I'm like a little kid in a candy shop!

Wow!  Time sure is flying by.  Sorry I haven't updated in so long!  I have been keep busy. 

 

I have big news: I recently decided that it's time for me to spread my wings and move out.  The idea has been in the back of my head for a while now, but I was always planning to live at home for about a year to save up money and take my time deciding where I wanted to move, if I wanted to rent or buy, etc.  However, with circumstances being how they are, I just feel a need to kind of give myself a little space and maybe start a new adventure during this season of life.  Once I decided that I did want to rent downtown (and not in Gresham or Happy Valley or anywhere inbetween Gresham and Portland), I started researching on Craigslist.  It was a bit overwhelming- Portland is a BIG city!  But I narrowed it down and decided I wanted to live in the Nob Hill district (near NW 23rd).  Well, as luck would have it, my family owns a complex in that area and one of the studios just had a vacancy!  Ideally, I would like to have a one-bedroom.  But, since my family owns the complex, they wouldn't make me sign a contract (most buildings in this area make you sign a twelve month contract).  This way, I can see if I even like living downtown and if I want to stay down there.  If not, I can easily move back or find a new alternative.  If I do like it, but decide I want a one bedroom, I will be able to take my time looking for one that I really like, and not feel rushed.  So, I am going to look at it after work- in just TWO hours!  Ah.  I am excited, but trying not to get my hopes up.  Here's to hopeful new beginnings!

A Weekend of Fun

Well, I had a very busy, lovely weekend!  It was one of those weekends that after your weekend, you need another weekend to recover from it! 

Friday night I went out to Hillsboro with Alexa to go to a party at Annie and Roland's house.  Their house was packed and I hardly knew anyone, but it was still fun.  I had a great time hanging out with Lex and Annie.  Alexa left on Saturday to head north up to Seattle.  I am a bit bummed that she's not staying around Gresham, but I am so excited for her and the plans in her future!  I'm thinking I'll have to make a trip up there soon!  :)  Needless to say, Friday was a late night...I crawled into bed at about 2am.

Saturday morning I woke up, had some breakfast, and decided to go to the gym and take Centergy.  I haven't taken this class in a long time, but I really love it.  It is a class that utilizes yoga and pilates techniques for a great full-body strength training exercise.  It incorporates a lot of balance, stretching, and abdominal strength.  I would recommend this class to nearly anyone.  It just feels so great.  After class I went to the store and bought an extra large muffin pan.  It makes bigger muffins, not more of them.  With my new lemon blueberry muffin craze, I have been wanting to make them bigger!  Mmm mm.  I went home and showered and then met up with my dear friend, Amy.  We had a great time catching up over steaming cups of coffee at Starbucks.  I rushed home, baked my super-sized muffins, threw some stuff in a bag, and headed out the door to meet up with Brittany and Marin.

The three of us girls had plans to drive out to the hoppin' town of Mosier, OR to spend time with Cora.  I have to say, the drive out toward The Dalles is SO unbelieveably gorgeous!  We got to Cora's around 6:30pm and she already had dinner made (she was a fantastic hostess all weekend!).  She'd prepared salmon cakes which we put atop a bed of lettuce.  I have never had salmon cakes before - they were delicious!  The whole weekend consisted of a lot of eating and drinking, laughter, and great conversations. 

On Sunday, the girls stretched me to be slightly crafty when we made lavender sachets.  Cora already had dried lavender which she'd gotten from the landscaping outside her condo and she had cute patterned fabric squares that were already pre-cut.  All we had to do was form the squares into whatever shape we wanted and do a little sewing, then stuff them with lavender.  It was such a simple craft and we had so much fun making them.  These girls inspired me to be a little more artistic and creative.  The weekend was full of fresh, orchard-grown grapes, beautiful blooming flowers, the scent of lavender...it was all just so relaxing and spa-esque!  Being out in that part of Oregon, surrounded by such stunning nature inspired me to want to live more simply and utilize the beauty around me. 

That evening, we reluctantly packed up our things and headed back home.  I had to quickly get in my car and head to Growth Group.  It was encouraging hanging out with everyone and spending time in the Word, but I found myself being quieter than usual.  I felt lost in my own thoughts and distracted by some of my emotions.  Our church is doing a series called "The Art of Marriage" so as you can probably imagine, it is sometimes difficult for me.  Nonetheless, God is teaching me and I know my heart is responding. 

Every morning brings forth challenges for me, and I am so incredibly thankful for the amazing, caring friends God has blessed me with.  These girls have given me so much support during this season of my life.  I have learned more and more to value these friendships and to take the time to tend to them.   

So here we are...Monday!  The start of a new week.  This is Day One of my nutrition plan and I am so excited to be doing it again.  After work (we're having a slow day, so I'm blogging from the department!), I am going straight to the gym to take Power with Britt.  That class is a KILLER workout.  Last week when I took it, I was sore until Saturday.  Hmm...I think that shows that my poor muscles need to be lifting more!  =P  After I get my sweat on, I'll be heading straight to Greg and Jenn's to babysit my sweet little nephew, Tate, while they go to Growth Group.  Talk about a busy, yet fulfilling day!

Well, I think that's enough for now!

Jessica Marie