About a week into the change...

We are just about up n' running now.... even with Internet connection at the house, water setup, garbage cans delivered... the house feels livable & "homey" as-is, but rest assured, we still have plenty to keep us busy unpacking.  Best thing though?... KEN IS HOME!!!!!!! :) :) :)  Hurray, hurray, he is finally back from 3 weeks of training (well, 7, really, if you consider that prior to his time away in Indianapolis, he had 4 long weeks at home of home training that was full time plus getting our house back in Spokane ready for the family who is renting it while we're here.)  It was a joyous homecoming, for sure. Ken's dear Mom took time off to fly down and be with the kids & I to help us get things ready at the house before his arrival, and let me tell ya, she was a huge help!! She stayed through the weekend and was able to celebrate his birthday with us on Sunday before she headed home. But let's back up, and let me give you the last week or so in pics with (hopefully) short captions to go along as a picture update. ;)  We miss "home" --- the community in Spokane that made it fantastic place to live.  Family.  Friends.  New Community.  Co-workers (for Ken), familiar surroundings, ... just lots of things.  However, I have to admit that we simply cannot believe the beauty down here & just feel amazed that God would choose to work this move into His plans for us.  So far, we are loving it -- just wish we could have all of you with us here!!! :) :)  Hugs & love!!!

Misty Sunrise on the Umpqua River in town (this was the view from the hotel we made home during the home-finding fiasco)

A view on our commute into town. 

More views of the valley area by where we live

Another river view we pass on our way into town -- It is just insane how beautiful the surroundings are -- we have an Amazing Creator!!

Mags excited to finally arrive in Roseburg after the 10 hour drive from Spokane (last week)

Jack loves the new home

Logan too, for that matter. Carpet is much friendlier on the knees when you're crawling. :)

For those who have asked to see, here's our new home (just renting, but cannot believe God's provision & how great the layout works for a family)  We took a walk through the neighborhood last night with the kids & everyone is so friendly.  There's a longer story behind finding a rental home that I hope to share about soon, but suffice it to say, we felt your prayers and God's grace through this move for sure.


Here's a quick pic of kinda the main living area/kitchen/dining as you walk in. It's a really open floor plan. I love that Ken could be working at the computer in the den, while the kids are playing in the living room, and I'm cooking dinner & we'd all be in the same "general" area.

Ken wanted to check out the Wildlife Safari in town we'd heard about (for his birthday), so we went there on Saturday & it was impressive!  If you come visit, we definitely want to take you & your kids there... totally fun! :)

You basically take a 90 minute drive through the 500 acre park & see all kinds of animals.  Kids don't have to stay belted or seated -- so they were crawling all over our laps to look out each window and get up close views of tons of creatures large n' small.  Giraffes, rhinos, hippos, elephants, tigers, bears, ostrich-looking birds, crocs, buffalo, ... the list goes on & on & on!

This happy bird literally poked its head into our car to check us out.  Ken was ready to roll up the window fast if it started pecking at anyone. ;) haha.  Nope, we just got these funky orange eyes & rather peeved look to document the fun. :)

The valley area in Roseburg is really a great setting for this wildlife park. 

Ken & his sweet mom, Wendy. 

There were a lot of hard goodbyes this week.  Lots of tears.  But a lot of work, too, which has helped pass the time & keep us busy and excited for the adventure ahead.  Ken loves his new job & we are looking forward to creating a different family life down here.  When he worked nights, it was hard to do "normal" things.  So, we cherish dinner together as a family now, look forward to weekends to be together and make it to church,... and just, hopefully, have a different schedule than before.  Love & hugs from Sutherlin/Roseburg, Oregon! :)