Oh! The Places You'll Go....

"Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You’re off to Great Places!

You’re off and away!"

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There is a Dr. Seuss book, "Oh! the Places You'll Go," and I read it along time ago. Probably on the last day of a school year or something like that. Anyway, as I sat down to write this blogpost, I immediately thought of this book as the inspiration. 

In honor of this book, I would like to use this (very long) blogpost to describe Oh! the places we've gone, the people we've said goodbye to and the newness that God has blessed us with. 

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 Saturday, June 4th, marked the last gig off JJ's Houston career. This night was very anticipated with both excitement and sadness. JJ and the trio played this Char House gig for almost a year and it was always so much fun, a place for the band to let loose and for friends to come together. This night in particular, though, I was holding my breathe the whole time and not wanting to say final goodbyes. Below is the journey of that night in pictures. 

 Dana and myself starting the night off with excitement:)

Sweet man

 My Kelly

 The Char House gang who were AMAZING to all of us!

 My friend and former boss, Mandi, and her hubby Greg

BFFE

 Bella <3

 Word

 MsO's

(members only)

 Cake balls!

The final night fans!

Tyson

Dan

A great way to end the slide show:)

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June 5th is the day that we began our journey to the West Coast. It was a hectic day, to say the least. In honor of our departure, a Texas storm blew in just as we were finished with the final load into the UHaul. 

The little UHaul that could....

"Adios, Tejas!"

Somewhere in New Mexico

"California, here we come!"

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We weren't in California for a week before we found our new apartment. It is about 3 minutes, if that, from my job and is within walking distance from Trader Joe's, Edwards Cinema, Native Foods (a vegan restaurant that I love) and lots of cute boutiques and other stores. The property used to be condos and they renovated them and turned them into apartments. However, their layout is very private and individual which I loved. In fact, I loved this place so much that I leased it while JJ was detained and couldn't come and see it. Fortunately, I got his permission to make the decision and he was not disappointed! Since then, we have just been buying furniture, our latest purchases being a front load washer and dryer, a stainless steel fridge, a sectional and a king-size bed! As many of you know, we sold/gave away all of our stuff so we had to start from scratch. It has been fun:) I will post pics once we get moved in and I can start the decorating.

Here are some pics of our new town and county:)

 Peaceful Aliso Viejo

Laguna Beach 

(takes about 10 minute to get here)

 The view on our roads

The town center right near our place

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We have been so happy living here in the short 3 weeks that we have called California "home." I have been loving my job, JJ is enjoying getting to practice and write while he waits to begin his record in July. While there have been challenges, tears of sadness, comfort zone adjustment and fear we know we are being obedient. I have been blessed with a husband whose faith and certainty can trump mine from time to time and he is always there to remind me that as long as we keep our eyes on God, all other things will fall into place. I am reminded of my past blog post when I talked about Peter. The second he took his eyes off his Father, his stability was compromised; I need not forget this. JJ has been a champion during this time, helping me when I have felt nervous about my new job or about what is next to come with finances, new friends, etc. He has offered gifts to me that money can't buy and, as always, those gifts are centered on Christ. I am thankful for this move and the sweetness it has given to us as we grow in our marriage, in our faith and as individuals.

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"So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!"

<3,

Jess