Officially 6 months have gone by since we moved halfway across the country. It has gone by so fast, seems like just yesterday we were packing up our moving truck and starting our adventure to California!

Jake and I have been having such a great time and have really enjoyed “Jake and Lindsey” time – and “Bela” time! It has been great getting to spend so much time together and it just being “us!”

Jake has decided to put graduate school on hold and use his Psychology degree to the max – grad school is expensive! Jake is working at a local coffee shop for now, perfect as he loves coffee!

We have had some of our good friends from Des Moines come out and visit, it is always nice to have a little bit of home in a new place! We have had a lot of fun showing them our little town and of course all the great things around it!

We are planning on staying in South Pasadena for the holidays, as I have to work both Thanksgiving and Christmas – joys of nursing! :o) We will definitely miss our families, but are excited to have a California Holiday season together!

Miss you all and love you! More to come…

California Life!

Well we have been living in California for 3 months now! The last 3 months have flown by and we have been enjoying lots of new things! We are settling in and it is starting to feel a little more like home.

I am working night shift, which has been an adjustment. I really like the actual shift; but it is very different! My co-workers are great and are so helpful, it finally feels like I am fitting in with the team and not just the new girl any more :o) I am planning to take my Nurse Practitioner boards this fall and then will probably be looking for an NP job, yeah!

We were able to take a trip up to Sacramento to visit family, which was so great! We were also able to make a quick stop in San Francisco on the way home, which is always fun! Can never go wrong with eating crab and clam chowder on the ocean! :o)

Jake and I have both been training for races! Jake joined that Pasadena Triathlon Club, which he loves as he gets to meet other tri athletes in the area and find new places to train. I am training for the LA Rock and Roll ½ Marathon in October, my good friend Keri is coming to run it with me, and also my cousin Mariah is coming out to run it too! So excited to run it, but more excited to get to spend time with friends and family!

Jake and I have been enjoying spending time in our little South Pasadena! Our favorite days are sitting outside on our porch drinking coffee and having the day together! We have really enjoyed spending time together and experiencing a new place! We are currently still looking for a church - we still have not found one that fits yet, I’m sure we will though!

We have had a lot of fun making little additions to our little home! We potted some flowers for the first time, hoping we can keep them alive! We do miss Iowa, but loving California life and are excited for what is ahead!

California Life!

California Life!

San Clemente Beach


Runyon Canyon in Hollywood

Well Jake and I have now been living in Southern California for a total of 3 weeks! We are having a lot of fun experiencing a new city and having fun! We love trying new restaurants and have found a few that are already our favorites! Our little town of South Pasadena is so full of character, we call it our little "Mayberry!" We take lots of walks and are enjoying being together and of course with Little Bug :o)

The beach is one of our favorite places! Our goal is to try and make it to all the main beaches in Southern CA, we have made it to 3 so far!

Jake has been finishing an on-line class since we have been here and is finished in 2 weeks! Then he begins school at Pasadena City College! Sounds like fun! :o)

My first day of orientation for my new job started yesterday, I have orientation all week and then actually start on the floor on Monday, I am working on a surgical unit. I am not used to working everyday, so I will be happy when orientation is over and I go back to 3 days a week - a wonderful perk of nursing! I have met some new people in orientation and am feeling a little more comfortable at Huntington Hospital and am excited to get started!

We will definitely keep you posted about our adventure - more to come!

California Bug

Well our little bug - Bela is starting to like it here in South Pasadena! Her favorite spot to sit is in our doorway so she can sunbathe :o)

Everywhere we go Bela gets so much attention for being so cute! They love her here!

Our little apartment has finally started to feel like home, as we finally unpacked the last box. We have had a great week finding new places for our things and buying a couple new items!

We love that we can walk almost anywhere! We have been taking Bela for a walk every morning to get coffee, she is loving it! We have already found some really great places to eat that are close by and have met a lot of our neighbors. Everyone we have met has been so nice and very welcoming - as we are the newbies!

Today Jake and I ventured into downtown LA to watch the Tour of California, it was fun making our way! We decided to take public transportation, and learned that sometimes in LA it is just better to drive! :o)

Overall we have had a great first week in our new home and are excited for what is ahead, stay tuned - more to come!

Finally! :o)

Well we are officially living in South Pasadena, CA! :o) We arrived on Saturday and have been moving in ever since - did not remember it taking this long the last 2 times, but maybe it is because it is just Jake and I. It's kinda hard moving with only 2 people - but we did it!! :o) We rented a truck and pulled our little Jetta behind us the whole way! I think we hit every type of weather, even ice and snow! It only took us 36 hours - Jake drove 30 and I drove 6, lol!! Thanks goodness Jake is a great driver and I am a good navigator!! We make a good team! :o) We have a huge couch and I was not sure how Jake and I were going to manage that up a flight of stairs and through a window, but our landlord - Lisa helped us thank God!

We are still getting adjusted to a new city and new home, we do love the weather!! :o) I start work in 2 weeks and Jake starts school next month! We are excited to start a new life and see what great adventures we will have! We miss Des Moines and all our friends and family!! We will be back soon!! I will post pictures of our new place once we get everything organized!! Love you all!

Goodbye Des Moines

Well today is Jake and I's last night in Des Moines, we are moving to South Pasadena, CA and we leave tomorrow! We have loved living in Des Moines and will miss it, but are so excited for a change! We are stopping in Denver to stay with friends and also in Barstow, CA. We move into our new apartment at noon on Saturday!!! Pray for safe travels as Jake and I are the movers!! We are driving a big truck and pulling our car behind - more prayers for me please :o) Stay posted for updates of our big move!!

We are moving!

Well California here we come! :o) We are finally moving! All the pieces have come together in the last couple weeks and we will be moving to South Pasadena, CA on May 13. Jake and I had become a little stressed out about our situation, but God has answered our prayers and all has worked out and we are ready to go!

I have quit my job at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines, IA (I have worked there for 6 years) and have accepted a new position at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, CA. This is such a blessing and an answer to prayer! I thank my dad as he insited that I fly out there for my interview! He also came with, which was treat! A little dad and daughter time! :o)

We found a beautiful place to live in South Pasadena, in a cute little neighborhood! We are able to walk a lot of places and it is only 2 miles from the hospital!

Jake has been accepted to the college in Pasadena and is going to be going back to school to get his nursing degree! :o)

It is so amazing when you stop worring and just pray, things seem to happen!! We are so thankful for everything God has given us and the opportunity he has given us in California! We are also so thankful to our friends and family that have supported us through all of this!

Stay posted, more to come!! :o)

RENTED!

Very exciting news, we have officially rented our loft! :o) Rental Agreement has been signed and move in date scheduled - a little sooner than we expected, we move out on Saturday! We have lived in our little loft for 4 years and love it and love living in the East Village! We will miss our home, but I guess we are on to bigger and better things!

For Rent

Jake and I have officially put our loft up for rent! Very scary, but exciting! Please pray that we get a great renter that will take good care of our place, we love it! and of course pay rent! :o) California here we come!!

Hello!

Hello all! I have decided to start a blog! Jake and I wanted a place to stay connected with everyone and share important things in our lives with all of you! Stay tuned for more to come! :o)

the kids!

Zoe and Bela - our little loves!