I am an official Washingtonian

I got my one-way ticket to Washington and made my official move up on Saturday. I began my dental restorative class on Sunday which was why I needed to come up earlier than Jonathon.

I have really enjoyed it so far. Here are a few experiences:

*On my plane here, I looked out the window as we were landing and saw it raining and thought "This is my new 'HOME' now... crazy!!"

*On Sunday, my first day of my restorative class, I met a few girls who are also in the class. When I told one I was from Utah, she said "Oh! Are you Mormon?" "Yep!" I think this is likely the first of many. :)

*I LOVE getting to live with all these people

.*Jonathon and I are living at his parents house. Bob and Susie, my in-laws, and their five kids, Bob's brother Derrick and his wife Shannon and their five kids, Jorge Acosta (Family friend here going to school) and 3 dogs, 2 cats, and a hamster are all living here right now! It's the Huckvale Hotel. It is SO FUN!

.*I love getting to come home and playing with all these cute kids. Luke, Macy, Haley, and Reed are so fun and sweet. (Chad is too but he's older so it's a different kind of cute and fun) They helped me make Jonathon's "Welcome Home!" poster. And always welcome me home with a great big hug and say "NANCY!!" Haley even tucked me in bed a couple nights ago! She read me a bed time story about Winnie the Pooh, gave me a hug, and tip toed out the door and turned out the light and closed the door. It was adorable.

*I love how beautiful it is here. Every time I drive into the neighborhood and see the lake (pictures soon!) and all the trees, I can't hardly believe it. I get to live HERE?!

*I love how everyone recycles!!!!!!! It's soo easy to recycle here- just ask Jonathon about how much I love recycling.

*Today I bought Chipotle for me and Susie to eat. I brought it home and surprised her with it. As we were eating, she said "This tastes different.. it doesn't have any meat!" And lo and behold, they forgot the meat! I called them and they said "We're so sorry! We'll write your name down and you can come any time and get a free meal!" I gladly will!

*Today one of the girls in my class named Kam who is Hindu but lives in Canada said "Can I tell you something personal? I have watched you since the first day of class and there is something very special about you- about the way you see people and interact. You are very calm and have a great positive feeling to you. I really like it. Your parents did a great job of raising you."

.*I was really surprised because I didn't feel like I was doing anything special. I actually felt the opposite since I've been so tired all this week and my head keeps bobbing asleep! This shows how we are always an example.

*I'm also excited for more missionary experiences. :) It's strange so many of these people aren't LDS already like they are in Utah. They seem like they are because they are just.. great! I love them already!

Well, that is my update. Oh! I am interviewing next week at Dr. Gillespie's dental office. I am very hopeful-- I would LOVE this job! Dr. Steve Gillespie was the dad who retired from this office and also was Jonathon's stake patriarch. His two sons took over the practice upon his retirement and now Dr. Brad Gillespie is in our biship ric. It would be awesome to work there.

I also went to Best Buy and talked to the manager there. Me and Susie found a $20 bill on the ground and felt it was "from Heavenly Father" so I could find it. I used it as an ice breaker and gave it to the manager and then introduced myself and asked if they were hiring and indeed they are! I mostly just want to buy a camera and a great warranty with the discount. We'll see how it goes!

Love all my Utah family and missing you much! Love all my Washington family and grateful for the welcome arms!

Mixed Feelings about MOVING TO WA

I am moving up to Washington State on Saturday. Two days from today. I have many mixed feelings.

I am leaving the place I've called "home" for the last 13 years of my life. So many loved ones. My mom. Grandma Richards. Grandpa and Grandma Roush. My sister Shirley, her husband Jared, and the two cutest nephews in the world. My brother Steven. My WARD family that helped raise me in many ways (too many people to name.. they are all amazing-- I have to give one special shout out to Patty Steadman who gave me a free plane ticket to get up to WA in the first place! She said her company had an extra that would expire next month and go to waste and wondered if I wanted it. I couldn't believe how sweet and thoughtful that was! Thank you soo much Patty!!!) So many friends and familiar faces and people I've come to love. Wonderful dentists and assistants I've gotten to work with. Sighhh. :( Makes me want to cry!!

And yet, at the same time, I am SO EXCITED to begin the next phase of life. I'm excited to step out of the "poor college student" phase. I'm excited to move into a new little apartment that we can DECORATE (I AM SO EXCITED TO FINALLY DECORATE!!!!!) and make our own. Excited to be close to my Dad and little brother Nolan. I'm excited to get to live with Bob and Susie and catch up on the last four years we've been so far away. I'm excited to begin a whole new life and try new things.

Some things on my list:

-Sewing classes

-Spanish classes

-New work out classes

-Possibly TEACHING work-out classes

-Learning how to be a missionary! :)

-Learning how to be a better cook

-Becoming a better BLOGGER

(My sister told me that if I'm moving to WA, I have to be better with my blog! I thought that was a pretty fair trade. :)

-Picking fresh wild blackberries and learning how to make blackberry pie

-Becoming licensed to do FILLINGS in both WA and OR

-Getting to spend more time with Jonathon

-I've been really excited to get to go for Northwest walks with him and have BBQs

-Make new little married friends

I have so many pictures stored somewhere I want to share. And WILL share as soon as I find them. OH- add that to my list:

-FINISH PHOTOBOOKS/SCRAPBOOKS!

-My Grandma Richards said she can't think of me without crying. And yet, she is so happy for me to begin this fun adventure! That is how I feel too.

It is such a bittersweet experience. I know that moving is the right thing to do for us. It's been one of those things we've both planned on for years without ever even having to discuss it. And it's all worked out so perfectly. So UNBELIEVABLY perfectly.

Jonathon will be working for Sentry Insurance as a Business Products Account Manager (I'm not quite sure what this means yet..) covering the Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA territory. He has a job WAITING for him upon graduation. Are you kidding me?! How amazing!

And I was able to work full-time Monday through Friday the last year gaining experience and learning so much. I worked at the greatest office in the world and.. the not so greatest office in the world and appreciate my experience at both.

Many times I've felt almost like we've received TOO many blessings. I don't feel deserving of all of this. And I know this is sad to say, but at times I even feel like I'm just waiting for something bad to happen since there is just so much GOOD in my life. I wish I could give it away to some people I know who have struggled and deserve some goodness in their lives too.

Well, now I'm just babbling. The main point is that I'm going to miss my home and it will forever be home to me. And I am excited for what lies ahead in my future, hand in hand with my wonderful husband.

:)

My Marathon!

I post all my running posts on my running blog which can be found here:

www.happyrunningduck.blogspot.com

Happy running!