Friday, May 16, 2014
Hiking in Yosemite
While we were there we took a day to hike right outside of Yosemite. We didn't venture far into the park since the kids (especially Mo) would never have appreciated all the driving- when they're older we'll do more of that!
Grammie and Papa with their grandkids
Bass Lake 2013
Every few years my Grandparents (my dad's parents) take whomever can go to Bass Lake, which is right outside of Yosemite. It is a gorgeous, warm lake and always a blast! We were able to make it this last summer and the boys had a blast spending lots of time in the water and playing with cousins. Be prepared for a billion pictures!! I need to get them on here for my blog book!
Some of the crew including the Silver Baron himself
Colby likes to entertain the kids back on the boat
Miss Mo was not a fan of having to wear a life jacket
Even Grandpa gets out there!!
Embarrassing our boys :)
Eloise... cutest ever
Uncle Brandon was awesome and took almost all the kids wake surfing with him!
Cousins!
Grammie and her gang
I was so so proud of Jackson! He really wanted to try wake surfing all by himself....
and after a few tries he got up!! He was SO excited!
Being on the water makes me happy!!
Colby likes to entertain the kids back on the boat
We Moved!!
Around the beginning of the year, when John's job at Vestas was pretty miserable in the work load sense, we both got the prompting that there was something better out there yet and that it would involve a big move for our family. We had been wanted to get out of apartment managing for a while since it was just a huge burden on me with all of Morgan's health issues combined with trying to control Baron and John's new diets, etc. I was pretty overwhelmed and just trying to stay afloat was a difficult day to day task. Both our bosses were increasing our work loads dramatically. So we began to look for a new job for John and to fast and pray for the right timing and direction to move out of the apartments. I had hoped it would happen quickly, but the months dragged on for a while, and that was painful for me. Then one day, towards the end of February, we got called into the Stake Presidents office (a leader in our church). He wanted to call John as the new Elders Quorum President in our ward. We were both shocked since we were still positive a move was in our near future. I admit I took it hard at first, because I thought this meant I was going to be staying put in the apartments for a lot longer. The Stake President is an amazing man with whom we put a lot of trust in though. We had a wonderful experience with him being able to talk openly about our situation and feelings and we gained some great insight from him. We both came to the conclusion that no matter what was in our future, we would accept this calling and push forward doing what the Lord asks us. If we've learned anything from our married life, it's that obedience, even when what we are asked to do is hard, brings great blessings. No matter what, Heavenly Father always recognizes and rewards our earnest efforts to do what he asks when we trust in Him. Looking back, I am so grateful we chose to accept without knowing how long it would be. (Generally, this calling in our church lasts around 5 years now). He only got to be the EQ President for about 4 months, but I really feel that the blessings received from his service as well as the extra spirit that was in our home during that time was a great blessing during some really stressful months. I could honestly feel the Lord lifting us up and see the miracles fall into place that eventually led to his new job.
The beginning of June, John was contacted by a recruiter for a job opening in Roseburg working for Roseburg Forest Products. Their main tax guy had retired after 27 years with the company. She had found John's resume from a different job he applied for elsewhere and recognized that he had the exact experience they were looking for. We had never even thought about moving to Roseburg/Glide (where John grew up), mostly because the chances of a job in his field there are very slim. It felt right to apply though, and from then on, all these little pieces fit together almost too perfectly for him to get the interview and eventually receive an offer. (One neat story in there is that when he went down for the interview, he found out the CFO was LDS as well and a really neat guy.) He was also interviewing for a different company in southern california at the same time, and though they were very interested in him, the pay was horrible for the location. When the offer came in from RFP, not only was it a good offer, but they met what we needed in order for me to quit my job and to be able to buy a home. Plus they threw in a signing bonus, 3 months of covered housing for us to find a home and close, and paid for a moving service to both pack and move us. It was incredible and solidified to us that this was where we needed to go. Though it wasn't anything what we originally expected, we know without a doubt it was Heavenly Father's answer to our many prayers and days of fasting.
SO, long story short, back in the middle of July, we let the movers pack our stuff up, very happily turned in my keys and put up the closed sign one more time for the manager's unit, and moved our little family down to Glide, Oregon. Glide is about 17 miles East of Roseburg and out in the country. It is absolutely beautiful here. Our 1/2 acre property that we are now proud owners of goes right down to the middle of the North Umpqua River. We may live a ways from any dr's or stores, but we are only a few minutes from some amazing hikes, world renowned fly fishing spots, wonderful schools with excellent teachers, and some gorgeous scenery. Plus Crater Lake is only about an hour and a half away! It's definitely an adjustment living out here and there are times I really miss Portland, but all in all, we love it out here and the people are so kind and hard working. They will literally give you the shirt off their back if needed!
The house we bought was sturdy and not too old (especially for Glide), but needed some updating on the interior. We worked hard and stayed up way too late the first few weeks, ripping out carpet and vinyl, painting walls, cabinets and had someone local put in new flooring we picked out. There are still quite a few updates we are hoping to make this spring/summer and over the upcoming years including redoing the yard and painting the exterior (not a fan of the yellow/green combo), but all in all we are very happy to grab such a great deal on a great house and we've been very pleased with the changes we've made! The front looks out to the river and the back out to the mountains. The best part is the spacious yard. Our kids have already spent hours and hours out there in pure heaven. We feel very blessed to finally be in a position to own our own home after years of working hard for it. I was starting to feel like with the housing situation in Portland we would never be able to buy. It's amazing how fast things can change when you've got the Lord on your side!
After
Looking out the front window- across the road after those first bushes, it drops down to the river.
The beginning of June, John was contacted by a recruiter for a job opening in Roseburg working for Roseburg Forest Products. Their main tax guy had retired after 27 years with the company. She had found John's resume from a different job he applied for elsewhere and recognized that he had the exact experience they were looking for. We had never even thought about moving to Roseburg/Glide (where John grew up), mostly because the chances of a job in his field there are very slim. It felt right to apply though, and from then on, all these little pieces fit together almost too perfectly for him to get the interview and eventually receive an offer. (One neat story in there is that when he went down for the interview, he found out the CFO was LDS as well and a really neat guy.) He was also interviewing for a different company in southern california at the same time, and though they were very interested in him, the pay was horrible for the location. When the offer came in from RFP, not only was it a good offer, but they met what we needed in order for me to quit my job and to be able to buy a home. Plus they threw in a signing bonus, 3 months of covered housing for us to find a home and close, and paid for a moving service to both pack and move us. It was incredible and solidified to us that this was where we needed to go. Though it wasn't anything what we originally expected, we know without a doubt it was Heavenly Father's answer to our many prayers and days of fasting.
SO, long story short, back in the middle of July, we let the movers pack our stuff up, very happily turned in my keys and put up the closed sign one more time for the manager's unit, and moved our little family down to Glide, Oregon. Glide is about 17 miles East of Roseburg and out in the country. It is absolutely beautiful here. Our 1/2 acre property that we are now proud owners of goes right down to the middle of the North Umpqua River. We may live a ways from any dr's or stores, but we are only a few minutes from some amazing hikes, world renowned fly fishing spots, wonderful schools with excellent teachers, and some gorgeous scenery. Plus Crater Lake is only about an hour and a half away! It's definitely an adjustment living out here and there are times I really miss Portland, but all in all, we love it out here and the people are so kind and hard working. They will literally give you the shirt off their back if needed!
The house we bought was sturdy and not too old (especially for Glide), but needed some updating on the interior. We worked hard and stayed up way too late the first few weeks, ripping out carpet and vinyl, painting walls, cabinets and had someone local put in new flooring we picked out. There are still quite a few updates we are hoping to make this spring/summer and over the upcoming years including redoing the yard and painting the exterior (not a fan of the yellow/green combo), but all in all we are very happy to grab such a great deal on a great house and we've been very pleased with the changes we've made! The front looks out to the river and the back out to the mountains. The best part is the spacious yard. Our kids have already spent hours and hours out there in pure heaven. We feel very blessed to finally be in a position to own our own home after years of working hard for it. I was starting to feel like with the housing situation in Portland we would never be able to buy. It's amazing how fast things can change when you've got the Lord on your side!
Before Pictures
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