Emotionally spent

(In the spirit of being real)

Getting ready to move, saying "goodbye" to friends who are acting like we are moving to China--not just over the mountain, being called a deserter (even though it's supposed to be funny), having the van get hit and need to be in the shop for a week while we are in the middle of a move, and a couple of other not-so-great-things have left me emotionally spent.

I shouldn't be, I just am.

I'm ready for something, anything to work out in my timing and just, for once, work. out.  No strings attached.  No guidelines. No "Opps, our bad, but too bad."

I'm just overwhelmed.  It'll pass and everything will be fine. I'm just frustrated.

Too hot

This weathers been great but it's not been ideal packing weather.  It is just too hot.  So instead of packing we just get in the car and go find places to cool off.  I know we will probably regret it later because we it's almost crunch time but oh well---

This feels so much better then packing in a hundred degree house.

Temple trip

I love living so close to the temple.  It's going to be hard to have it farther away.  Last Friday I got to go with my Young Women to do baptisms and it was a great night.  Just when I think my love for these ladies can't grow any more, it does.  They are such an amazing group of girls, who come from all different situations, and they each are amazing.

Feeling the love

For the past 4 1/2 years I've been working at the gym here in town as a group fitness instructor. I've really enjoyed getting to know the members of the gym and also being brought into the community to do several community events (i.e., Relay for Life, Woodburn Proud Events, High School fundraisers, middle school Zumba, yada, yada, yada...).  One of the saddest things, for me, about moving is not being able to teach my classes anyone.  I really enjoy doing it and hopefully I'll find somewhere new where we are headed so I can continue teaching. It'll just be different.

This last Tuesday was my official last day of work.  I'm not gonna lie. I cried.  My last class was a Senior Zumba class that I've been teaching for a few years now and man I love these people.  Before class they gifted me with homemade Hawaiian treats, cards (a beautiful handmade one and one with good luck notes written all over) and $ for a relaxing massage once we are moved and settled.  How awesome is that?

My co-workers also gave me a great new yoga mat. It. is. nice.  Way nicer than the cheapy from Wal Mart that I typically use.

I'm feeling like a lucky girl.

17 years and a BIG announcement

Today is our 17th wedding anniversary. That sounds like such a long time but really, how can it be 17 years already? I guess when you still look the exact same as you did 17 years ago (but better) it's hard to believe that much time has passed.
(Ugh...I think I just threw up in my mouth a lil'.)

We celebrated today by doing some of my favorite things--which just happen to be some of Jason's least favorite things.  That's how I know he loves me.

We started the day with family pictures.  Real ones.  By a professional.  We haven't done that since we were in Hawaii 2 years ago. It was time. We looked cute, the kids smiled and we can't wait to see the proofs.

We had a family breakfast afterward and I got a present.  I need to get this framed asap.

Pretty great, right?

Then, my friends, a miracle happened. Jason agreed to go to Ikea with me. Say whaaaaaa?  I know. I told you it was a miracle.

 My family does not like Ikea. Can you tell by all the happy faces? They get antsy and everyone wants to go home seconds after we walk in.  But to make me happy they all endured. I'm a proud mom/wife.

It's not often that we go to Ikea but I needed ideas for our BIG announcement.  Team Widing is on the move.  We recently closed on this little gem and are getting ready to take up residence in a few short weeks:

We are moving over to Central Oregon and we are excited.  It really has been a long process full of talking, researching towns, praying, researching schools, talking, praying, and talking.

When we began the discussion about moving we started looking all over the country. We talked about Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, Idaho......we really talked about anywhere and everywhere.  In the end though, we decided that we should stay close to Jason's home office.  We feel like this will be a great adventure for our family and we are excited to establish some roots in our new town.  HOWEVER, we are so sad about leaving the people who live in our current town.  They are our friends and have turned into our family.  We couldn't be more grateful for those that we have shared our life with over the past 6 years.  Our friends have made our lives fun. Thank goodness we are only moving a few hours away.

To answer a few questions:

1. Didn't we just buy a house?

*Yes, 3 years ago. It's been an awesome house and we are so lucky that we have had ideal neighbors.

2. Did we sell our current home?

*We thought about it but decided to hang on to it and rent it out. We are fortunate to have renters moving in who we love and trust.

3.  How do the kids feel about moving?

*The kids were in the discussion all along.  They went to the chamber of commerce with us and asked their questions, they looked at all the houses and gave their input, they toured the schools and talked with teachers, they attended church.  We wouldn't be moving if the kids weren't okay with it.  They are excited (and maybe a little nervous now that it's more real) and eager to see what's in store for them over the mountain.

4. (The most important question) Can we come visit?

*YES! Please do.

To wrap things up:

*17 years today.

*Team Widing is headed over the mountain soon.

* We are happy campers and excited for our new adventure.

Happy anniversary to us!

Guys? It's hot

We are loving this warm weather here in the Northwest. Days in the 90's are our type of thing at the Widing at house.  We've been hanging out at the river and the water is the perfect temp. Too bad I haven't taken any pictures.

Today I nixed a river trip because we had to much going on so the kids pulled the garden hose and had a blast.

Happy 4th of July

 Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, 4th of July we love you. We really, really do.  And we love spending it with friends.  My in-laws always say that we (Jason and I and the kids) can't do anything alone.  We always have a hoard of people with us.  That's not true, we do tons of stuff on our own but on holidays it's so fun to hang with a bunch of people you like.  America's birthday is a big deal and we make sure to do it right.

 Every year the boys get up and go to a pancake breakfast while the girls get a little extra shut eye. Then it off to the parade with friends and grandma and grandpa.

 The kids got so much candy at this years Molalla Buckaroo Parade. Honestly, they collected more candy then Halloween.  It was insane.

 It was flying from all directions.

 I think the candy came our way because Jason was loud, loud, loud.  He'd yell for candy and it would come flying off the floats.

 Sometimes people threw it nicely. Other times people got pelted with it.  Hey-any way you can get it right?

After the parade we went to our favorite meal of the year: CATHOLIC CHICKEN.  This chicken is the main reason the girls and I don't eat breakfast.  We want there to be plenty of room for lunch.

 So, so yummy.

 After we filled our bellies with goodness we settled in for the Molalla Buckaroo.

 Our girls had to get there picture taken with the all girl color guard.  Girl Power!

 Before I got a hold of it:

 After I had a "taste":

(Just kidding--I had help.....sorta)

There is nothing more American than a good rodeo.  I love that it opens with a prayer and honoring of each branch of the military.  I feel happy to be able to celebrate the 4th this way.

After the rodeo we took our annual post Buckaroo naps so that we would be nice a fresh for fireworks.

We enjoyed the vertan band, fresh strawberries and ice cream, fireworks and lots of friends.

I think this holiday was made for us Widing's.  Can't wait til next year!

Birthday wrap-up

I think turning 14 was pretty good to this kid.

When you get spoiled with things like cups and bedding life can't get any better, right?

Bring on 14.

14 years old

Happy 14th birthday to our Kahau! It seems like only yesterday she looked like this:

(I clearly remember taking this picture of her)

 And now she looks like this:

 Wow.  I can't say anything except time really does fly.  She's so big, pretty, nice and mature and...and...

 Okay, maybe not super mature...we are working on it.

 She gathered a bunch of friends went to see Maleficent at the movies this afternoon.

 It was 100* outside today so after the movie she and her friends went and cooled down at the river.

 It was the perfect day to be on the river.  The water felt so good and these girls just played andswam.

 Kahau is lucky to have fun friends and I think it makes all the difference in the world.  I love her and I love her friends.  I'm telling you though, sitting in the car with 7 13&14 year olds can possibly drive you a little crazy.  I don't know how many times I heard "OH. MY. GOSH you guys" and "He is so hot." and "My parents are NOT cool....no offense Mrs. Widing, you are fun."  Um, thanks?  Oh to be a 14 year old girl.

Below:

1st row: Brandee (l) and Devony (r)

2nd row: Ruby (l) and Hailey (r)

3rd row: Brakelle (l) and Sucely (r)

Happy, Happy birthday Kahau!  We love you, we are proud of you and we can't wait to see what 14 has in store for you!