Sunny and 22.

Based on the difference in weather between here and Winnipeg at this moment, I'd say we made a good choice in moving when we did. I love a good first snowfall - but not on October 2nd. The rain has stayed away around these parts, and I am so gosh darn thankful, I almost don't even know what to do. My serotonin-deficient brain is soaking up the rays. I need this now. September was a little rough.
I spent most of it digging around for whatever LPN jobs were posted, and right now there are really not many! I've gone to the point where I am applying at places like correctional facilities and have even entertained the idea of traveling four hours a day to the UBC campus for part time work. I.Have.To.Be.Patient. I finally received my LPN license in the mail in mid-August, and it is certainly not unheard of to go without work for the first a month or two! And yet my anxiety has been building, especially after contacting 8 or so managers in the area directly, and have most of them tell me that I just have to wait for postings (even for casual) on the health region website. Which there are none.
Even beyond that, Ty flew back to Manitoba at the end of August after his grandpa had passed away. It was a sad time for him and the rest of his family (and me as well - his grandpa became very special to me during our time out east), and just made the emotional side of our transition that much more difficult.
So yeah, September was a tough go. Near the end however, it occurred to Ty and myself that we will almost never again be in a position where we religiously watch the Price is Right together every morning, or take Hudson to every playground in the city, all as a little family. All of a sudden impatience and anxiety turned into something a little more positive. And then Ty got in touch with one of my close relatives who is a principal at a big high school in Abbotsford, and whim-bam-boom, he has an interview in a week or so for being able to sub in the Abbotsford school district! We have discovered that it is of utmost importance that you have someone to go to bat for you when looking for work in our fields.

Thus we are going in to October with different attitudes. We kicked it off by heading to Seattle for a couple of nights with Nadia. It was the perfect little break for us all, although it really wasn't nearly long enough! We took in some baseball, went to Pike Place market (including the world's first Starbucks, where I photobombed people in line while waiting for my Earl Grey latte), did some shopping, walked the streets for hours (probably the most beautiful, clean downtown area I have seen in awhile), went to the Woodlands Zoo, and ended off with a trip to a nearby cafe (Beth's Cafe, I think) that has been featured on the Food Network. Just previous to that, I had the opportunity to share a little of my story and experiences at a ladies ministry potluck at my home church, which I was nervous about doing - but it turned out to be a good experience (for me at least!).
Now we are looking to the weeks ahead, which will include Thankgiving this weekend (why oh why did I offer to do the turkey? I keep picturing the scene from "Christmas Vacation" when they slice into the turkey and it's so dry that it just all shrivels up and sticks to the ribcage), a trip to Bellingham to see Brian Regan (one of our fav comedians) the week after, Ty's interview, a 5km run for me (Dare to Care - it benefits mental health - I wanted to do a 10km run, but I need some physio on my knee before I take that on), and hopefully an interview or two for me!
I'm still sewing lots, and learning as I go (maybe a sewing post in the near future), and we are both still enjoying dually parenting Hudson, and watching him grow and change before our eyes.
Images from the last month or so:

Park time!

New haircut.

Busy building the new sandbox.

In Seattle!

First meal in Seattle - at a fantastic burger place discovered on our first of many walks around the streets

View from dowtown Seattle, right near Pike Place Market. We did end up going there, but it was just closing as we arrived. We still did a ton of exploring though.

Hudson chanting "Go Mariners go!"

Fans seated in the Felix Hernandez "King's Corner" section were given free turkey legs in between innings!



I spent alot of time with this little boy in the kids play area - but I caught some of the game too.

Pretty auntie Nadia. Hudson would never come to me if Nadia was around.

Woodlands Zoo - ridin' the hippo with daddy

Our only pic of Hudson with animals at the zoo. I have a few more of just animals, but then my camera went and died! Right before I took my usual picture in front of the flamingos for my niece Hailey. Dang!

And now we're heading into Thanksgiving weekend, and trust me, we have ALOT to be thankful for! Hope you have a fantastic weekend. Off to the apple barn for us!