almost a month....

Wow! as of the 27th we will have been living in Portland for  month! Time flies!

Also, we are excited to say, we already have our first visitor coming to stay with us in September, so we cannot wait!

As many of you know, Nick landed a job his first week here, and has had a few other job offers as well! He is currently working as a care provider in an assisted living home. This is Nick's first time working with an older population and it definitely has had its challenges. One of the many reasons I love Nick is for the way he looks at life and the genuine way he cares for people, many of you know this about him, especially if you've had the great pleasure of being his friend! Nick has a philosophical way of thinking...I mean why not...he does have a bachelor's in Philosophy =) Listening to Nick talk about the people he cares for at his job, to talk about nearing the end of life and quality of life versus quantity. You can hear his passion for people when he talks and it is beautiful. Now of course I am typing this while Nick is at work, having no idea I'm sitting here about to share my views on the many reasons why I love him for whoever wishes to read. So I will stop here, and if he wishes he can share any more thoughts with you about his job!

As some of you know a few months ago while still living in Michigan, I interviewed for a position here out in Portland with the Health Department. I did not get that exact position due to not being a certified medical assistant. But was told they were super impressed with my interview =). Last week I accepted an on call position with the Health Department in the needle exchange and Naloxone (Narcan) refill and training program. So we've been here less than a month and we have housing, and jobs! Yaay!....now to start studying for the GRE and thinking about that grad school app...ughh.

Some other great things that have been happening in our lives. Bernie Sanders came to Portland....and we got to see him...whaaat!! It was a great event, completely maxed out....people outside the arena listening on speakers because there was no room inside. For people back home, think of the Van Andel completely filled and then more people outside listening! It was awesome!

We've also joined a meet up group and have been to a couple events, mostly board game nights, it's been a lot of fun! Slowly starting to meet people! I think our favorite hang out time is getting to spend time with our fam! Hanging with Heidi and Mantu and the girls is wonderful, and of course Lake and Polly. We love them so much and are so grateful to have them here. I am already excited for spending Halloween and Thanksgiving with them, and we've already discussed Christmas baking and decorating! I love theeee Holidays

We got to dogsit this weekend for our friends. It was great because it was a small glimpse into what having a dog would be like....one dayyyy. If you are our parents you can just skip this paragraph and go onto the next;)......okay...now that they are gone......I want a dog!!!...there...I said it. Actually I am pretty sure everyone already knows this about me....I am an animal lover....always have been, it runs in the family. My mom always says, this will be the last animal...no more dogs.....but we all know this isn't true! ;) I mean she told me once she almost bought a whole heard of alpacas! I grew up raising dogs, it's just in my nature. I love you mom =) But mom's know best and that is why they tell me to wait....ughh I know...and I will. See I can be an adult? ;) I know that right now we are still getting settled, we don't know what type of time commitment we can give to a dog yet, I mean I will be in grad school next year. We need to  be sure we are financially ready for a dog as well.....and there is always the fact that my dear lovely husband is oh so allergic to animals. BUTTTTT he loves dogs too!...he wants one....he does.... he's just a bit better at being the adult in this situation. Another reason I love him, he keeps me grounded...well for the most part...until I drive him insane and he gives in. But I will do my best to be good and wait it out.

 I think in reality it's life way of telling me I need to get out of this house and meet some people. I haven't started working yet, and our house is a bit far out, not really a lot to go explore. I love our house, it is so adorable and affordable and even has a fenced in backyard (see perfect for a dog ;) ) But when you think Portland....this is not the area you think of...at least we didn't. It's not that hip, fun...have to say it....Portlandia feel to it =P. We are more towards the suburbs....we live near a Walmart....uggggh and several fast food places, not really what I want to be out exploring. And yes there is the bus, so I really don't have much of an excuse, but it still takes about an hour to get almost anywhere by bus from here, yep that's me whining. So currently most days I sit at home until Nick gets out of work....ummm yep I definitely need to get out more...I need a bike! I promised Nick we would see a movie today since we discovered we do actually live in walking distance of one. But maybe tomorrow we will go see the Columbia Gorge as that is something we've really been wanting to do. In more depressing news....it's been hazy here and you can smell the smoke from the forest fires. We need rain...desperately, this heat is bad and these fires are devastating! Prayers and thoughts for rain and safety for everyone out there doing there best are much appreciated!

For now that is all, enjoy :)

<3 <3 Abbie