Soon after the reunion, Claigh got a call from Steve asking if the Stalcup Family could live with us for a while as they wanted to move to Idaho. Ohio was a bit too far away for the job hunt process and he felt it was time to move west. The Stalcups know how to do things up in a hurry and by the end of August they were here with one week to spare before the kids started school.
During the same time they were determining to come west, Alyssa was doing all in her power to move east. It really did look like she wouldn't make it but with one blessing after another, she was set to head back to CNU to finish her degree. (She left on Saturday morning August 15th and Ashlee and Steve arrived Monday the 17th.) It is a bit sad to have her so far away again but I admire her spunk and spirit of adventure. She is now living and working full time in Williamsburg, Virginia and taking a full schedule at the university in Newport News.
Bryn, Spencer and Kes have settled nicely into school and Greg and Will keep things hopping here at home. Ashlee is an amazing mom who manages home and hearth while Steve is finishing out his training period with his new company. That's right. He was hired by Alco within two weeks of arriving. This will be his last week in the training store in Dillon, Montana and then the family heads for Soda Springs just under a couple of hours south of here. Alco is a company that opens up department stores in small communities across the nation. Steve really likes the company set-up which is great since he hated to leave Tractor Supply Company. There are really some great businesses out there. I just have to say that with all of the bad press business is getting these days.
Soda Springs has a population of just over 3000 people. Ashlee and Steve have been there a few times already looking for a place to live. There don't appear to be any homes for rent which may mean they have to buy. This could take some time but thankfully with them settled here for now that will all work out. It is all pretty exciting! Ashlee says that the community is very nice and the people even nicer. It is an Idaho thing for sure! There is something in the water that just brings out the best in people :)
Alyssa has just informed me that she will have New Years week off. It can be a rough time of year for travel so I am starting to pray now that she will be able to get here and back without any wasted time. Every day counts when it comes to family time!