The Navigator

Today was a big day.  I drove through Portland, across bridges, along OR-10, OR-8, OR-26, I-405 S, I-5 N, I-84 E, I-205 N, OR-30 E, OR-30 W, I-84 W, I-5 S, and I-405 N.  I did this alone.  I did this without a map.  I did this without getting lost.  I did this in great time.  I DID IT!  I love maps and I love knowing where I am.  Moving here has been a little difficult in that I couldn't look at maps when I was driving, and I didn't know where I was.  Today was liberating to say the least.  Having a GPS would be easier, but then I wouldn't have victories like today and oh how good they feel!

The Study Bug

JD studies super hard all week and by the time Friday rolls around he is a bit worn out.  The above picture took place about 5 minutes after he got home from school on Friday.  The one below is JD's desk.  I thought it was pretty clever how he came up with the idea of balancing my totes to create a nice desk.  My supply of crayons, markers, and colored pencils that I use for primary is readily on hand just in case.  I am grateful that he is such a hard worker, I know I wouldn't have the fortitude to go through the program he is doing.  It has been a good experience so far we are interested to see what else is in store.

Seaside in September

I love September 1st, it means the coming of Fall.  It is the day that I can officially pull out fall decorations and get excited about changing leaves, apples, peaches and all that wonderfulness that comes with autumn.  We went to Seaside and spent some time feeding harbor seals, looking at creatures in the aquarium, watching kites, and relaxing on the beach.  JD wasn't sure why everyone thinks seals are so cute, he refers to them as "Fat Floppers".  Personally I think they are adorable.  I love being so close to the ocean, and having fun places to spend time with JD before he gets back to studying each Saturday. 

New Feature

I made a new page that takes you to a photo gallery of sorts showing our Oregon adventures.  It is still under construction and I have more to add, but it is easier to keep it up to date starting now then play catch up and be behind all the time.

Portlandia

We explored downtown Portland today and had a great time.  We started at Pioneer Square which was having an Italian Festival complete with band playing songs like "Amore"-when the moon hits your eye like a big-a pizza pie, that's amore- we went to the Old Town Farmer's Market, walked along the Willamette River, saw China Town, and went to Powell's City of Books.  I love Powell's.  Today's highlights included a 1st Edition Adventures of Tom Sawyer and 1st Edition Stuart Little (that is the one I am holding in the picture).  There was also a book from 1512 with a $4,800 price tag.  I love walking through all the rooms and levels and seeing all the different books everywhere.  It is awesome.  We explored Jeld-Wen Field a little bit and enjoyed the sites and sounds of all the people, there is definately a reason that Portland's Motto is: "Keep Portland Weird", there were plenty of different things and people to watch.

Small World

JD & I went to the Portland Temple yesterday and decided to check out the Visitor Center before heading back home.  I love how the backgrounds change behind the Christus statue depending on where you are!  In Los Angeles there is ocean, in Portland a lot of trees and waterfalls.  While we were wandering around, a van pulled in and a bunch of girls piled out of it, we saw that they were sister missionaries and when I looked even closer I recognized Ally, the daughter of one of my coworkers!  It was fun to see her even though we don't know each other very well, more just passing by while she was running errands for her mom or bringing Deb's glasses to her at work, but still super neat.  She was so happy doing what she was doing and the only complaint she had was how fast time was flying by.  I love how small the world really is.

Long Distance Relationships

I love technology!  It is so nice being able to Skype my sister in Wyoming while having my mom in Utah on a speaker phone at the same time. It is pretty neat if you ask me.