Moving out is over!!!! (Stay tuned for the moving IN next week) Anyways, what a job! I will admit it wasn't as much torture as I had envisioned, but it was enough. The guys did a great job chipping in to get the house ship shape for us to move out. I think Eric was a little surprised at how much stuff we really had packed into our room. It's a nice ending to that chapter in our lives. I think all of us living there would agree the house was a bit crowded and didn't offer anyone much privacy.
Everyone always says that the first year is really difficult. I have to say, it really wasn't so bad...as long as you have a good sense of humor. Obviously it would have been nice to have our own place without an audience, but it all worked out. God was faithful to sustain us and protect us through it all. I really think he used the situation several times for good, even when it wasn't always easy to see.
Saturday morning Eric was up at the crack of dawn doing some last minute cleaning of the room and getting ready for the big trip to Colorado for the Athletes in Action Ultimate Training Camp. Six campers, including Eric, went this year. Two girls, God bless them, and four guys. Four of the six had never gone before! :) It took a little while but after they finally got everything packed they headed out at about 9:15. The plan was to drive to Mormon Lake in Nebraska and camp. However, it was so windy they ended up staying in a hotel. As for me, once the send-off was complete, I headed back to the house to finish the cleaning and head to my parents for the weekend. It only took me about another hour or so before I hit the open road.
I've really grown to love going home. It's interesting how the relationship changes between you and your parents as you get older. Unlike my high school days, my parents and I are much more on a friend level. We share ideas, ask advice, and just hang out. Let's be honest, it's cool. We may not always see eye to eye, but I wouldn't trade my parents for anything. I am who I am because of them. Another thing I really love about going home is heading out in the country. In high school you couldn't have paid me to live out in the country much longer, but now, I LOVE getting home to well...nothing. It's peaceful and has the clearest night skies you can find not to mention the view, which is pretty amazing. My mom and I tried to stay busy Saturday planting some flowers, tomatoes, and green beans. Later we headed to the basement to address the dreaded pile of dishes, cookware, decorations, and kid's toys to decide what would head to Fort Hood in the next few months. It's so hard to know what to do with childhood belongings. Is it heartless to just get rid of it? Is it unhealthy to keep everything like a packrat? I'm trying to find a happy medium by donating some of it to the thrift store or goodwill in hopes that someone else could get use out of it. I still have a little more time to get that all sorted out.
Sunday night I headed back to La Crosse to stay with Eric's aunt and uncle, Bruce and Cheryl for a few days between leases. Considering how close we live to them, it really is a shame we aren't able to see them more often. They have been so gracious to me by opening their home. I've really enjoyed the time I've spent with them.
All I can really say is that I am truly blessed. God has placed all the right people in my life and I am so grateful. I couldn't ask for anything more.

19 May 2010

Whew!! It has been a busy couple of weeks. Eric and I thought it would be nice to finally get our own car so his brother Nathan can have his turn with the family car. We set out a week ago Saturday to hit up every dealer we could find. All we found, was that we were tired and frustrated. Luckily, later that week we were able to find a 2006 Chrysler 300 that Eric would be proud to drive. A week later we're still getting the details ironed out, but hopefully we'll be picking it up soon.

This past weekend we celebrated our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! How the time flies!!! It seems like only yesterday I was getting ready for the big day. We spent Saturday evening with Eric's parents, brother and sister-in-law (newlyweds of just three weeks) Luke and Ashley, younger brother Aaron, baby sister Leah, my parents, and my mom's parents. My mom laid out a spread to put an Old Country Buffet to shame. Hosting isn't her favorite thing in the world to do, but for this occasions, she made it happen. And she did great! We ate until we were stuffed and then brought out the infamous one year old wedding cake to eat as per tradition. We didn't have high hopes and my mom had made plenty of back up deserts in case it was less than desirable. However, much to our surprise, it was really good! It had survived!! Butter Pecan with cream filling, yum! We cut the cake together and fed each other to relive our big day, only this time we weren't so nice. All said and done we were both standing there with frosting literally pushed up our noses and smeared all over our faces. It was great! We also shared words of advice, encouragement, or reflection. Eric and my reflection questions.... What has been the best? What has been the most difficult? Eric said being together all the time to answer both, hahaha, I admit there is definitely some truth to that. I answered the same for the best but instead said the most difficult thing is interpreting what each other means, not just what they are saying. Ahh the challenges of basic communication.

Sunday morning we got up early to help with worship at Eric's home church. It was great to see people we hadn't seen in a while and catch up. The number one topic right now is...."When do you go to Texas?" Well the countdown is on...eight weeks. I'll be heading to AMEDD OBLC at Fort Sam Houston Texas from 18 JULY-20 SEP. We've had our share of the long distance relationship, and we're definitely looking forward to closing that chapter of our lives. For special music Eric and I sang a song he wrote. He really has a gift and I think we should try to do something with a few of the songs he's written. Just see where it goes. There wasn't much time for hanging out and chatting after church, Eric and I had to get to the commissioning ceremony in La Crosse by 1:45 or so. We barely got out of the house on time, and of course leaving my coat, checkbook, credit cards, driver's license, blow dryer, and so on. I guess some things just never change!

Last night, Tuesday, we had the privilege of baby-sitting Eric's 3 year old sister Leah. What a joy she is!!! His parents headed to Rochester for the evening and dropped her off on the way. I will admit, I have a new found respect for parents. She was definitely not a problem child in any way, but she just requires a large amount of attention. I know I know, that's expected. It would have been no big deal but we're trying to move out of our house and blah blah blah. Moral of the story...way to go parents!!! I don't know how you do it all PLUS raise kids! I suppose a person is never FULLY ready for kids, but I think we might be holding off just a little bit longer. Anyway, back to Leah! It's amazing how the smallest things are so entertaining. She played in her shadow for probably 45 minutes, looked at her new VeggieTale toy Bob off and on all night, and danced by herself for the remaining time. If only life we're still so simple! :)

I suppose I should get myself ready for my day and get a workout in. I'm probably in the worst shape of my life and I have eight weeks to turn it all around before training.

Thought for the day:
"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." Proverbs 12:4
- I pray as Eric and I start our second year of marriage that I grow more and more into a wife of noble character.