Getting Settled

So it has been officially one month out here in Washington, and we finally feel like we are settled in. We miss everyone back in Minnesota like crazy, but we are truly thankful to be here. Trinity in Lynnwood has been incredibly welcoming to us and they're doing a great job helping us fit in. At this point in the game, both of us are starting to get in a routine. Bobbie Jo started work at the coffee shop across the street and she loves it. Things for me are also starting to pick up, but it has been absolutely great so far.

While we do miss Minnesota and our family and friends, I wouldn't say that we are homesick because, really, we now feel at home and settled into our own place.

The following is a photo journal, showing examples of how we are settled in:







This is the area I like to call the Man Cave. Last week Bobbie Jo and I went to a thrift store and found this awesome TV for $25.00. There was also a really comfy armchair so this naturally makes a great location for watching TV, movies, and Xbox.

There is also a wireless internet router attached to our cable so I am able to check fantasy football stats and scores on my Mac while I watch football on our new TV. It is very convenient.


Another bonus of the new TV located in the Man Cave is that it includes a built-in headphone jack. Bobbie Jo is a early morning/early to bed person while I enjoy being a night owl and sleeping in. When Bobbie Jo goes to bed at 8:30 PM, which she sometimes does, I can play Madden on my Xbox with headphones so it doesn't wake her up. (See picture)







Another sign of our settled-in state is our refrigerator. As you can see from the outside, we have many important dates, cell phone numbers, and grocery lists stuck on it. There are also several magnets of the places we have visited in the past few months including a magnet of Old Faithful that we bought in Yellowstone and a magnet of the Seattle skyline that I bought our first week out here.

The inside of the fridge also shows a lived-in state. You may notice a few pieces of tupperware holding left-overs. On your right you may see some bottles of ketchup, mustard, and mayo that have been used. You may also see a six pack of beer that is used Sundays after work while Derek and Bobbie Jo watch TV on the couch in the Man Cave (see above).



While it is true that I have the man cave, it must be noted that Bobbie Jo has two closets: one for her clothes and one for shoes. She wouldn't let me post the closet full of her clothes, but here is the shoe closet:













We love our house and we love all of the amazing new people we have met. I think that it's going to be a quick year because we are having so much fun.

Derek & Bobbie Jo