Treasure Valley: We are released!

We managed the last days in the office and the last packing up; yesterday (Saturday) was long and hard but we survived. I posted on Facebook that the missionaries helped us immensely, but we still didn't leave Eugene until after 3 and got home just before 5. With Melrose ward elders managed to get all unloaded - into basement, motor home, and storage unit, then went to dinner at Lee's chinese - a very appreciated dinner since we had not had food since early morning:). Having the leftovers tonight (Sunday).

Went to church today and got lots of hugs and welcome backs - altho everyone was not sure if we were just visiting or really coming back. Had to explain that we were really back, but that we were leaving for the next 3 weeks to visit our beloved children and grandchildren:). It was fun to see a "welcome home" sign posted by the Wimbers (the family living here while we were gone) and of course Koda is immensely enjoying our return:). Things look pretty discouraging downstairs - lots of boxes to go through but most will wait until our return from traveling. I'm just hoping I will be able to find what I should take with us on our travels:). Lenore Hansen said to not worry about it - just buy what we need as we need it. Not sure my budget will let me do that - and the last thing I want to do right now is accumulate more STUFF if I can do without it:)!

We had our interview with our stake president, President Hopkins, and visited with him quite awhile. He is working hard to encourage seniors to go on missions (this stake has 12 senior couples out now) and asked me to speak in stake conference when we return on that subject - so that will be fun. Dad is out right now working on the Prius and motor home trying to make sure everything connects properly for when we leave. He has Jim Rogers working on the motor home tomorrow - fixing the airconditioner (automotive one), even tho I said I could do without that and really would rather have it here to work on planning and stocking it for our trip. Ah well - I lost that one.

I actually am very tired, so this is all I will put here for this final mission blog...but I will add the pictures I put on Facebook and maybe can get the comments with them here. Love to all of you and thank you for calling and giving your support this past week - I really appreciated it:)!

Oops - here is our tentative (in pencil) schedule:

3/19 - leave for Medford, attend temple, visit with the Wels - who served in the mission office

3/20 - leave for Carlsbad, to visit with Emily & Adam and family; Dad has a space reserved at an Oceanside RV park. Em's birthday is 3/22 so am excited to be there for that!

3/31 - leave for Las Vegas, visit with Terrys who served in the mission office and maybe attend the temple

4/2 - leave for St. George, visit with Barbara Lewis, whom we know from the Melrose ward but now lives there. Hopefully attend the temple:)

4/4 - leave for Payson, visit with Sara and family and hopefully Mary. Tend to some Freedom property needs. Sara's birthday is 4/7 so we're excited to be there for that:)

4/14 - head back to Roseburg. Spend the next 5 weeks or so working on our mess:)!

Late May hope to visit Wyoming for Michael Bullinger's graduation and possible mission departure(?)

Return to SLC and catch a plane for Atlanta and hopefully be there for their new baby's blessing and a visit in their home.

Home again - and here it gets a little more nebulous depending upon what is happening with our neighbor, whether his house is sold and he is buying his one or not...

July 10-13 - all Oliphant kids (& families if desired) are invited " home" for possible last visit (depending on above) and to enjoy graffiti weekend

Following that we travel to Utah to stay with Sara & children while Patrick is gone for National Guard training. That may adjust to August if we are trying to clear the house because it is sold...

December - a family reunion in Texas between Christmas and New Year's???

The biggest thing to remember about all of this is that it is written in PENCIL; ALL IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE, so be sure to stay in touch to find out what is actually happening next:)!!!

I will close with the pictures I put on Facebook...