Hello! I write to you from our new office in our new home in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The office is the last room that I have to unpack, specifically, the boxes of books. But those will be easy. They all go in one spot: the bookshelves. So we're getting settled in, tomorrow we'll have been here for 2 weeks. I'm liking the house, but I'm still a little scared of it, the basement in particular. It's fun and quirky, and has lots of character. We found out from the owner that the house is 100 years old! I'm pretty sure this will be the oldest house that I ever live in.

The weather here has been AMAZING. I love how nice and cool it is. I do NOT miss the 100 degree days.

Today Ezekiel and I went down to Portland Roasting to meet Nathanael for lunch. We walked to Pacific Pie Co., a great little shop that sells Australian pot pies. We've had them several times since we've been here. Incidentally (not really), The Food Network was there filming for a special on the restaraunt. They interviewed us while we ate our delicious pies. We will be famous when the show airs in September.

On a sad note, we had to cancel our Disneyworld vacation. I am very sad about it, but I'm trying not to think about it. We'll try again next year.

Now that I'm almost unpacked, I've been planning our social calendar. On Monday, I went over to my friend Lisa's house in Hillsboro. She is a girl I was friends with in high school that I reconnected with on facebook. Hillsboro is about 30 minutes from here. We figured out that we haven't seen each other since 1996! It was a great visit, and we plan to see more of each other. She organizes a mom & baby group in her church that I plan to attend from time to time, and I think Kyra might join me.

I've been at TVC 2 Sundays so far, and I'm really enjoying it. I love listening to Nathanael preach every Sunday! On Wednesday nights we meet at Matthew's Gallery, and we all sit it a circle. It's very different. Last Wednesday a lot of people went to Burgerville after class, which I guess is something they do pretty regularly. I think I can handle a Burgerville shake on Wednesdays from time to time.

On a frustrated note, my ear is clogged. I woke up this morning not hearing well out of it. Last time this happened 3 years ago, I had to go to the doctor for an ear wash. It makes me feel like I'm in a bubble, and I don't like it.

I started planning our housewarming party. We've decided on August 8th, and it will be a banana split party. Thanks to Val and Barbara for the idea. :)

I miss my friends in Folsom, but I love it here so far. I was driving briefly in downtown Portland today, and it looks like such a beautiful, fun city. I'm really excited to get to know it. And I love Lake Oswego. I hope our next rental house is here too.

Last weekend we drove up to Seattle for the first time. My mom and aunt Connie planned a family picnic in Renton that we drove up for on Friday night. We came back home on Saturday night. It was so great to be able to do that! And when we said goodbye to my family, we knew that we'd see them again soon. One of the reasons that I knew I'd love living here.

Nathanael is loving both of his jobs. And I love that. There is nothing quite like having your husband come home and talk excitedly about his job.

Ezekiel's world:

*He had avacado for the first time yesterday. I tried it again today, and it's a sure thing: he does NOT like it. boo.

*He's sitting very well. One of his favorite things to do is to sit on the floor in his bedroom and play with the toys in his little toy box. I set it up on it's side and he digs through it, it is so cute.

*He just today started mimicing noises I make. Thats a fun little game.