Finally...

we have a home. I have been craving a house for a long, long time. I've been longing for a house like most girls my age long for babies. Maybe it's because in the last 4 years of my life, I've moved 9 times. (That is NOT an exaggeration.) In fact, after living in the same house for the first 18 years of my life, I've moved 13 times since leaving for college. Joe and I have moved between Oregon and Washington more times than I care to recall, and it seems like every time we start to get settled somewhere and really begin to like it, it is time to pick up and leave again for one reason or another. I have been subbing for the last THREE years because of this instability, and all I want is a place to call home and know that it's worth investing in a community because we'll be around for awhile.

Well, I finally got what I've been wishing for. Joe and I recently put an offer on a house in Roseburg and it was accepted. We moved in and are "renting" it until we close. We are so close to owning our first home and it is SUCH a great feeling and relief. A lot of people have been asking for pictures, so I decided to post one here. I haven't taken very many yet since much of it is filled with boxes and very unorganized right now. However, here is a little preview of our new home. Man, it feels so nice to finally be able to say that :)

Super Proud...

of my Beavers. My former team is making OSU history by playing in the NCAA Sweet 16 tomorrow night versus Notre Dame. I couldn't be happier for Linus, Morgan, the girls and OSU. Hopefully, our girls can take care of business against the Fighting Irish the way our football program has in recent years! (Sorry Danielle, if you are reading this ;) Speaking of, it is also a great time to be a Beaver for football fans... Can't wait for that Civil War, GO BEAVS!

The Bright Side...

As you probably know by now, Joe and I recently packed up our lives (once again) and moved from Issaquah, WA to Roseburg, OR. For those of you who may not be familiar with "The Burg", it is Joe's hometown in southern Oregon and has a population of about 20,000. The town itself is actually not that small, it's just that there's really nothing around it within an hour's drive except country and even smaller towns. The closest big town is Eugene, an hour north, and Portland is a whopping 3 hour drive. It's funny- everyone I know back home (and by "home" I mean Portland) is excited to have us back and "so close". Yet Roseburg is actually just as far from Portland as our home in Seattle was. But instead of being 3 hours north, we are now 3 hours south.

I must be honest- I have had mixed feelings about moving to Roseburg. On one hand, Joe has a good job down here (he got a forestry job with Lone Rock Timber), we are back in our beloved state of Oregon and we are closer to (his side of the) family. In addition, it is much cheaper to live here, the weather is warmer, and we no longer have to plan our days around traffic. However, there is also "the other hand". For me, I am really missing our friends in Seattle, the endless variety of amazing restaurants, the more varied culture, the beautiful mountains on every horizon, and simply having more "to do". Although we didn't often venture into downtown Bellevue or Seattle, it is nice to have the option. It was also nice to live in a town that had a Costco, Trader Joe's and Target nearby - the closest around here is Eugene! Now I know what you are thinking, "How can she do it? This must be her breaking point"... BUT, I told Joe I am going to give Roseburg a fair chance and be open-minded, so I am trying.

To highlight one of the good points, it has been really nice to spend more time with family. For example, last weekend we hung out with Joe's parents, his sister Jessie, her hubby Luke, and our new little nephew, Wyatt. Here are some pics from our hike last Sunday. The weather was amazing for a November day, the sights were beautiful, and it was very peaceful out in the country :)

There might not be any skyscrapers around here, but it sure is peaceful..

I heart Oak trees.

Checking on Wyatt to make sure he's happy

                      

It's not often the Newton fam looks so little...

             Joe racing Jack and Kenai to the top of the hill

 Still climbing...

 Jessie's first baby, Kenai

 No, these are not Jack-prints. They are bear prints. And they are fresh. We basically live in the wild.

Pray for us.

The Highlight...

of my week so far.

Starring: Sinah (my almost 2-year old niece)
Supporting Cast: Grandpy Dan and Grammy Kathy, Uncle Joe and Aunt Janelle, Mommy Trisha and Big Brother Tre, BFF Jack

The Setting: Kathy & Trisha sitting on a couch, sitting and talking (about motherly issues I am sure). Jonas and Janelle playing with Tre and Jack on the floor.

Act 1, Scene 1- La Casa de Newton

Enters Sinah (running/flailing wildly into the center of the living room and doing laps around the living room/kitchen): "Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!"

Everyone turns to look at Sinah. Noticing she has boxer shorts draped around her head like an over-size necklace, they begin to laugh hysterically.

Kathy: "Dan come out here, your granddaughter has something for you!"

Enters Dan (a horrified look of expression crosses his face at the realization that the boxer shorts draped around the lovely little Sinah's neck are his): "Come here, give me those!"

Dan begins to chase Sinah. Sinah loving this, squeals with delight and begins to run from Dan. Everyone else in the rooms laughs so hard their stomachs hurt.

End Scene.