All things Corvallis

We got to enjoy some of our favorite things Corvallis has to offer yesterday:

Every good thing starts with some coffee...



and then some shopping at the...



and finishing with some football...

My Favorite Things

Teaching this year has been going really well. Knowing from June that I would be teaching a blend and younger students allowed for me to pray a lot for my patients and ability to meet the challenge. My class of students have been gems, yes I am busy planning for 1st graders and 2nd graders, but having such sweet students totally makes it seem like not much. I keep meaning to take a pic of my classroom to post, but in the rush of things in the mornings always seem to forget the camera. Some day soon!

My first favorite thing: hanging out with friends! Paul and I feel like we have driven all of Oregon this weekend. Friday night we drove up to his families house for a family dinner because one of his uncles was visiting from back east. Saturday, we drove to Lincoln City to celebrate a friends 30 birthday. It was so gorgeous over there, one of the best days I have seen at the coast weather wise. Then we drove back to Salem to spend the evening with almost all of my college roommates (all minus Holly, Laura and Sarah). One couple has 1 1/2 year old twins and another has twins on the way! It was so much fun!

My second favorite thing right now: books! Last weekend Paul was at a men's retreat, so I went with my parents camping. It was such a relaxing weekend, and I read an entire book! What a great way to spend a few hours outside! I also went to the annual book extravaganza at Grass Roots book store in Corvallis. This is where teachers get together and hear/learn about new children's literature. Some highlights:

Change of Plans

Well, Paul had really wanted to go backpacking over Labor Day weekend. We did this over Memorial Day weekend and had a really fun/relaxing time. We even made plans to meet up with Brock and his family on Sunday. But as the weekend got closer and closer it became very apparent that rain was going to change our plans. So, we made last minute reservations at Eagle Crest in Central Oregon and headed over there for a relaxing weekend. Our third wedding anniversary is this coming Wednesday so we coupled getting away this weekend with our anniversary celebration.

We found a very cute town house and took full advantage of the tennis courts, pools/hot tubes, jogging paths, restaurants, and Bend that is like only 30 minutes away. On our drive home we stopped just outside of Sisters and did a hike to 8000ft. It was a great way to spend the weekend before school!

BBQ's

In the last two weeks I think we have been to 4 bbq's. It has been awesome meeting so many new people and eating such great food. Three have been with the church that Paul is now working for and one was a neighborhood party. We actually met a really nice couple about our age with two children and who are believers that live near us. We are planning on hanging out with them soon!

Paul did one of his favorite things, biked 100 miles. He rode with a friend in the Alpine Century a couple Saturday's ago. Most running and biking and triathlon events are on Sunday's, and now that he is working Sunday's we are limited to things happening on Saturday's, but that is ok.


School starts very soon. Teachers are to be back Monday and students come back the following Tuesday, however I have already been going in some the last couple of weeks. We had been storing all my classroom stuff in our garage over the summer, so I have returned it all and am in the process of organizing. I am excited for a new year, and I think I am ready for the new challenge of teaching younger students and teaching a blend.

Oh, and I wanted to start sharing some recipes. Paul and I love to cook, and we especially love to cook from scratch when we have time. So we will be posting some of our creations, but I am too tired right now to write one out; stay tuned!

Our trip: take 3 I think :)

Ok...see if this works. If not I will try another way...sorry!

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Pictures

We have been so slow uploading all our photos from our trip back east. Here are just a few and I will get more up there soon!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Changes

Paul and I will be married for 3 years in September. Our first married year was spent in a one bedroom apartment in Corvallis while we both finished up school. Paul graduated that spring, but I had one more term before getting my degree, so we knew that we needed to stay local. We prayed a lot about the direction Paul should go with a career choice. He worked very hard and landed a job with Jeld-Wen right after graduating. Although the downturn in the economy has hit their company hard, the Lord has continued to make it a wonderful place to work for Paul and we are blessed that things have remained steady for his position.

I was finishing up my final term of student teaching in Albany with hopes of maybe continuing to teach there for my first few years out of school. We really felt that the Lord had us in Albany and opened the door for my first teaching job that will continue into this year.

We bought out first home here in Albany last year knowing that we would probably be living here for a few more years. Growing up in Corvallis I never thought I would be living in Albany, however the more we get to know the town the more we have realized just how much outreach the Lord could do through us here. As one couple put it "it is very humbling to live in Albany".

We have been attending NW Hills Community Church in Corvallis ever since we were married. Paul started attending as soon as he went down there for school. It has been a great place for him and us to grow closer to the Lord, and has provided us with many encouraging relationships. However, we have realized that our community now is Albany and have been toying with the idea of looking for a church home in Albany.

About three months ago Paul was approached by a church in Albany who was looking for a Worship Leader. We have been casually looking into the prospect of him doing this part time on top of his job with Jeld-Wen. Through many visits with the Pastor, church and Elders, and much prayer Paul has decided to take on this roll starting this Sunday.

We are excited about this new adventure, but are a bit apprehensive about Paul working 1.5 jobs. Please keep us in your prayers as we transition to a new church and as Paul transitions to working more hours. Thanks, and we will keep you posted!