Don't Stop This Train

Anthonie's home from his DET!! We didn't think he'd make it home in time to get to the John Mayer concert, but he did! Two days before he left, he came home with two free tickets to the concert from his LPO. We were so excited (even though we weren't sure he'd be back in time!)

The day arrived and I had spent all week packing up for our little camping trip four hours west of here. Anthonie called in the morning and said that he'd be getting in way too late. But I felt that we should at least try. So I went to lunch and decided to let it go. Then before I knew it, he arrived! We got in the car and booked it out of town! The drive to The Gorge was beautiful and relaxing.

So happy to have husband home!

The Road

Windmills are so calming!

I love driving with Mr. N. it's so relaxing to listen to music together, hold hands and talk about whatever comes to mind. I've always loved that we can cover any topic under the sun and still learn and grow from each other. 

When we got to the campsite, it was very windy!!! We had to work extra hard to put up the tent, but we got it up and then rushed to the show! We missed all the opening bands, but got there just in time for the real deal!! John Mayer was soooo good live! I loved hearing some of our old favorites and cuddling to some new ones. I fell in love with the new song "Don't Worry" -- or something like that. It was really well done and the lyrics were awesome. Anthonie and I took a walk and ended up right near the front and it was fun to watch JM from closer up. He really is unique.

Waiting for John Mayer to come on.

So happy to be together again! 

Looking West 

Still waiting...

Panorma View at The Gorge Amphitheater in WA

Happy Faces!

After the concert we went back to camp and tried to get some sleep in the wind! Halfway through the night, we had an unexpected visitor... An ant flew into Anthonie's ear!  Anthonie said it felt like a weird tapping and vibrating noise on his ear drum.  He woke up to this noise and didn't know what it was, so we were worried we'd have to make a trip to the ER.  Luckily, as soon as I shined a light on his ear, the ant found its way out.  (I made a video of Anthonie telling this story, but somehow it has disappeared.)

Then we drove home. Perfect weekend getaway and celebration of the end of ten days apart!

See!  We really do love to drive! :)

1st Month Anniversary

Today is our First Month Anniversary!

I posted this picture on Instagram saying, "Yay, baby!  We made it!"  Of course, this is only the first of many anniversaries, but we still wanted to make it special.  I made sure to capture the most important things in our home right now -- our wedding rings.  (Of course, I had no table to put them on, so they're resting on the TV for now, but THINGS don't matter!)

Before I could even get my picture posted, Anthonie wrote me a sweet love note before leaving for work.  Of course, it made me cry. The best line was, "Thank you so much for making this place a home. I love what you have done with it."  I am so blessed to have an appreciative husband who loves to compliment me.  I am so grateful for everything he is doing and how hard he works to provide for us.

Right after the inagural anniversary post, I opened the front door and found this:

My diploma!! I feel so honored to finally have a piece of paper showing my sacrifice and accomplishment in college.  Yay!!

Later, Anthonie took me on a special date.  We hiked to the highest spot on Whidbey Island.

Panorama of Goose Rock, near Deception Pass

We ate a little picnic of summer sausage, cheese, and "Mormon Wine" (aka. sparkling apple cider) as we basked in the spectacular view and enjoyed holding each other.  We also finished the book we've been reading together, "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss.  I highly recommend it; the main character, Kvothe, is so interesting.  All in all, it was a very monumental, romantic and memorable day.  I'm so happy to be married to my love, for time and all eternity!

A Windy Walk Along the Beach

I love sleeping in and enjoying time with Anthonie. Lately, he's been on the night check schedule, which means that he has to work at 3:00 pm and doesn't get home until 9:00 or 11:00 pm (sometimes 1:00 am!) at night. We don't like it very much, but it has to be done.


Yesterday we decided to enjoy one of the lovely state parks close to our house before Anthonie went to work. We packed a picnic lunch and our favorite book and drove to the beach. I love being so close to the water! It's so new!

Also, we had the the missionaries over tonight for dinner. I found out that they get tired of spaghetti, so we made salmon, steak and potatoes. It was delicious! I also enjoyed feeling the spirit they brought to our home.