Big News: Going Home??

From Blog Favorites #4

I love this face - it kind of seems appropriate for how I feel. A little shocked, surprised, scared. . . read on . . .

After 10 years of living here in Oregon, we are going back to Utah. I can't believe I am typing those words! It feels weird to say we're going back home because Oregon feels like home to us now. Our hearts are torn, but we know this is the right decision for our family.

So when I've told close friends and relatives this week, after the shock, we get the following questions: why? what? where? when?

So here you go . . .

Why? - The short answer: Family. When we moved here 10 years ago, we planned to come back home after Frank* got a couple years of experience. Then it turned into 5 years, 7 years . . . you get the idea. There are just not many companies in Utah looking for the high tech skills Frank* has gained at Intel. There is one company that had some potential that we had applied at a few times before, but most were entry level engineering jobs. Not a good fit. However, in May an opening for an experienced engineer was posted on their website. At the same time, a good friend contacted Frank* and told him that his manager was moving from Oregon to Utah to work there. He told his manager about Frank* and put in a good word for him. A first of many coincidences that we believe were evidence of a miracle in the works for our family.

Long story short: Frank* interviewed and had a great experience when we went on our vacation to Utah, we got a good offer two weeks later and after agonizing about leaving our Oregon friends, school, neighborhood, trees and beaches we decided that this move was a huge blessing for our family that we couldn't pass up.

What? This is an opportunity to be close to almost every member of both of our families. We've lived 1,000 miles away for nearly our whole marriage, raised all our kids here on our own. It was an experience I will always be grateful for and I believe made us stronger. Now we will get to enjoy things that we could only imagine: grandparents at recitals, Sunday dinners, seeing my cousins, watching football games together, etc. etc. And Frank* may actually get to enjoy sleeping all night, going on vacation without working, having hobbies, etc.

Where? The job is in West Jordan, so we'll be living somewhere not too far from there. (I'm not posting the company name because I am weird and paranoid about listing specifics on the internet. But shoot me an e-mail and I'll tell you. (o: )

When? Well, Frank's* last day of work here is mid-September. He will start at his new job end of Sept./beginning of Oct. I still can't believe I'm even saying all this. This is just crazy!

We have a lot of hurdles to cross on this adventure, but I feel at peace about it all and know it will work out. Top of the list: selling the house, finding a good school and neighborhood, making friends (Ugh - I hate being the newbie) . . . the last few days have been heartbreaking as we have told our close friends the news. We hope that those of you among our Oregon family will know how much we love you and consider you such a wonderful gift in our lives. The experiences and friendships that we have made here will be a part of who we are forever and I hope that the friendships will continue as we keep in touch, look forward to visits (when you come to Utah and we come to Oregon) and remember all the wonderful times together.

My dad said this would probably be a harder decision to come back than it was to move out here in the first place. He was right. I have cried my eyes out a lot this week. But I know it is best for us and I'm excited for this new adventure. I plan to keep my blog updated so we can keep friends and family informed of the events in our families' life this next little bit.

Love to you all!