Greetings from a not so distant inbox. We are "officially" here in Oregon. Kerry and I had closing on our house last Friday (25th). We just got a phone call from our realtor that it funded today and all is well in the land of Scriptural Name Places. Saturday we had reserved a U-haul truck, they called us the night before and were sorry to report that we would not be getting a truck at 8:30AM -maybe even late that afternoon. We were not so happy to hear this, however, there wasn't much we could do about a prepaid truck, but wait. We got a call around 10:30AM telling us if we were willing to drive to Bountiful we could pick up our truck there. The kids were loaded nicely and we had a lovely drive to Bountiful. We arrived back in Lehi just before noon. Dawn, Heather, and Ray were there to help. Kerry called Richard (who was with Debra in an unknown location) Aaron, Jacob, and Eric if they had some free time to help. We were very happy when two teenage boys showed up on our doorstep. Eric called and said he could come later after an appointment. Shannon showed up with pizza and pop - it was a PARTY!

After a couple of hours of loading, it was finished. We APPRECIATE all of the help we were showered with. It is pretty cool when our families are both large enough to cover a move without calling in the Elder's Quorum Reserves. We drove to Twin Falls Saturday night, arrived late. Sunday, Ryan and Kerry's illnesses had worsened and Kerry was wiped out the entire day. We had a good visit with my parents and Monday we were rested enough able to make the drive. Monday was Audrey's 4th Birthday...due to our circumstances, we had to make a few alterations to the grand event. Audrey was THRILLED to ride in the big truck with daddy. We did have pizza for lunch in honor of the "birthday girl". We decided not to have all the festivities in one day...so, we have changed her "Birth Day" this year. She will have a Birthday Week. One night we had popcorn, one night ice cream, one day she can go shopping....etc.

We had our two-way radios making the trip entertaining for all those who were on our same channel. We arrived back in Aloha that evening. Happy to finally be together again. Tuesday, Kerry and I unloaded some necessary things from the big truck and then we headed over to U-haul, rented a 10x15 storage unit and put the rest there. We finished just in time to see Grandpa Smith who came over to the house to give Audrey a birthday wish. When he left, we decided that it was too sunny and warm to waste a day outside, we mowed the "Jungle-grass". Mom, your neighbor's probably had a chuckle or two when they looked out and saw Kerry and I each with a mower zipping through knee-deep grass. Exhausted from the day's activities, we decided on Chinese Take Out and got caught in an electrical storm. The lightening was incredible. We pulled out our Toyota Oars and made our way home five minutes before Bishop Boswell and Brother Christianson came for their "visit". We swallowed a bite or two and then had a good visit for an hour or so with the bishopric. They insisted on knowing our previous callings...I assured them that we had signed confidentiality agreements not to disclose this information...they laughed and I am sure will find us to be willing to serve where we are needed regardless of where.

So, I think that is it in a nutshell. Today we are unpacking, doing laundry, trying to get more organized. It may take us the rest of your mission Mom. We have had several calls regarding jobs. Kerry's resume has been submitted by three head hunters today for three different jobs, aside from the ones we applied to ourselves online. One client has already set up a phone interview for tomorrow. We hope it is a good thing. Will keep you posted (more frequently now that we have been reconnected to Da Blog). For those of you interested we are taking Audrey to Washington Park tomorrow to the Portland Zoo. If the weather turns, we will still go just to the Children's Museum in the same area. Friday we are having candles, cake more ice cream...she will open a couple of presents. You are all welcome in spirit even if you cannot be with us.




posted by Anonymous at 3:50 PM