Constantly changing environment

At home, at work, in our neighborhood. Everything is changing.
Last weekend my good friend Jessica threw me a bridal shower. The night was beautiful--she did a great job with the food! It had a Hawaiian theme and there was tons of fruit, good friends, and a very wonderful time. Thanks Jess! Unfortunately it snowed several inches that night out of the blue, so it made for some tricky travel. Thanks everyone for braving the snow to come!

My mom even came down for the occasion. She and my sister stayed overnight to help plan the big festivities coming up next weekend. I think we're just about ready. Have the pictures in for the centerpieces, paid for the cake, talked to the caterer, ordered the flowers, what am I forgetting? I know it will be a good time, but I also can't wait to be done planning--that's what was so great about the wedding in Hawaii.

Last weekend was also a retreat for the State 4-H council. It was the last retreat before the big state conference! The kids were very energetic and I can't wait for conference to see how it all turns out.

Last week Rick and I went to see Avenue Q--it was hilarious! I highly recommend it. Great date night.

I finally have a job. It was a long, drawn-out process and I'm so glad it's over. They cancelled our project on a Tuesday, and on the following Tuesday I was given two choices by my old director. I was able to talk to one of the choices on Friday, but the other was out of town until the following Tuesday. In the mean time, there were many other choices that flew my way, and I went looking for positions as well. On Wednesday I thought I was ready to communicate my decision, but then one of my initial options backed out so my director pointed me toward a few other positions others in my group had turned down. I felt that I needed to explore those options as well, but it was so stressful having 2 completely new jobs thrown at me and only one day to meet everyone and gather all the information needed to make an informed decision. In the end, I may have taken the safe choice by returning to the field and working with people I knew from working in Johnston before I moved to Hawaii. I will be working on a new project, being the field support for a new corn initiative. It sounds interesting and I like the people I will be working with, so those are definite bonuses. Plus, I'll have winter nurseries so I'll probably travel to either Puerto Rico and/or Hawaii in the winter. There will probably be some summer travel as well, regionally, but we will see how much. I don't think as much as Rick. I hope I made the right choice; time will tell. I'm just so glad to be done with the whole process and to have something to do from 8-5 every week day.

The interior of our home has changed a little as well--our new photo is up!

It makes the other one look really little though!

The neighborhood is changing a lot too. We have noticed that 90% of the houses we see between our house and work are some shade of brown or white, and that a house as blue as ours is out of the ordinary. The house next door is about done on the outside, and aside from the little bit of red, it fits right in. Not sure about the garage door...

One of the houses across the street looks like it's going to be gray. Not sure if that's really an exciting color, but it's not a shade of brown. I'm happy we have the brightly colored house.

And still more houses are popping up around the neighborhood. I think eventually there will be another 3 or 4 on our cul de sac, but they're still building more in the area.

And lastly, but no less importantly, the weather is changing for the better!

I guess I didn't consider Grimes as a small town, but today a woman from the welcoming committee (?) stopped by and welcomed us to the city. She said she'd be back next week with a basket of goodies from the local merchants and coupons to family-owned businesses in the city. She was very nice and it did make me feel a little more welcomed to the area. I don't really identify with Grimes since we're on the other side of the highway and are on the Johnston city limits. I was so embarrassed when I answered the door--I hadn't changed or showered since working out at the gym and Rick and I decided to tackle the boxes our parents had dropped off recently so the front room was a complete mess! I invited her in and she asked if we were just moving in and I wanted to lie and say yes. When she comes back next week it will be immaculate and she can come in and sit down.

Texans arrive late this week!