Congrats to Toni and Corey!!!

My friends Toni and Corey got ENGAGED last Friday!!!! I'm so excited for them :) I have known Toni since I was 2... her grandma watched us both at her house down the street from where I lived...and we have been friends ever since! We were definitely both lucky to be able to grow up together and grow together through all the stages of our lives. Since I moved to San Diego two years ago, we have been far apart distance wise - but I know we will always be best friends no matter how apart we live from one another.

I was lucky enough to be there the night Toni met Corey, and I have liked him ever since! I was so happy when they finally started dating about year ago because I think they are perfect for each other!!! Can't wait for the wedding next summer :) Congrats guys!!!

Toni and Corey

Toni and me

So proud of him!!!

Today Matt had his first solo flight after a year out of the cockpit. Right after he finished the rag last year, he was sent on IA to Iraq and wasn't able to fly while he was there. He is just doing a short refresher course back at the rag before he goes into a squadron in a few weeks, and today was his first flight by himself. We were both really excited and I drove to base and waited at the park at the end of the runway so I could see him.

It was so exciting, and I am SO proud of him for having such an amazing attitude over the past year with everything that has been going on! Next time maybe he can sneak me in his bag...I am so jealous he gets to do this all the time!!! ;)

Here are some pics I took of him taking off:

Gettin' Down on the Farm

I just got back from San Fransisco this Saturday, and had a blast up there on my aunt and uncle's new farm. They bought a 300+ acre farm north of SF in a town called Petaluma, and it is absolutely gorgeous!!! They are business owners who decided that family is very important and wanted to provide a place for our family and other families to come and work together for the greater good. They will also be selling organic produce and meat in order to pay for the farm and keep everything going. Things are just getting started but here is what they have so far:

6 1/2 cows, 1 full grown momma and her baby, two teenage cows, two new borns, and a mentally challenged cow who just hangs out with the others and enjoys turning in left circles...(long story)

94 3 week old chickens

10 pigs

The animals are all sooo cute....well, minus the momma cow who tried to butt the 4-wheeler! I had so much fun taking care of them and just watching them eat, play, and live happy lives. Of course all of the animals are being raised for meat, but I feel good knowing that they are being raised in a happy, healthy environment.

I was lucky enough to be able to see the birth of two cows while I was there and it was AMAZING! (Although it also looked very painful) Sadly, the first cow to be born was not alive upon delivery :( But, the vet reached back in to discover that the mom was pregnant with TWINS and the next cow was small, but healthy, and unbelievably cute! It is very rare for cows to have twins, and it is common for one of the twins to be disfigured, which is what happened to the first cow. Luckily, nature has a way of righting itself, and the cow was stillborn so it didn't have to be put down.

I was also lucky enough to be involved in rescuing another new born from being sold off to become veal! No matter what anyone says, it is still common practice for veal cows to be treated horribly, and lucky for this little guy, he will have a happy and healthy life for a few years to come :)

I got to teach the two new borns how to drink from a bottle...Although I think I got more milk on myself than I did in their tummy's at first! They caught on quickly though and are both thriving in their new environment with a foster mom (my mom, who is feeding them now).

It was so great to spend time in a place that isn't as crowded as San Diego, and to be able to spend time with my family and the animals! I am planning on going up there to live for a few months next time Matt deploys so that I can help out! :) I am working on a blog for the farm right now, so I will keep you all updated so you can see it when it's up!



Here are some pictures of my family and the farm:

Our Wedding

Matt and I have now been married for almost 3 weeks...and I have to say that marriage is the best thing ever!!! It has taken me forever to actually write something about the wedding for a couple of reasons...

1. I knew when I wrote a blog about the wedding it would really hit me that it's already over! Time passed so quickly, and part of me is sad that it's already over :( However, I am beyond excited for the life that Matt and I have in front of us!!!

2. I didn't think I could actually put my feelings on that wonderful day into words, and truly express how amazing every moment of it really was!

3. I have been waiting for our pictures and videos to get all edited and touched up so that I could share them with everyone :)

So, without further delay...Here is a video Matt's dad filmed and edited for us:



I can only add that it was the most amazing day and week of my life. It meant the world to me to have our families there with us, and to be able to spend so much time with them! The ceremony was absolutely perfect...full of love and laughter, which really represents who we are as a couple. All I wanted to do was just freeze time and just soak up every moment of the ceremony...and every moment we spent in Mexico!!!

I have to admit that I cried when we left, and for a few days after just because I truly had the time of my life and didn't want it to ever end. We both agree that we want to take a real honeymoon (more than just a day) whenever we can...and that other than stopping time so that we could linger in those amazing moments forever...we wouldn't have changed a thing!!!

Every time something reminds me of Mexico, the beach, or the ocean I am immediately transported back to the most amazing week of my life, and my heart is filled with happiness and love. I am forever changed by the experiences we shared down in Cabo...and can't wait to see what wonderful adventures await us in our lives together!!!

You can help them breathe easy!!!

It's Spring again, and that means the annual Great Strides walk is coming up again in Houston, Texas! Great Strides is an organization that raises money for research on Cystic Fibrisis, and each and every dollar brings us closer to a cure for this disease. I am passionate about this walk because God sent an angel into my life in the form of an amazing woman named Cara Durnin. I met Cara and her husband Patrick last year at a Christmas party I went to with Matt, and we have been great friends ever since! I think sometimes people come into your life and you know that you will be friends with them forever...No matter what happens! I knew right away that Cara was one of those people, and even though her and her husband were stationed in Virginia last year, we have remained great friends. Cara was nice enough to let me come and stay with her this year while Matt and Patrick were deployed, and I ended up spending 3 months with her and her sweet dog Shiner. While I was staying with Cara I was able to give back by working closely with the USO in Norfolk, and give back to the amazing military men and women who sacrifice for us each and every day. Without Cara's help I would have never been able to have this amazing experience, and my life would not be the same today. On top of working full time, taking care of Shiner, entertaining me, and volunteering her time to help me with the USO, Cara also dealt with the symptoms of her Cystic Fibrosis, which often left her exhausted and sick...And her strength was something that truly inspired me each and every day. Cara has been an amazing support to me from the very first day we met, and has been an amazing friend to those around her all her life.

Last year I was able to join Cara in Texas for the Great Strides walk, and it was one of the most amazing times of my life! Not only was I able to support Cara in finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, but I was also able to meet all of Cara's friends and family, and see how each of them are truly touched by Cara simply being in their lives. Every time I visit Cara in Virginia or Texas I feel truly at home...because she is the kind of person who makes everyone feel special and loved. I feel so lucky to have been able to spend those 3 months with Cara and Shiner, and I always miss the amazing times we had just sitting on the couch laughing at Shiner or at something on tv, traveling in New York and Texas, and baking cookies and ham for the USO every week....But most of all, I just miss having such an inspiring friend around me every day. Cara inspires me to be a better friend, wife, women of God, mother to a dog (someday soon)...and to appreciate even the small things in life.

I know that you all have someone in your life who has truly changed you for the better, and inspired you to live a better life. When Cara was young, there were many times when the doctors told her parents that their daughter would not make it to see her next birthday because of this horrible disease. When I think about it, I can't even imagine how my life would be different today if those doctors had been right. There are many young children who die every day from Cystic Fibrosis...Children who will never be able to make a difference in people's lives like Cara has.

During my time in Virginia Cara lost a few of her friends to CF...Women who were friends, and wives, and mothers, and fellow angels. These women didn't have to die...I know that we can find a cure for this disease, and save so many amazing people!

In just a few weeks Cara will arrive at the Naval Base as her husband's carrier pulls back in to port, and they will be reunited after an 8 month deployment. They will then travel to Texas for Cara's walk, and head down to Mexico for their honeymoon after 2 years of marriage. Cara has a great life ahead of her...a life full of celebrating a wonderful marriage, welcoming children into the world, and bringing so much love into the lives of her family and friends. The average life expectancy for someone with CF is 37...Cara is 27. Ten more years is just not enough...so please help us give her and her fellow Cf-ers the greatest gift of all...the gift of more time.

The following is a video that will introduce you to Cara and to this horrible disease. Every little gift counts...So please go to the link below, or to the link at the end of this video and give what you can to help us find a cure now!!!

I love you all, and you are all a blessing in my life! Please help me to keep another one of my blessings breathing easy!!! :)

http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/dsp_DonationPage.cfm?walkid=5860&idUser=223697

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltcmLCiO6xs&feature=player_embedded

A love that cannot be earned...

Tonight I went back to my favorite church in San Diego and participated in a gathering of Christians that truly touched my heart. The message tonight was about God's love...and that the only way to reach God is through his son Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, God's love cannot be earned, but is given freely to all of humanity. The sad thing about this free love is that many people don't know about it, or about Jesus' life and love for them. It got me thinking about how many people in my life don't know that I have a relationship with God and see Jesus' love each and every day in my life....And that my belief in God is too powerful to not tell other people about his wonderful love.

Christianity teaches us through the actual events of Jesus' life that there is nothing you can do to earn God's love, but that God's love is freely given, and all our sins are forgiven before we even commit them. There is nothing you have to do to get God to love you and bless you...and if you want to know him all you have to do is seek Him, and you will find Him.

Christianity was meant from the beginning to be the most inclusive religion in the world because Jesus didn't come to the earth and say: "I am dying to forgive the sins of the Jews," or "I am dying to save the people who are perfect," or "I am only dying to save those who are black or white or brown" Jesus came to the earth and died so that He could forgive the sins of EVERYONE, and pave the way for ANYONE to know God's amazing love.

Many times people perceive Christianity to be a religion that tries too hard to convince people to join the religion...But the following may help to explain why Christians are so adamant about spreading the word of Christ to the entire world.

I have known God since I was a very small girl...Almost as far back as I can remember. I went to church and learned about God and Jesus there, but my real relationship with Jesus started because God himself reached out to me and let himself be known to me. I had an understanding of God and what His love meant to me at such a young age, and it was this knowing God and understanding His amazing love that truly saved my life over and over again as I grew up and faced the hardships that came my way. I was the happiest in my life when I felt close to God...and without Him, I know that I would not be living the life I am blessed to live today.

If you were me and you experienced the same life-changing love and happiness that I experienced in knowing Jesus, then you would come to understand why I want to tell people all about Christianity, and why I would want them to be able to experience the same unconditional love that I have experienced. People are passionate about Jesus because He has truly made a difference in their lives...and if you believe in Him and seek a relationship with Him then you will see His love...which has been with you your whole life. Jesus came to die for you...to forgive your sins, and offer His amazing love to YOU.

I first read what is now my favorite bible verse on Cara's blog...and I wanted to share it with you too! It's Jeremiah 29:11 "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."

God has plans for You...wonderful plans that include His amazing, freely given love. There's nothing you can do to make God love you...He loved you before you were even born...and He will love you everyday of your life no matter what!

My hope is that all of you can come to know God, or strengthen the relationship you already have with Him...and always see His amazing love in your life.

It's been forever...

I know that it has been forever since I last posted a blog...It seems like things have just been crazy since Matt got home, and we have been going non-stop! Since he got home 51 days ago we have...

1. Gone to Hawaii
2. Gone to check out our wedding spot
3. Re-organized our little apartment
4. Spent time with all of our friends who are deploying sooner than expected :(
5. Printed and sent out wedding invitations
6. Visited with my parents here in San Diego
7. Planned everything for the wedding...
8. Moved to a new townhouse
9. Got my engagement ring re-sized
10. Bought our wedding bands
11. Planned our bachelor/bachelorette party
12. Packed and un-packed all of our stuff
13. Been working...well, Matt has ;)
14. Taken the test to become a substitute teacher in California (Kara)
15. Gotten to know each other again after a long 7 months!

It has been great and busy at the same time since Matt has been home, and I am thankful to have him back each and every day. Deployments are definitely not easy...not in the beginning or the end...But we have gotten and are getting through it together!

We are very excited about the wedding!!! We checked our mail for the first time last night at the new house and we were attacked by RSVP cards busting out of our little mailbox :) We were very excited to get them...and feel so much love from both the people who are coming and those who can't make it as well. We love all of our friends so much and can't wait to see them all again in the summertime!!!

I couldn't sleep last night because I was up late thinking about all of our friends who are dealing with deployment right now...Cara and Patrick, Erin and John, Jen and Eli, Tania and Doug, Stephanie and James, and all of our single friends too! My heart truly goes out to them, and I am so proud of each and every one of them for making this sacrifice and being so strong. The military can be hard to deal with...But, for me, it's worth it to be a part of something bigger than just myself. I can honestly look at Matt and I, and all of our friends and see people with amazing passion, character, strength, and love. I have looked my whole life for friends like these...and have found a few along the way...but not like I have found within our military family over the past year and a half. I am thinking of all of you...and love you all!!!

Well, Stephanie just dropped off my little buddy Jack the chihuahua, and he is hanging out here for a few hours today while she is at work. Jack is the cutest little dog, and he definitely made me smile every time I saw him even when I was sad that Matt was gone on deployment. He is a little sad at the moment since his mommy just left...so I am going to go play with him for a while.

I am sending out care packages to Cara, Erin, and Jen this week...So keep an eye out girls! :)

Only a month until the wedding....I can't believe it's so soon!!!

Last but not least...I promise to be better about blogging now that we are in our new home and things are calmed down a bit.