10 Things We've Learned Living in Oregon

As our time here in Oregon comes to a close (only one more week) I have been reminiscing on everything we've learned about Oregon and what we have learned living here. So here is the list of the things we've learned about this beautiful state and what we've learned by living here.

1. It is against the law to pump your own gas here. We learned this the hard way. On the drive here we were maybe a couple hours into Oregon when we were really stressing about gas. There hadn't been a gas station for miles. In fact, the last one we saw was in Nevada where you can pump your own gas. Being foolish and thinking we could make it to another station on the half a tank we had, we didn't stop and fill up. Well it was nearing the point of us working out situations in our minds as to what we could do in case we ran out of gas when we saw a dinky, and I mean it was a dump of a gas station, just right up ahead. We pulled in stress free and relieved only to realize it was closed. What? A gas station closed?? Why can't they just keep the pumps running?? Well there was sign that said to call if we needed gas, so we called it. The man said he was out of town and that he was closed. So we kept driving, clenching our teeth and holding our breath, hoping we would make it to another station. Finally, running on fumes we made it. Parker got out of the car ready to pump gas and an attendant came running out like his life depended on it before Parker could do anything. This is how we found out that it is against the law to pump your own gas.

2. It pays to recycle! 5 cents per bottle actually! OK it doesn't really pay. They actually charge you an extra 5 cents per bottle and then you just get your money back if you recycle it.

3. Everything is so GREEEEEEEN here! I mean, green grass, green trees, green plants and green people! I don't mean the color of their skin, I mean they are very Eco friendly. Everywhere I go people are riding bikes or walking to work or carpooling. It might be because some people don't have cars but I am pretty sure it is also to cut down on pollution. One time I even saw somebody get publicly upset because someone else accidentally littered. Also, there are a TON of tree huggers! Everything is about keeping the Earth beautiful. Might I say, they have done a mighty fine job!

4. Even Siri doesn't know where she is going. I had to learn to navigate on my own, a lot, considering the fact that Siri kept leading me astray. Now I can say I finally know my way around. Just in time to leave. ;)

5. I've learned that it doesn't rain here 24/7 like everyone thinks. It rains more often but its not 24/7 365 days a year. Their rainy season is during Winter. Like we get snow, they just get rain. But we have been able to see a few rainstorms while being here. Which brings me to the next thing I've learned...

6. No one uses an umbrella! There have been a couple days where it has been pretty rainy but I did not see a single soul using an umbrella!

7. The people here a really nice. They are always trying to strike up conversation (especially if you have cute kids around like the other wives). They are also very friendly on the road. Utah drivers are so mean compared to the people here!

8. I've learned that I am pretty baby hungry. All the wives kids are so cute and fun to play with and be around. It just makes me want one of my own. I want to be able to hold a little one and see how he or she looks like us. When I think about it, it just makes me smile. BUT kids aren't going to come for awhile. While I would love a little bundle of joy I also know that it just isn't the right time yet. :)

9. I've learned not to be scared of people. The night we arrived I found myself really nervous and scared. Not of being in a different state, not of unfamiliar territory, but of people. I have lived in Utah my entire life. Its where I feel safe because the people seem safe. It sounds awful to say and I feel awful saying it but it is true. I had assumed that once I got to Oregon that everyone is potentially a creep or a murderer or a thief. I didn't want to be alone or do things alone during the day while Parker was working. But then Parker taught me something and made me realize something that I have always known. He said this, "Don't be scared of people Linds. The majority of people are good. They mean well and they are just trying to get by like the rest of us." I felt so stupid and rude for assuming what I had assumed but I immediately felt better. I realized that I knew that and I was just over-reacting.

10. The last and most important thing I've learned is that the Gospel is everywhere. Of course I knew this. I knew you could go to church almost anywhere and there are Temples in many places but I've come to such an appreciation for it. Our weeks are long. Parker works 6 days a week from the time we get up until the time we go to bed. So I don't get to see him very often and it just makes for a long week. During the week there just are so many crazy things going on and there are so many not so wonderful things that happen that it is just so nice to be able to go to church and escape it all. It is so wonderful to meet the members from this state and they are such amazing people. I have had some of the best lessons and have felt the spirit so much more than I ever have. I think when it is such a regular part of your life in Utah it gets taken for granted. I know I have taken it for granted before and it just becomes the ho hum of my lifestyle. My eyes have been opened so much wider living here. It is amazing to see how different the world is outside of Utah and it has given me so much more appreciation for Utah and being able to have the resources in the church that we do. I definitely have come to realize things I need to work on and improve on and I am so grateful that I am able to realize them by being here. I hope that when we are back in Utah I can continue to remember everything I have learned here in Oregon and live my life to the fullest through the Gospel.

Well if you have made it this far, thank you for reading. I have loved this experience so far and I can't wait until we are finally in Seattle and can continue our adventure!

Oregon Not to be Confused With Seattle

You are probably all confused as to why we are in Oregon and not Seattle. Well here is a quick update to get you up to speed. A couple weeks or so before we left Cedar, Parker's Company had made a decision to try out the market in Oregon. It seemed promising or as they would put it, "Looked like good stuff." So they decided to try out the first little bit of the Summer in Oregon and spend the latter part in Seattle. So here we are! :) We have been living in Eugene, Oregon, home of the Ducks!! Things have been going well for Parker, and for me, well I just have had fun exploring the beautiful scenery. I am sure you all have seen the pictures on Facebook so I won't spam you with more photos on here. But it really is beautiful!! So many different flowers and plants and everything is so so so green!! I love it! I love nature and I feel so lucky to experience it in such a beautiful place! I am so used to the red dirt and sand so to see crazy tall trees and moss covered branches really has been a fun adventure. We just got word that we might try out a different area in Oregon. The area will be closer to Portland and I am pretty excited. I love to experience different cities and Portland is one I have always wanted to visit. If the market in Oregon stays pretty solid we may end up staying here for the Summer. It just depends on how things go. They have until a certain date to decide. So we may not make it up to Seattle but that is OK. We need to be in the area which will hopefully provide the best outcome for these guys. But for now the plan is to spend the next 6 or so weeks in Oregon and then finish up the Summer in Seattle.

I hope this helps with all of your confusion!! We are really having a good time and will keep you updated with more fun adventures! :)

Exciting News!

Before we get to the exciting news, I just want to apologize if this is the way you are finding out our exciting news. I know it's not the most appropriate way but it has proved to be the most convenient in letting a handful of people know all at one time.

I would also like to apologize that we don't update our blog very often. What I have come to realize is that I don't really know what to post about if there isn't big exciting news. While we cherish all our small, silly little memories we make day to day, I feel like not everyone wants to hear about those weird and random things. They want to hear big news! So with that hear is our big news!

We are moving to Seattle!!! Haha not what you were thinking I am sure! ;) Parker has been given an opportunity to go out and work for the summer in Seattle. He will be working with Vivint, a newer business in home automation. He will be selling home automation systems. For those who are not familiar with home automation, it basically is a panel you can put in your home that controls temperature, and light and also alarm systems, all through your smart phones or computers. They are working to add more features like Internet and others. However, right now their focus is on the panel and alarm systems. We were kind of skeptical about this opportunity when it was given to us but after talking to the team managers and after praying about it, we know this opportunity couldn't come at a better time. We are young, we don't have kids, there is no reason we can't go out and see where this takes us. It is an opportunity that is worse to pass up right now than to try out. It is a huge leap of faith but if we aren't willing to leap we won't ever know where we could land. We have so many goals as a couple and for our future family and we have to make the decisions we think are best to reach those goals. We figured, right now and for us, this is the opportunity that will afford us the best possible chance in getting us on our feet. If we go out and are not successful at least we tried. I have complete faith and confidence, however, that we will be successful. Whether it be in the ways we hope or in a way that helps us learn more about each other as a couple. The way I see it, it's a win win.

We hope for the best and know that this is where life is supposed to take us. Depending on what happens in the summer we will be coming back to Cedar or St. George. We will be coming back for school to continue on a path that will lead is to our goals. I am so proud of Parker for putting himself out there mentally, physically and emotionally for this opportunity. It's definitely not easy and it's a lot of hard work. I am so thankful for the sacrifice he is making to help us reach our goals and I look up to him so much for how positive he is through it all. I want to also thank everyone who as been supportive to us in making this decision.

I am so excited to take this journey, to experience the world and to see where life takes us. I feel so incredibly lucky to be where I am today and with my husband. I know life will bring challenges but it will also bring many exciting new adventures.

And on a lighter side, here are some pictures of the beautiful city we will be living in...