A Pair of Penguins

So about 2 months ago, Ron and I were driving to Costco to get some gas and then we were heading
home. I had asked him how job hunting was going and he said, “Same old, Same old.” Ron hadn’t had a
job from the end of January to that point. He had done some contract work, but not a steady job. So out
of my mouth comes this comment, “Maybe it’s a sign we aren’t supposed to be here!” Ron looked at me
and said, “Maybe. Where would we move to?”

Me: “Portland, or somewhere else.”

Ron: “How would we do that though?” (Keep in mind, last August when we went on a second
honeymoon to Portland, on our drive back I felt like it was time to leave Provo. We seriously considered
Portland, but we wouldn’t have residency and Ron was still in school at Provo College.)

Me: “Well we could see everything and move there. I don’t know we could stay with the Temperini’s
maybe and see what we could do.”

Ron chewed on that for a little while and kept asking questions and I kept playing Devil’s advocate and
then we went up to Ron’s sister’s house and were like, “What do you guys think?” Also keep in mind,
this sister has been married 10 years and has moved 10 times. Pretty much knows how painful moving
really can be and unless it is needful, that you should just stay in one place.

That was 2 months ago.

Since then, we have sold two of our bookshelves, a dresser, and a pink recliner. That is pretty awesome
all things considered. We have had one DI trip already and will probably be doing another. When I first
spoke with a good friend about it, she was really cautious. She is like a second mother to me and she
voiced realistic concerns. But it is the same feeling that I have had before, when I decided to serve
a mission, and when I decided to marry my best friend. Peace, peace, peace. Goodness and almost
giddiness. Mind you, there are still moments when I am like, ummmm, this is a little scary. Moving
yourself about 800 miles away from the place you have called home the last 9 years, yeah. That is a little
bit to take in. But there is so much that is coming that I can barely take it in.

I know there are challenges ahead, especially because it is a major life change, but there is so much to
be said for the adventure we are about to embark.

The official journey begins November 1st (our contract is up on Halloween) but we might be starting it
sooner. All things in there time.

But here is what I look forward to: