The Interview

Well on Monday I had my interview with the State so I wanted to report that it went really well! I felt really confident after it was over and so I guess we'll just see. There were five total interviews and a few were already state employees so I'm afraid they'll have an advantage but that's OK - I'll just keep plugging away. The environment was ideal for me - actually kind of a "shop" office and I really do well in those kind of atmospheres. A decision should be made by the end of next week and this is probably just the start of many interviews!

Today the kids and I drove up to Oak Harbor and had a playdate with The Reeder's - friends from when Lyndon and I first met. Their daughter Kailee is 3 and son Mikey is 6 months and we really enjoyed our day.

With less than a week left before the kiddos and I head back to FL, I find myself panicking about how I'm going to fit everyone and everything in. Luckily we've had three weeks to really spend a lot of time with many good friends! It's just never long enough!! Next time we're back - it'll be for good!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I have an interview with the State of Washington down in Olympia. I'm so excited about it and although I know it's pretty early in terms of moving back here, I think it's great experience and potentially a good opportunity to sort of get my name in there. Wish me luck!

This weekend the parents, kids and I headed to Yakima for a quick overnight stay. It was beautiful. I LOVE Eastern WA and definitely could see our family moving there one day. It was upper 80's and dry of course. The wineries were a plenty as were the apple orchards. What more could one want??

Isaac's Baptism

We had Isaac baptized on July 6th. Our Uncle Richard performed the service after the regular 11am service at Bothell First Lutheran (where we were married). Just family and friends attended and it was really nice! His sponsors were our good friends Dave & Katie Carter and Lyndon's sister Lindsey who was unable to attend...

4th of July Pictures

Spent the day/weekend in Anacortes. Attended the Anacortes parade and annual Fisher/Altman/Putney party. Tim's fireworks show was amazing!

Life in the NW

We've been enjoying the last 12 days in Washington. We spent the weekend of the 4th in Anacortes with a group of our friends, then took a break in Edmonds with The Reed's for a couple of days before heading to Tacoma/Olympia to spend more time with friends. We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends in our lives that open their homes to us as we come by storm a couple times per year!

Lyndon flies home tomorrow and we can't believe how fast time flies! The kids and I still have a couple more weeks so I'm looking forward to a little bit of a slower pace and being able to see some more friends.

In other news, I've scored an interview at the State of Washington the week of the 21st so we'll see how that goes. I have a feeling they are going to want the position to be filled sooner then I can fill it but we will see!

Soon I'll be downloading some pictures so stay tuned!!!

Rock the Vote

Just checked another thing of the to-do list. Sent off my paperwork to register as a voter in the State of Florida. I definitely needed to do this - seeing as how this state can go either way. In WA and Maine, I felt like my vote never really mattered (as far as the Presidential election is concerned) because they're so blue - but I always voted anyway. Voting in Florida feels a little more empowering. . . .let's hope this state can count correctly this year!!!

So much to do - so little time!!

We are in the one week countdown for our trip to WA. We leave next Wednesday - in the afternoon. I'm starting to feel a little stressed.

Last week and this week, Sydney's been going to a place called "The Little Gym" for summer camp. She has really really been loving it and it's been great for her mobility, flexibility and just for her to wear off a little energy! Last week was Western Week and this week is Pirate Week. Lydia's there with her for Pirate week so that makes it even better!!

One thing that's been keeping me busy is I've started to apply for some jobs in Washington. Currently, our plan is for Lyndon to drive the kids and I out for Thanksgiving - then he would fly back alone. He would visit again for Christmas and then move home permanently in February when he separates from the Navy. However, things could change at any moment. We really want to get me and the kids out there ahead of time so I can establish employment, find somewhere for us to live and get the benefits kicked in so by the time he's out of the military, we're covered. We have some very good friends who work for the State of Washington and most of the jobs I've been looking at are down in Olympia. We've visited there a lot in the last few years and we really enjoy the area - so we're leaning towards moving in that direction. The hiring process can take some time so I'm feeling out the waters now. If something works out earlier than planned, our move could be bumped up. So that's a big topic of discussion in the Linville household!

Trying to figure out what to pack has been taking some thinking as well. Our airline allows one free bag per person but the rest we have to pay for. It's not too expensive - but still - we're trying to be smart about what to bring. With four of us and having to haul a car seat, it's a bit of stuff we have to bring!

I've been making extra time for double workouts as well these days. I've gotten into a great rhythm at the gym and I go daily at 9:15 and then Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 in the evening. I'm just still trying to work this baby weight off....plus some. Since February I've lost 25 pounds - but still have a chunk to lose!

So that's our life in a nutshell lately. We're so excited for our trip and to see as many friends and family as possible. Weekends always seem to go so quickly but weekdays look really wide open so hopefully we'll be able to fit some visits in there as well....

I'll try to post some pics. soon!!!