We have an announcement!

Nope, not a baby, but something almost as important!

We've decided to move to the Tri-cities area of South-Eastern Washington! Dan will be working at a group practice in Kennewick, so we'll live there or the neighboring city of Richland. Unfortunately, it's not quite as green as the Northwest (okay, it's not even close) but it's going to be so great! The columbia river runs right through the three cities, so there's lots of water sports (YAH!) and some mountains are pretty close by so we can get our fill of snow during the winter months.

The best part....LOTS OF SUN!!!!!

AND, check out this awesome bridge! (...that we plan on NOT crossing to get to work....yeah, learned that lesson from all the Portland bridges)

Right now we are living in Lakewood, WA, with Dan's parents. They have been so nice to let us cram all our stuff in their bonus room (actually, there's still quite a bit of room left) and let us lounge around for the month of July. It's been SO nice. The kids love Grandma and Grandpa's house. They have their own beds, and Dan and I have our own room. The kids can play outside all day, splash in the hot-tub, play with Grandma's toys, and we can't forget the awesome selection of cartoon movies!

As for me, I am LOVING my freedom. I was sad to leave all of my friends in Portland, but I seriously felt a huge load fall off of me as I drove away from the apartment complex. I learned a lot from managing, and I've become much more outgoing because of it, but I worry too much. I am so happy that the complex is now in great hands with my good friend Tasha. She's such a quick learner, and SO patient, she's going to do great! And I hope I don't offend anyone that manages, or has managed, or might manage...it is an awesome job, especially since it allowed me to stay at home with my kids.

However, I was never able to actually go on vacation from it, because it was always in the back of my mind. "Is someone's water heater going to go out, or even worse, leak? Did someone not report a leak in the bathroom or that they need a new caulk job in the bathroom and now the water is dripping down below into the kitchen? Did someone ignore the NO GRILLS ALLOWED policy and now the whole complex is on fire?" Although none of these thigns happened...at least while I was AWAY, the fear was always there. I love just being able to focus on my number one job, motherhood. I feel much more relaxed and more patient, which is what I have been so anxious for. I remember when I first started managing, I talked to the previous manager, and she said she was so bored without all the managing stuff to worry about. I wondered how that would be...for two and a half years....and I'm so happy to report, I am NOT bored! I go for walks in the morning, help do yard work, I can scrapbook when I want, THIS IS AWESOME!!!! Thanks Dan, for finally graduating!!!! :)

Hello? You still there? Nah, I don't blame you for falling asleep. I just had to shout that out to the world. Oh, OH! I forgot another awesome part! I GET TO SEE MY FAMILY!!!!! I finally get to go to the Clark reunion again, and I get to see my brothers and sisters in Utah. Both my sisters have had babies, and I haven't seen anyone but my parents in over a year. WAY to long. And how long do I get to see them? AS LONG AS I WANT! (err...as long as they'll let me mooch off their floor space....)

Okay, so that's enough. Kennewick...here we come! And for all you portlanders passing through to Utah, it's just a quick 1/2 hour side-trip from I-5, so come and visit! We miss all of our friends so much, but look forward to many happy reunions to come!