Once upon a time, not so long ago...

...last weekend, in fact, The Hoffmans went on an innocent trip down to Arizona to visit family for a special weekend.

There was lots of playing with cousins:

There was a baptism (our oldest nephew, Parker. We're so proud of him!):

There were Easter festivities:







And lots of good family time, in general.

And then, in light of impending joblessness (that's a story for another post) and many non-productive job applications (50+), those Hoffmans decided to take the horse by the reins and stop in person at all the structural engineering firms on the way home to Utah.

Well, maybe all of the structural firms on the way home was a bit of an ambitious goal. :) But several of them, at least. On daddy's side, there was hand shaking, introducing, impromptu interviewing, chasing down employers in their cars in the parking lot, etc. You know, all the usual job hunting "stuff".

And mommy, Elena, and Lily did a lot of waiting. And some more waiting. Sprinkled with some exploring, airplane watching, and a little aimless driving to try and stay cool in our non-air conditioned car in the 90+ degree weather. It was an adventure all around.

Around the end of the workday Monday, we arrived at an office in Tempe. And mommy and Elena and Lily waited a little more.

But something felt different. Really calm and yet exciting. Peaceful, but all "lit up". Mommy knows now that was the Spirit whispering to her, as it does on occasion right before something really big is going to happen.

And then Daddy came back to the car and the Hoffmans stopped at another office, grabbed some dinner, and drove the rest of the way home to settle back into life as usual.

But then the next day, Daddy got an e-mail. It had an official job offer from that company in Tempe. Tempe, ARIZONA. And mommy felt all lit up and excited and knew it was right in spite of the fact that it was Arizona. :)

And now, to make a long story short (because we hardly have time to even breathe right now!). We are moving in a week (!!!!!) to start the next chapter of our lives in Arizona. In spite of my intense sadness to leave behind a place and people so dear to me, I just might be the happiest woman alive: Eric is graduating THIS week, we have a REAL job, and we're moving into a house (rented still, but a house! with a garage!), and Elena finishes up treatment in three months. Many more details will come later - and I'm sorry I'm not caught up with all of my dear friends and family - but in a few weeks, I'll be sitting all settled in with lots of time on my hands and be able to catch up with you all. Just wanted to share the latest!

(thanks to Christy for pictures #3, 4, 9, and 10 :))