"Norm!"

Does anyone remember the 80's show that comes from? The photo should help - it's from Cheers. And the theme song from that show was in my head yesterday, "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name . . . and they're always glad you came . . ."

I am feeling so sentimental about EVERYTHING this week. The airshow that happens every year at this time (right by our house - it's so cool!!), our yard, getting my hair cut by a close friend, Hagg Lake, the library, the Portland temple, my neighborhood, the gorgeous trees on Brookwood road, the family I did wedding pictures for yesterday that I just love, and every single friend and neighbor I've seen this week. Everything I do and everyone I see right now reminds me of what I will be missing and moving away from. It makes my heart ache. I am ultra sensitive and trying to soak up every good feeling and moment here while I can. I LOVE it here. On the other hand, the feelings I have are more humongous feelings of gratitude, not regret for our decision. I feel good about the way things are going, but I am appreciating every little thing about Oregon and know I will miss it all when we are gone.

I am grateful to have made so many close and wonderful connections out here. As we stood in the front yard yesterday talking to friends and waving to neighbors and friends walking or driving by, my friend Tina's son said, "You know everyone." Well, not really, but it seemed like a plethora of people we knew happened to walk or drive by yesterday. I think I am just more keenly aware of each and every association right now. After shooting at the Maurer's reception last night, Bill* and I were talking on the driveway when Brian and Randie walked by. We sat and talked and laughed with them for quite a while. It was so great. They have been wonderful friends and I am a better person for having known them. That's how I feel about all my wonderful friends here. I am a better person for every association I have had here in Oregon and I will be grateful FOREVER for the blessing of being here so I could have these deep friendships and life lessons from such good people.

So now we move from a place where everyone (not really) knows our name and hopefully is glad that we came. (o: That sounded TOTALLY cheesy, forgive me. Lookout - there's more coming...

In Oregon, for those of you who have seen it and know what I'm talking about, everything grows. The plentiful moisture and temperate climate make the most beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers grow. Even if you don't do anything, stuff just grows and grows here spontaneously. (Not fun when it comes to keeping up with the tons of weeds.) Like the beautiful vegetation here, I am forever grateful for the amazing growth I have experienced personally in the northwest. (Hey I'm not done being cheesy - give me my moment.) I have grown like a weed. (o: I tried to "bloom where I was planted" and in this gorgeous place it wasn't hard. I hope I can do okay in the Utah desert and not wilt too much. I know my family will be a huge source of strength and look forward to so many things about living closer to them.

Okay - that is the end of my deep thoughts for today . . . aren't you glad? (o:

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!

Hagg Lake

From Blog Favorites #4

One of the perks of Ned* being in the bishopric is that I get to tag along for some of the bigger activities and enjoy time with the youth. The Hagg Lake tradition began two years ago and is always full of laughter, mud flinging, water fights and making good memories together. I was so grateful to be a part of it for the 3rd annual event. (o:

From Blog Favorites #4

My girls loved playing with the big kids! They love being with the young women and a part of all the fun. They loved playing with Brother Matteson, Sister Morris and taking a boat ride with bishop Melanson. We just love our ward so much. This was a wonderful and bittersweet night - more on that later . . .

From Blog Favorites #4

From Blog Favorites #4

I love this one of Sarah and Natalie in the background. (O:

From Blog Favorites #4

Angela getting a ride out in the water with Tony. I feel kind of lame for not coming in a swimsuit so I was grateful for everyone that played with my girls.

From Blog Favorites #4

Kaitlyn and Jordan are double trouble.

From Blog Favorites #4

Kaylynn, my photography buff buddy. She is amazing and I love talking photography with her! I couldn't resist getting a shot of her in action. (o:

From Blog Favorites #4

Hagg Lake is gorgeous - I wish I got more pictures of the scenery! (Did I just wish I got more pictures?)

From Blog Favorites #4

Ned* wasn't getting to stay dry just because he didn't dress for the water! Bishop and Tony were VERY gracious and allowed Ned* to remove all his affects before the dunking. It was a little anticlimactic, but very much appreciated!

From Blog Favorites #4

Some of the audience; Lizzy, Sarah and Heather

From Blog Favorites #4

Heidi, Natalie and Kayla

From Blog Favorites #4

Real men can get away with wearing princess towels!

**Funny story: Remember the post about our visit to Hagg Lake with the Fotheringhams back in June? On that night, Ned* was having fun throwing a disc out in a field with Sarah and Lizzy - if I remember right he was trying to get the disc on some deer we saw. (o: Well, the disc got lost in all the tall weeds and he couldn't find it. I guess he was curious last night about it and looked around and he FOUND it! Two months later! How funny is that? Unfortunately, all that time sitting in the sun warped it so it didn't work and he ended up throwing it away anyway, but it's still a good story. (o: