"the deets"

I apologize for leaving you hanging with this whole Brazil thing. Bret and I have been in Utah this past week enjoying some much needed down time with family and friends (and in a house where everyone is sick). So for those two or three of you that follow this blog and have been sitting at the edge of your seat, here's the scoop:

It has always been Bret's dream to do business down in Brazil, having gone to Rio de Janeiro on his LDS mission and being a Latin American Studies and Business major. Well an opportunity has developed over the last couple months for him to start his own business there with a couple other American partners. I was wary at first, especially considering the fact that we had just moved to Seattle, but I've come to realize how great of an opportunity it is, both for Bret's career and for our family. It's also been truly amazing how everything has fallen into place to make it all happen.

If you'd like more specifics give us a call or shoot one of us an email and we'd be happy to explain things a little more. In an effort to alleviate any major concerns however, here are a few things you should know before you call us crazy:

- We aren't going alone. Bret's main partner in this venture is Drew Rigby. He happens to be one of my best friend's (Rachel Ridd Rigby) husband and he and Bret have become good friends and partners in this venture. I'm so glad we'll have each other to depend on and to experience this adventure with. His other partner is an American that already lives in Brazil.

- Drew and Bret are doing everything possible to ensure we live in a nice, safe neighborhood.

- Bret and I have always been an adventurous sort and I've really come to enjoy the thrill of stepping outside my comfort zone. It's never easy and is usually met with lots of trials, but we've always come out of it stronger and seem to learn and grow so much as a couple and as individuals.

- For those concerned about me leaving my job in Seattle, don't fret. Amazon hires most of its employees on a temporary basis for three months before extending a permanent job offer. I'll just be leaving at the end of my temp status.

-We'll be back in Salt Lake for a couple months to prepare before we head down to Brazil sometime this spring. I hope that means we'll be seeing many of you!

- We're not sure how long exactly we'll be living in Brazil but most likely a few years. We plan to visit as often as possible but thank goodness for Skype and G-chat!

As excited as we are to start this new chapter of our lives, it's true that we are heartbroken to leave Seattle. We've come to really love that city and its people and to think of it as home. I can't say enough how grateful I am for the time we've spent there, however short it was. Our hope is to return there sometime in the future but at this point, who knows where life will take us. I just hope that I'll continue to live by the motto my mother-in-law has taught me: Bloom where you're planted.

Thanks to everyone for all your support!