Happy 100th Birthday National Park Services (Part 1)

A few years ago my sister started taking her girls to the National Parks to participate in the Junior Ranger program. At first I thought she was a major nerd, "Really? You're going to take your kids to all the National Parks?...Yay"
BUT
Like a lot of things, she was right! National Parks are realy cool, and honestly, you've probably visited some of them or wanted to visit some without even knowing about it! This summer we've experienced the greatness of the NPS and with a little guy, its even better. We have visited a few places where he can run and explore without fear of losing him because most national parks have large areas of beautiful trails and land.
In early June we headed out to go on a bike ride, but because of a napper we kept driving and ended up at Jamestown, VA. Jamestown is part of the The Colonial National Historical Park a triangle that consist also of Yorktown and Williamsburg. When we went to pay for our park pass we found out that Military is 100% free for a whole year. We reluctantly took the pass from the lady (thinking we might use it at Jamestown again) and headed off with the other families there on family vacation. As we crossed the bridge, Henry running in front of us, we fell in love!
Jamestown is all about John Smith, Pocahontas and is currently in the middle of a huge archeological dig! We walked around the cemetery where houses where built on top because there was no recording of the cemetery, the church that has glass on the floor from previous archeological digs and ate lunch along the James River. We sat under beautiful magnolia trees and listened to an actor talk about his experiences coming over on the ship and the struggle they had building Jamestown, as the deer ran by.
As we left, with full hearts, we stopped by the gift shop to get our Ornament and also picked up a NPS Passport book (nerd status with the "collectors edition" with stickers). The passport book will hold our stamps (or cancelations) as we travel the country forcing Henry to explore the National Parks... some day he'll start working on his Jr. Ranger Badges.
As nerdy as we feel, its been so much fun. It is a great way to get out of the house with purpose, learn new things about the area we are living for a short time and be able to live history not just read about it in a book. I pray that Henry loves history and these goofy trips we take him on, I hope that as he grows up he gets to say "I've been there" when they talk about things in school and even "well did you know...." as they discuss different areas of the country, we sure do live in a beautiful place!

 

Why I never shared my birth story....

I don't remember the date, but I know we were at a girls night out in Tacoma, Washington I was a 2nd Lieutenants wife sitting at a table full of military spouses wives with many years of experience before me in life, motherhood and marriage. The subject of babies came up, because the subject is bound to come up with that many women around and someone may have even been pregnant (which is usually what brings these sort of stories up). Each woman who had given birth began to discuss their birth experience with details of time, liquids, rips and tears. I remember one lady VIVIDLY holding her hand against her head sticking her elbow out creating a triangle shape and said "this is how my second came out". I  about SCREAMED! I'm sorry, but the whole birthing experiences grosses me out in and of itself, I don't need my baby coming out with his arm STICKING out.
I don't know if it was because of that experience or because since that moment Brian and I began talking more and more about having babies, that I started hearing these stories everywhere I went and when I got pregnant they got WORSE! It was almost as if once you're pregnant you're in their club and now everyone can tell you the absolute worse thing that ever happened to them during their experience.  Babies coming our sideways, with ten teeth and being paralyzed from epidurals multiple times... If you're pregnant, I'm sorry its not that scary, they are the exception NOT the rule.

The only picture we have from FOUR days of induction 

All that to say, although my pregnancy was not ideal and I didn't have a 30 minute labor ending with an all natural delivery. The result was the same as the women in the room next to me who did... I have a happy healthy baby. And as we both left with our babies I didn't see her carrying a trophy saying she did all that... so mommas, take a breath and slow down, motherhood is hard enough why make everything such a competition and why put such high expectations on you so early (you'll have plenty of time for all that when your baby isn't the first to walk or eat solids, I promise). I had to learn this early in my pregnancy, at 8 weeks pregnant when I was hit with the realization that EVERYONE has different experiences, this is just mine, not good or bad.

Our First Family Picture

Henry was born April 6 at 2 something in the morning. The reason I don't know the "something" was because he was born on Monday morning and I was induced on Friday morning, so at the point I just wanted to hold my baby. He measured at 7 pounds 11 ounces and the only reason I know that much is for obvious reasons. The process of giving birth to Henry was not what I expected, but I got to meet a lot of the hospital staff and if you're ever at Madigan Army Medical Center and you hear bad things, tell people to put a sock in it. If I had been anywhere else I'm certain that I would have been forced into a c-section, but instead Doctors,nursing staff and intern after intern worked so hard to allow me to have the birth I wanted.

Henry Day 1I refuse to tell my story unless specifically asked, its a hard one, its a long one and to be honest I've forgotten when things happened and in what order.. for that I am thankful. I do however, that I pray the next deliver doesn't take 4 days.

What is more American than Baseball?

I am!
This is my favorite time of year, from Memorial Day to Labor Day every store you walk into (well at least my regulars: Target, Michaels, Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's)  are decked out in Red, White and Blue! Even before I was a military wife I was extremely patriotic and wanted all things stars and stripes, but now that I have an excuse to own them (even as my husband chuckles and rolls his eyes) I need all the things!
So far this year I have snagged this beautiful LILLEbaby Complete All Seasons Carrier. Friends, this is the most comfortable carrier I have ever used. During the first 9 months of being a mom I used my ring sling, but once my little guy started trying to jump out I knew I needed something more secure. After doing some research I decided to try on a Lille Baby and it is perfection! Not only does this "Stars in Our Eyes" print cause my heart to skip and extra beat, but it allows for comfortable use in all weather conditions, which is necessary as a military wife because who knows where I will be next. The front panel folders down via zipper and allows air to flow through a breathable mesh lining. We just used this during our four day Memorial Weekend trip to Boston, New York and Philadelphia and it was fantastic and although it was humid and hot, I didn't feel like the carrier added much heat for me or our little guy!

If you're interested in more information about their award winning, comfortable and safe carrier please visit their website here. (if you have any specific questions let me know, I have a friend who works with them who would be willing to help you out!) 

      

(Left to right: Visiting Fenway in Boston, Riding the subway in NYC and Visiting the 9/11 Memorial) 

The next purchase I have made this year is my new Target backpack. I have been ready to tradition from a Diaper Bag to another bag, but didn't know what that was until I walked into Target and saw this beauty! 

I immediately sent the picture to my husband and a few days later he brought it home as a surprise! How sweet of him! Its been the perfect transition bag for me as far as a being a mom goes and if I'm without the baby (which happens now, its an incredible feeling) I don't feel like I'm carrying a diaper bag, but instead feel stylish and cute. The also have one that has red on it with a similar pattern, you should check out your local Target and see what they have available.

My last purchase is an addiction that I have developed in the last month due to my friend becoming a LuLaRoe consultant. If you haven't seen in person, on Facebook or any other social media outlet there is a craze going on with these leggings that feel like butter! Although I am not a huge fan of the leggings I do love the Cassi Skirts and their Shirts, especially their Randy and Classic Tee Styles. Well, this week they announced their 4th of July capsule. Thats it... TAKE ALL MY MONEY! I'll have one of everything please! After hours of search and Facebook stalking I was able to score my new "Army Wife Shirt" and cannot wait to wear it!

If you are obsessed as I am check out my friend Amelia's Facebook Page, rumor is there will be some  4th of July Capsule Items posted this next week!

These are a few of my recent purchases, stay tuned for the items I have on my wish list later this week!

Are you my new Best Friend?

Moving to Washington initially was not the hard, in fact it was my idea before I even started dating my Husband. I had decided to move there to live with a college roommate and quickly became involved in a church there. However, the week my husband reported we found out that he’d be deploying 7 months later. So we got engaged, got married and moved on post in 180 days. 

In the midst of planning a wedding, organizing a honeymoon and preparing for deployment I knew I needed some friends who were going to be in the same boat as me, the friends who will also be alone on a Friday night, missing family at holidays and heartbroken over the fact their husbands where across the world. It was then I realized that you don't have time for awkward. Every new encounter with another Military Spouse is like a first date and  to top it off you're speed dating. You have 2-5 minutes to decide if this person is worth it. There is no time for casual run ins that turn into coffee dates and may eventually become girls I hangout with every now and then. I needed someone to go have wine with a cry with after I dropped him off at the gym, I needed someone to eat dinner with once or twice a week so it wasn't so lonely at home, I needed someone to celebrate all of the holidays I'd be missing spending time with my family... and I need it NOW! 

I had heard my husband say that there was a wife who was living on post who was about my age, we met awkwardly at a Starbucks and shared life stories. Done, we were friends. She told me at that coffee date that someone was moving in across the street from her and she thought maybe her husband was going to be deployed with our husbands. Yes, he was and there began our friendship. A couple weeks later our husbands left, the lady across the street had a baby two weeks after that and my real life episode of army wives began. 

However I believe my gold star moment in making friends occurred with my next door neighbor. She had a dog, as did I, we had casually ran into each other a couple times and I decided we were going to be friends (now this might put me on some stalker list, but so be it). So I would listen to when she'd walk her dog and I would wait about 2-5 minutes and walk our dog. I mean really it was night and he needed to pee too... right? Well, after many attempts we finally ran into each other, started talking again and found out the her husband and mine where on the same post overseas. BANG... Best friends! A year after my stocker episode I was in the room with her as she went through the final step of her IVF experience. 

Now I am across the country for six months, some would say that is nothing, not worth investing in, but I read somewhere about how military wives plant roots wherever they go, so I’m striving to do that for my family. As I throw my son and I into different mommy and me groups and make trips to the playground I hope I connect with a mom or two. 

A month and a half into a mommy and me group it happened, a 5 minute speed date in the lobby of Romp N Roll, led to the exchange of numbers, constant texting and eventually a much needed girls day where we shared our life stories as if we’d known each other forever because we only have a few months to become “old friends” because we’ll have to say good-bye and start the search again. 

(The women on second from the right its he girl I had coffee with just weeks before our husband deployed and to her right the women who was moving in across the street. Since that first meeting we've added there more babies to the group the ones pictured in this group are all a week apart) 

What is the craziest thing you've done to meet or introduce yourself to another military wife?

 Share in the comments below! 

5 Things I've learned during my 1st PCS move

So we did it!

We finally got our first orders to PCS (permanent change of station). These were very expected PCS orders, ones we'd been anticipating for four years (that, by the grace of God, turned into 5 years). However, I don't think anything can quite prepare you for the move across country, especially with a toddler. But here are 5 things I've learned as first time PCS-er. 

1. Don't worry about preparing for the movers. 

About two months before our move I started freaking out, "What should I pack?", "I need to clean this out.", "I need to organize this".... You're probably going to do it too, but rest assure that the movers will come in and pack everything. Your organized bathroom with be repacked, tipped over and moved multiple times before you see it again. So don't  

Tip: I did find an idea on Pinterest where someone suggested having different colored tape for each room of the house (example: Kids room is blue, your room is yellow, etc.) when you get to your new house you put the same color tap above that door then the movers know where to put things without you having to stand there and telling them. I thought that was nonsense, but it would have been so helpful for everyone and I'm definitely going to try it on my next PCS. 

2. Be prepared for your new location

The best advice I got was to pack towels and a few pots an pans in your car. 

WHAT?! I would never have thought of that on my own, when you get to your new house you're most likely going to want to take a shower, but if you have to dig through multiple boxes to get those towels out, no one is going to be happy. You're also probably going to be so sick of eating out, if you have a few pots and pans you can make a nice home cooked dinner with some face dollar tree plates and utensils. 

4. Take advantage of a free vacation! 

We have been planing this PCS before we were married. Brian had been stationed in Virginia while we were dating and we knew in 4-5 years we'd be going back there for this schooling. We'd planned the trip about 5 different ways, we were excited for the opportunity to explore the country and things we've never seen before. We are the definition of "History Nerd' and we knew we'd have to see as much as we could so we strategically planned a trip to see things we've only before read about, our favorite being San Antonio where we saw the riverwalk and the Alamo.
The military usually (used loosely, because after all it IS the military) gives you ample time to move, look for some historic sights on your way and enjoy your transition with your family. 

5. Pick a hotel chain and stick with them.

We chose La Quinta Inns Suites as our hotel of choice. Why? 

Well, most of them except dogs at no extra charge and, although we usually woke up earlier than the breakfast, the provide a pretty decent breakfast. The Perk was that we earned ourself a free night (which we enjoyed during our 4 day memorial weekend exploring the east coast),  they do a military discount, and you automatically move up to the second level of their rewards program.

As you can tell I highly recommend La Quinta, but which ever hotel you choose, stick with it and earn a free night to explore the new area around you.

Tip: We learned quickly to choose La Quinta Inn Suites instead of just La Quinta Inn. We found most time the Suites were in a better area and a better experience all around. 

Have fun!

 Don't stress too much, many have come before you and have survived, chances are you're just as smart, if not smarter than them!
What is your biggest PCS piece of advice or what you would do differently? Share in the comments below! 

a ring :)

A year ago on the 27th, it was a Thursday... I was getting dressed for a date with my boyfriend. He had been at what I thought was training all day because he was getting ready to leave for a month long Army training to learn what he was going to do in Afghanistan. I was a little annoyed because I didnt know why to wear, my best friend was telling me he was getting me towels and I got fake flowers, but the night ended with being proposed to TWICE and saying "YES!!" twice... then Brian placing this on my finger....

It was the busiest, quickest and slowest 91 days from October 27th until January 28th when I got marry the man of my dreams.

Yesterday I received a present, it was something I had asked for and had been ordered months ago, but never got delivered. The timing was perfect, it wasn't an anniversary gift, it was just a gift, but it couldn't have made more sense.

I got this.. a beautiful ring... its a heart with a yellow ribbon in it, I've wanted it for a long time and it got sent to my house. I felt that I could only receive it during deployment because of the yellow ribbon.
I started thinking today... I got a ring a year ago and within that year my life has flipped a million times. I am so grateful that I dont have to wait 91 days to see the love of my life, I should have a LOT less days, but it is a great reminder to pray for his safe return... and SOON return :)

"Soooo... how is married life?" ( a little ramble)

This is a question that I get often, its officially been 6 months and about 5 days since I married the most amazing man on the planet. I'm sure this is when the honey moon phase ends and the little tiffs and craziness begins, but for us it is a little tricky. I feel like we are stuck in month two. The other day I as talking about scrapbooks and what to do for our wedding scrapbook and I said "we'll have the wedding, the engagement and then next year I can make my one year album and by that I actually meant my two year album." I wonder  if it will ever feel like we are really married for a year and then two... will out ten year anniversary really feel like out nine year? I hope not...I hope they always feel like the first two months :)

we're goobers and we celebrate everything. I know that six months wouldn't have been different, but instead I spent the day filling picture frames and looking at the most amazing flowers I've received in a long time. I am blessed being stuck in honeymoon phase and totally okay with it :)

A little Boom Boom Pow

well, as some of you know Brian and I moved on to base two weeks before he left. I have to admit it was the best life choice we made since getting married :). However there are a lot of things that come along with living on base. The speed limit is 25 mph, if you lose your ID you have to register to get on and it takes you twice as long to get anywhere on base.
The biggest thing is the evenings though. At 6pm and 10pm they play a beautiful version of Taps over the loud speaker. I can't hear it from inside, but I try to plan our evening ousting with Jack for that time so I can hear it, its my favorite thing ever! However the other noise the evening brings drives me CRAZY!! There is a shooting range on base (who would have thought right?) and I can hear that in the house. It drives me nuts and I just want it to stop. I understand its important but come on, keep it down! ALSO the ridiculous helicopters are so loud.
I get it... its to protect us, but it also scares me and makes me wish my husband was here even more!

-The end

What a year can do to you....

The last year has been crazy! 

10 months ago I was on the other coast two months after graduating visiting my boyfriend who was in Officer training. 6 months ago I began planning my wedding to the man of my dreams and 3 months ago I got marry him :) Then a month ago I had to say good-bye for 9 months. (Eight in a few days :) ) 

This has been a scary, long and tiring 25 days. I am hoping to blog more, but I'm also hoping to finish my thank you notes, clean my house and figure out this whole bill paying stuff. We'll see what happens... the blog will probably get the first attention. 

On a more fun note... It was this little mans birthday this weekend. 

I got make his smash cake :) 

and he even shared :) 

it was a good, but long day... that is for sure! 

Also, on the 2nd my BFF had her birthday! We weren't able to make it since Uncle Brian left on the 1st, but he was sure to make sure she got the most perfect present any 3 year old  girl could need  :) 

The little booger wouldn't take off her pants for the picture and when they told her to smile they said "open your eyes and smile like auntie Sarah" Apparently I smile with my mouth wide open... 

She sure is over dramatic :) 

Calling my bluff

Since I can remember I have "wanted to get married and have babies", I have been challenged to not limit myself and be open to other things have God wants from me. I appreciate the challenge, but I am 100% confident that God has be exactly where he wants me. However, it is still a challenge.

Sunday morning I dropped off my "other half" to to travel 1/2 way around the world. Everyone who knows me knows the above fact about always wanting to be a wife and mom, but only a few of them know that I have always wanted to be a military wife. When I was little my dad had an army jacket that I loved to wear and sparked a fascination in the military. During different encounters I have leaned that the military is great, but there is a lack of Jesus. About 2 years ago my heart became heavy with the need of Christian influence in the military and not just Christians, but people who are willing to live within the military transparent lives.

This is a new exciting "venture" that I get to experience, man it has been a long year... going from dating a man, to being engaged to a man, to marrying a man and now living life with him on the different side of the world.

I will be tracking our journey on here!

a little blurb from Brians new blog

As hard as it was to continue walking away, I am constantly reminded of Matt's words at community group, "it sucks, but it's also a great opportunity for God to use you." These words have resounded in my head a multitude of times since he said them. I'm so excited to see not only what God does in my life through this time, but also what he does for Sarah. I know we will be stronger and develop some great relationship through this deployment.

(http://brianfrausto.blogspot.com/)

I got proposed to....TWICE!

Last thursday I said YES to the biggest venture of my life.. Becoming Mrs. Brian Frausto! We'd been praying and making pro/con list for a few months. Was it too soon? We've only been together for a few months, is this for real or just mushy love? It was only a few weeks until I knew I was in love with this man and there has never really been a "what if" but more so a "when. So that being said I left WA on Wednesday October 19 to go to CA hoping we were getting married in Feb, but knowing he was unsure still, knowing he was leaving the following weekend for a month of training and knowing he still hadn't talked to my Dad. all that being said here is how the story goes...

While in CA I got a text from Brian asking me if I wanted to go out to celebrate our 8 months before he left, of course it came to my mind that he might propose but I still couldn't figure out how he talked to my dad and bought a ring within a week. So... Thursday,date night, came along and I was pretty sure it was happening until I went to Brian's apartment to drop something off and there was a box for Bed Bath and Beyond on his doorstep. I asked him was it was and be said not to worry about it.

That threw me off... He bought me a present not a ring, whatever!

So after spending a good two hours getting ready, picking an outfit and making a last min change my prince charming arrived with a beautiful bouquet of Purple flowers. We got in the car and headed off. He wouldn't answer my questions, but he was so calm I knew he wasn't asking me to be his wife. He drove me to a place That overlooked the water in Tacoma, we got out of the car and all I saw where logs... So I asked if we could play on them. Real mature huh? Being ever who calm he held my hand as I enjoyed it. Then he said "hey look over there" I looked over and saw this

(pictures I took before the toast!)

A Romantic picnic for two under a canopy over looking a beautiful peninsula. As we walked up I saw a pink basket sitting on my chair, wine glasses and beautiful red flowers. We sat down (in our new chairs) and started pulling out our picnic dinner (from our new picnic basket, which was in the bed, bath and beyond box that threw me off). He pulled out a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, champagne, cheese and crackers and chocolates from Godiva. He opened the cheese and crackers for me to start nibbling on while he opened the champagne (which I made him shake up to see how loud we could make it pop, how far the cork would go and how much fuzz we can make fuzz over). He poured our champagne and said he wanted to make a toast to us.
This was the first time he got nervous and that was when I knew what was going on...for real! I started tearing up and trying to take in everything that he was saying! After trying to remember what he wanted to say he pulled out his toast that he wrote and read it to me. He said some amazing things and then explained our dinner and our relationship...
"You and I have a cheesy (cheese and crackers) yet quirky and fun relationship. We go together like PB&J (sandwiches) . Our strength make up for eachothers weaknesses. An like the finest most expensive chocolate our love is a sweet indulgence (Godivia) . So take up your glass and celebrate with me because 7 is the number of completion and 8 (the number of flowers on the table) is the number of new beginnings."
he then walked over, stood in front of me and said, as he got down on one knee,
"Sarah Bethany Trout, will you do me the honor of taking my hand in marriage and living out this crazy life together?"
I said YES! I kissed him and he reached in to get the ring and as he opened the box, his face dropped and he looked panic as he said "Babe, the ring isn't here"... now having the cheesy relationship that we do I thought he was joking, but not he was not. He started frantaically looking on the ground to see if it fell out and in his pocket then he said "Oh no I grabbed the wrong box" and without saying a word he RAN to the car... as I yelled "Run BABY RUN!!!!". He ran back, got down on his knee again and said "Sarah, will you spend the rest of THIS crazy life with me"
With laughter and great joy I said "Yes!" again.
So, January 28,2012 I am marrying the man of my dreams and living out the rest of this crazy life with him!

Our friend Chuck was in the bushes trying to take pictures of the proposal, unfortunately it was too dark, but we were able to get post engagement pictures. So much fun!

My eight flowers that symbolize the 8 months that we were starting

The pink box on the right is a box full of engagement things that Brian put together for me.. it had two bridal magazines, a picture frame, a new wine glass painted in a wedding theme, tick tacs, lip gloss and the movie 27 dresses. I love that he put that together for me.

After going to dinner, where we didn't take a picture, we wen to see Brian's friend Felicia and tell her the fun story and thank her for all her help coming up with ideas we spent some time there and then went back to Brian's apartment to finish our champagne, change our facebook status' and relish in the fact that we were going to spend forever together...

annnnd there might have been a little wedding planning done as well! :)
(he's just so handsome!)

I am one positively absolutely lucky and blessed girl! :)

Dating from Afar....

******* This is not a blog something I have mastered, that I claim to be good at or wish upon anyone, however, if you have any more suggestions I'd love to hear and learn from them*******

As you probably know from reading this blog... my boyfriend lives far away... far, far, far, far, far awaway... 2,884 miles away to be exact! The other day someone asked me advice on dating long distance. Unfortunately, I have no advice... I hate it, a LOT!! I cannot wait for Oct 5th when I fly down to Oakland for him to pick me up. However, there are a few things that we have figured out.

The FIRST piece of advice that I was given was that you have to communicate your emotions and feelings. Even as hard as it would be to tell someone over the phone that your having a hard day or that your grumpy or something of that sort.... its good because they are able to cater to your needs. Just as if they were home and were able to see you tear up or see your facial expressions. It IS hard and IS some times awkward because they can't hug you or physically comfort you, but you will BOTH be able to communicate better. In the long run it will be helpful and during your time apart it will help you both a lot. (I may have butchered that explanation, but I hope it makes sense)

Okay.. so here are some of the things that we have done, that have either helped or at least preoccupied my mind in order to pass the time....

- Before he left for VA I wrote him letters and put them in a box, some of them I dated, some of them I labeled like "for a bad day"..... that way even if I get busy with life, he can be encouraged and know I'm praying for him.

- We wrote letters our first month apart, very intentional letters... we found a list of questions and discussed them in written form. It was amazing to get letters in the mail, they are the best, but it also allowed for great discussion in letters.

- Intentional conversation is important, we have found that it gets really easy to sit and talk about how much we love each other, miss each other and can't wait to see each other. That's doing nothing to further our relationship, but instead its just making the whole thing worse. Its okay to have those moments, but not EVERY conversation.

- We facetime.. a LOT and we're goofy, not everything has to be serious. Seeing each others face makes it feel as if we just hung out the other night, its fun :)

- We text... I find it fun to text him before I go to sleep because its a three hour difference, so when he wakes up there is a message from me.

- A package is NEVER a bad way to go... we're cheesy so we write cheesy notes on all the items. It's my favorite and is always fun to get a surprise package in the mail, even if the items are pointless and ridiculous (although, maybe one important item is good)

( My awesome package I got at Fuge!)

- sometimes its okay to just sit and vent, for the first month we either didn't want each other to know how much we were missing each other... or maybe the first month wasnt that hard, but as time passed it got harder. Sometimes we just sit and talk about how we can't wait to see each other and how much this sucks. I think it is important to state that sometimes... your both thinking it, so why not talk about it.

(However, the biggest part is that you can't dwell in that... yes, it sucks, but it'll pass)

- Make sure to inform each other of what is going... its kind of nice to be able to feel like your with each other... send a text or an email about the dinner you hand with a group of your friends... with LOTS of detail. If you have text, text DURING the event something funny that happened, you may think it'll make them miss home more, but really they already miss home at least they will feel like their part of the joke if it gets brought up later.

- One of the things I have loved is reading the same books or listening to the same pod cast... your lives are going to be SO different, its nice to have something you two are doing that is the same... even across the country.

- Be creative... one of my friends whose girlfriend lived in Africa while he lived in America planned movie nights and skype dates together. They would watch a movie and watch it "together"... we're trying it tomorrow, I can't wait.

- I might insert more, but thats what I can think of now, its more fun the more creative you can get.

however please, please please do NOT Don't become the bitter "my boyfriend lives far away girl", its almost as bad as the "pitty me I don't have a boyfriend girl"... It's very rare that distance sneaks up on a person... so if you don't think you can handle that, discuss it... maybe that relationship isn't for you. Thats OKAY... thats what dating is for.

I say all that to say this... It doesn't matter what you do or don't do if your hope is in your boyfriend/girlfriend. If your hope is Christ it wont matter where you are or your significant other is your joy will be ever lasting.

"²⁰ We wait in hope for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield.

²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name."

Psalm 18:20-21

Country Traveler...

Almost every summer since about Jr. High I have not been home, because I was blessed enough to travel. In Jr. High a lot of it consisted of camps and family, soccer camp, church camp, grandma's house... etc. In High School I spent a month in Europe, two weeks in China and endless weeks at camp. In College I haven't been as privileged to travel, but this summer was a traveling experience like i've never seen before!
It started on a very early, very dark June morning as I boarded a plan from Ontario to Dallas. If you know me you understand that flying is not my favorite thing, but flying from Dallas to Tennessee was a totally new experience. After a long ride to Dallas, a tram ride and a slight fear that I might miss my plane I boarded a three row plane and headed for Knoxville, TN. There I was greeted by Stacey, who quickly became one of my favorite staffers. I hoped in a car with Thad, Brandon and Samantha and headed to Jefferson City, TN to start life as a.... Fuge Staffer!
Fuge was amazing, but very challenging. I spent my first week learning how to run Rec, how to teach bible studies and how to cater to students and situations I may come into contact with. We also spent a lot of time bonding as a staff, it was definitely challenging, but very fun. Getting use to the weather, the culture and the students was more of a challenge than I thought, but It was well worth it. Week one there was a little boy that I feel in love with, his name I can't remember, I just called him "Bear" because he had longer surfer hair and looked like a bear. It'd been a rough week and I was trying really hard to get everyone ready for Mega, when Bear ran up to me and asked if he could tell the group something. Now, if any of you have worked with 6th graders you know that getting them all together, but I did. Then Bear in front of everyone shouted "Tonight I became a Christian". That was the highlight of my summer.
The next few weeks I learned a lot, met a lot of cool people and I'll be able to blog randomly, but when I think about it, thats what matters, is the little kids that go home and get to say "I'm a Christian".

(These are my ladies, I miss them a lot.... Jenny, Dee, Jennifer, Nic Nak, me and Leah)

Oh lordy my staff, and if you look carefully my horrible, horrible tan line :) (Jennifer, Brandon, Jenny, Danny and Jon)

(Me and Sam on the hottest part of the summer!... this was day one of registration)

Once upon a ponder...

I left home a on June 2nd for Tennessee... It's currently July 20th and I haven't been home.
I have meet 20 amazing staffers that have changed my life, I have gone on my dream vacation with my mom, I am currently sitting in a room provided by my amazing boyfriend and am getting ready to go visit my high school best friend and meet her new little
Wow!!
Te craziest thing is I might be returning to the west coast, but things are no going back to "normal", I'll be going home to say good-bye, pack my things and head up to WA to start my post graduate life. What that consist of, I'm not quit sure, but I'm stoked for that adventure! So far fit means I move in with Miss Becca Fliant, then in November my best friend joins me.

Some of the plans/dreams/hopes thus far:
- Thursday night Jersey Shore nights with Becca.... With a cheese and wine theme to honor their Italian setting
- decorating an apartment... Or two (HGTV I will represent you well!)
- buy kayaks
- become a runner
- become a morning person
- have Saturday morning adventures in Seattle

This adventure is scary, but exciting. I've learned that I'll have to say goodbye, miss important events and even the not so important ones, but I can't wait to see how God orchestrates it for his glory.

Day 12

Today is day 12 of my amazing journey with my mom. Twelve days is a lot of days for anyone to travel, but for us the one preceding today almost did us in. There were no extra steps taken, extra sights seen or anything out of the ordinary, but for some reason day 11 was a hard one. We went to bed early last night in order to start our day off early today. That didn't happen instead is started with a lazy morning, with a mid afternoon starbucks stop.
With a text from the boy that said "Hope today is the best ever"... we were on our way.
We started at the American History museum viewing Julia Child's Kitchen, Dorthy's Shoes and the Muppet's, but I'm finding I'm not a huge fan of this like that, but instead desire the hard facts (which I will later talk about my trip to the Newseaum...). After a lot of "ooohing" and "awwwing" we made our way over for our 1:45 appointment the Holocaust museum.
When I was in High School I visited a concentration camp and WW2 has always been fascinating so to visit our countries national museum was a privilege. We walked in an went up the elevator, watched a movie about propaganda and then started our venture, but I was in for more than I'd expected.
There was an older lady and a younger lady walking together the older lady was explaining the pictures and translating the signs and as I heard her say "Those signs were anti-Semitic they read 'I only date German Girls' and those say the same about boys". (Now I have a theory that if you follow old people through a museum you learn more, so as I heard her speak I began to follow). After about 5 mins of trying to stand in the back and not ask questions a man, loud and abrupt, asked who she was. The younger women answered and said "this is my great aunt, she's a survivor and you may join our tour if you want"... then she looked at me (who had though I'd been so smooth is staying in the shadows) and said "You may as well if you'd like". This began a two hour tour of the Holocaust Museum being escorted by Ms. Margit Meissner.
She would describe the pictures and then tell of how her story fit in with what the museum had depicted. She was part of a 2,000 people escape that a man whose last name was Fry helped execute, it was during the time they were trying to take the elite and intellegant out of the Nazi run areas in hopes of saving people such as Einstein. Her and her mom were able to escape (I believe from Austria or maybe Paris, but I got a little confused on the part trying to hear over people, I'll tell you when I'm done with her book) they rode our with 1,998 other people on bicycles the day before Hitler invaded the town they were in.
She was such a small fragile women with so much history behind her, I got her book, a picture and a signature and look forward to sharing more about her.

Margit's Story
Margit Meissner