We're moving back!

Sometimes in life things just work out. Chris and I left our cozy home in Utah for Chris to expand his practice and do a fellowship in sports medicine. After the match landed us in Southern California I wondered how we would ever get back to what we consider our little taste of paradise in Mountain Green. Even after enjoying the beautiful California weather we knew our hearts were made for the mountains and not the beach. With a lot of prayer and hard work, Chris was able to get a job in Bountiful working with a friend who knew Chris was looking. Even though it wasn't the position Chris had his eye on it turns out that it will be even better than he expected and pretty close to the perfect sports medicine position. The only downside being the commute from Mtn. Green to Bountiful (which isn't much to complain about, really). We attribute all of our blessings to the continued and righteous prayers of my faithful and charitable mother. We are very excited to be moving back to our homeland, and in fact, back in to our original home. We had the perfect renters and are sad that they are moving out of the area as we would have really liked to get to know them better.

There is so much we are going to miss about California. It was my first experience living outside of Utah and away from family. I definitely missed my family, but learned who I am without them and was able to grow tremendously from it. I realized a lot about how the Church immediately brings people together who need one another so much more. I have a profound love of the diversity seen in the chapels here. I have appreciated my calling as the Beehive counselor in the young women and have enjoyed the goodness of the girls I have taught.

Chris and I, seemingly, had two completely different experiences while being here. He was constantly busy having places to go and things to do with his fellowship. Events to cover and games to go to... I, on the other hand, had an open book as far as schedule goes. I always figured I would easily be able to fill my open days with bike rides, runs, and swims, and a few crafty projects on the side. However, the pregnancy diagnosis that was discovered only a week after our arrival in California changed all that. Feeling too sick to do much more than a 45 minute workout for the first 3 months kept me on a schedule of couch - sofa - kitchen - bed - and back to the couch. I didn't have the motivation to get out and be social and the idea of getting a job and having to do training when I felt so terrible didn't seem like a great idea. So, when I did start to get over the morning sickness I still had few places to go. Thanks to some inspired people and great visiting teachers that soon changed. I quickly made some great friends with people I hope to always have an association with. Many of whom I wish I had known better because I could have learned so much from them.

That being said here are a few things I will definitely NOT miss in California:

1. Smog - I think at least 50% of the people here have asthma

2. Traffic

3. Loud trucks and motorcycles

4. Living in an apartment on the third floor

5. Living in an apartment

6. The overabundance of franchise restaurants and lack of small specialty ones

7. Shopping carts being left in the parking lots and not being returned to the store or the cart return that is one parking spot down

8. Stopping every block for a stop light or stop sign when riding my bike - thus having a ride take twice as long as it should

9. Triathlons and races that cost 3 times what it does in Utah

10. Lots of people everywhere, even when you're nowhere

11. In-and-Out restaurants every 3 miles (How dare I!?)

12. Having to travel far distances to mountain bike or ski

There are so many things I will miss, primarily people, and so a list of some of my favorite parts of California is in order:

1. The weather - cold is having to wear shoes instead of flip flops even though you still have shorts on

2. Being able to swim year round in an outdoor pool that is right outside my door (probably my very favorite part of living in California)

3. Friends, of course!

4. Being close to Chris' brother and his family

5. Going to the ocean whenever we want

6. Flip flops being my number one shoe choice

7. The Pacific Rail running and biking Trail

8. The unbelievable amount of outlet stores in one place

9. The awesome parties the Oka's throw

10. BJ's Restaurant and Panera

11. Not having to work

12. The Terravista Ward and Hermosa Branch

(This list may be altered at any time)

I cut my hair just before I left and now it's pretty much grown out. I was pregnant and delivered a baby and now I'm back to my original size. We are moving back into the house we had before we came to California. When we get back to Utah it will seem like it is the same as when we left, and it will be as though we were never gone. But only on the outside (minus the baby). Everyone says that you should move away from home at least once; that it will be the best thing for yourself and your marriage. I would definitely say that it has been a growing year on the inside. I know I'm young (is 29 young?) and still have a lot of growing up left to do, thankfully we have Chris to be the mature and wise one of the family, but I think I am better for having had the experience and look forward to our next adventure back at home.