I was recently reminded that our lives have had a pretty major change, and that I should probably mention it to the blorld (blog world).

We just recently finished the 22-hour trek to Bellingham, Washington; about 90 miles north of Seattle, and just close enough to the Canadian border to be picking up radio stations in French. Satch kept a close eye on our folks in the U-Haul behind us, and we blazed the trail in just about two days.

So far, we LOVE it! We've played in the downtown area quite a bit (which is a bit Davis-like), we've gone hiking (which is a bit exercise-like), and have really enjoyed napping through overcast afternoons (much more us-like).

Derrel started his new job yesterday and seems to like it. We're off to Kelowna, Cananda, this weekend for his league meeting, so the adventure continues!

Being Bellingham

Our first venture to Bellingham was an adventure. We didn't have much opportunity to enjoy the city beyond it's residential offerings. After two non-stop days of looking for a place to live (there are actually entire societies out there that survive without fences), we found a GREAT place to live, with a nice, grassy backyard for Satchmo. And, as of a few hours ago, it is officially ours!

Here are some shots of our trip:

We went to a trendy little pizza place downtown and got "The Spuddy":a pizza with bacon, chives, sour cream, barbeque sauce, and a potato sauce. I don't know how a potato sauce comes about, but it was pretty awesome, and something that I think Rodney would totally dig. Because Washington has enough trees for everyone to hug, Bellingham is a very eco-friendly city. Everything in this pizza place is completely compostable. All of the to-go cartons and utensils are completely made of corn! Crazy. Then we went for ice cream at Mallards, the downtown hipster hangout. It's Leatherby's all grown up... with massive dredlocks. It can never be Leatherby's but, then again, Leatherby's can never have dredlocks.
And that's our new house!!!

Two years ago...

at about this time, I was sitting in a labor room watching Rodney eat hospital food because Stacy was 18 months pregnant and not interested in eating it herself. Until about noon o' clock I was looking forward to what I thought would be a day full of Arrested Development, sporadic pauses to let Stacy know she was having a contraction, and at the end of the day, a baby. In just over an hour we will have found out that Stacy was going in, Nathan was coming out, and that all of our lives would be changed forever. At 12:51 I'll probably get a bit teary-eyed. Oh, I guess 10:50 is as good a time as any.


Happy Birthday, Nathan. We thank God everyday for the blessing that he's given us in you.

And may I say, AHHHHHH
For those who may have missed the sky-writing, I no longer like my job. The past few months, in particular, have completely erased my memory of any silver linings.

I get to start my day talking to vendors that have dropped the ball on delivering furniture and are talking fast to keep business. I spend the middle parts of my day scheduling/ having meetings with vendors that either lie or talk to me like I'm stupid. Then, I get to wrap up my day by explaining to an appliance company that no, I didn't ask to pick up the stove. Why would I have negotiated for free delivery if I was going to pick up the stove and not have you deliver it?
Then, just as I'm seeing the light at the end of the daily tunnel (not to be confused with the Daily Double), I get to talk to a slimy car salesman who, again, talks to me like I'm an idiot. So the day comes full circle. The bonus? The sexist joke the salesman wraps up with.

Do you think "overabundance of misery" sets a good tone for a resignation letter?

Update

I DID try a chocolate cream pie shake from our new Sonic. For those of you that truly appreciate the magic and pure joy of the traditional chocolate shake, I would not recommend it. The crumbs of crust on the top helped slightly, but it could not completely compensate for the overall lack-luster of the cream pie shake.

When did everyone cross over to selling half-shake, half-whipped abominations?

God bless you, In-N-Out. May you never be changed by the corruption of this world.

Week in Review: Volume....

I made a bold move today. As I stuck my lean cuisine in the microwave for dinner, I found myself staring into the dreamy eyes of a double-layer chocolate cake and was able to say, "No,
I will NOT have a fourth piece of cake." It was an awakening. Some people have will power, some people have three pieces of cake.

In other news, we haven't posted in a while. Derrel's wrapping up a three-game homestand tonight, while I'm entering into day two of my anti-gym homestand. Let's see...other things I'm failing at. I've decided to try to memorize some Bible verses that were brought up during the Women Discipling Women conference a few weekends ago ( a truly convicting weekend slash blessed time with my sister). I picked some that would humble and encourage me where I'm most frustrated, so they've been taped to my computer monitor at work (the tape wouldn't stick to Satchmo's fur). One of the most encouraging has been Matthew 6: 33-34. And no I won't write out what that is.
Open your Bible....DO IT.

We went to San Diego last weekend for Derrel's birthday and had a good time. We saw Phantom of the Opera, went to Sea World, and ate at Benihanas. Best part of the weekend? Being asked TWICE in one day if we were newlyweds. Ok, yes, we're only 6 months in (as of last Friday!), but one of the goals of our marriage is to make people sick for years to come. It's lofty, but something we can really commit to. Plus, my husband just got glasses...prepare yourself for squishy overload, people.

Other than that there's not much that's new. I could tell you what happened on last night's Seinfeld rerun but I won't.
Turn on TBS...DO IT.

Nathanemia

Everyone's got coping mechanisms. When I'm in a bad mood and at work (not a coincidence), I always take up refuge in the ol' Baby NRM blog. It's really hard to watch the photographic progression of Nathan's almost two years on this planet and not think about the blessings that God gives us everyday.

I've had a lack o' Nathan since...hmm...the end of May and, despite my doctor's recommendations, New Picture Wednesday isn't making the cut. So here are my non-Wednesday favorites that are helping me bide time until the little guy's birthday in August.

Is this the same kid?
Too much fun indeed.
Our little Chris Farley.

Love you kiddo.