Leaving On a Jet Plane…Well, Actually a Penske Truck

We’re moving in a few months, and I am so not thrilled. My husband and I talked about whether we should relocate with his company or not, and it just makes sense to stick with the job. He likes it (most of the time except when he stays until 12:30 at night or is that morning?). He feels like it is a good opportunity overall. Additionally, I really love eating and having a roof over my head, so I figure I should support him in his job. 

This weekend, we went house hunting. I thought I knew what we could get with our budget; however, I was surprised at what we really could get. I appreciate that my husband is great with money. It means that we have a good down payment. It also means that we get to live within our means and not be house poor. This means that I need to rethink some expectations for my first house. It’s not going to be the ideal house. It’s not going to have sweeping hardwood floors and granite countertops. BUT, it is going to a nice home that meets our needs. Can you tell that I’ve been having a come to Jesus meeting with myself? 

I left my husband in Texas and came back to Arizona. On the plane, I talked to a man about moving to Texas and just got more cranky about the whole darn thing. I love Arizona. I like being near my family. I like the cacti and palm trees. I like the beautiful weather in winter. I like the organized roads. I was all back to being upset about moving to Texas. Then I went to church. I read in Exodus about God delivering the Israelites out of Egypt, and I thought about God delivering me in my wilderness. It struck me that God has a plan. That He has been merciful in letting me come to Arizona when I could’ve gone straight to Texas. Because of this detour, I have been able to make amazing friends at work as well as gain valuable work experience. We also get a lovely relocation package which helps us find a house sooner than I think we would have if we would’ve stayed in Arizona or moved straight to Texas.  

It’s not going to be easy. I’m pretty sure I’m going to shed more tears. But, I think if I can see the silver linings and golden edges within the difficult times, I know that I make this work. My friend Kelli advised to me at our last meeting to “Embrace Texas.” I’m going to try. 

Corned Beef and Cabbage

I went to Seattle a long long long long time ago. Actually, it was only like a month ago, but it seems like forever ago. Seattle is home to my corned beef and cabbage friend. I bet you don’t have a corned beef and cabbage friend. Many jeers ago, I introduced Lindsay to corned beef and cabbage – a favorite food of my family. Since then we have tried to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day together.

For example, here is a beauty from 2008.

In 2010, we were a little more classy.

My spring break started on St. Patty’s day this year. We weren’t able to have our dinner on the official date, but we did rendezvous for the delicious dish.

Lindsay and I always eat well when we get together. She took me to this amazing place for thai food. YUM!  We shopped, talked, and hiked.

Here is the view from Poo Poo Point (yes, that is it’s name).  People hike up to the top and paraglide off the peak. 

 

The next day, Lindsay and I went to Mt. Rainer to go snowshoeing after some hot yoga and boba.

 

Mt. Rainer is breathtakingly beautiful.

 

When we were entering the forest, I said, “Wow there is so much snow.” The snow near the beginning of the forest wasn’t even covering all the ground (I think Arizona has warped my perception of snow).

Then we got to the top of the parking lot and saw the real snow.

 

Lindsay and I waited for one of her friends for quite some time, but we couldn’t find them. Eventually, we just started up.

I have been snowshoeing before, but I have never experienced such beauty!

It was a phenomenal experience.

 

I was able to end the trip by going to the airport at 4:00 in the morning to try to catch a plane, which I didn’t make…. However, I did make the 8:30 and arrived home just in time to go to church.  Don’t you wish you had a corned beef and cabbage friend?