A Weekend to Remember...

What a weekend we had with our old neighbors from Oregon. It is amazing to me how this friendship began. It started with us moving into a house that was a total miracle from God. The story of how we got this house is long, but it is one of those stories that will stick with our family for generations. It goes like this...we sold our house in 2006 to prepare for the "big move" (which didn't actually happen until 2008), found house to rent only to have it sold out from underneath us 5 DAYS before we had to be out of the house, then we found another house in Eugene (that was exactly what Phil had originally prayed for...the first house we rented was because I stressed out and couldn't wait any longer so we settled - never settle when you have prayed specifically for something - lesson #1 for me!!), unfortunately for us the Property Manager told us there was an error in the ad and there were to be "no pets". At that time we had our beloved Bruno and really couldn't get rid of our faithful dog. The kids said we needed to pray that they would let us have Bruno. So, we prayed, got the house, moved in and now realize it was some of the best years of our 16 years together!! I guess this is because we knew we were living right where God wanted us to live...

What we didn't realize when we were moving into that house was that God was going to give us some great friends. You see, when we left the house in 2006, I left an awesome cul-de-sac with a great friend and friends for our kids - that was hard to leave, but God amazingly gave me another great family to live by. Anyway, we were so excited when they told us they were driving down for the beginning of Spring Break. Not only did they drive down here, then they spoiled us with food, friendship, a pool at their hotel, and even bought beautiful wheels and tires for their suburban - from Phil (of course!) and then bought themselves season passes to Six Flags - so they can come back AGAIN!! I think everyone is completely exhausted, but none of us would trade a minute of it. The kids love to be together and we swapped kids for a couple nights - they got the boys and we got the girls!! It was a weekend filled with a lot of laughter and head counting, to make sure no one got lost, and memories that will last a lifetime!











Here is Logan going on the Boomerang - his first BIG roller coaster. Everyone seems pleased, except Logan - just a LITTLE nervous!! And here is Riah with Jen...she absolutely LOVES the rides. She is only tall enough because of her pony tail on top of her head, but they kept letting her on!!










Trust me...there was a lot of fun for the big kids also!! And who said it was bad to live in California??

Then we capped the weekend off with a sweet visit to the Jelly Belly Factory...

Now, we are studying like crazy for Bible Quiz Extravaganza this coming weekend. We are so excited, not only because this will be the first time we get to see Logan quiz this year, but because we get to see everyone from the Quiz Team back home. Then after Extrav....you guessed it...more company coming to the house for a couple nights!!

I LOVE IT....

Yep, there are people that love us...

My last post was a little bit melodramatic about needing an "emergency contact" number at the Pediatricians office. I had planned on talking to a friend at church on Sunday about it, but they read my blog Saturday night and left a funny comment - with an emphatic "YES!" to the question "does anybody here loves us enough...." We had a good laugh over it Sunday night and I have realized once again that God is constantly providing for us - whether it is friends, finances, company from Oregon or an awesome church family. At times, I might think I am down here all alone, but we have already made some great friends that really do love us. Thanks Scott and Erica for being our friends - you are such a blessing to us!!

And today, the verse keeps going through my head...But godliness with contentment is great gain. And I am starting to feel that sense of contentment with where I am...what a peaceful feeling!

A Silly Piece of Information...

Okay, so I found a Pediatrician and went to the "Meet the Doctor" appointment. All is great - Great office, great nurses, doctor was mellow and personable just like good ol' Dr. Baumann. A perfect fit, until...I had to write down an emergency contact number. So, at that moment I asked myself - do I know anybody here that is willing to do this??? I called Phil real quick, hoping he would have an answer (what was I thinking?). Here is our conversation:

Me: "We need to put an emergency contact number down on the paperwork at the Doctor's office"

Phil: "Who did we put down before?"

Me: "Your parents"

Phil: "Well, then, put them down"

Then I thought - but did not speak...Uh, Phil, your parents are over 500 miles away. Did you forget you moved us all the way down here because of your job? And now we have to figure out who to put down on this little line. Do you really think I would have had to call you if the answer was a simple - Mom and Dad?? Then I calmed down - and realized how thankful I am that for once I decided to just THINK these thoughts and not SPEAK them (a huge milestone for me!!)...

So, here I sit...pondering what to put on this little line. Who in the world loves us enough down here to be responsible for medical decisions for my kids in the event that I am not around? Then I stop to think...when am I NOT around my kids? For goodness sake, they are connected to me like the dog hair stuck on my sweater....Couldn't I just put - never away from my children, no need for an emergency contact!!

Why do these things happen just as I am really liking it down here and feeling connected? It might be a long day. I think I need another cup of coffee....

Havin' lots of fun...

So...we did it!! We are getting close to becoming true Californians...no, we didn't get our driver's license and we didn't get our cars registered and no, I didn't get a job (although I probably should - since it seems every man, woman and child must work around here!!).

We bought an annual pass to Six Flags!! WOO-HOO!!

The park is only 10 minutes from our house and the plan is for LOTS of company to come this spring and summer. So now we can go as much as we want for the rest of the year. The only problem...we need a babysitter to come with us. Our kids aren't quite big enough for the "real" rides and I don't like to go on them by myself...

We had a blast and the kids keep asking when we get to go back. Oh, the joys...


So, who wants to come visit us next?

Company is Coming...

TODAY...And it couldn't have happened at a better time!! I have to admit - I have been feeling a little homesick lately (and Phil would say "a little??")...Which may have been triggered by both sets of our parents having longings for us and our children. It is totally understandable and I guess I would be a bit disappointed if they didn't miss us and were doing the "woo-hoo" dance because we were gone (trust me, there are probably some that did that, but you always hope it isn't your parents!). Oh, why can't they just move down here with us???

But on to the important part...I am so excited for my dear friend Tina and her family to come see us. I have missed her so much and I can hardly wait to see her kids - all five of them!! The year and a half before we moved, I watched Tina's children while she went to doctor appointments for her most recent addition - now almost 10 month old Olivia. I ended up getting really used to having those cute boys at my house to run and play with my kids. Now they get to do it for the next 4 days and Tina and I get to have Panda Express - here we come "Orange Chicken"!!

Tina is one of my dear friends that has continued to call me faithfully every day since I moved (you gotta love mobile-to-mobile!!). It is so good to know that the wonderful friendships we had back home will not die - they just make for great visits that we will cherish forever....

Better run....I need to get ready for my COMPANY!!