We moved back to Oregon for a very short time this year and have recently settled in Maple Valley, Wa for Jason's job. He decided to return to his previous company this year where he had been for 15 years and it is great. I haven't seen him this happy in several years and he is once again being treated well and appreciated. Georgia was a wonderful experience and I am so glad we were able to be there and experience life in the South. We made lifelong friends and the girls were able to get an amazing education there, if I had to do it over again, I certainly would. But there really is nothing better than being close to family again and being in the Seattle area, we are only a few hours from home.
We decided to make the trip back by driving this summer from Georgia to Oregon and I have to say, a cross country trip with your family is really a once in a lifetime event. We really had a great time and made it in just 4 days. We saw several states: Mississippi, Alabama, Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, Tennessee, and several others. We even made a stop at Graceland and got to see Elvis stuff everywhere!!!! I think the kids won't ever admit it, but it was AMAZING and my "fun facts" for every state we went through were pretty cool too!!!!
There was nothing better than crossing over into Oregon though, it was such a relief to know we were home!!!
The girls have recently started school here in Maple Valley and really seem to be happy. Lily is making friends quickly and enjoying her new friends in 3rd grade and Lexi has started at the Junior High which will go through 9th grade. She is really looking forward to starting softball this year with a new team. I love Maple Valley a lot, it reminds me of Gresham and I'm also close here to a dear friend from my younger days, so it's been fun catching up with him and his sweet family. We also have moved to a great neighborhood were there are tons of kids and several parks nearby for the girls.
Our holidays were really busy this year between family and getting packed to move up to Washington, but it sure was wonderful to be at Mom and dad's for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's also been really good to spend so much time with Gaga, she's really getting older now and has recently moved into an assisted living facility. She really doesn't like it that much, but at least we know she always has someone to check on her at all times. She'll be 99 this year, so I think she's done pretty great all these years on her own!!!
Overall, I am really glad to see 2013 come to an end and start fresh in the new year. We've had so many ups and downs this year and I'm hoping that 2014 is filled with all happy and positive things for our future. I'm looking forward to a fresh new start here in Washington and hope all of you have an excellent year as well!
