This Saturday, June 3rd, we'll be loading our moving trucks starting at 9:00 a.m. I'm just posting this because some of you have asked about how and when to help us! We should have most everything boxed or taken apart and ready to load by then. We'll also finish any other loading on Sunday afternoon.
On the Portland end, we'll probably be unloading on Friday, June 9 and on Saturday afternoon, June 10 (after the Rose Parade!). Not sure where everything goes there, but most will be into storage somewhere.
We'll be living with Troy & Shauna Wagner in Portland (Shauna is Lani's sister). Here is our contact information there:
Dan & Lani Dalzell
5209 S.E. Stark St.
Portland, OR 97215
503-235-7551
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Gettin' bigger, gettin' ready
We're all busy here (well, at least Lani & I!) packing up things and getting ready for our move. All the pictures and other wall things are down and there are boxes everywhere! It's quite obvious now that we really are going to move. Soon! Lani decided we should go ahead and pack up our dishes and just use paper plates and plastic cups for the next week, so even our cupboards are getting emptied.
For years we've had a chart taped up on which to mark the ever-increasing height of our kids. It's always fun to see who has grown the most since the last measurement! A few months ago it started coming untaped from the wall and so I just rolled it up and set it aside for awhile. Yesterday, as we were packing things I decided we better have one final measurement here in Texas (you know, everything's bigger here!). And the results are:
Hannah - 5' 7 3/4" (she grew 1/4" since last Nov.)
Micah - 6' 0" (actually about a millimeter short, but he'll be there next week! 2" inches growth since Nov.)
Caleb - 5' 2" (about 1 1/2" since Nov.)
Levi - 4' 6" (and 2" more than Nov.)
Lani, who assisted with the measuring, says that I better watch out because the boys may all pass me up some day! Micah already wears size 14 shoes -- two sizes bigger than mine. Whew!
For years we've had a chart taped up on which to mark the ever-increasing height of our kids. It's always fun to see who has grown the most since the last measurement! A few months ago it started coming untaped from the wall and so I just rolled it up and set it aside for awhile. Yesterday, as we were packing things I decided we better have one final measurement here in Texas (you know, everything's bigger here!). And the results are:
Hannah - 5' 7 3/4" (she grew 1/4" since last Nov.)
Micah - 6' 0" (actually about a millimeter short, but he'll be there next week! 2" inches growth since Nov.)
Caleb - 5' 2" (about 1 1/2" since Nov.)
Levi - 4' 6" (and 2" more than Nov.)
Lani, who assisted with the measuring, says that I better watch out because the boys may all pass me up some day! Micah already wears size 14 shoes -- two sizes bigger than mine. Whew!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Big Job News
Yesterday I found out that I got the elementary music job in Portland (at Hollydale Elem. in the Gresham-Barlow District). The principal called to let me know and now it's just a matter of doing all the paperwork with her district's HR dept. and getting my Oregon certification taken care of.
Here's their website: http://hollydale.gresham.k12.or.us/
I feel very blessed! Our house sold on Monday and I got a job on Wednesday. It seems obvious to Lani and I that God is blessing us as we go down this pathway. I look back and see that I applied for about a dozen different worship leading jobs over the last year and yet none of those worked out. Now, the first people that looked at our house after we listed with a realtor bought it. And the only music job in the Portland area that I applied for, I got (there were some others in more remote parts of the state that I started the process for). I still would love to be involved in worship ministry and will prayerfully see what opportunities God puts before me as a volunteer.
Keep praying for Lani to find a job and for all the details of our move. Thanks!
Here's their website: http://hollydale.gresham.k12.or.us/
I feel very blessed! Our house sold on Monday and I got a job on Wednesday. It seems obvious to Lani and I that God is blessing us as we go down this pathway. I look back and see that I applied for about a dozen different worship leading jobs over the last year and yet none of those worked out. Now, the first people that looked at our house after we listed with a realtor bought it. And the only music job in the Portland area that I applied for, I got (there were some others in more remote parts of the state that I started the process for). I still would love to be involved in worship ministry and will prayerfully see what opportunities God puts before me as a volunteer.
Keep praying for Lani to find a job and for all the details of our move. Thanks!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Breaking news on our house sale
Tonight we signed a contract on our house! We're praising the Lord and so thankful to have this step accomplished!
Two weeks from today we start our move back to Portland (we'll be in Abilene for our first night of the the four-day moving trip).
Thanks for all your prayers!
Two weeks from today we start our move back to Portland (we'll be in Abilene for our first night of the the four-day moving trip).
Thanks for all your prayers!
Friday, May 19, 2006
Latest Moving Plans
We've set our moving plans now:
Means:
Two Penske diesel trucks (one 26' and one 16')
One car carrier/trailer for our Camry
Dates:
We'll be picking up the trucks on June 1 or 2
Loading will commence on June 3 & 4 (nearby helpers welcome!)
June 5 - Tomball to Abilene (staying with relatives)
June 6 - Abilene to Cortez, CO
June 7 - Cortez to Boise (staying with my parents)
June 8 - Boise to Portland (moving in with Troy & Shauna Wagner)
June 9 - Unloading trucks into some temporary storage (Portland helpers welcome!)
(June 10 - Going to Portland's Rose Parade)
We're still working on arrangements for an additional truck driver (Troy is coming down to drive out/up with us). Anyone got a deep urge to see lots of the Western U.S. from the comfy, air-conditioned cab of a Penske truck?
In other news:
I had a conference call interview for a music job at Hollydale Elementary in Gresham, OR. Seemed like all went well and they will decide within a week's time.
Lani is still applying for all kinds of elementary classroom openings, but hasn't been interviewed yet.
Thanks, friends & family, for your encouraging words and prayer support. God is good all the time!
Means:
Two Penske diesel trucks (one 26' and one 16')
One car carrier/trailer for our Camry
Dates:
We'll be picking up the trucks on June 1 or 2
Loading will commence on June 3 & 4 (nearby helpers welcome!)
June 5 - Tomball to Abilene (staying with relatives)
June 6 - Abilene to Cortez, CO
June 7 - Cortez to Boise (staying with my parents)
June 8 - Boise to Portland (moving in with Troy & Shauna Wagner)
June 9 - Unloading trucks into some temporary storage (Portland helpers welcome!)
(June 10 - Going to Portland's Rose Parade)
We're still working on arrangements for an additional truck driver (Troy is coming down to drive out/up with us). Anyone got a deep urge to see lots of the Western U.S. from the comfy, air-conditioned cab of a Penske truck?
In other news:
I had a conference call interview for a music job at Hollydale Elementary in Gresham, OR. Seemed like all went well and they will decide within a week's time.
Lani is still applying for all kinds of elementary classroom openings, but hasn't been interviewed yet.
Thanks, friends & family, for your encouraging words and prayer support. God is good all the time!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Movin' on
Well, I've continued to sub every day. Yesterday 8th grade Eng./L.A.; it went great! Today, Boys' Middle School PE; it was fun! Who knows what'll be up tomorrow?
I got a call today about doing a phone interview for a music job at Hollydale Elementary in Gresham, OR. I had a really nice, positive, comfortable chat with the principal there (who it turns out, had a daughter in my middle school choir a few years back!). She even said she'd put in a good word for some jobs for Lani too. Thank you, God, for this bit of encouragement today.
We decided we need to go ahead and list our house with a realtor, so we met with one tonight and worked out all the details. His signs and everything will go up tomorrow. Interestingly, after I'd called him and set up an appointment, we got a call from someone who scheduled to see our house on Friday and would be a cash buyer(!). So, who knows what'll happen. Hopefully, something soon!!!
Once we have a signed contract, then we'll be able to start packing some things. We're looking at moving on or about June 5 (arriving in Portland on June 9 or so). It seems so close to that time to still be looking for a buyer. We could go ahead and move without the house sold, but it won't sell as well being empty. Still, every time someone looks at our house I'm thinking. . . we just need one buyer! Actually, I've been praying for this house to bless a family with kids (with the pool and close-to-schools location and all).
So, there's a little update our our life!
I got a call today about doing a phone interview for a music job at Hollydale Elementary in Gresham, OR. I had a really nice, positive, comfortable chat with the principal there (who it turns out, had a daughter in my middle school choir a few years back!). She even said she'd put in a good word for some jobs for Lani too. Thank you, God, for this bit of encouragement today.
We decided we need to go ahead and list our house with a realtor, so we met with one tonight and worked out all the details. His signs and everything will go up tomorrow. Interestingly, after I'd called him and set up an appointment, we got a call from someone who scheduled to see our house on Friday and would be a cash buyer(!). So, who knows what'll happen. Hopefully, something soon!!!
Once we have a signed contract, then we'll be able to start packing some things. We're looking at moving on or about June 5 (arriving in Portland on June 9 or so). It seems so close to that time to still be looking for a buyer. We could go ahead and move without the house sold, but it won't sell as well being empty. Still, every time someone looks at our house I'm thinking. . . we just need one buyer! Actually, I've been praying for this house to bless a family with kids (with the pool and close-to-schools location and all).
So, there's a little update our our life!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Patience (It's hard to wait!)
We're waiting. . . Every day we're waiting for something to happen, for an offer to come on our house, for a job, for some direction about how to proceed. And it's hard to wait! Anxious moments creep into quiet times. It seems like something is always occupying a portion of my energy and mind; it's like a part of me that is on hold and just ready for the go-ahead about our next steps in life.
I didn't get the worship leading job in Tulsa. And that's fine. I like getting clear answers like this, because then I can go on to the next thing. I thought I had a great experience with the folks there, but I trust that there are some good reasons why that wasn't the place for us. What that means now is that we're going ahead full steam with applying for teaching jobs back in Oregon. And we're setting our plans to move there in early June.
Now to sell this house! That's probably our biggest bump in the immediate road. We've put in a good effort at selling it ourselves, shown it alot, and had two quite low offers which we didn't accept. I guess we're ready to turn to a realtor (though I hate to pay that commission). It'll be interesting to see where a realtor will recommend we price it at.
I'm subbing every day. This week H.S. drama (two days), M.S. language arts, 5th grade, and H.S. science (tomorrow). At least every day is something new!
Hannah sang at an end-of-the-year recital tonight at her school. She sang very well (although she was a little bit nervous). With a little more confidence, she's going to be a fine soloist. We'll have to find her a new voice teacher when we get to Portland.
I didn't get the worship leading job in Tulsa. And that's fine. I like getting clear answers like this, because then I can go on to the next thing. I thought I had a great experience with the folks there, but I trust that there are some good reasons why that wasn't the place for us. What that means now is that we're going ahead full steam with applying for teaching jobs back in Oregon. And we're setting our plans to move there in early June.
Now to sell this house! That's probably our biggest bump in the immediate road. We've put in a good effort at selling it ourselves, shown it alot, and had two quite low offers which we didn't accept. I guess we're ready to turn to a realtor (though I hate to pay that commission). It'll be interesting to see where a realtor will recommend we price it at.
I'm subbing every day. This week H.S. drama (two days), M.S. language arts, 5th grade, and H.S. science (tomorrow). At least every day is something new!
Hannah sang at an end-of-the-year recital tonight at her school. She sang very well (although she was a little bit nervous). With a little more confidence, she's going to be a fine soloist. We'll have to find her a new voice teacher when we get to Portland.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
May 7
Well, one month from today would be our anticipated day to start the move back to Portland, that is, if we don't make a move to Tulsa. Strange how things are that near, but still unknown!
Today we had another open house -- only one couple visited, but then they called back later and said they were going to see their banker tomorrow and would like to make an offer later in the day if everything works out. We're cautiously, but optimistically waiting to see if this all works out. The potential buyers are an older couple who love the one-story floor plan and the large covered patio. On the other hand, they have no interest in the pool and asked if we'd take it out (if they give us a decent offer, yes!). So, tomorrow at this time I may be calling friends and saying, "Would you like a free pool? Just come give me a hand in taking it down and it's yours!"
Today was kind of odd for me at church. Lani sang on the praise team and I sat with our kids (and only went to first service, in order to get back home to get ready for the open house). It's a little bit of a challenge for me to not get in a critique mode during worship, when I really just want to be a worshipper. The new leader is a fine guy and a dynamic leader, but of course, I'd do some things differently and so there I sit trying to worship and trying not to be distracted with thoughts of how he's doing as a leader, what I'd do differently, etc. I guess I've got some more character development to work on!
The next two days I'm subbing for H.S. drama. That should be fun, challenging, & interesting.
Today we had another open house -- only one couple visited, but then they called back later and said they were going to see their banker tomorrow and would like to make an offer later in the day if everything works out. We're cautiously, but optimistically waiting to see if this all works out. The potential buyers are an older couple who love the one-story floor plan and the large covered patio. On the other hand, they have no interest in the pool and asked if we'd take it out (if they give us a decent offer, yes!). So, tomorrow at this time I may be calling friends and saying, "Would you like a free pool? Just come give me a hand in taking it down and it's yours!"
Today was kind of odd for me at church. Lani sang on the praise team and I sat with our kids (and only went to first service, in order to get back home to get ready for the open house). It's a little bit of a challenge for me to not get in a critique mode during worship, when I really just want to be a worshipper. The new leader is a fine guy and a dynamic leader, but of course, I'd do some things differently and so there I sit trying to worship and trying not to be distracted with thoughts of how he's doing as a leader, what I'd do differently, etc. I guess I've got some more character development to work on!
The next two days I'm subbing for H.S. drama. That should be fun, challenging, & interesting.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Busy, but no BIG news
If you read my blog to see what's happening with us, then you've probably wondered why I'm not posting very often. I'm just busy!
I've now started subbing every day, since my stint at Spring Woodlands is over. This week it's been:
M - alternative H.S. computers
T - M.S. band
W - half-day Elem. PE
TH - H.S. mixed assignment covering teachers conferencing w/parents
F - (tomorrow) back to the alternative H.S., this time in English/Lang. Arts
No new house-selling news. Lots of interested folks, but no real offers.
No new job news. Still waiting to hear back from Memorial Drive C of C in Tulsa. In the meantime, Lani & I are both filling out several applications for teaching jobs back in Oregon.
That's a quick update!
I've now started subbing every day, since my stint at Spring Woodlands is over. This week it's been:
M - alternative H.S. computers
T - M.S. band
W - half-day Elem. PE
TH - H.S. mixed assignment covering teachers conferencing w/parents
F - (tomorrow) back to the alternative H.S., this time in English/Lang. Arts
No new house-selling news. Lots of interested folks, but no real offers.
No new job news. Still waiting to hear back from Memorial Drive C of C in Tulsa. In the meantime, Lani & I are both filling out several applications for teaching jobs back in Oregon.
That's a quick update!
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