Did You Know? **big news**

Did you know that Reno, Nevada is further from Las Vegas than Phoenix is? ...because I didn't.

Did you know that Reno gets more snow than Denver? ...because I didn't.

Did you know it's only a few hours from San Francisco and Wine Country? ...because I didn't.

Did you know it's less than an hour to Lake Tahoe? ...because I didn't.

Did you know Reno is at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains? ...because I didn't.

Why would I know this? I've never been.

When I heard that we might be moving to Reno a few months ago, I pictured myself in a desert town surrounded by junky casinos. I thought I was moving to the disgusting heat of Phoenix but without my friends there. NO THANKS.

I pictured this landscape:

and this:

Certainly not this:

Photo by: Rachid Dahnoun

or this:

Photo by: Scott McGuire

Turns out, there are junky casinos there but it's not in the desert. Also, you don't have to live near said junky casinos. M says it's like being in a bowl of mountains. He's been working there and here in Colorado for the past few months.

Well, folks, we're moving to Reno, Nevada.

Last month, Michael was offered a promotion with UOP and this week, after many back-and-forths and changes in original plans, he accepted that position. I'm so, so, so glad this travel schedule is almost over. It's been really hard for me and the girls. I'm not going to lie, mostly me.

We'll be there before the holidays which means that (lucky me) I get to start all over on the photography business and that is the reason that I've held off on publishing my website. The week I registered my business in Colorado, M got the call. I guess I should add that the week I quit my job, God provided this call. So I'm out my time and money to register here in Colorado and some other business expenses, but it's good for us in the long run. I feel like it was an exclamation point moment in my life, letting me know that I did the right thing; we made the right decision.

So now 5ive Photo will be operating out of Reno, NV. Hopefully, I'll be able to build a client base there with absolutely no leads going in. YIKES.

I am praying that we find an awesome church (though I think I'll watch Flatirons services forever) and a great Christian school there for us and for the girls. I'm going to need the support. The only thing I'm really worried about is the loneliness factor. Since mom died, I've been feeling very alone in this world. I mean, if M died at this point, I would literally have no family to rely on (I'm a bit paranoid about the people I love dying now). It would just be up to me to figure it out with 3 young girls and no job. I do have my friend, Kelly, here in Colorado though. She keeps me feeling connected much of the time. I consider her family. In Reno, I know no one. I am in a completely new place. It's going to be tough I think. I'm going to have to figure that out.

I'm very sad to leave Colorado and we have plans to get back here after our 2 years are up in Reno...God willing. I want to raise the girls in Colorado and I want them to go to the Christian School we had picked out for them here.

Please pray for us. Pray that God will open doors in Colorado again.