Amtrak

Even though we still have another 13 hour train ride back to California, we thought we'd post the pictures of the 13 hour train ride coming to Oregon! All in all, it was a fun experience. Sleeping was a bit difficult, but we survived. Vicodin helped me. :)





Here's just one of the beautiful sights as we rode through Oregon. Jason really loved the mountains.








These were the seats next to us (just to give you an idea of what coach looks like and how we traveled!)








This is the observation car. I'm walking down the isle headed back to our booth we sat at.








As we were sitting in the observation car, the voice over the loudspeaker came on and said, "If any passenger has a Leatherman, could you please come to the last car, #..." Jason's face lit up and off he went. He saved the lives of over 50 passengers by helping open a door that got stuck between cars. Needless to say, he was very proud to live the Scout motto of, "Be Prepared."







We're only about 3 hours away from Portland at this point! YAY! This is still in the observation car.









This is Sarah. We met her in the observation car, and spent 3 hours just talking, joking, and then played a game of 10,000 with her! She's holding a See's sucker that she won from answering a trivia question that the Diner Car lady was asking over the speakers.









Sarah took this picture for us. After traveling for 13 hours and not being able to shower, you start to feel kind of gross. But we're still happy to be together and riding the train!!!









We finally made it! Time for a shower...

Relaxing

So here we are just relaxing after church on Sunday. Not much of a post, but hey - it gave me something to do! Oh, and the bruise was from me hitting the edge of the car door while trying to close it with my leg. No bueno.

Babysitting and Gingerbread Houses

This last Saturday with babysat the Southam boys again! We had a lot of fun making gingerbread houses while the littlest one was taking a nap. Here are some pictures!





Mixing the icing for the houses!














Jason and Ryan frosting Ryan's house.




Aidan and Dallen with their gingerbread house!















The icing was kind of difficult to apply, so Jason and I helped with that...








The completed project! Ryan couldn't stop eating the icing.














Aidan and me with the other completed house.

Exciting News!

While Jason and I were looking into the different options he has to take a Physiology class, we received a tender mercy from above. You see, he has to complete and Anatomy and Physiology class before he can get in to the Paramedic Program. We were looking into doing open enrollment through Chico State ($1000 - last resort!!), possibly getting added into a full class at Butte College (but the waiting list was full too, so the chances were extremely slim), or taking an Anatomy and Physiology class through NCTI (the same place Jason took his EMT courses). The class at NCTI would only be on Wednesday's, and about a month long ($300+). So once I found this course, I was really excited. He would be done with the classes in time for the Paramedic Program! So we called Butte College and talked with the Paramedic Program's Admissions lady to ask if they would except the classes from NCTI. NO - they would not. Our hearts saddened... but alas - she then asked what classes Jason had taken from BYU-Idaho for Anatomy and Physiology, and she said that those would work!!! Because it's just a technical program and not a degree, they accept a minimum of 4 credits in Anatomy and Physiology to the program. THAT MEANS JASON DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE THOSE CLASSES BEFORE HE CAN APPLY. HE'S APPLYING NOW!!! YAYAYAY!!!! The program takes place this fall, and if there are more qualified applicants than spaces available, they will do a lottery. We don't usually gamble, but this lottery is a must! PLEASE KEEP HIM IN YOUR PRAYERS!!!! Thank you to all of you for your continued love and support. We'll keep you posted!!!