announcement

so....

 

We're moving to Portland!

 

 

We've studied out and weighed all our options, we've done research, we've planned and prepped and prayed about it. And we feel like this will be the best move for our family. We're moving May 24-25 and Justin will start the history graduate program at Portland State University in the fall.

 

We're really thankful for the opportunity that we have for Justin to go to graduate school. Most programs are pretty competitive to get in. Also, we're excited for a change of scenery and to continue along this path that we hope will bring security for our family's future in the long run.

 

So, right now there is a huge stack of empty boxes in our shed that keeps getting smaller and the pile of packed boxes in the corner of our living room keeps slowly getting bigger and bigger. I have exactly 11 lists that I'm constantly checking to make sure that I don't miss anything.

 

And....

 

Congratulations to Justin!

He's decided not to walk in his graduation ceremony because technically he graduated back in December (a semester early!) and then was accepted into the graduate program here at ISU and has been working hard already at the graduate level for a semester. He's slightly uncomfortable with the spot light sometimes. So, to commemorate I forced him to put on his cap and gown, his cords FOR GRADUATING WITH HIGH HONORS and his stole for being the PRESIDENT OF PHI ALPHA THETA and take some pictures. In case you couldn't tell, I'm so proud of him.

 

Also, thank you Justin, for the example that you're setting for our children. Although we both already had associates degrees, I love that you're continuing and getting your BA and masters degree. Education is so important and I love that Audrey and David will remember seeing their Dad work so hard for his and that they'll always have these pictures to look back on.

 

 

the haps

Justin's late night grad classes leave us all a little bored at the house

Justin's professor told him that we could take the kids to see the Symphony practice for free. Greatest idea ever!

a quick trip to Utah

love the cookies at Ruby Snap

dinner at Aunt Lyric and Uncle Scott's house

Audrey begged us to go see the capital

meanwhile...

 

so we spent the weekend in Wendell baking/decorating/chatting up a storm in my Mother's kitchen. I loved it. At one point my Mom turned on a CD that had "Mull of Kintyre" playing and when I looked at my Mother and sister and daughter all baking together it made me teary.

 

By the way, today is my Mom's birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I love you

 

Then we took a break to go see the new baby horse.

 

And Audrey asked Uncle Luke if she could ride a horse.

He obliged.

Then Davy had to ride too.

(and he had to borrow Grandpa's hat so he could be a cowboy. He gave it back right after the he got off the horse.)

 

After both kids had their rides Luke turned to me and said, "you getting up there Becky?" and so...I got on a horse.

And everyone gasped and fainted and took out their phones and started taking pictures.

Apparently it had been awhile since I had been in the saddle.

 

like 12 or so years.

 

 Although I don't really get into the horses and the ranching as much as my siblings, I am glad that my children will have the chance to experience those things. I love that my kids get to ride horses and feed chickens and help Grandpa in his big garden and make homemade huckleberry jam with Grandma and run around in the safety of my parents large property.

 

I like that they get a taste of the "country" life that I grew up with.

Thanks for that Mom and Dad.

Davy is still talking about riding a horse with Uncle Luke almost a week later.

 



 

While we were partying it up at my parents house Justin was bound for Portland, Oregon to present a paper that he'd written on race at the Phi Alpha Theta Conference.

 

 

He did great and his paper was even nominated for an award. Only 15 papers out of 150 were selected so even though he didn't end up winning, it made him feel good.

 

 

Just a few days before he left we received a letter in the mail informing Justin that he'd been accepted into the Portland State University history graduate school. We were really excited and this school will be a great fit for what Justin wants to do.

 

So.... we may be moving to Portland in a little over a month. 

 

 

It worked out well for Justin to be able to visit the campus and talk with some professors and students while he was there.

 

 

 

 

 

I'll keep you posted.

Beth's Baby Shower

 

This last weekend my Mom and I threw my little sister, Beth, a baby shower. She's pregnant with a little girl and due at the end of April.

 

Because my Mom and sister and I are all crazy when it comes to details and parties, prepartion started months before with Mom and I sweating over the guest list and invitations. Then the night before I went to Wendell I cranked out 60 of these little lamb cookies to be party favors. There's a long story that goes with these involving me dumping 2 batches of them in the trash and crying/banging my head against the oven, and staying up until midnight and bossing Justin around and 1 small swear word but just suffice it to say that these were fun, but a lot of work.

 

Although they did turn out so cute.

 

 

We decided on a nursery rhyme themed shower. So I made a garland that had little books and flowers, stars and moons hanging from it,

 

 

 

We served "Mary Quite Contrary Garden Salad" and "Little Boy Blueberry Scones" with "Miss Muffet's Lemon Curd"

 

 

also "Bakers Man Brownies"

 

 

"Peter Piper Peanut Butter Sandwiches" for the kids

 

 

and a "Sugar and Spice Layer Cake" which had us worried for awhile but turned out devine.

 

 

 

For drinks there was a "pail" of "Jack and Jill Juice"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great turn-out and Beth got some great presents for her little girl. I had a lot of fun throwing her the party. Best part? Cooking in the kitchen with my Mother, my sister, and my daughter.

What a treat.