there and back again

each weekend Russ and I try an explore a new area around Oregon We went to the coast, best day so far although it was still only 40 degrees, we had a little sunshine, and got to hear and smell the ocean. we traveled to the North Umpqua River, where Russ will eventually fish, Once he buys a fishing license:  We drove up the coast to tour the Tillamook Factory during our drive along the coast , we stopped at the sea lion caves to get a better look at the ocean.

 Gracie is turning 19 in June and has talked about serving a mission,   but couldn't decide if and when she should go.  she talked about going to Iowa for the summer to spend time with her roommate, Kamiah, and her family.   she talked about possibly coming to Eugene for the summer to work and save money.   She even talked about completing one more semester of school before going.   strong desire, but no real  commitment.   Then on Super Bowl Sunday( Feb 6,2022)  Gracie began texting me asking me many questions about our heritage,   our medical insurance coverage in foreign countries, etc.  when I asked her why so many questions,  she told me was in the processor filling out her mission papers.   What?!   yes, she had finally made a decision an would list her availability date at the end of August.   The next day she sent Russ and I a text to tell us she had scheduled her temper appointment to receive her endowme...

  On the day after Christmas, we were surprised to wake up to snowfall.  We received 11" of snow throughout the day.   we were able to sneak up to Newburg  to visit Laura and her family before the snowfall got too bad. On Monday, Russ' new boss asked Russ if he knew how to drive a tractor.   Russ told him he had driven a D-9 tractor at Kennecott once.   his boss then told him to go outside, get in the John Deer tractor and clear the parking lot. Russ did as he was told and after some trial and Error figured out how to operate the tractor and successfully cleared the parking lot.   We began asking ourselves that evening if we had made the correct decision by moving to Eugene.Fortunately it only snowed the one day.  because it appears Eugene does not have snowplows.   It was difficult to get around for a few days.   the poor kids were bored stiff feeling a little trapped at home.

we were so fortunate to have Grant and Gracie come here for Christmas.   they flew in together on December 18th.   we were given ALSCO's tickets to the University of Oregon's men's basketball game against the #1 team ( Baylor University).   We went and had a good time.   the university is very strict still with their covid protocols  We had to show proof of vaccinations personal  ID,and  wear a mask the entire time  despite covid practices, we still enjoyed the game and had fun being together. during the week leading up to Christmas the kids and I tried or best to prepare for the holiday.   We tried to find stores the sold some of our favorite holiday stocking stuffers, and a few simple gifts.   Christmas was interesting this year.   all of our decorations are in the storage unit in St. George.  We tried to keep up as many traditions as our circumstances would allow.We watched the Princess Bride on Christmas Eve, had crepes for...

  we were welcomed to the neighborhood  by a bunch of turkeys.   they roam our cul de sac all day, peep in our windows and roost in the trees two doors down at night.    it's the craziest thing.   russ used to think it was so funny to wake me up on the weekends practicing his turkey calls.   I found it so annoying.   now I am awakened every morning by real turkey calls.

On December2, 2021 We picked up our U-haul and completely  filled it with everything we were taking to Eugene.   Luckily Grant was able to come down to help us load and drive.   we woke up early and loaded into the vehicles: Russ driving the U-haul, Grant and I in the silver Ford Fusion, Grant driving, me riding shotgun, with the goal to get afar as we could before needing to sleep.  we drove all the way to Susanville, CA ( 12 hours).  we stayed the night at the Comfort Inn hotel in Susanville.   we awoke early showered, grabbed a bagged breakfast th hotel was offering and got back on the road for the final 6 hour drive into Eugene.Russ'sister, Lara, her husband and 2 of her boys were going to meet us at our new place and help us unload.   about halfway there Russ got a call from Lara that Dean had to work and took one of their boys with him.   sh suggested that Russ call the missionaries serving in Eugene and see if they were available yo help. ...

So, for the past 6 years   Russ has given me such hard time if I am going to bed before 10:00pm.    I take medications that absolutely wipe me out   and I struggle to stay up until 9:30pm    Russ will make comments like "you can sleep when you're dead"  ,   "I have too much I want to do to sleep"   "If I didn't have to sleep, I wouldn't".anyway, moving is making him sing a different tune!notice what time it is on the clocks: Our storage unit with what's staying behind.