Week 6 & 7: Work, work, work

For those who have been keeping track we are regrettably a week behind on our blog. We were told this would happen by friends, and it has. Sorry! Over the last 2 weeks Laura and I have pulled back from our mid-week/weekend adventures in an attempt to stay closer to "home" and relax. Life has become significantly more stressful, and our relaxation time is less and less, so it seems. Joel has been interviewing at several PT clinics in and around the area on Wednesdays, thereby eliminating his day off, and I have traveled with him to survey the surrounding area...after all, if I'm going to live somewhere it needs to at least have a Target, a nice grocery store, and a 7-11. :)  All of the interviews have gone well - for some reason the companies have really liked Joel.  The result is many conversations, a few sleepless nights, and the good feeling that comes from being marketable/having options.  To add to the complication, Joel's current clinic, Lynden Family Physical Therapy, has expressed an interest in hiring him.  I am not shocked they have asked him to come back as he has been a wonderful student and will make a trustworthy therapist.  However, this again is another blessing/point of confusion, and with options come hard decisions.

(Side note: we are exploring a couple of job options in other states as well; however, those interviews will not take place until March and April.  Yay!)

In other news, Joel and I have found our go to meals on Friday's have been Little Caeser's pizza with a can of Diet Pepsi, having now had this 5 of the 7 Friday's we have been here.  We also continue to learn we both experience life through our stomachs, which is great as we get to explore and eat great food.  Fortunately though the weather has enabled us both to spend a significant amount of time walking/running/biking/exploring, helping to balance our extremes :)

To add to some of the worry, Joel and I have been diligent in our search for a place for him to stay while in Manhattan.  I am worried, a little, for him to travel to an unknown place without me, as we all know I am like a guard dog...people fear me...grrrrr!  In all honesty, my biggest want is for him to have a comfortable, safe, clean and quiet place where he can recuperate from work and training. A few options have presented themselves, do to friends and family reaching out, and we are confident that within the next week we will have a definitive option.

In a little less than 2 weeks we will be heading to Birmingham, AL for the wedding of my cousin, AJ Burandt to Dana Woods.  This will allow us both a slight reprieve, maybe, from the "big kid" decisions of the northwest, as well as allowing us to see and interact with most of my "Burandt" family members - yippee!!

Outside of work, decisions about our future, Joel's training for New York, and sleep/eating we both continue to stay busy.  Joel has been working on several school-related projects which will need to be finished prior to graduation in May.  He found out his classmates nominated him to speak at graduation...he's not quite sure if this is a good thing or not as he now has to think of something to say...I know he'll do fine.  I continue to broaden my prowess in the kitchen...I've tried to cook more healthy meals for us both since being in Lynden, and though I'm not always successful I must say it has been fun.  To add to the enjoyment, Joel has really enjoyed several of the dishes.  It's always nice when he not only eats it but says it is worth repeating.  :)  Lastly, a week and a half ago we were able to take in the Lynden Christian production of "Hello Dolly" - the Korthuis' daughter had several friends in the play and the whole family was going...they were nice enough to include us in the mix.

 We returned to Whatcom Falls in Bellingham today, following church, for a walk.  The water was calm and clear...

The bridge was built in the 30's when Whatcom Falls was set aside as a city park.  A fish hatchery is not too far from the bridge.

 Imagine our surprise when we found a whole other world within the trees.  Do you see it?

On the 3rd Tuesday of every month, at 9:32 pm Frederick, that's the gnome's name, comes alive to bring cheer and tidings of good will to all the people of Whatcom Falls - at least that's what we're telling ourselves.

And what day would be complete with the launch of a home-made steam boat from the boat ramp of Whatcom Lake.  Underneath the smoke stack is a furnace, with a fire.  We watched from afar as this elderly gentlemen went through his pre-voyage checklist and prep.  Only as he began to assemble the engine and smoke stack on land, and subsequently light his fire on the boat, was it obvious that one, this was a steam boat, and two, that he had been doing this same routine for who knows how long.  The boat even had a steam whistle...I couldn't have been more happy :)

Chug, chug, chug....

So now you are "up-to-date" on the "nutty" aspect of our lives over the last two weeks.  We've loved hearing from many of you that you continue to enjoy our blog, as we have enjoyed sharing our adventures with you!  If you want to stay updated with new posts please feel free to "follow" our blog on the right of the page...you'll then get an e-mail each time we update it - hopefully on a weekly basis from now on :)  Many blessings to you all!

"Taste and see the Lord is good" - Psalm 34:8

Week 5: Northwest Beauty

When you have 5 straight days of sunshine in the northwest you take advantage of it.  However, our "to do" list includes way too many locations which would be ideal on a clear, sunny day...what to do, what to do.  We opted for Whidbey Island and Port Townsend.  Whidbey is the 2nd largest island in the contiguous 48 states, AND it happens to be the former home of my father while he was stationed at the US Naval Air Station from 1969-1971.  Port Townsend is...well, just a cool place to visit.

NOTE: all the trips thus far that we have embarked on, with the exception of our time in Twisp, WA have all been less than 2 hrs. from Lynden...yup, it's nice!!

Our morning began with an early drive to Deception Pass, an area which connects the mainland of WA to the north end of Whidbey.  After a little hike Laura and I found a beach beneath the bridge.  Luckily, we were the only two on the beach and enjoyed taking in the beauty without the distraction of noisy tourists. What a way to start out the morning!  From here we passed through Oak Harbor on our way to "historic" Coupeville.  (Could someone please tell me what it takes to qualify as "historic?" Every town has history, therefore, shouldn't every town be historic?  One of many of Laura and my conversations...welcome to our world)  A little further down the road from Coupeville was the ferry to Port Townsend - we opted to walk on rather than taking the car.  What a beautiful ride!!  Calm waters, crisp air, Mt. Rainier and Baker as our backdrops...ah, the northwest - I could get used to this. 

By traveling to Port Townsend we can "check" the Olympic Peninsula off our list.  Our afternoon in this quaint, eclectic town did not disappoint.  We spent our time confused by some of the locals, appreciating "good" coffee (due to the fact the coffee we had was horrible), strolling the quiet streets, taking in some amazing vistas and scenery, and finally, enjoying a tall glass of wine with incredible seafood at a small French bistro. 

A quick ferry ride later and we were on our way back to Lynden.  A wonderful day, with wonderful weather, spent with a wonderful wife...need I go on?  I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story...ENJOY!!

Week 4: Seattle of course...among other things

We're a little late in getting our "week 4" update written and posted.  Life has surprisingly gotten a little bit hectic.  Laura and I are quickly realizing that our time in Washington is moving by quickly...and important life-decisions loom in the not-so-distant future.  To say we are a little "on edge" is an understatement.  Praying for wisdom, peace, and patience is harder than it sounds, especially for me.  I want to know now, and I want to know "yes" or "no."  Still need some work on the "patience" aspect.

Luckily, Laura and I are surrounded with wonderful people who remind us to breath and relax, understanding that sometimes there are not "yes" or "no" answers, but rather, support and blessings for whatever our decisions may be.  We continue to meet new friends at the church we attend in Bellingham, and I am beginning to form a closer friendship with one of the therapists I work with at LFPT.  To that end, we are consistently reminded of the blessings for which we are to be thankful.  

In order to take a break from the serious "life-stuff" we headed to Seattle for the weekend.  The weather forecast was for 48 deg and partly cloudy skies - if you've ever been in the northwest you know not to trust the weather man. The forecast changed to low-40's and rain/drizzle.  Nevertheless, Laura and I thoroughly enjoyed walking through Pike's Place public market, past the piers, through some of the Seattle underground, past the sculptures at the Olympic Sculpture Park and ending the day with fresh seafood from Ivar's Salmon House and B&O Espresso, a local desert/coffee shop (thanks to Rachel & Bob Lail for the suggestion).  All-in-all a good break from the clinic and Lynden.  Pictures are below

Lastly, Laura and I are realizing how much a part of our lives Riesling had become prior to our move.  (FYI - Riesling is our little cat which we have had since getting married)  Though we both agree we do not miss the pet hair or his random "freak out" sessions where he runs aimlessly through the apartment we do find ourselves missing his constant attention and snuggling.  That darn little bugger has turned me soft...and for a cat nonetheless!  Fortunately, for him and for us, he has a warm home, caring people to love him and with whom he can snuggle, and lots of time to sleep.

Life is an adventure...it just so happens we are taking a side trip to the amusement park/roller coaster for the next few weeks.  Hopefully this experience is akin to Laura's memories of Cedar Point's "The Raptor" and not mine of "Pharaoh's Furry" at the South Dakota State Fair.