. We went back to see her twice before we adopted her because we just kept thinking she was drugged or something. She definitely minds her manners and is more like a house ornament. The shelter named her Gwen. We kept it because the name really fits. Home never home to me without the animals. :) PS Ila calls her Quinn.

Mostly we are just enjoying our life here without a million jobs and a million kids. I think there has been some overall relaxing and winding down here. We are finally starting to enjoy life and do more family activities. I will not say I am not having a hard time here without all my familiars, but I think I can find happiness here with time.

We Sold Our House.

This is so sick we had to laugh!

it only took 1 month

the other night when i was putting cora to bed i asked her what she wanted to be when she grows up.

she said, "i don't know. a vegeterian! and i want to be a mommy."

what has aunt cc been telling her?

will

In the spirit of 10

10-# of days we have lived in Oregon

9-# of nights of bad sleep lately

8-# of people in my recruit class

7-# of times we drill tualatin valley fire & rescue way (am i missing out on something? hope not)

6-# of members of our househould (pepper-we miss you. its just not the same without you)

5-# of toes on each foot that have blisters

4-# of the hour in the morning it starts getting light here. can't figure that one out. maybe i need to go outside and check it out

3-# of millions of times the broken dove in our backyard coos all night coupled with the dog who usually barks after midnight and before 6. (yes 4 and 9 and 3 are intertwined) wait. it just cooed again. 3,000,001.

2-# of showers i have been taking a day since recruit camp started tuesday

1-# of ila's missing puppies. maybe it was the squirrel, or the dove, or the night barker, or cock robin?

maybe it would not be so bad if my dog was out there barking back.

there is just something about a boy and his dog.

What happens after you get married?

According to Jonas, "Daddy. You get married, then you die."

Oh how much we all have to learn.

Happy 7th Anniversary Tara!

this is a shout out to my friend cornelius

cornelius,

thank you for the many years of caffeinated beverage dispensing machines. over the last few months you have helped me through many late night, last minute paper writing sprees by providing me with those wonderful, 32 ozs of tasty, carbonated, chilled diet drinks. thank you. where would i be without you.

1 more semester over. 1 semester of 1 class and a few more papers and i'll be done. fall 2009 can't come quick enough. what a happy birthday.

will

http://www.acitydiscount.com/Used-Cornelius-Beverage-Restaurant-Bar-8-Head-COKE-Soda-Fountain-w-Ice-Dispenser-DF200BC.0.96813.1.1.htm

Like she said...

...Portland anyone?

Goodbye Unified Fire Authority, hello Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue!!!

Now...?

Thanks CC.

Thanks Chris for coming down and going skiing with Eric (my paramedic partner, left in pic) and telling him about the lateral hire so he could come and tell me at work that morning in late January so I could get a better job.

Hello rainforest, goodbye desert brown.

Ross followed in my footsteps for some time, then I moved to Orem following her, stole her best friend and started a family. We thought we were just going to be here. Now I follow her Oregon trail (no pun intended). Ross, but sorry, I was born in Vegas which is good enough for me. I'll keep Oregon and all it has to offer my little family.

I'm going to Disneyland!!!