From one Camry to the next....

Andrew has been driving a 1991 Toyota Camry for a few years. It has been a solid car, despite the extremely high mileage, no air conditioning, power steering issues, and other mechanical issues. It definitely has served us well but it was beginning to show us that it was on its last leg. We were hoping it would hold out until next year when we were in a house and could focus on a new car instead of both at the same time. Well, November brought some very cold mornings, and the car decided it no longer wanted to start. We were both late to work one morning because we had to jump his car. We knew that this car was probably not going to make it until next year. With me working nights and Andrew working days, our schedule overlaps enough to make it impossible for us to just use one car. We decided it was time to buy a new car.

Andrew did some research and pretty quickly found the car he wanted. He found a really nice 2011 Toyota Camry with low mileage, heated leather seats, moon roof, and some other fancy toys. It was the low mileage that originally drew him to the car but all the other things were just a nice bonus :) I was able to get off work early one day to drive down to Salem with him to check it out. It was a bit over what we wanted to spend but when the dealer wouldn't budge at all on the price we had to step back and think about it. It just felt right. We knew this was the car we needed to buy. Andrew and I are thrilled with this car. This is another Toyota Camry that will hopefully last us another 20 years!

1991 Toyota Camry

2011 Toyota Camry

Assistant Manager

In October, Andrew received the promotion that we had been waiting and praying for. He was officially promoted to Assistant Manager! He has worked so hard and deserves every bit of this promotion. This promotion brought a pay raise, more responsibility, more authority and leadership, as well as better opportunities to move up even quicker and reach his ultimate goal of having his own store. I am so proud of him!

The day Andrew was promoted his boss handed him a $100 bill and told him to go out to a nice dinner to celebrate. I was already planning on treating him to a night out but this was just the icing on the cake! America's Tire Company really does take good care of their employees and their families. We are so blessed to be part of such an amazing company family. Andrew chose Portland City Grill for his celebration dinner. It is an extremely high-class restaurant that is located in one of downtown Portland's buildings, on the 30th floor. The view is amazing. The service is amazing. The food is amazing. You are lucky to get out of there for under $100. It was truly a special treat. 

Welcome, Fall!

Fall has arrived! I love the crisp, cool air, the beautiful and bold fall colors, and all the festivities and traditions that come with the change of the season. Since fall is now here and the holidays will be here soon, I figured I should probably post something about the rest of our crazy summer! This post has the potential to be a bit long with a few scattered pictures, so bear with me!

Andrew and I had been busy working all summer.  Unfortunately, things at my job were not going well at all. It was a horrible situation and I needed to get out. It was affecting my life and my marriage negatively. I took a huge leap of faith and stepped down from my position, not knowing what would happen next. Yes, I had graduated from nursing school and passed my boards, officially making me a Registered Nurse in the state of Oregon. However, despite my efforts, job hunting was not going well. On July 15, 2013, I received a call that forever changed my life. I was offered (and accepted) a position as a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Randall Children's Hospital and Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. This is my dream job and I was shocked and honored to have been offered this position. I would be part of a New Graduate orientation/residency program from September through December. I couldn't wait to start my new career! That phone call truly came as a blessing and huge answer to prayer. We will forever be grateful.

After Calder and Joy's visit (see post here), Andrew and I headed off on our Stake's Pioneer Trek. A Pioneer Trek is basically a reenactment of the journey of the Mormon Pioneers. The participants dress up in authentic pioneer clothing, pull handcarts while walking for many miles each day, participate in pioneer games and activities, and strengthen their testimony of their Savior, Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father. Andrew and I were support staff. I was the trek nurse and Andrew was the go-to man for pretty much everything. The week was exhausting in so many ways but also so incredibly rewarding. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever been a part of and I am so glad I was able to experience it with Andrew. 

After the trek, it was back to work for Andrew, and preparation for my new job for me. We did find some time here and there for a little fun. 

In August, I went to Seattle for a few days with my dad for visit my grandparents. They aren't in the best of health and we just never know when they will leave us here on this earth. The trip involved a lot of sitting around, watching television, mostly soap operas, game shows, and baseball games, but I am so grateful I was able to visit them. 

Andrew's store is closed on Labor Day and I was fortunate to also have the holiday weekend off. We took advantage of it and headed out of town for a weekend stay at his family cabin. I had never been there before so it was really special for him to be able to show me around and share with me some of his favorite childhood memories there. We played games, drove around, took walks, and enjoyed the hot springs!

Our fun summer finally came to a close. Now, we are on to our next big adventure....WE ARE BUYING A HOUSE! In May, we moved out of our apartment and moved in with Andrew's mom. Our living situation in the apartment was not a good one and we weren't sure what direction we wanted to take. We wanted to try to buy so we decided to move in with his mom in the meantime. We have been actively searching for a home and have met with so many people to have our questions answered. This is one piece of our life that we do not want to rush so we are taking our time with it. We are so looking forward to being homeowners and beginning a new stage of our life together! We will keep everyone posted on the progress and believe me. As soon as we close on a house, it will be one announcement that will be hard to miss! 

Calder and Joy come to visit!

Andrew's younger brother, Calder, and his wife, Joy, live in Texas. Calder is a pilot in the Air Force and is currently stationed there. They were able to make a trip up here to Portland for a visit! This was our first time ever meeting Joy. I had talked to her multiple times prior to their visit and couldn't wait to meet my new sister! She is also a nurse and has a very laid-back, easy-going personality so I knew we were going to get along just fine.

While they were here we did many things. We:

Watched fireworks at the waterfront on the 4th of July!

Went to the St. Paul Rodeo!

Went shooting!

And took Family Pictures!

 We also went out to dinner, had a family barbecue, went shopping, played games, and just hung out. We can hardly wait for them to come back in December!

Birthday/Anniversary Trip!

On June 26th I turned 22! Since we were in Walla Walla on our Anniversary and Andrew had the day of and day after my birthday off work, we decided to get away and head to the beach for a little celebratory trip! I had never been to a casino before and wanted to, just for the experience. We decided to stay and play at Chinook Winds Casino & Resort in Lincoln City! We had a blast! We limited ourselves in the casino and still came out about ten dollars ahead! We mostly stuck with the penny slots but did try our luck with Roulette once. That didn't turn out so well. The weather was the typical Oregon Coast weather but we still had a great time nonetheless.

 My first time gambling and I won!

 All dressed up and ready for a fun dinner.

 Andrew was so excited about the King-size bed. 

 He was pretending to be asleep.

 Our make-shift movie night. 

1 Year!

Graduation was not the only very important event that took place on June 16th, 2013; Andrew and I also celebrated our 1 year anniversary! This past year has been amazing. I have learned so much and have loved every minute of it. We have faced trials and triumphs and I wouldn't change a single thing. I am so grateful for Andrew and his example to me. He loves me for who I am and puts up with my shortcomings. I am so blessed to have found him.

We decided to start a new tradition. On each of our anniversaries we will take a picture of us holding a picture from our last anniversary. This year's picture was a last-minute deal so it isn't as formal as we would have liked but our tradition has begun nonetheless!

We are so excited to see what year 2 brings!

Sara Moseley, RN BSN

I DID IT! I graduated from nursing school! Graduated weekend came and went and I was so blessed to have so many family members there to share this special weekend with me.

Saturday was the Nurses Pinning Ceremony. This was a special ceremony for only nursing students. We chose one member of our faculty to pin us and to continue on in this special tradition. The teacher I chose to pin me was one I had an instant connection with. I loved her classes and was very grateful she was willing to pin me!

Not sure what that face was about....

Sunday morning was commencement. It was a beautiful, sunny day and everything went so smoothly! It was perfect.

 What made graduation even more special was the fact that my mom, who had been attending Oregon State University for the last 8 years, was able to walk and receive her diplomas at my graduation ceremony. Oregon State's was the same weekend and my mom was not about to miss out on seeing me walk. We pulled some strings, talked to the right people and she was able to walk as a "guest"! She has worked so hard and has had to sacrifice so much. I couldn't be more proud of her!

This is one journey I will never forget.