Every time this year my thoughts go else where.

Silver Falls State Park




An Ocean Sunset






A Beach View




Our Dream House






Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

My thoughts seem to be elsewhere this time of year...

So... As many people that read this blog know I am from Monticello and Brandon is from South Jordan/St. George. What people may not know is that when we got married we didn't have a place to live. (Other than out of the trunk of his car and my truck.) Well when Wells Fargo called him, it was surprising that they wanted an in person interview. We had no money, and in 4 days it was Thanks Giving. We decided to make the trip up the Oregon Coast anyway. We saw so many beautiful towns, landscapes, and ocean views, that right then and there we decided we were going to move up to Oregon no matter what.

Well Brandon did interview after interview that trip and was offered a job in Stayton, Oregon. We didn't even have time to go and see the town. We accepted the job and drove home to gather our things. I arranged an apartment on the internet and talked to the landlord shortly and we were off.

It was exiting and terrifying all at the same time. When we got there everything fell into place so perfectly. The church was exciting, there was young couples our age in the ward. Have I mentioned the scenery? I miss it every day. The camping was great, the weather was surprisingly lovely (I love rain) but even more I love clouds and flowing water (rivers, streams, waterfalls, ocean) and Oregon had all this plus tree's and the greenest grass ever. I was able to get a job with the City of Salem working with at risk youth in the middle schools as a mentor and outdoor educator. Life was seemingly perfect. Although Brandon loved Oregon he was having a different kind of time than me. His boss was demeaning, he worked all the time, and it was really hard to see me making friends and doing a job I loved. When he saw an opportunity to apply for other jobs he did and oddly enough Monticello had the opening. Now I'm not saying that Monticello doesn't have its good things. I love the scenery here, it's easy to go camping, four wheeling, hunting, fishing, and of course family and now that I'm doing better at dealing with my demons I'm glad to be making some friends where I never thought I could before. Childhood here wasn't easy on me and I'm not sure who I blamed more my parents, the other kids in school, or just the fact that I had what I had. Either way there is a reason that we are back here and I'm grateful for the opportunity for a "do over" maybe this time it will go smoother.

Anyway I guess I feel the need to share this because so often it is a don't ask don't tell kind of thing and it's hard to get to know people unless they open up which is not the easiest thing in the world to do it makes you vulnerable and no one likes that. Besides how do you just bring these things up? So as Thanks Giving and Christmas approach my mind wonders back to that first year of marriage and the adventures we had and I am very thankful that I didn't say no to that move. One day I'm sure will go back there and you all are so welcome to come and see what I'm talking about.