A House Hunting Miracle

It's been a full week of change for us, and we are so excited for all the new positive change we will experience in the next few months.  Since we knew that we would be moving soon after I graduated we opted for my mom to take the sofa that my grandparents had so graciously lent us.  We didn't plan on buying any new furniture until we were moved into a new place so we didn't have to move furniture, BUT we found out there are no Sofa Marts on the west side of the state and we LOVED a chair at Sofa Mart.  So last Thursday Oley and I made our third largest purchase (over $1000) as a married couple.  We are so excited for our new couch and chair. 

Needless to say we are pretty excited.  The chair matches the couch and ottoman much better in person, here it looks horrible. 

Friday we planned to make a trip to the west side to find a place to rent while I work and Oley hopefully gets into the program over at UW next January.  We had a whole list of places we were going to look at starting on Friday so when we finally got there we met with a property manager who showed us 3 houses and none of them were going to work.  We then drove to Oley's Aunt's house where we would be staying for the night and I had received a fairly random email that was about an open house the next day.  When I looked at the house it looked much like one of the houses we looked at earlier that night, but becuase there was no lawn we weren't going to be able to pursue it.  So I wasn't even going to keep looking but I noticed there was a picture of Christ above their fireplace, and it was definitely one sold in an LDS bookstore so I told Oley if we had time we should probably go see this place. 

Well we had pretty well packed out schedule at the time of the open house so I didn't think we would be able to make it.  Gratefully the appointment we had scheduled at 11 to go to 1 only lasted till 12:15.  The open house was to last until 12:30, coincidentally enough the last house we were looking at was only 3 minutes from this home and so we decided we would hurry over and see if we could make it in time.  Long story short we got there in time and when we met the property manager we got talking and found out he too was LDS as well as the owners of the house and the entire company that manages this property.  The house was perfect 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a HUGE walk in closet! And it's nice to know we will be dealing with honest people. 

The backyard is perfect for the little monsters.

The front of the house

The kitchen is great and it has a dining room right off of it.

 We are super excited to be making this big change in our lives and for what the future will hold.  Since we will be so close to the Sea-Tac airport we are expecting a lot of visitors! 

Productive Weekend

Okay so I have already failed, I told Laur I would update this at least every other day, I lied!!

Anyway we had an extremely productive weekend.  Even though we slept in a little on Saturday we were able to still get quite a bit accomplished.  Started out in the garage where Oley spent most the afternoon fixing up his scooter.

  

 He was pretty excited to have that all fixed up now that we are ready to move. 

While he worked on that I gave my car a much needed wash!   After we both finished those we put our heads together and finally built the sofa table that I have been asking Oley to get built.

I now just need to get it sanded and painted and poof I finally got the table I have been waiting for.  Although I am glad we waited becuase what we had in mind for it changed dramatically and this looks much better!  As soon as I get the house packed I will work on this. Eventually, it will house pictures of our siblings and their families, and a statue of Christ.  Later went and played my last soccer game here in Spokane, and then met up with Oley for the Adult Session of our Stake Conference. 

Sunday night while we were on our walk halfway through we made our routine check of Lily's belly to make sure she had no bug bites.  Unfortunately, black fly season is upon us a lot early this year.  She had a bite so we hurried home and watched her.  I think last year it was do to the amount of bites she had.  If you recall her belly looked like this.  

Not that we are blowing off the fact that she was bit again, because believe me she gets checked more often than she would like and is now under house arrest until we move.  It's going to make for a long month ahead, but I would rather her be healthy and safe than no longer with us.  

A lot of our conference was centered on temples and the amazing miracles that happen there everyday.  We love the fact our marriage will last into the eternities and that we will be with our families there.  What greater gift do we have than the simplicity of this gospel and the stability it offers in our lives!

Next Stop Tacoma

Well you read that right.  After months of applying, anxiously awaiting, stressing over jobs, and turning them down I finally bit the bullet and accepted an offer.  Oley and I will be moving to Tacoma in the middle of June so I can put my degree to use while Oley finishes his.  I will be working for MutliCare Health System.

 

It's a fairly small health system with A LOT of growth.  In the few years they have bought two larger hospitals, and have three of their own.  One of these is a children's hospital, which was great news for me becuase that has always been what I want to do!  So I will be working as a fellow in the strategy and business development department, obviously a fairly busy department at the moment.   After a year is up we will see whether or not they want to keep me around, and if it is going to fit with Oley's schooling. 

Other than that just been working on some of the pictures we took on our trip to Madison, WI last month, when we were scoping out a job there and whether or not we wanted to move.  So I will share a few here.  Most I haven't done any editing too, so beware!  

A statue at the Capitol building

Oley and I out front the Capitol

Madison, WI Capitol Building

Can't wait till we get a lens and battery for my new camera!  Maybe within the next couple weeks, than these pictures won't look so wretched. 

Whose Idea Was This?

I won't lie since Oley's parents bought us these nice new road bikes last September we have only gotten them out once. 

Oley getting ready for the Yellowstone ride.

But since it has been so incredibly nice here I convinced Oley it was time that we pump up the tires and break them out.  I wanted to make sure I was going to at least get a work out as well and so suggested we ride past the temple and up HWY 27.

Spokane Temple Sept. '11

Well needless to say the temple is only about 1 mile from our  house so we only get to enjoy the ride for a mile.  After which there is 2 miles of straight up hill.  About half way up the hill at one of our pit stops I thought "whose idea was this, really?".  But once to the top of the hill the rest of the ride was well worth the sweat and work it took to get to the top.  It turned out to be my favorite bike ride we have been on since we have lived in Spokane.
Now looking back it's much like life.  We go through trials and we don't think we are ever going to get through them, but once we do we realize how great life is because we went through them.  There was no other way to get to the road we went down, but becuase we went up the hill and worked at it the rest of the ride was beautiful!  We are so lucky to live somewhere with so much outdoor recreation and beauty!

Tourists

I love when our families are in town becuase it gives us a reason to go and explore some of the great aspects of the town we live in.  This time around was no different.  Saturday after graduation we loaded into the cars and made our way to Manito Park.  There weren't a whole lot of flowers blooming there yet, but we did go to the Japanese garden, in which I wish we would have gone when we first moved here. 

Oley was our photographer for much of the day.  I think he is getting pretty good!

Oh so happy!

Liz, Dad, Mom, and Matt Trying to keep up with Oley and his excitement to go into the garden.

Matt, Me and Laur

Yeah we are that Cool!

Robyn and Ryker being big grumps!

Dad, Matt and Oley ~ Looking Cool!

This was a water feature within the Garden.  Like I said this place was beautiful!

More of the gardens

I should probably do something with myself when I know we are going to tourist attractions with the camera.

Little bit more of the garden!

Oley and I will be married 5 years in July!  Crazy!

Ryker was making sure his dog understood the seriousness of this occasion.

I love this picture. Doug is definitely not an Obama fan.  But looks like his son is!  

Jeepers Creepers

Okay so since I am unemployed at the moment I have A LOT of free time on my hands.  So rather than going to sleep at my usual 10 o' clock sharp bed time I lie awake playing my go to game of solitaire and watching a ridiculous show called switched at birth

Last night was no different.  Did the usual bedtime routine hopped in bed and away I went.  Come midnight I decided I better get some sleep.   About 2:00 AM I woke up from a CRAZY dream, where I was being chased by a creeper trying to stab me with a knife.


So rather than being able to fall back asleep I lied awake until Oley's alarm went off.  After Oley had left for work I had finally gotten back to sleep and my phone rings.  Oley is calling to let me know he saw a creeper just up our road and wanted to make sure I was safe.  Had I not had a crazy dream just hours before I probably would not have been as stressed over this.  Needless to say it didn't help that they are still searching for some guy who stabbed an innocent lady here.  Makes me worried for what this world is coming too.  What happened to the good old days that our parents and grandparents speak of where they didn't have to lock their doors at night, and they were able to let their kids walk to and from school without a worry in the world?

Graduation!!

How crazy is it to think that I am done with school forever. . . well pretty crazy.  So crazy in fact that I just don't want to accept a job cause that would entail growing  up!  No jk!  We just have not accepted one yet because for some reason none of the offers have felt quite right.  I know, I know probably shouldn't be so picky in this economy, but who knows something will come up!  Back to graduation.  It started with Commencement Breakfast.

I could only bring 4 guests with me and so Matt, Dad, Mom and Oley all got the pleasure of sitting through this!

 Since I served as the student body president I had the pleasure of participating in this program with my vice president. 

Going over what the rest of the program was going to be. 

 The Chancellor award 8 students who had been nominated for a Chancellors Award.  I was lucky enough to be one of those nominees. 

Chancellor Pitcher and Myself

 The executive staff for ASWSUS and our Office Assistant and Kasey.  We had a great year!

Rita, Harsh, Diana, Azadeh, Albert, Trevor, Kasey, Me, and Jon

 I did a lot of work with Dawn she is definitely going to be missed!

Me and Dawn

 Martha was and always will be my go to person whenever I needed anything Martha was able to fix it!  Diana was in my cohort and was always so positive!

Me, Martha, Diana

I covered the student spotlight section in the commencement ceremony.  Here I am probably slaughtering the word "ethnicity" I think I pronounced it "eth-ni-si-city" What can I say a graduate degree doesn't buy you everything!

Speaking at Commencement

 Here is my fan club, it was intense!

Liz, Laur, Mom, Robyn

 Laur and Ryker came to support! 

Me, Laur and Ryker

 I am glad I have such a supportive husband who has let me get my education done first!  I love him!

Me and Oley

 These two make me feel worthless, having jobs and PhD programs all lined up!  Soon though I will be in their same boat. . . hopefully!

Jeff, Me, Melanie

 My family has always been very supportive of everything I do.  I am glad they were willing to take the time off and travel to Spokane to sit through yet another gradation!

Dad, Oley, Robyn, Me, Mom, Ryker, Lauralynn, Matt, Liz

My diploma, my shoes, and now my Hood! 

Me

 My Mom and Dad!  They musta been doing something right!  I mean look at me, I am pretty much spectacular!

Dad, Me, Mom

 YAYA!  I am Finally Done! 

Me

My Sister are the greatest!  Wish Marilee would have been there with us!  

Robyn, Me, Laur, Liz

 My little brother!  Gol I love this boy!

Me, Matt