Moving

When we first contemplated moving into Mom and Dad's basement, I had a few reservations. From listening to most people, living with one's parents is only slightly better than residing in a cardboard box in an alley. So we kept our options open in case a speedy return to Bellevue was necessary to save our marriage and our relationship with my parents. Turns out, living with these particular parents is fantastic! But after well over a year, Darren has a new job in Redmond, and the commute from Puyallup is brutal. In addition, my manager at PSE wanted me back full-time, which would just be too much time away from Brooke. So I quit, which means we don't really need Mom to babysit on a regular basis. With much reluctance, we decided it was time to move out on our own again. This is both wonderful and horrible. I love running my own tiny little household, but I also really, really miss the sharing. Sharing meals, sharing Brooke, sharing our news, sharing the bounty of Mom's awesome garden. That was great. We like our cute little apartment though! Darren walks to work, Brooke and I walk to the grocery store and the park, and we can even walk to church!

 Brooke keeps her priorities straight, with a PB&J as her first meal in our new home.

My cousin Ray, his wife Janet, and their wonderful kids came to help. They were such a help! Our couch and Darren's desk might still be in the parking lot without them.

We made a trip to IKEA to contemplate some new furnishings, and we very nearly brought back this little rocking horse. Brooke sure thought he belonged with her!