We're Really Doing It

After a lot of decision making and praying, Tim and I have made the decision to move out to Washington DC. We're actually going to live in or near Falls Church, VA. We don't have jobs or an apartment yet, but we feel like it is the right thing to do, and we're really excited!

These past few days have been absolutely crazy! Tim and I have moved out of our apartment and, at the moment, I am staying with Grandma and Grandpa Larsen while Tim and Scott (his brother) drive our things out to DC. Tim will fly back next Monday after looking for apartments (he'll probably just put our stuff in storage for a few weeks), and we'll spend a week with my family in Midway before driving our car across the country to our new home.

I have some pictures from last weekend I would like to post, but I'll just have to get around to it when I can. I just thought I'd give everyone an update on what we're doing.

Tiring Tires and More

Now, this is worse than what happened to our tire, but while driving to work last Wednesday, my tire blew out around Point of the Mountain. The right side of the road was all a hill, so I got scared to change the tire on my own. I called Tim, my boss, then UDOT, who have a roadside asstance vehicle that I've seen helping people once or twice. While waiting for help, a really nice guy stopped and insisted he help. We almost had the new tire on when the jack broke (probably a combination of the hill, the heat, and the fact that we've used it too much). Luckily it bent, so it still kept the car from crashing down. We sat there wondering what to do, and the UDOT truck drove up as the guy was going to get his car jack. We fixed it quickly after that, but I still had to make an expensive trip to Walmart to replace the back 2 tires.

I got thinking that I've done a lot for the car lately, so I decided to make a list of our car issues that have happened in the last year...

1. We got it registered in GA about last July, but had to re-register (and re-pay) for Utah.

2. This required a Safety and IM test which I made an appt. for, but had to reschedule somewhere else because the place I went lost their certification to do it that week.

3. Before the safety test, we had to replace the entire windshield.

4. We had to look all over Provo, only to find the vehicle registration office is a few blocks from our apartment

5. Brakes replaced

6. Brakes replaced again because the first ones were bad (a pain, but free)

7. I got hit in a hit and run which is a lot of paperwork and phone calls

8. New body work done due to the hit and run. This took a week and caused me a lot of stress due to the dumb car rental company.

9. New timing belt...expensive

10. Flat tire = patch + tire balance due to potholes in the winter

11. 3 Oil changes in the past few months

12. Tire blowout on the freeway this week = 2 new tires and a new jack

Now I know I drive it a lot, but I think I've had my share of car problems this year. I say I because Tim never drives, so I have been the one to take care of everything with the exception of one oil change. At least I'll feel a little better driving with new tires across the country in a few weeks.

Our Last Journey to the Y

Living in Provo, it is common to go on hikes and be outside in the summer. Today was one of our first nice Saturdays, and I was going crazy being inside, so for dinner, we went on a picnic in the park (we've actually done that a lot lately), played a mad game of frisbee, and hiked up to the Y on the mountain for sunset. It's quite the steep hike, but it will always be included in our memories of Provo after we leave...

Jounal Time

I had a really neat enrichment activity yesterday, where we had a few people talk about their ways to keep a journal (I actually told about my scripture journal-an awesome idea, but even I need to be better about it these days). Anyway, at the end, we got to make our own journals! You just pick out the paper for the front and back cover, choose the same size paper and determine the thickness for the inside, and bound it by hammering holes in the paper then binding it. It was a really great idea, and I think it could even be a cute gift (if you get good enough at it). Here is my new journal of some kind...

Nicci's Wedding

Congratulations to Nicci (my cousin) and Dan on their wedding last Thursday! Tim and I were able to go up to the ceremony in the Bountiful Temple and the dinner, which was put on by Dan's restaurant called Michaelangelo's, and was delicious. We had a good time seeing family, and we're excited to see everyone again on the 4th of July!

My New Things...

Well, I kept doing things this week that I thought I should take pictures of, but, for my birthday, I got this new purse (thanks mom and dad) that I keep forgetting to put my camera in. So for your entertainment, I just took a picture of the purse instead of our adventures. I also got these new flip flops because Tim told me it was time to graduate my several pairs of cheap old navy ones. I got these at Target and splurged a few extra bucks for the added comfort. I still love my old navy flip flops, but at least Tim doesn't have to be embarrassed when I should be looking "nice."

Moab, Utah

This past weekend, Tim and I went with our friends, Meredith and James Hendricks to Moab. We camped by the river (but forgot to take pictures of us actually camping), and did a lot of hiking at Arches Ntl. Park. I enjoyed camping, but I am also glad it was only for one night. The bugs swarmed our heads, and we all got sunburned on the back of our legs and other various places. It's kind of crazy that I have never been there even though I've lived here my whole life. Utah sure is a pretty place!