Merry Christmas

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

I love the Christmas story. I think it has always been one of my favorite parts of the scriptures. The account of the sheperds herding their sheep, struck and terrified when the ultimate glory of angels appeared to them bringing the glorious news of the arrival of the Christ child. To think that the creator of heaven and earth, Jehovah, Yahweh, Elohim, the great I AM, who is and was and is to come, humbled himself and came as we all do, in the body of a weak and fragile baby. 

I don't think people understand what it would be for divinity and eternity to place themselves in the body of sin and mortality. We are not divine therefore our understanding of it is limited. But it is one of the most beautiful acts, the beginning of the abolishment of sin. Before Christ could sacrifice himself, he needed to be born in human flesh. With skin that felt cold, that brought pain and cries of hunger. I am sure he was unlike a normal child, one without fear of the world he came to save. But he felt as we felt. That is a glorious understanding.

Jesus was most likely not born in december let alone on the 25th exactly. The Christmas holiday was adopted over a pagan feast day by a Christian roman emperor over one thousand years ago. But it doesn't matter how commercialized or paginated or idolized the Christmas season is by most people. Because that is not why I celebrate it. It is a remembrance, an honor for the day God became a baby, laid in the arms of a righteous teenage girl and her husband. 

How terrified Mary must have been faced with the responsibility of bringing the savior of her sins up as a man to fulfill the purpose. But she must have felt peace, submitting her complete and utter will to the Lord. I cannot fathom the strength and courage that took. But I thank her every day for her answer, "let it be to me as you have said, I am the Lord's servant." 

I am thankful for the blessings in my life, and I look forward to spending future years with my children gathered around as Justin and I tell them the day that God came as a baby just for you and me.

Tis the Season...

So this particular holiday season has been unlike any other that I have experienced before. It has been busier, more stressful and a little less cheerful than any before.

We are living in an apartment filled with boxes, balancing the new joys of closing on a home within the end of the year and spending time with our families for the holidays with a whole slew of stress that follows with it.

I am not allowed to talk about the house much because we don't have the keys so we technically are not homeowners yet. So instead of jinxing it, I will simply say that I hope to ring in the new year in our own home soon.

We have spent so much money on presents and the new house that I cant help but feel a tiny sword prick my hear whenever I have to take out my debit card for yet another purchase. We aren't broke but it hurts!

I have had a few bad days since I quit my job which I wont discuss because I like my privacy in that sense but it definitely hasn't helped my strain levels. That and the fact that every little thing makes me want to burst into tears for no reason. Its been an emotional train ride as we finally climb the last crest to the final drop in our new step into adulthood.

I am so thankful for my family and my close friends who are with us each step of the way on this strange, hard new journey.

It's weird to think that I am 21, married, buying a home and expecting to start a family soon. Inside I still feel like a 15 year old girl terrified of boys and I cannot even fathom where I will be in 6 years. Lets say it was never where I ended up today. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Packing Boxes

December rolled around WAY too quickly but I wouldn't have it any other way. Our dining room is now filled with boxes from both of my jobs waiting to be filled with all of our junk. We get to lug a whole apartment full of furniture across the state! Whoopie!

Despite my obvious enthusiasm for packing and packing and more packing, I have never been more excited for almost anything in my life as much as this move. Save for the day I married my sweetheart of course!

We are in the process of trying to purchase a home but Justin is already working monday through fridays in Coeur D'alene and Nevada while I wait out things here. We only see each other on weekends now but luckily he gets 3 weeks off for the upcoming holidays before work starts again in January. 

I put in my resignation at my dental office for the 15th and gave my espresso stand notice of my leaving soon. It has become so real now that my permanent connections here are fraying. I am perfecting my resume in hopes of working a private dental office in Idaho monday through thursday 7 to 4 like a normal assistant usually does. Monday through Saturday was great but as we grow nearer to the days when mommyhood appears, I don't want such long work weeks. Slowing down in more ways than one.

Our lease is up in January, so stay tuned on our turning of events! 

A Change of Address

So it's official. The hubs and I are packing up our tiny little apartment, two dogs and traveling across the rainy woods of Washington to the flats of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho to set up our permanent residence.

This decision has been a long time coming but a new job opportunity arose for Justin which he could not deny from a family friend who bases his company out of CDA. Our lease is up in January and the house hunt has begun.

We drove 6 hours in our little white pick up late last night so we could spend four glorious days with our friends, the Lanpheres, while we look around at the houses available in the area. Being the cheapo's we are, we are aiming at a price of the mid 100,000's. Something that would be absolutely UNHEARD of in the Snohomish/Mill Creek area since apparently that part of the country didn't hear about the housing market dip.

We have spent a part of our saturday driving around and scoping out places we are interested in having our agent show us tomorrow. A 3 bed 2 bath sounds FABulous. Enough room for us, our pups, a baby or two and the impending arrival of one sister-in-law who graduates this coming summer as she starts her freshman year at NICC.

I know, I am absolutely amazed at the generosity we have at offering my kid sister a place to live rent free while she goes to school.

Anywho, we are unbelievably excited at this new step in our lives together and cant wait to ring in the new year with a new state and a new address and our FIRST home!!!

'

This house is 148,000 with 4 bedrooms. Where the HECK would you ever see that in Washington.

My hunter husband and I are very happy with this decision :)

Thanks Be For Fall

October is over and November is here! A whole month closer to my favorite holiday! Christmas! But turkey day brings its own blessings (green bean casserole) and curses (five pounds further away from my good weight). Now lets reminisce of all the favorite parts of the closing to each year.

1) Rain. Its cliche for a born and bred Seattlite to say but I really do love the pitter patter of rain drops on our deck as I sit snuggled up to watch a movie. Running outside in the rain however is whole different matter and I don't personally like feeling damp. Just looking at the damp things outside while I am dry inside.

2) Warm beverages of all different types! Cold weather means hot drinks and hot drinks for me know no end. Whether it's a Coconut Mocha, Almond Hot Chocolate, Creme Brulee or Pumpkin Spice latte or my new favorite Salted Caramel Mocha. Nothing tastes better!

3) Old movies. Hubby thinks I am weird but I love classic films from the 30's, 40's and 50's. I was watching The  Mummy circa 1932 last night and fell in love with the old time glamour of the era that was reflected in the acting and the costumes. The starlets eyebrows however, were an eyesore.

4) Close quarters with the man I love. I like snuggling. correction: LOVE. When the weather is cold I get the excuse of touching skin to skin with J and my cuddly little girls. Nothing I love more.

I love the end of the year because it brings me that much closer to the next year and with that a lot of new surprises!

Be fruitful and multiply...

Babies, babies, babies! I love me some tiny toes to nibble and rosy cheeks to kiss and soft little bellies to tickle. The second most popular thing that seems to be happening to people my age aside from marriage, is the blooming of baby bumps. Ironically those two things are rarely related.

Aside from politics of which comes first, marriage or a baby carriage, I have been running some baby fever.

Pregnant women are the most adorable creatures to grace this earth. It is amazing that our bodies were made to create, grow and birth life into this world. It is truly magnificent and something I am very excited to experience.

Since we tied the knot over 6 months ago, one of the most asked questions has to be about children. I have two extremes. The ones who are waiting on bated breath for us to announce a new little life into the world and others who like to add "we hope you wait awhile" at the end of it. Well thanks for the enthusiasm!

A child is a huge responsibility as well as a huge blessing. I do not doubt that if we found out that we are pregnant tomorrow we would be ready to take on the challenge with open arms and mounds of love for our future son or daughter. However, if it doesn't happen for a few more years, I am alright with that too. We aren't trying for any babies if you were wondering. But if it happens I wont be upset.

We have our to do list before baby G makes it's grand entrance. We want stable jobs in the city we plan on raising our littles in as well as owning our own home. None of those things have happened right now and thats okay. The Lord plans out everything in his timing and I trust in that.

Whether we welcome a precious gift this year or 5 years down the road I will be grateful and joyous.

So no, we are not pregnant, no we are not trying, but yes we would be elated if it happens. I trust in us and the timing allotted to us. After all, babies are so darn CYUTE!

I mean look at that little munchkin! I just want to nibble him.

Young and Married.

As the title explains, we get to discuss the terrible, wonderful, no good amazing life long sometimes ends in divorce contract covenant that is marriage. Could I fit enough individual definitions into that title? Everyone likes to view marriage in their own special way. Lets review a few:

Marriage: a choking contract that leaves you broken hearted and with half the cash

Marriage: an everlasting convenant that binds two souls to one another forever

Marriage: The legal status, condition, or relationship that results from a contract by which one man and one woman, who have the capacity to enter into such an agreement, mutually promise to live together in the relationship of Husband and Wife in law for life, or until the legal termination of the relationship.

Now which of these definitions do you suppose I find most accurate to my own standing. 
First lets go over my own life.

I met my husband at 18, he was 22. I was a student at a church camp and he was a youth leader. We spent time together for several weeks, without even a touch of lips in order to understand each other on a spiritual and emotional level first. 

What my husband has revealed to me in trust I will not reveal without permission, however I can tell you of my own decisions before I met him that June day. 

I had had a number of regretful and sad events happen to me in the years before. I had my heart broken in more ways than one and vowed to wait for the one I was to marry.

At 18 this was a big decision. A big fat crazy hopeless decision. But it was a wise choice indeed.

We met, engaged and married in less than 2 years.

Thats pure insanity and stupidity to most people.

I hear it all the time. The examples, excuses and reasons are endless. "your crazy to get married?" "You haven't matured into yourself yet." "How do you know you won't meet someone else?" "What about a career" "You dont have to get married, just live together"

Well I get sick of listening to that. I'm sorry but I don't recall ever asking for anyone else's opinion on my life choices.

Sure, I met a boy, fell in love and committed my life to him.

Not unusual.

What's unusual is that I was a mere 20 years when I tied the knot. 

The funny part is, that up until 30 years ago, it was not unusual at all.

Why is it that we are so arrogant to feel that we are so much more enlightened than another? 

My husband and I both love one another. With a love I wish others could experiance. I trust him, he trusts me. We committed. We both come from loving families, with two sets of parents still married. His mother at 18, father at 20. My mother at 21 and father at 23. Youngsters who didn't know what life would bring. Still in love and still committed 32 and 24 years later. If thats not a good example to follow, I don't know what else is. 

I have a best friend. His name is hubby, baby, sugar, honey. I am elated that I can spend a lifetime with him. I hope you can be happy for that. I would be for you. 

Welcome Home!

As many of you know, my dear husband and I have been apart for a number of reasons over the couple of years we have been together. Right before he proposed to me last winter, we had been apart for 6 months due to military training. 2 1/2 of those months had no communication allowed whatsoever aside from handwritten letters. This year, we have been apart for 4 months of our marriage.

J was fishing on my Dad's boat off the coast of Oregon and California for the past 2 months trying to earn some money for a down payment on a house. I was not expecting him home for at LEAST another week. But my father, with the sucker of a heart he has for the happiness of his daughters, drove down to Newport, Oregon, a 6 hour drive one way, to pick up my hubby and bring him home early to suprise me.

My parents had me fooled into thinking that I was going to go to dinner with them at Fred's Alehouse before watching the Glacier Peak homecoming football game last night. I was irritated all day after waking up late for work and staying over an hour and a half after close to help with a final patient that had been scheduled wrong. I love my job but 10 hours there a day is more than enough and I was beyond pissed off by the time I got to Fred's. Little did I know that that anger would all melt away in less than a minute.

My sneaky man was sitting at the far end of the bar like a creeper waiting for me to join my family at a nearby table.

Not suspicious at all to nearby bar patrons.

asking if the empty seat next to me is taken.

"What the h***"

Notice my fathers face?

Beyond happy my other half is home to me again.

I can handle my husband being gone. It's hard but its doable because I love him that much. But I would rather be in his arms every day either way.

Another Gere Proposal

My husband has an older brother, Jordan. Exactly 2 years, 1 month and 14 days older. He has been dating a very funny and pretty girl named Breanna who is exactly 4 years, 9 months and 17 days older than I am.

They started dating about a month before the hubs and I met. Meaning that we have been waiting for the ring and the question for awhile since J and I married nearly 6 months ago already.

Breanna was an impatient squirmy worm for Jordan to ask her the big question. We have been mentally planning her wedding to the elder Gere brother for awhile now but it never was the right time.

Jordan was full of excuses. "I have to finish school" was the number one.

And he lied! Because he proposed this past weekend and he wasn't done with school. He just wanted to throw her off. And he did very well. This is the proposal story I helped make happen. Only a little though.

So it all started when this little even invite popped up on facebook!

Holy cow it was Jordan's plan to propose! I almost had a heart attack since it was on facebook and I hoped he was for sure for really sure that this event was private and Breanna couldn't see it.

To summarize his master proposal plan, he was going to gather all of Breanna's friends and family and future in-laws (me and the fam bam) at the Mukilteo Light House which they apparently had one of their first dates at or something along those lines.

We were all to make signs signifying certain steps in their relationship such as their first kiss, the giving of a promise ring and the asking of blessings from her parents.

He would then sneak her there without her suspecting any of this and bring her around the lighthouse to all her waiting loved ones. As their song played in the background we would all come forth in pairs as our signs progressed down their relationship until they reached the days date of October 6th, 2012.

It was there that Jordan would get down on one knee and present her with the ring of her dreams. She nodded yes through her tears and now another aisle trot is in the making. Here are some photos I stole from her mom to document the day.

 and they lived happily ever after. Until the wedding planning begins....