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