B-I-G Announcement!

I have been waiting to write this blog for awhile. It's actually a little surreal to finally be writing it. I've practiced writing it in my head MANY times over the past few years. In fact, it is a little embarrassing to admit that I actually did write it a few times in the past, when I thought everything was going to work out. God had other plans (of course) and I never got to publish those blogs. And what I am writing now is not at all what I expected to be writing, but I am nevertheless THRILLED to be doing it.

WE ARE MOVING OUT OF AZ!!!

I can't believe that after 5 years of wanting to say that, I can actually announce those words. Even if we aren't moving back to our beloved CA, I am so thankful to finally be leaving AZ. We did try to go back to CA; several times in fact. But, nothing ever worked out. So, we started to look at and pray about the reasons we decided to leave CA in the first place. The biggest one was cost of living. We started to think that perhaps it was a blessing that none of our attempts were successful. Did we really want to go back to having two incomes to barely get by when we could have one income and have everything provided for and then some? So, about 2 years ago, we started talking about the possibility of Portland. My sister lives there and when I went to visit her in 2008, I FELL IN LOVE. About 6 months later, after a lot of talking and prayer, we decided to pursue a move there. The first attempt was in January 2009, and it almost worked out, but clearly God did not want us there at that time because it fell through. We tried again in summer of last year to no avail. And then a position opened up in Juvenile Probation and we jumped on it. Well, the 3rd time is a charm because Peter got the job! And so, in 2 short months, we will be calling this place home:

We need prayer for a few things:

(1) PROVISION! The cost of the move and securing a rental in Portland is going to suck up most of our savings. Plus, we are going to need new clothes for a colder, wetter environment. :)

(2) Smooth move--we are renting a Uhaul and moving ourselves. We pray for safety, nothing breaks, and for people to help us load up and unload.

(3) Transition for the kids--they are very excited about moving but I know living in a new place is going to affect them. Having to find new friends and adjust to a new school/church.

(4) For the time that we will be apart. Peter is going there first since they need him to start ASAP. We talked and fasted and prayed and finally decided that the kids and I had to stay here to finish out the year. That way, I will be completely done with prerequisites (I am in the middle of Microbiology and Nutrition) and can just apply to nursing programs when I get there. And, the kids would get to finish out their school year here. We thought it would be easier to transition that way. We will be apart for two months. We are not looking forward to it, but we know we can do it. Thank goodness for Skype!

(5) For my health! I have to stop Remicade for a time as we transition to new insurance. There is usually a long wait list to see a GI specialist as a new patient (sometimes up to 2 months) and then a wait for insurance to ok Remicade. It could be 4-6 months without an infusion (I do have a supply of my other meds, but the Remicade is really what keeps things in check). Pray for no flare-ups!

Obviously, we are very excited to start a new adventure and to leave AZ behind. I don't want to offend the people that live here, including some of the amazing folks we've met, but this is NOT the place for us. We knew that after only 1 year here. When we look back at the journey we've been on here, we only see a lot of strife (the housing market, having to short sale, financial and health struggles, a debilitating pregnancy, a premature birth, the tumultuous year with Ezra, and then his death; not to mention the HORRIFIC 6-month summers). We don't have many good memories of AZ. We're hoping some happier times await us in Portland.

Peter leaves on March 26th to take the Psych evaluation (he needs to pass before he can officially start the job--he will; at least, he better!) and then he is staying there until his start date, which he was told would be 3-5 days after that. He will remain in Portland, find a house for us to rent, and then come back at the end of the school year to pack us up and drive the truck up. Our official move date is May 27th (note the countdown box on the sidebar). Yippeeeeeee!