Rick and I finally made it out to Verizon and set up new Richmond cell phones.
Here are our new numbers...
Erin's: 804-763-9709
Rick's: 804-763-9658
We hope to see and talk to everybody soon!
We love you all!
Love,
your mobilely-connected richmonders.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
new mailing address.
Because the building we are living in doesn't have very secure mailboxes, we set up a P.O. Box.
Here is our new address:
P.O. Box 14542
Richmond, VA 23221
Hope everybody has a wonderful holiday weekend!
Love,
your excited-to-be-back richmonders.
Here is our new address:
P.O. Box 14542
Richmond, VA 23221
Hope everybody has a wonderful holiday weekend!
Love,
your excited-to-be-back richmonders.
its the journey AND the destination.
Sorry for the delay, but here are our photographs from our drive back. Most of the photographs are taken from the moving car so I apologize for the blurriness and for the gaps in our trips. A lot of our photographs didn't come out.
But with that said, enjoy!
Here is our U-haul, which I immediately decided was a sign that all those that live in Chattanooga should be moving to Richmond! (hint, hint Elizzabeth!)
On Sunday, from Pendleton, Oregon we drove through Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. We stayed at a hotel outside of Cheyanne, Wyoming.
Mountains in northeastern Oregon.
Crossing Oregon-Idaho line.
Mountains in southern Idaho.
Crossing the Idaho-Utah line.
Beautiful Mountains in Utah.
Windmills in Wyoming.
Sunset over Wyoming.
Monday, we drove through Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas and stopped right after we passed through Kansas City, Missouri.
Crossing the Wyoming-Colorado line.
The Rocky Mountains.
Tuesday, we drove by the Gateway Arch in St. Louis then through southern Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky and stayed right outside Huntington, West Virginia.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge over the Mississippi River.
Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
Wednesday, we drove through the rest of West Virginia and arrived back in Richmond at about 3pm.
Crossing the West Virginia-Virginia line.
We were so blessed in our smooth and beautiful trip. We had about 20 minutes of rain and about an hour of traffic total throughout the entire 3,000 mile trip. We have absolutely nothing to complain about!
Word of advice, this was definitely more scenic than our trip out there so if you ever have the opportunity to take a cross-country trip this way would definitely be better.
Love,
your fully-exposed-to-america richmonders.
But with that said, enjoy!
Here is our U-haul, which I immediately decided was a sign that all those that live in Chattanooga should be moving to Richmond! (hint, hint Elizzabeth!)
On Sunday, from Pendleton, Oregon we drove through Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. We stayed at a hotel outside of Cheyanne, Wyoming.
Mountains in northeastern Oregon.
Crossing Oregon-Idaho line.
Mountains in southern Idaho.
Crossing the Idaho-Utah line.
Beautiful Mountains in Utah.
Windmills in Wyoming.
Sunset over Wyoming.
Monday, we drove through Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas and stopped right after we passed through Kansas City, Missouri.
Crossing the Wyoming-Colorado line.
The Rocky Mountains.
Tuesday, we drove by the Gateway Arch in St. Louis then through southern Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky and stayed right outside Huntington, West Virginia.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge over the Mississippi River.
Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
Wednesday, we drove through the rest of West Virginia and arrived back in Richmond at about 3pm.
Crossing the West Virginia-Virginia line.
We were so blessed in our smooth and beautiful trip. We had about 20 minutes of rain and about an hour of traffic total throughout the entire 3,000 mile trip. We have absolutely nothing to complain about!
Word of advice, this was definitely more scenic than our trip out there so if you ever have the opportunity to take a cross-country trip this way would definitely be better.
Love,
your fully-exposed-to-america richmonders.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
home again, home again, jig jig jig!
We are safely home in Richmond. We got back yesterday afternoon to surprise our parents but of course my traveling parents were out of town!
But Rick's mom was very happy and surprised as were my parents when we showed up right after they got back.
We got to see most of our Richmond friends last night which was also a lot of fun.
I promise to post pictures and more about our trip as soon as I get my computer back (which is in my car that is in the shop for a much needed oil change.)
We love you all!
Love,
your almost settled richmonders.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
on the road again...
From east to west and back again.
Some people go their entire lives never driving from coast to coast. Rick and I will have done in twice in one year! Pretty nutso!
Because we are technologically savvy and professional bloggers at this point, you all, or should I say ya'll, are privy to the inside, day-by-day of our trip back to the east coast.
We turned in our apartment keys at about 1030am, said our goodbyes, which were tougher than planned and were on the road by noon.
We donated some of our items to a few friends around portland.... one mattress, one bed set, two small end tables, two televisions, one shelving unit and tons of dishes, utensils, pots, pans and other random kitchen items as well as three lagunitas IPAs.
Needless to say, this did not cut our load down as much as we thought, or maybe we poorly planned the packing, but when it was all said and done, there was absolutely no room for our box spring. Instead of repacking the entire 6 x 10 trailer we opted to leave the box spring behind. Merry Christmas Portland!
Rick is very sick. He only made it about 30 miles outside Portland, before his cough got the best of him, so I took over, which as most of you know is quite shocking as Rick hates being a passenger, he must really be sick right?!
We have a very strict rule of no sleeping for the co-pilot so when Rick's medicine started to make him loopy we decided to call it a day. Unfortunately, that means we did not get as much of the trip under our belt as we had planned, but HEY! better to be safe that sorry.
210 miles later we are staying at a hotel in Pendleton, Oregon and it is only 4:26pm. But hopefully a good nights sleep (much needed after all the heavy lifting from the last two days) will get us amped and ready to make it all the way to Salt Lake City, Utah tomorrow.
So now that Rick and I have had some time to sit down with the map we have been able to schedule a tentative schedule.
The rest of the trip is planned as follows:
Sunday: Salt Lake City, Utah (558 miles)
Monday: Denver, Colorado (536)
Tuesday: Kansas City, Kansas (602)
Wednesday: Louisville, Kentucky (509)
Short detour to see the Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.
Thursday: HOME HOME HOME! (563)
This will add 3 states to my list leaving me only 11 more to visit and coming to a total of 2977 miles!
And NOW for your viewing pleasure...
Final photographs of the beautiful Mount Hood as we said goodbye to Portland.
We promise promise promise to be safe and responsible on our way back home. We cannot wait to see everyone back on the east coast.
I will write again when I have the opportunity.
Love,
your reformed-nomadic richmonders.
Some people go their entire lives never driving from coast to coast. Rick and I will have done in twice in one year! Pretty nutso!
Because we are technologically savvy and professional bloggers at this point, you all, or should I say ya'll, are privy to the inside, day-by-day of our trip back to the east coast.
We turned in our apartment keys at about 1030am, said our goodbyes, which were tougher than planned and were on the road by noon.
We donated some of our items to a few friends around portland.... one mattress, one bed set, two small end tables, two televisions, one shelving unit and tons of dishes, utensils, pots, pans and other random kitchen items as well as three lagunitas IPAs.
Needless to say, this did not cut our load down as much as we thought, or maybe we poorly planned the packing, but when it was all said and done, there was absolutely no room for our box spring. Instead of repacking the entire 6 x 10 trailer we opted to leave the box spring behind. Merry Christmas Portland!
Rick is very sick. He only made it about 30 miles outside Portland, before his cough got the best of him, so I took over, which as most of you know is quite shocking as Rick hates being a passenger, he must really be sick right?!
We have a very strict rule of no sleeping for the co-pilot so when Rick's medicine started to make him loopy we decided to call it a day. Unfortunately, that means we did not get as much of the trip under our belt as we had planned, but HEY! better to be safe that sorry.
210 miles later we are staying at a hotel in Pendleton, Oregon and it is only 4:26pm. But hopefully a good nights sleep (much needed after all the heavy lifting from the last two days) will get us amped and ready to make it all the way to Salt Lake City, Utah tomorrow.
So now that Rick and I have had some time to sit down with the map we have been able to schedule a tentative schedule.
The rest of the trip is planned as follows:
Sunday: Salt Lake City, Utah (558 miles)
Monday: Denver, Colorado (536)
Tuesday: Kansas City, Kansas (602)
Wednesday: Louisville, Kentucky (509)
Short detour to see the Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.
Thursday: HOME HOME HOME! (563)
This will add 3 states to my list leaving me only 11 more to visit and coming to a total of 2977 miles!
And NOW for your viewing pleasure...
Final photographs of the beautiful Mount Hood as we said goodbye to Portland.
We promise promise promise to be safe and responsible on our way back home. We cannot wait to see everyone back on the east coast.
I will write again when I have the opportunity.
Love,
your reformed-nomadic richmonders.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
goodbye maple room.
Yesterday was my last day teaching the Maple Room kids at Barnes-Miller CDC.
Here is Teacher Caroline and some of our class on the playground yesterday afternoon.
It was tough, emotional day saying goodbye but it is time to move on.
I apologize for my briefness but Rick and I still have tons of packing to do.
Love,
your traveling-fools richmonders.
Here is Teacher Caroline and some of our class on the playground yesterday afternoon.
It was tough, emotional day saying goodbye but it is time to move on.
I apologize for my briefness but Rick and I still have tons of packing to do.
Love,
your traveling-fools richmonders.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
much needed closure.
So, we will be pulling out of Portland officially Saturday, May 17. Almost exactly 8 months from the day we first set foot in Portland.
So what if we didn't make it a full year, we accomplished all that God wanted us to, so I guess it doesn't matter how long it took us!
I, personally, am very bittersweet about the move. As you all can guess, I have become VERY attached to my class. Not only have they learned sooo much since I first started, but they have really grown to love me as I have them. Tomorrow is my last day and is going to be a very emotional day.
I have gotten the closure that I have needed. The boy I have previously written about Max, who was claimed to have been ADHD (whereas I thought he was autistic) was officially diagnosed last week. This is really what I needed because I have gone above and beyond my specified role for this child and it ended up really paying off.
Long story short, his doctors have a treatment plan that could offset the slowed brain development and in theory could jumpstart his brain development, eventually leading to no signs of autism.
I realized that Oregon was more for me than building a strong foundation for marriage with Rick. There was a child here who needed my help, insight, and intuition. And he got it. I made a difference, even if it was only one child (well, at least one that I know about!)
Thank you Oregon, it has been fun.
Heelloooo Richmond!
Love,
your on-the-right-path (literally&figuratively) richmonders.
Ps. Our phones don't usually work very well in Richmond. So we will be getting new 804 numbers when we get back. I promise to post and email our numbers when we get them.
So what if we didn't make it a full year, we accomplished all that God wanted us to, so I guess it doesn't matter how long it took us!
I, personally, am very bittersweet about the move. As you all can guess, I have become VERY attached to my class. Not only have they learned sooo much since I first started, but they have really grown to love me as I have them. Tomorrow is my last day and is going to be a very emotional day.
I have gotten the closure that I have needed. The boy I have previously written about Max, who was claimed to have been ADHD (whereas I thought he was autistic) was officially diagnosed last week. This is really what I needed because I have gone above and beyond my specified role for this child and it ended up really paying off.
Long story short, his doctors have a treatment plan that could offset the slowed brain development and in theory could jumpstart his brain development, eventually leading to no signs of autism.
I realized that Oregon was more for me than building a strong foundation for marriage with Rick. There was a child here who needed my help, insight, and intuition. And he got it. I made a difference, even if it was only one child (well, at least one that I know about!)
Thank you Oregon, it has been fun.
Heelloooo Richmond!
Love,
your on-the-right-path (literally&figuratively) richmonders.
Ps. Our phones don't usually work very well in Richmond. So we will be getting new 804 numbers when we get back. I promise to post and email our numbers when we get them.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
bad news bears.
So, my car was broken into last night.
It was parked in our building's garage, so it either had to be somebody who sneaked into the building or someone who lives here. All they took was Rick's ipod and charger but they broke the driver side window.
Sooooo hopefully everything will work out with getting the window fixed, but our plans to begin our drive back across the country this weekend could be delayed. We will keep everyone posted.
So much for a happy birthday to Rick!
Love,
your so-over-portland richmonders.
It was parked in our building's garage, so it either had to be somebody who sneaked into the building or someone who lives here. All they took was Rick's ipod and charger but they broke the driver side window.
Sooooo hopefully everything will work out with getting the window fixed, but our plans to begin our drive back across the country this weekend could be delayed. We will keep everyone posted.
So much for a happy birthday to Rick!
Love,
your so-over-portland richmonders.
comments please!
What are we going to call our blog when we move back to Richmond?
More importantly, will you read it?
More importantly, will you read it?
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
happy birthday to you, you live in a zoo, you look like a monkey...
Where do i begin?
It's probably best to do this in chronologically, as it has been awhile.
So my parents came to Portland for my birthday and boy was it perfect timing. I really needed some family time!
Thursday, April 24:
My parents flew in from Richmond. Rick met them at the airport because I was at work, but they came and had lunch with me on my break. We went out to dinner that night to a brewery (Bridgeport) near Rick and I's apartment.
Friday, April 25:
I had to work but my parents and Rick had a yummy lunch and brought me some cheesecake. I had previously planned a big tree plant on my school's grounds for my class so Rick and my parents came to school and helped. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a blast! After work we caught a train to Seattle for the weekend.
Saturday, April 26:
We went to Pike's Place Market (where the legendary fish market is) and then took a boat ride thru Elliot Bay/Puget Sound. We ate at Elliott's Oyster Bar for lunch. In the evening we went to Safeco Field to see the Mariners play and they won!
My mom at Pike's Place Market with the beautiful flowers!
The Olympic Mountains.
Rick and Dad learning about the Puget Sound.
Another of the Olympic Mountains.
The Space Needle and Olympic Park.
My parents on the walk to the waterfront.
A picture of a picture so I could show off our touristness!
Seattle skyline from the tour boat.
My parents in the tour boat on Elliott Bay.
Does these need captions?
Sunday, April 27:
We had brunch at the New Orleans/Northwest restaurant at the hotel and went to an afternoon game at Safeco Field. It started raining during the game and we got to see the roof close. It is really hard to describe but literally the roof closed over us like a convertible car would. It was REALLY cool.
One of our many views from our table in the Space Needle restaurant. (It moves 360 degrees so we actually got to see all of Seattle from up there!)
Another of our many views.
The Space Needle all lit up.
City park in Seattle.
Monday, April 28:
We walked around in downtown Seattle and then caught the train back to Seattle. We even went to a National Park that was inside of a building! We ate at a restaurant called Lucy's Table in Nob Hill (a neighborhood in Portland).
My parents checking out a totem pole in downtown Seattle.
Tuesday, April 29: I worked in the day and my parents did some shopping around Portland. We had dinner at a yummy pasta place in downtown.
Wednesday, April 30: Happy Birthday to me! I turned 24 today. I worked in the day and we had an ice cream party for the kids (and my birthday!) Rick and my parents took a 5-hour car ride through the Columbia Gorge and Mt. Hood area that they all seemed to enjoy. Then, we went out to eat for a fancy meal at Jake's Famous Crawfish (nationally ranked for seafood!) It was a really awesome meal and they even printed "Happy Birthday Erin!" in our menus!
Rick and I on my birthday.
Thursday, May 1: I worked in the day. And we went to Nob Hill for the best burgers in town.
Friday, May 2: We got up early, had brunch at Nob Hill and drove to the coast. We started across the Columbia River in Washington state and worked our way south down the coast stopping at all the various beaches. We had lunch in Astoria at a place called Clemente's and dinner in Seaside at an awesome seafood joint, Norma's, where Rick and I had been when Matt was in town.
The bridge across the Columbia River from Oregon to Washington.
Trail to the North Head Lighthouse.
My parents checking out the coast's edge.
My parents being goofy and dancing at the restaurant in Astoria.
Shipwreck Beach.
Haystack Rock. No we couldn't find the skeleton key. Look at all the people though, that is how huge it is.
Saturday, May 3: We got up late and had VooDoo Doghnuts for a late breakfast. We walked around the Saturday market until it started to rain. Rick and I had some errands to run that my parents joined us for and then we had some beers and some food at another in-town brewery called Rogue. We turned in early because we were all pretty beat.
Sunday, May 4: We had brunch at my friend Brandy's work called Beaterville (YUM!) and then Dad, Rick and I took a 2 hour boat ride on the Willamette Jet Boat Excursion. It was a beautiful day to be on the water, but I got a little bit too much sun! That night we went to eat at the Marina Fish House right on the bank of the Willamette and we went to a deli for cheesecake dessert.
Fat sea lion lounging.
Really cool houseboat neighborhood.
Willamette Falls.
My parents flew back to Richmond early Monday morning. But as you can see we had a BUSY week. It was SUCH A GREAT WEEK!
I am so blessed to have had such an amazing birthday week. Boy, am I glad that we are coming back to the east coast because it would have been really hard to say good-bye to my parents and have to wait another few months before I got to see them again.
Now I only have to wait a couple weeks!
We also are celebrating Rick's 28th birthday today! as well as sending all the mothers a
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
A special happy mother's day to my sister as this is her very first!
We will tentatively be leaving Portland on May 17th and we plan to take about 4 or 5 days to come back. (Can't you tell how anxious we are to be back on the East Coast!)
We love you all!
Love,
your blessed-and-soon-to-be-home richmonders.
It's probably best to do this in chronologically, as it has been awhile.
So my parents came to Portland for my birthday and boy was it perfect timing. I really needed some family time!
Thursday, April 24:
My parents flew in from Richmond. Rick met them at the airport because I was at work, but they came and had lunch with me on my break. We went out to dinner that night to a brewery (Bridgeport) near Rick and I's apartment.
Friday, April 25:
I had to work but my parents and Rick had a yummy lunch and brought me some cheesecake. I had previously planned a big tree plant on my school's grounds for my class so Rick and my parents came to school and helped. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a blast! After work we caught a train to Seattle for the weekend.
Saturday, April 26:
We went to Pike's Place Market (where the legendary fish market is) and then took a boat ride thru Elliot Bay/Puget Sound. We ate at Elliott's Oyster Bar for lunch. In the evening we went to Safeco Field to see the Mariners play and they won!
My mom at Pike's Place Market with the beautiful flowers!
The Olympic Mountains.
Rick and Dad learning about the Puget Sound.
Another of the Olympic Mountains.
The Space Needle and Olympic Park.
My parents on the walk to the waterfront.
A picture of a picture so I could show off our touristness!
Seattle skyline from the tour boat.
My parents in the tour boat on Elliott Bay.
Does these need captions?
Sunday, April 27:
We had brunch at the New Orleans/Northwest restaurant at the hotel and went to an afternoon game at Safeco Field. It started raining during the game and we got to see the roof close. It is really hard to describe but literally the roof closed over us like a convertible car would. It was REALLY cool.
One of our many views from our table in the Space Needle restaurant. (It moves 360 degrees so we actually got to see all of Seattle from up there!)
Another of our many views.
The Space Needle all lit up.
City park in Seattle.
Monday, April 28:
We walked around in downtown Seattle and then caught the train back to Seattle. We even went to a National Park that was inside of a building! We ate at a restaurant called Lucy's Table in Nob Hill (a neighborhood in Portland).
My parents checking out a totem pole in downtown Seattle.
Tuesday, April 29: I worked in the day and my parents did some shopping around Portland. We had dinner at a yummy pasta place in downtown.
Wednesday, April 30: Happy Birthday to me! I turned 24 today. I worked in the day and we had an ice cream party for the kids (and my birthday!) Rick and my parents took a 5-hour car ride through the Columbia Gorge and Mt. Hood area that they all seemed to enjoy. Then, we went out to eat for a fancy meal at Jake's Famous Crawfish (nationally ranked for seafood!) It was a really awesome meal and they even printed "Happy Birthday Erin!" in our menus!
Rick and I on my birthday.
Thursday, May 1: I worked in the day. And we went to Nob Hill for the best burgers in town.
Friday, May 2: We got up early, had brunch at Nob Hill and drove to the coast. We started across the Columbia River in Washington state and worked our way south down the coast stopping at all the various beaches. We had lunch in Astoria at a place called Clemente's and dinner in Seaside at an awesome seafood joint, Norma's, where Rick and I had been when Matt was in town.
The bridge across the Columbia River from Oregon to Washington.
Trail to the North Head Lighthouse.
My parents checking out the coast's edge.
My parents being goofy and dancing at the restaurant in Astoria.
Shipwreck Beach.
Haystack Rock. No we couldn't find the skeleton key. Look at all the people though, that is how huge it is.
Saturday, May 3: We got up late and had VooDoo Doghnuts for a late breakfast. We walked around the Saturday market until it started to rain. Rick and I had some errands to run that my parents joined us for and then we had some beers and some food at another in-town brewery called Rogue. We turned in early because we were all pretty beat.
Sunday, May 4: We had brunch at my friend Brandy's work called Beaterville (YUM!) and then Dad, Rick and I took a 2 hour boat ride on the Willamette Jet Boat Excursion. It was a beautiful day to be on the water, but I got a little bit too much sun! That night we went to eat at the Marina Fish House right on the bank of the Willamette and we went to a deli for cheesecake dessert.
Fat sea lion lounging.
Really cool houseboat neighborhood.
Willamette Falls.
My parents flew back to Richmond early Monday morning. But as you can see we had a BUSY week. It was SUCH A GREAT WEEK!
I am so blessed to have had such an amazing birthday week. Boy, am I glad that we are coming back to the east coast because it would have been really hard to say good-bye to my parents and have to wait another few months before I got to see them again.
Now I only have to wait a couple weeks!
We also are celebrating Rick's 28th birthday today! as well as sending all the mothers a
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
A special happy mother's day to my sister as this is her very first!
We will tentatively be leaving Portland on May 17th and we plan to take about 4 or 5 days to come back. (Can't you tell how anxious we are to be back on the East Coast!)
We love you all!
Love,
your blessed-and-soon-to-be-home richmonders.
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