Wow!

Inspirational Video

I saw this video on a friend's blog and had to share it on mine! It just goes to show you how amazing God's love is. Despite our attempts at doing what we feel is right and best and smart and informed, sometimes what we need to do is honor the life He gave us, in all forms, and just trust!

Pictures from Alaska

I'm posting pictures from Alaska as I have no words to describe its beauty. If you ever doubt the amazingness of God, go to Alaska!

Come On!

I'm soooo over Summer right now! I've been doing rain dances and cool weather dances for about 3 days to no avail! I dread showering only to go and sit in the stands at a baseball game in the upper 90s!! So, all you Summer-lovin' people can have your sweltering heat, your beating sun, your sticky wind, and your stroke-inducing humidity! As for me, I'll be counting down to Fall!

I am, however, enjoying Murphy's All-Star baseball games (despite the crappy heat) I will post pictures and updates later. So far, they've won the first game and they play again tonight! Go East Side!!

It Happened!

My heart, my love, my gift! Perhaps the most beautiful and exciting part of my trip to Alaska was that Bill proposed and I said yes! Not perhaps...DEFINITELY!!! I know that many people assumed it would happen but I stopped "planning" my life a few years ago. When I met Bill I decided that I would let God lead me on this path and that I would allow (that sentiment makes me laugh as I dare to think that I know better than God!!) things to unfold according to God's time. I trust God and I trust Bill's timing as he has an awesome relationship with God!

It was the 4th of July. We approached the last night in Alaska. We were on a deck in the back of our hotel in Fairbanks, Alaska. We were remarking how we could not believe it was 11:30 pm and the sun was still shining in our eyes. (I realize that these are all incomplete/run-on sentences but I'm just reporting the facts) It was mentioned that we would be back to the grind in one more day. I whined about his broken air conditioner and clogged drain. I closed my eyes for a moment. Bill was on his knee with MY ring in his hand. I cried. He wondered if that meant yes. I cried some more. YES. YES. YES.

It was the one of the sweetest moments of my life. In a flash I tried to recount our conversations leading up to this moment. In horror, I realized that I had had a few cocktails and so my lips were moving a mile a minute! We had spent some time with his brothers and their wives and I think I had mentioned that my bra did not hook in the front - horror!!! (In context: we were talking about how difficult things are for the elderly - things that we take for granted) So, imagine my surprise that, despite my ability (and talent) to let things fly out of my mouth, that this wonderful man still wants me to be his wife!! He is a gift to me. He has done so much to restore my heart. He loves me for who and for what I am and I will spend the rest of our lives showing him how much I love him!

Upon arriving home, all of the giantness (word?) of the the engagement hit me! I'm just as over the moon as I was in Fairbanks - maybe more, if that's possible?! I realize that this means a move to Cleveland for my kids and me. It will be difficult and quite emotional but I don't want to spend one more moment away from this amazing man! I am cleaving and leaving! I trust that God will keep us protected - I can't exactly trust Him in some parts of our lives but not in others!

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Here is the beautiful ring that Bill picked out for me (with no assistance from myself or from anyone else)

Alaska!

It's hard to believe that I went to Alaska! I have lots of thoughts and pictures and such but I'm still just so stinkin' tired that it will have to wait until I have a little more energy!

Suffice it to say, it was spectacular, wonderful, amazing, beautiful, unique, romantic...