Thoughts

So I have been having a difficult time transitioning back into life here in Washington after our long trip to AZ. I thought it would get easier being away from friends and family as time went by, but it seems to be getting harder. When Richard and I were in Arizona last, it hit us that there are so many people that care about us there, and we really miss those relationships here in Washington. To me, it seems like we have lived here for so long, but in reality, it's only been 7 months and we have no idea how long it will be until our time is up here. We feel that God has brought us here for a reason and maybe we won't know exactly what that is until years go by and we look back to this time in our lives.

I was writing in my journal the other night and on each page of my journal there is a little quote from the Bible. I wrote on four pages of my journal and then went back to read the Bible quotes and was amazed to see how much they related to what Richard and I are going through right now.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers." Philippians 4:6

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"The Lord will guard you as you come and go, both now and forever." Psalm 121:8

They seemed to help me and maybe they might help whoever reads this and needs a little inspiration from God : )

AZ Trip - Alex & Danny's Wedding

If you've been reading my past few posts, you know that Richard and I went to Arizona and were in my cousin Alexandra, and Richard's long time friend Danny's wedding. (So if you think about it, technically Alex is Richard's sister-in-law since his brother is married to her sister, so does that make Danny our brother-in-law or cousin?)... They got married on Friday the 13th! Despite the unlucky date, it was a very beautiful and special wedding : )

Richard and I were so thankful to be a part of this whole event. We had such an amazing time and we feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. Like I said, Alex and Danny's wedding was beautiful. It didn't seem like either one of them were nervous, just excited to be marrying the love of their life. I took SO many pictures of this day but I could only fit 5 on this post, so if you want to see them, click on the AZ Trip, March 2009 link to the right.

It's the wedding day! She was so happy!

Her dress was beautiful. She picked it because it reminded her of our Grandma Annie's wedding dress.

All of the bridesmaids with Alex (I'm on the left).

The happy couple, Danny and Alexandra Sluyk!

Me and Richard dancing the night away : )

AZ Trip - Alex and Danny's Rehearsal

Wednesday night was Danny and Alex's rehearsal. It was such a fun night! We first had the rehearsal at the wedding site, Stonebridge Manor, which is an old mansion in Mesa, AZ. Then the rehearsal dinner was at the Sluyks house (Danny's parents). Our friend Kate made an awesome slideshow of Danny and Alex growing up that played during the dinner. It was also so much fun when we all shared stories about the two of them. I got a little emotional... seeing someone I grew up with and care about be so happy with a really great guy is a very special thing : )

Me and my cousin Ashleigh, she is one of the sister's of the Bride and was the Maid of Honor!

Alex and here dad, my Uncle Kevin.

Me and the beautiful Bride-to-be!

Me and my hubby, Richard.

The adorable flower girl, Emma and me : )

AZ Trip - Alex's Bachelorette Party!

The first weekend that Richard and I were in Arizona, Richard went to Danny's bachelor party in Prescott and on Saturday night, we had Alexandra's bachelorette party (which was a complete surprise to her). First, we led Alex to the Princess hotel, where we had a room for the night, and got ready. Then we drove her to this new place called Geisha a Go Go, where we had a private karaoke room waiting for us. That was a blast! Then we took her to a Western restaurant across the street and she rode the mechanical bull. It was a great night and I was so thankful to be able to fly in from Washington early to be a part of it all.

On our way to sing some karaoke (which Alex didn't know yet) with the beautiful bride to be!

Nicole, Marcie and me singing a really cool song : )

Alex and her friends from Tucson having fun! I love this picture, they look so happy.

Alex and her mom singing "My Girl" with me and my mom, we were awesome.

A bunch of us next to the mechanical bull, and no, I did not ride it and I probably never will!

AZ Trip, March 2009

On March 5th, Richard and I flew to Arizona. We were there for 10 days! The main reason we went (besides seeing family and friends) was because my cousin Alex, and Richard's long time friend Danny, were getting married. I'll put up pictures from the wedding in an other post.

The weather was absolutely perfect, sunny and in the high 70's. It was hard when we arrived back in Portland to rainy, 40 degree weather : ( Richard and I had such an amazing time with all of our family and friends, as we always do. We sure miss everyone in Arizona, it seems to get harder and harder each time we go back to visit. Here are some pictures from our time there.

We actually went to 2 weddings while we were there. Richard's friend from high school happened to get married during the same week. This is from that night.

Here we are with our friends Christina and Daniel, who happen to be getting married in June (which is when we will be back next) So many weddings!

The week that Richard and I were there was my brothers spring break. My mom got a room at the Princess and the Westin Keirland for my family to have a little vacation away from home... in the same city : ) The hotels were beautiful and it was great to be able to lay out in the sun by the pool in March, only in Arizona!

My brother Jonny, Richard and my dad pretending to be cool.

We can't wait until we get to go home again!

Alex's Bridal Shower

Here are a few pictures from Alex's bridal shower. I had so much fun with Karie, Marcie and Ashleigh setting up for the shower and then at the shower with Alex too. It's always a good time when someone has to stick 15 pieces of gum in her mouth!

Me and some of my beautiful cousins, Ashleigh, Marcie and Karie after we finished getting everything ready for the shower.

The yummy food and pretty flowers.

Alexandra playing the, never disappointing, bubble gum game!

My trip to AZ

This weekend, I went to Arizona! It was kind of a last minute trip to surprise my cousin, Alex, for her Bridal Shower. I came in Thursday night and got to see my brother, Jonny's, last basketball game of the season. On Friday, after a dinner at church, Alex was supposed to come to my cousin/sister-in-law, Marcie's house. My other cousin Karie picked me up and we headed to Marcie and Jared's. Karie knocked on the front door while I hid and she went inside, after she shut the door, I heard Karie say "and here's another package" and she opened the door and I walked in : ) Alex was very surprised to see me there, she said "what are you doing here?!"

I got to spend Saturday with Alex going to her wedding site and then Sunday I went to church and then the shower. Richard and I had to spend Valentine's Day away from each other, but it was nothing new since we have never been able to spend it together while Richard was away at school. Maybe next year will be our first <3

When it was time for me to leave yesterday, I didn't have to say any sad goodbye's or think about how long it would be until I came home again because Richard and I will be back in 2 weeks for Alex and Danny's wedding!! Can't wait : )

Me and Alex right after I surprised her.

Me and my cousin Ashleigh on Valentine's Day, hence the pink outfits.

My mom and I walking around Alex and Danny's wedding site, it is going to be a beautiful wedding!