Another Chapter

After three days and 1500 miles we have reached our destination. We have moved in with Traci's parents for the time being in Prescott Valley AZ. The trip took a toll on our family, Penelope probably thought she was stuck in the car seat for the rest of her life, overall she slept but when awake very cranky. Pino drove the Budget truck with the Blazer on the trailer behind him, with a full load the hills really slowed the trip. We made the first day from Olympia (we spent the night with Pino's mom in Olympia) to southeast Oregon and stayed in the city of Baker City a very humble town. After six hours of sleep we headed out and made it to southern Utah to the town of Beaver and after about four to five hours of sleep there we continued on to our destination. We reached PV around 5 p.m. and we were able to take a deep breath. We've made the trip in 24 hours in the past without a child and trading off driving. If we every had to do it again we would fly Penelope and drive on our own, but it was a trip to remember.

We have been here for one week now, had a few days to unpack until Traci's older sister came to visit. Monday Traci traveled to Phoenix for orientation and now is working the local branch. Life seems to be a little slower here compared to our live in Tacoma. Commuting is down from 30-40 minutes, to 7-10 minutes, we no longer eat dinner at 8 p.m. we now eat around 5 p.m. PV is a smaller town where everything you need is here and if not you just need it, whereas in Tacoma we lived in Pierce County and commuted one county north for work and one county south for friends and family. It is just more "big city" in Washington and more small town in Arizona.

It will take some time to adjust but we know living here is in our family's best interest. God has watched over our family and answered our prayers. For some reading this we move away and for some we move closer we love you all and thank you for sticking with us through these times of change.

New Chapter in the book of Life

The baby is here, out wonderful little Penelope Rose Lira, she was born 5 pounds 0.6 ounces. Very small but big in spirit. She was two weeks early due to some high blood pressure, born on November 20th at 106 p.m. Penelope has been the light of our life, we could never imagine life without her. She is growing day by day so much we almost can't keep up. She is 11 weeks old today and such a little person of her own, with a great big personality. Gods gift from heaven.

Having Penelope here is great but we have had to tak

e some risks and the out come is good but challenging. We are moving to Prescott Valley, Arizona (one and a half hours north of Phoenix) which is Traci's home town. She has landed a job there with Chase Bank and we foresee a lot of opportunity with the company and the location as well. It is just to0 perfect (a blessing from god) for us to turn down. It does mean that we must quit our jobs in a down economy take the risk and hope for high reward, but with faith all will prevail. We also leave behind many fri

ends and family, which is probably the hardest thing deal with over all, but we will continue to update our blog and post lots of pictures.

We leave Monday the 9th with the truck packed and the road ahead of us. It will be an adventure and a growing experience, we look forward to sharing more as life rolls on.