We Finally Know Where We're Moving

It's finally official! Michael has had an offer of employment. Actually its a paid internship, but they have an intern to work program so this could very well be where he works for the next several years. Anyway, we are on our way!

He starts June 1st, which means we're moving over Memorial Day weekend. Where, you ask? Southwestern WA, an hour or so east of Portland OR. Back to our country, where everything is more familiar than the high dessert of Idaho that we have been living in for the last 10 years (off and on). Back to rain country. Where the clouds come in and stay for days on end. Sad for us sun lovers, but ladies, your skin is moist and beautiful for decades. Closer to family. No longer will it take a long day's drive to see siblings and parents. Closer to the ocean, my beloved beaches. Sand that I love to run my fingers through and dig my toes into. And the waves I love to hear crash and sing. And back to people and a culture that I am familiar with. WA and ID are so close, yet their culture is very, very different. Something we had no notion of when we first moved to Idaho.

There are many things that we will miss about Boise and Idaho. Things we are are glad we have had the chance to know. People we've met and walked this journey with for a short while. Many happy memories. But we are excited about the new chapter of our lives.

We are a bit nervous, alot excited, happy, stressed (moving! you know), and busy nailing down all the details. We have a furnished duplex waiting. But don't know the address, guess we forgot to ask! Not sure which school district Joe will be in, but will soon find out. Not sure what Joe and I will do during the day while Mike is at work, but I'm sure we can find some trouble to get into.

For now, we are surrounded by boxes. Looking around for the next thing to pack away and still asking the question: Is this worth trucking over to our new home and storage unit?

Til next time ....

Gratitude Friday

Lots of things going on at the home of Challenges and Adventures, but nothing to report yet. So instead of going on and on about what isn't finalized yet, and what I can't discuss yet, let's talk about what we're grateful instead. How does that sound?

Today I'm grateful for:

* that Michael has graduated with flying colors. He is finished. No more classes, no more studying during family time, no more complaining about class assignments and other things. 3 long years (or was it more?) are completed. And a new chapter beginning ...

* sunshine, blue skies, fluffy white clouds. I really need my sunshine!

* that we have had no bugs in this apt. Having lived in a drafty old house (which I loved!) before moving here, we had all kinds of bugs. I love being in a bug free zone.

* lattes in the afternoon with my honey. Time to slow down, savor the moment and the memory and the company.

* hubby's willingness to dig right in and pack boxes with me this week.

* our son's love of anything lawnmower related. He becomes glued to the window when a lawnmower shows up.

* having fun with my hubby after all these years. He's still my best friend and favorite playmate. We went and saw a matinee yesterday just like we've done for the last upmteen years. It never gets old to have fun with my man.

So how bout you? What are you thankful for today? Let me know in the comments.

Til next time ....

Graduation is Here

(not his graduation day)

The man did it! He took his last final last night. It is official--he has his degree in Supply Chain Management from Boise State University. Wow!!! (Well technically he'll get it this weekend or next week, but you know ...)

I keep saying it, but I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO proud of him. He has worked hard, put in long hours, put up with crazy professors and crazy schedules, and he has done it! I can see why many give up before graduating. There are alot of hurdles. But not my man. He plowed through. He persevered.

Next up: a job! He has a few things simmering out there. We should know in a week or two whether the job search is over, or whether it continues. And the move is on regardless.

We are packing boxes, decluttering, taking things to the thrift store. Asking ourselves whether "this" is worth keeping, worth paying money to move? Or whether it can be replaced easily and frugally in our new location? We should know in a few weeks where we're moving to as well. Isn't life fun when you're on the edge? NOT

So pray for me, my friends. I'm going a bit crazy right now. Impatient to know what our next step is. Trying desperately to trust the Lord, because He knows, right? And He'll let me know before I fall off the cliff of insanity, right? I guess my husband is right, I am a bit of a control freak.

Til next time ....

What Blogs I'm Reading Right Now

My blog reading has gotton a bit more eclectic in the last few months. With my husband graduating from college, looking for a permanent, full time job, possibly moving to a new locale, I have been finding and reading more financial blogs. With the possibility of a larger income than our current "starving-student" (tongue in cheek)bank account, we can think once again about investing for our future, replacing our car with a bigger, more dependable, family car and feathering our nest. I am drawn to these financial blogs that talk about how to save for the future, invest in the stock market, commodities or real estate, and save on the basics and luxuries of life. Some of these interesting blogs you can see now residing on my sidebar.

I'm also increasingly interested in learning other languages and traveling overseas. I've found some inspiring blogs of those who are braver than I and are living the traveling dream. And those who are learning other languages to go along with their travels. At this point in my life, and my husbands newly launching career, I don't know how this will all fit in with our goals, but its always there in the back of our minds. When the time is right, we'll know it ....

So how bout you? What's on your blog reading list these days? Has it changed in the last couple months?