Try it again?

Perhaps the recent changes in our lives justify a second try at blogging? We will try! We woke up a little sore today after a great backpacking/mountain climbing trip to South Sister with the Runberg's. But before that, let's rewind a bit and update you on events from the Hynes household over the last ~10 months: Last October (actually on Paul's b-day) he was offered a promotion that would require a move to Bend, Oregon. Bend was always a place we said we would love to live, so after prayer and thoughtful consideration, we took the opportunity. CRAZY! After we accepted the job, reality set in. Paul had been also working at a church as the Worship Director, so we had to let them know that we had taken the job and would be moving in the summer. We also had to put our house on the market and attempt to sell it on our own. The months wore on and the summer came very fast. I let my school and district know that I would not be returning for the 2011-2012 school year, and the goodbyes started. It was A LOT harder saying goodbye then I think I imagined. We had built lots of good friendships with members of the community and church, and moving away from my family also hit me hard. Along with that, we hadn't sold our house. We had several lookers, but no takers. Making decisions as an adult is hard! We set the 31st of July as our move date. I was taking summer courses, actively searching for a teaching job and we were packing up our place so the first part of summer was very hectic (we also threw in some running events and camping trips). We decided to rent out our place in Albany and hired a property manager (and our renters moved in just a few weeks after we moved out; praise God!), and we found a place to rent in Bend. With lots of helpers, we made our 31st goal and drove the biggest U-Haul over the pass to our new home. Damon and Kristi Runberg moved from Corvallis to Bend about a month before we did and it was/is so nice to have friends already in the area! As we were unpacking, I continued to search for a teaching job. Those who are teachers know how hard it is to be hired as a teacher right now. I was fortunate to get on the sub list, but I was still looking for that full time job. I interviewed at a Christian School in Sisters, but decided it wasn't quite the right job for me at this time. A few more positions were posted for the Bend-La Pine School District towards the middle of August and I applied for all of them. I was fortunate to have a total of about 6 interviews. I was able to meet lots of administrators and several kind people through all those interviews. On the Monday that teachers were suppose to be back at school I got the call to teach a 1st/2nd blend at an elementary school in Bend! Oh man...lots of praise and relief flew out of me! I quickly made it in and began to set up my classroom. Students start back tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited to start the school year! Bend is treating us well beyond our jobs. We have enjoyed having guests almost every weekend we have been here, lots of running, floating the river, fishing, hiking, biking and community events. And yes, this last weekend we backpacked in and then hiked to the top of South Sister. Paul has wanted to do this with me for a while and now that it is only about 30 minutes away and we had others to do it with the timing was perfect. The weather was great, Kristi and I were troopers, and everyone had a great time. Thanks for taking a moment to get caught up and drop by again soon!

What you would find...

at our place tonight:

One lonely coffee cup since Paul has been out of town on business.

A sign like this in our yard. We are hoping to move closer to Paul's work so if you know someone who needs a cute/like new home in Albany send them our way! (Prayer for the sale of our house would also be appreciated.)

Papers to grade; life of a teacher.

And...

A cute dog named Duke. :)