Cha-Cha-Change

This song has been stuck in my head for days now, and while it seems to speak of a relationship, to me, at this time, it speaks of changes in relationships with places, and situations, and knowing when to move on. And make a change.

A year and four months ago.....

Joel graduated from law school and a week later we got ourselves hitched and moved our new little family of two from Salt Lake City to the Northwestern land of Portland, OR. And man, we just love this city.

So it has been a year and four months of exploring our favorite bridges (and book stores, and food carts, and vintage stores, etc)

And the growing of beards while studying for the bar (Joel did this, I remained clean shaven)

And the visiting of coasts (both Oregon and Washington) as we planned for the future and looked for work in this sad sad economy.

The funny part was that none of that planning for the immediate future included ultrasounds and growing bellies.....

Because my belly sure seemed to get bigger...

And bigger....

And bigger...

This economy (bad) and this baby (good) were not in our plans, but then again, what in life seems to ever go exactly as planned? So after a year of stress, but also a year of love, and enjoying our new marriage, and learning lots, and spending time with the extended family here in Portland, and the immediate in-laws in Seattle, and Joel being a superstar teaching Primary at church, and good friends that have been made, and a sweet boss that I love more than words can say (she has been so good to us) we are moving on.

Again, this wasn't the plan. But what I can tell you is what I have learned. And that is that we are so blessed and loved that it is absurd. While there are definite disappointments, the Lord has looked out for us. We are surrounded by angel souls that are so giving that it just fills my heart. And my husband is one such angel soul as well. He has worked so hard during this time and against such odds. He is a strength to me in more ways than just the amazing fact that he cooks good food for me daily. And while we aren't set for life quite yet (that happens overnight, right?) we have loads of perspective and hope for the future. It has been hard not knowing what we were going to be doing the entire time this baby has been growing inside me. And now 5 weeks before he is due to arrive, we have definite plans (barring a surprise dream job showing up tomorrow elsewhere) to move ourselves here:

We have gone back and forth on the possibilities for so long. What we could make work. And have felt strongly about moving close (is living in the same house considered close?) to my family in Vegas. And now that we have made the decision, it is almost as if the stress of these last eight months has been lifted. While circumstances won't be much different, and we are so sad to leave this place, I am at peace and excited for the future. And the birth of our son. And we know that as long as we keep working at it, that the Lord will provide what is best for our small family. It's as if we have done all we can here and it is time to move on, melancholy as that may be.

And we owe a huge thank you for all the people that have touched our lives during this time. We are indebted to so many in so many ways. (Harris and Mellor clans, I'm looking at you).

Things I am looking forward to? Well having my excellent mother around during the newness of my own motherhood for one. And being able to spend time with the the Jones part of the family that isn't limited to a quick weekend trip (I swear it's been years). And a winter that doesn't consist of solid rain.

So it is off to another adventure (probably about 2 weeks after the baby is born-fun) in another locale. And now we just have to get ready for the baby what we can. And cleaning, and packing, and all that entails. Wish us (and my big belly) luck.