spring brings changes

As many of you may know, we are in the midst of transition these days. Don has moved to Oakland and started work. I am back in Oregon working and wrapping some things up. We're planning on moving our stuff down mid April. So for right now Donovan is staying with a nice coworker named Vince and his family and I'm in our apartment. Eventually we will have a couple of weeks in late April to settle into our new place. And then I will need to fly back for one of my baby showers in May. In addition, Don is graduating with his Master's degree and we will be in LA for the ceremonies the second weekend in May. I'm so excited to visit our friends in LA! We will be all around the west coast on our adventures but hopefully by late May we will be settled in our new apartment in Oakland and ready for baby Chandler to arrive.

I will miss Portland. I love the spring; Romney's mom says we have the Disneyland of springs in the northwest. I like that phrase. The people have their quirks and although it's not always perfect I think just understanding and knowing Portlanders fairly well helps me empathize with them. We will never be a part of the Voo Doo Doughnut punk crowd, we will probably never wear sandwhich boards or lay down on the bridges and block traffic for a cause, and the fact that we saw our gay mayor and his new boyfriend at our favorite cafe is still a culture shock for us. But I love this place, the weird people, and the sometimes frustrating weather. I remember going to OMSI with my parents when it was first built and when I drive to work in the morning and see Mt Hood I have 1,000 memories to draw from about our adventures there as a family. So many men around Portland have bald heads and big bellies and wear IZOD and work boots, and I can't help but think it's my dad sometimes; it's sad but it's also a comfort in some way. My sister and brother in law live close by, I'll miss driving over to their place to play games and hang out.

The good news is we hear great things about Oakland. Oakland has a soul. Oakland has some deep history. It seems the people in Oakland are as obsessed and connected to the heart of the city as I am to Portland. I am hoping to learn about Oakland and be open to finding out what it is that makes people so in love with this place. Because to be honest, if you look at the exterior, Oakland doesn't seem too magical, if you know what I mean.

We will keep you updated as we continue the new adventure!