September 11th

Today's date will live in our memories forever. Let us never forget the thousands who died, those who were injured, and those who were left behind that fateful day in 2001 when terrorists struck our country. May the wakeup call we received that day make us prayerful and ever watchful.

-Excerpt from 365 Life Lessons from Grandma

Colorado

Hi!

Recently, I returned from a visit to my home in Colorado. Brian was unable to travel with me due to his extensive greek studies, so I traveled back "home" on my own. My trip started on Tuesday, August 4. I drove from our home in Fort Wayne to Indianapolis where I flew non-stop to Denver, Colorado. My parents were there to pick me up; they then took me to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Stuffed to the gills, we then drove to Colorado Springs, the place I am proud to call home. After being greeted by Bailey, our maltese poodle (who was ever so excited to see me!), I unpacked my bags and called it a night.



Then the crazy busy week began! The next morning I awoke bright and early, got all dolled up, and drove to Castle Rock to visit with my friend from college-Rachelle. She was one of my bridesmaids, she lives in Denver, and she teaches 6th grade. She is such a great friend and I miss her so much. It was nice to sit down for breakfast with her and catch up. I then drove back to Colorado Springs and stopped to see my sister at work! She works at Starbucks, one of my favorite places on this earth! She managed to get me free drink, but Shhh! :) I had a little time to spare before meeting a friend for lunch, so I stopped at Mardel to browse and spend some time. It is a huge Christian store, and I loved to spend time in there periodically when I still lived at home. It was great, I wish we had one where I live now! For lunch, I met up with a friend from high school-Erin. She works with little ones, she is married to a great guy, and she is just wonderful. We sat and chatted over Noodles and Co. before she had to go back to work. It was great to see her again. I finished my afternoon/evening with my little brother-Josh. We met while working at Sonic together a few years ago and have been friends since. He just graduated high school and will attend community college in the fall most likely. We hung out at my house, my dad grilled up some hamburgers and hot dogs, and it was a great time.



The next day, Thursday, I met another friend of mine from high school-Jocelyn. She is now a nurse! We got to catch up @ Panera Bread before I headed off to dress shop with my sister! My sister is engaged, getting married in May 2010, and so we were on the hunt for the perfect dress for her as well as the bridesmaid dresses. We started our adventure at David's Bridal, where my sister found one she liked. We then continued on to Danelle's where she found one she really liked as well as a bridemaid dress. Our last stop was Something New (where I found MY dress!) but we didn't find anything we liked there, neither bridal nor bridesmaid. Very unfortunate! My sister then drove me out to see The Pinery, the venue that her and David have chosen for their special day. You can visit the website: http://www.thepinery.com/ to see more. So...my mom, sister, and I ended up going back to David's Bridal and Danelle's to see her two favorite dresses on her once again. Afterwards, we all agreed on one so I can say she has found her dress! YAY! And...we are thinking that the bridesmaid dresses will come from David's Bridal, but that is not official yet from the bride.



My fun continues in Colorado with breakfast with another friend from college-Anji. She stays at home with her son, who came to breakfast also! He has grown SO much, it amazed me. It was wonderful to see her again. Afterwards, Josh and I got together for some hoop action. We used to play basketball all the time when I still lived at home, so like old times we went to shoot hoops. That afternoon, my mom and I went to Happy Hour at On the Border. Sangria swirls-yummy! My sister joined us after she got off of work, fun times! That night, my dad and I went to a Sky Sox game. My sister and fiance, David, came along too. Awesome night!



Over the weekend, before I left town, my mom took me to a coffee shop in Black Forest (only 10-15 min away from the Springs). They make the most amazing drinks!!! It was really good to just have time with my mom, too. I miss her. That afternoon, my family and I drove to Aurora, Colorado for one of my good friend's wedding. Steph, the bride, is a good friend who I have known since high school but did not grow close with until college. She married her best friend, Mike, on Saturday the 8th. I had the honor of attending her guest book and being able to share their special day with them. It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony/reception. She was absolutely beautiful! It was a fun time. :)



On Sunday, my last day in Colorado, my mom and I went shopping and spent the afternoon together. It was a day I will not soon forget in that I got to spend it all with my mom, my best friend. She is truly an amazing woman, and I love her so much. That evening, we grilled steaks and enjoyed an outdoor fire in our firepit on the patio. It was a great way to cap off my trip home. The next morning, I flew back to Indianapolis and then drove the long drive back to Fort Wayne. Brian was very happy to see me and welcomed me with open arms. :) I was glad to be home and back in those arms for sure.



It is a trip I will carry in my heart for a long time. Every day I miss my family and close friends and that beautiful state I call home. I treasure the time I got to spend with my mom, my dad, my sister, and my friends. They are priceless to me. Thanks to everyone who made my trip home so special. I love and miss you guys! XOXO

My friend, Steph, and I on her wedding day!

July Update

Hi!

So it has been about a month since Brian and I have relocated to Fort Wayne, IN. Brian has made it halfway through his greek course and he has excellent grades. If he isn't in class, is in on our couch studying away. Sometimes he likes to recite greek aloud to really learn it, and that does drive me a bit bonkers sometimes. :)

We do still enjoy our Friday night "date nights." We have thoroughly enjoyed getting out and seeing Fort Wayne. We have gone to Jefferson Pointe shopping center, a Tin Caps baseball game in downtown, and a couple of different parks. I certainly enjoy the time away with my husband where it is just the two of us.

I had a job interview last week with a tutoring center. I felt very confident during the interview and after I left the interview. I know I would enjoy working there, so the rest is now in God's hands. I called the woman who had interviewed me to say "thank you" as well as ask if she had any further questions for me. She said she did not, but she enjoyed the interview and getting to know me. It sounds like she will hire me if she gets more students. She said right now she has it under control, but if they get more students (especially come fall when school begins) then she would contact me. To know that she would hire me makes me feel great, so if God would like me to work there then He will give me the students to teach. We shall see.

Brian and I enjoyed a nice 4th of July weekend. We were able to celebrate his sister's 21st birthday with her, which falls on the 4th of July. His dad, stepmom, and sister came up to have dinner with us at Red Lobster. It was nice to catch up and get some hugs from family. :)

I will be taking two vacations this summer. One is coming up on July 16 (a week from today) when I will be driving 10 1/2 hours to Belle Plaine, MN to see family. It is often a tradition with my family to travel "home" to MN every summer for BBQ Days-a small town celebration. I will get to see aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and my newly engaged sister and her fiance!!! However, it is a suprise for her (she does not know I am coming) so don't spoil it, Shhh!!! The other vacation I will be taking is back home to Colorado, and I cannot wait. One of my best friends is getting married, so I will be attending that and just spending time with family and friends. I cannot wait to come home, I am so excited. Both trips will be made by myself, Brian is too busy and cannot be pulled away from his greek studies. Which is OK! There's always next summer! :)

Brian and I on the seminary campus enjoying a picnic! This was taken 4th of July weekend.

Summer Fun

Yesterday I made some absolutely delicious cupcakes and then today I frosted them and added some red sparklies to them-all in honor of the 4th of July of course! It is my 2nd favorite holiday and I just love to be festive and decorate and go all out! If you know me at all, you KNOW I just love holidays. This picture was taken on my kitchen table with my candy dish (red white and blue stars). I am slowly turning my kitchen and living room into Americana decor-I am all about the red, white, and blue. :)

Hope you have a great 4th of July everyone!!! God bless America.

Quotes

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

"A garden left to itself is soon nothing but weeds, stickers, and dry, parched ground. Like a lovely, abundant garden, your relationship with God requires constant care and attention if it is to flourish and prosper."

~Unknown~

Happy Flag Day!

The red and white stripes of our flag represent the original thirteen colonies with the blue as a background for the stars representing those colonies. As new states were added so were more stars. Fly the flag proudly. It is the valiant symbol of our freedom.

Random Facts About Fort Wayne, IN

Recently, I attended a social function for seminary wives, since that is now my label, here in Fort Wayne at Concordia University. We played a game about the history of Fort Wayne and I learned a ton and found out some interesting facts! So, I thought I would share some with you.

-Fort Wayne was named after General "Mad Anthony" Wayne.

-The population of Fort Wayne today is approximately 252,000.

-Fort Wayne was the home of the FIRST woman's professional baseball team, the Daisies. The 1992 movie "A League of Their Own" was based upon this team.

-Vera Bradley holds an annual shopping event that attracts over 30,000 people. Items are available for 40-70% off of retail. Next year's sale will be April 28-May 1, 2010. Mark your calendars ladies! :)

-John Chapman known as "Johnny Appleseed" is buried in Ft. Wayne. There is a Johnny Appleseed Festival every September, this year it will celebrate its 35th anniversary.

-There are 327 recognized organized congregations (churches) in Fort Wayne.

-DeBrands is a famous chocolate company located in Ft. Wayne. Donald Trump orders his chocolates from there.

-The city motto of Ft. Wayne is "Room for Dreams."