Today I can't help but reflect on how the last year of our lives has gone. We have had so many adventures together and been through so much. But I think in the end, it has all been worth it. Here is a recap of what we have done with our lives this year.
The first part of the year started like any other. Jake and I both had jobs, although my job was not my dream job and I was constantly looking for something more. I was working in Pocatello, Idaho, mostly as a dental assistant, and occasionally as a dental hygienist at the same office, or temping wherever I could. I went on several interviews in Blackfoor and Pocatello, but nothing was panning out. But at least I had a steady dental assisting job, and I was grateful for that. During this time I was also searching for a job in Oregon. Jake encouraged me to do this, as Idaho has several dental hygiene schools producing new graduates every year and hygiene jobs are few and far between, especially if you wanted a full time job like I did. Then, in February, the call came that would ultimately change the course of our lives. I had applied for a full time job in Coos Bay, Oregon, and they wanted me to come out and do a working interview followed by a face to face formal interview. We arranged for the first week of March. The timing was perfect because Jake had just lost his job of almost five years, and I was stressed to the max because my dental assisting salary was not going to be enough to pay for our house and my student loans and other normal expenses. The timing was also good because then Jake could drive me to Oregon, which we found out, was a very LONG drive! A few weeks later I got another phone call: "When can you start?" and I told him I could start 9 days later, which meant me quitting my job the next week. Then I called Jake and said, "Honey....we're moving!" with tears streaming down my face.
So our new lives started at the end of March in Oregon. We are now over 800 miles from home. And due to mold issues, we have already moved once since we moved to Oregon. It took a while, but now Jake has a job here too, which is such a relief in this economy. In fact, he even got a raise after his 90 day initial working period! I am so proud of him for working so hard and sticking to his guns when it came time to ask for a raise. We are just trying to live day to day and pay down bills, just like every other American. Jake still travels to Idaho every 8-10 weeks for his braces, but hopefully he will be done with those in the next 6-8 months. His teeth are looking so good!! I have been back 3 times since we moved: once to take my friend back after she had to have emergency surgery after coming to visit me in Oregon, once as a surprise birthday present for my little sister's 16th birthday, and then most recently at Christmas. It was so good to see friends and family each time, and we are so lucky to have friends and family that have taken us in each time and given us a place to stay! We miss Idaho, but Oregon is our home for now, and very well may be for years to come. Do I sometimes still check Craigslist for dental hygiene jobs in southeast Idaho and Boise? Yes. Would I actually move back there? Probably not, because there aren't any full time jobs with benefits like the dream job I landed here in Oregon. We have truly been blessed this year. I can't wait to see what next year will bring to our little family! I have a feeling it will be a great year!
