I Love Being A Girl

I don't know how many times over the last three and a half years that I've been with Josh that I've groaned, screamed, sighed the words, "I hate being a girl." The cramps, the insecurities, the drama, the crying,and the stressing... I mean really. Women are unpredictable. I am definitely a testament to that. We love with everything we have, we make decisions with our hearts when we should make decisions with our heads. But not all of those things are bad things. We are emotional, and passionate, loving and kind. We are attuned to the needs of others in a way that the opposite sex can never be. We have bonds with soul friends, that can't be broken, and we have the need to make connections with people. We have style, and class, beauty, and brains. A combination that cannot be stopped! And some of us are lucky enough to have men in our lives that drive us crazy, but realize when it comes down to it, they truly do adore us. We get to pamper ourselves, wear high heels, talk for hours, and laugh til we cry. So, as awful as it is to feel like you won't age as gracefully as your husband, or the dread you feel because that cellulite on the back of your legs just won't go away, remember that it really is a beautiful thing to be a woman. And love it.

Images found here: The Sartorialist and The Dust Jacket Attic Photos by: Scott Schuman, Serge Guerand, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

Have A Fabulous Weekend!

My hubby is having a guys weekend this weekend, so I'm out to find something to do with myself. Saturday night I'm spending some time with sweet friends, I have a session Sunday morning with an awesome family, and I'm so excited! Monday my hair is going dark! FINALLY! I definitely need a change. And going a little warmer is always a good idea for the winter months. I'm thinking a chocolatey (is that a word?) brown. Have a fabulous weekend darlings!

Photo by: Yelena Yemchuk

My Paris...

I've been waiting to post some photos of Paris for a long time now. I'm sure I've posted some before, but I've never been able to create the image of Paris I had in my head and translate it in Photoshop. Now I can, and it feels so good to have images from Paris that I like. These photos were taken two and a half years ago, and if I could go back and retake all the photos that I took in Europe, I would. Most of the time, I don't know what I was thinking, but these are two I love, and am thinking about printing and mounting for the huge blank wall we have in our living room. So this is the way I see Paris! There will be a full post tomorrow. :)

Au Revoir!

Heading to the City

Josh and I are heading to Portland to day to see what we can see. Josh's parents are coming down, the only reason Josh would ever step foot in a city without a fight is if company is coming. We are headed out to have some delicious food at one of the Diner, Drive Ins and Dives restaurants Josh's mom saw on the show, and then after that, it's a mystery!

I came across these photos today. I think they are just perfect. I've never been a huge fan of Kerri Russel, but these photos are just lovely of her. I want to own everything she is wearing. It reminds me of walking on a crisp cold morning in Paris. I miss that weekend we spent there so much. We are off to our adventures. Have a wonderful Sunday! Do something fun.

This sweater is amazing. I love the frills!

photos via instyle
I love a big scarf, and jacket!

Ciao!

Things I've Done, and Some I'd Like To Do...

Just a little tid bit about me:) Things I've done are in pink, things I haven't done, but want to are in gray, and things I DONT want to do are in purple.


1. started your own blog
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band
4. visited hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to disneyland/world
8. climbed a mountain (climbing isn't my thing)
9. held a praying mantis (no bugs for me)
10. sang a solo
11. bungee jumped
12. visited paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea (we weren't on the sea, but the lightning storm was)
14. taught yourself an art from scratch (does teaching yourself photography count?)
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the statue of liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. seen the mona lisa in france (sadly, when we went, we didn't go to the Louvre)
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch hiked
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping (in the Mediterranean, when we were on vacation. I put my bottoms back on when we went to the beach. Everyone else was topless, why not me to?)
27. run a marathon
28. ridden a gondola in venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen niagara falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors (I would love to do this!)
35. seen an amish community
36. taught yourself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. seen the leaning tower of pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen michelangelo's david in person
41. sung karaoke
42. seen old faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. visited africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
t46. been transported in an ambulance
47. had your portrait painted
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the sistene chapel in person
50. been to the top of the eiffel tower in paris (we thought about it, but the line was way too long)
51. gone scuba diving or snorkelling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in theatre
55. been in a movie
56. visited the great wall of china
57. started a business
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold girl scout cookies.
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason
64. donated blood (either too anemic, or just got a tattoo)
65. gone sky diving (not really something I want to do)
66. visited a nazi concentration camp
67. bounced a cheque
68. flown in a helicopter (I drove a tugboat once, though)
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the lincoln memorial
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in times square
74. toured the everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guard in london (I have in other countries)
77. broken a bone
78. been on a speeding motorcycle (sadly, no)
79. seen the grand canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire bible (read alot of it)
86. visited the white house
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury (almost)
91. met someone famous
92. joined a book club
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. seen the alamo in person.
96. swum in the great salt lake.
97. been involved in a law suit
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee

I don't know why there aren't 100?

Oh well, have a wonderful Thursday!

Alyssa

Why Do Men Get Better Looking As They Get Older, And Women Just Look Worse?

Last night I was forced to watch one of Josh's favorite childhood movies, Darby O' Gill and the Little People. The title alone made me shudder with thoughts of little leprechauns jumping about, and really bad acting. Being St. Patrick's Day and all, it was of course fitting for the occasion. Now don't get me wrong, I love old films. I am a huge fan of Rear Window, An Affair to Remember, and Breakfast at Tiffany's just to name a few, but there's just something about an old man talking to little men dressed in green that makes me sick to my stomach. I may have appreciated it more if it had been a movie I watched when I was a kid, something like Parent Trap, or that movie "Cartoon All-Stars To The Rescue" the anti-drug movie with Winnie-the-Pooh and Alf, that I rented from A-1 video in town at least a hundred times. I was not only completely against drugs then, but I'm sure this is the reason why I've completely stayed away from them for so many years. If you start early, that stuff is chizzled into your brain.

Anyway, onward, and on to the point of my blog. The bright spot in the film was Sean Connery. I am a HUGE fan of most everything Sean Connery. His white hair, his huge eyebrows, the accent, the over all look of him, and oh, his acting is nice too. Sean was much younger in this movie, 29, I read, and while he was good looking, I much prefer the 69 year old Connery.

I know, ew, right? I'm sorry, I have a thing... A good looking man is a good looking man, and I have had a crush on Sean Connery since I saw him in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It was love at first sight, I had to have been four when I saw it. I have had a thing for older men ever since, and somedays I still wonder why I married a guy only a year and a half older than me. Josh isn't old enough. He'll get there, though.

So as I sat with Josh watching the movie I wondered aloud, "Why do men get better looking, and women just look worse as they age?" And it's true. Johnny Depp? Can't get much better than Johnny Depp at 45, glorious. Richard Gere? Like I said, I love me some white hair,Kevin Costner, I'm in love... And, Mel Gibson? Well he is iffy, I think party of his problem is his decision to jump on the crazy train. But I'm sure if he hadn't fallen off his rocker, he in fact would be glorious too.

So why is it that men get better looking as they get older. Is it not enough that woman have to suffer through the pains of childbirth, cellulite, bloating, and weight complexes through our entire lives, but we also have to carry the burden that our boyfriends and husbands will only get better looking as we look more and more like hell? Is there no justice in the world?

I sat there watching the movie and came to the probable realization that at 21, this is as good as I am going to look, and to tell you the truth, that kind of sucks... I'm not saying I'm ugly, I'm just saying that it's a real bummer that I'm going to peak at 21. Bleh. The dark circles, the "alabaster" skin, and the very visible veins I have protruding out of my hands that I can thank my beautiful grandmother for, will only get worse.

Some mornings I look in the mirror and just shake my head. Makeup really does make a huge difference. DEPRESSING!!! Now if I could only get it to stick on my face... I've tried everything from cover girl, to Clinique, to Bare Minerals, NOTHING stays on my face. I think I might start using some spackle or plaster as a base coat... That might help.

And why is it that we just keep looking worse as the day goes on? I like those few minutes between putting my makeup on and getting my outfit on in the morning. Those few minutes when I say, "Hey this could work." We keep getting worse, and our guys just sit there all smug and good looking for the entire day. Half the time they don't even brush their hair. Again, NO JUSTICE.

I wish there was some sort of miracle work that could make us look better. Oh there is botox, and surgery, and all that fun stuff, but my thoughts are, if I wasn't born with it, then I wasn't meant to have it. I "blessed" with a small chest, so when guys in high school would come up to me and ask if I would get a boob job when I got older I would politely say, "What the hell kind of question is that? NO."

Is it some joke from God that we have to suffer through everything else, and just look older and older? Is there a secret? Is it just good genes? Or is it just great products and alot of money? Women at 45 in Hollywood look better than I do at 21. But I really don't have the money to lay down for a little tuck here, and a little enhancement there.

So with muscle freezing botox out, and putting bags of saline or silicone into my chest out. I'm left with creams and salves and living a good life, and the hopes that I will age gracefully....But I'm not betting on it.

Yes We Can: January 20, 2009

No matter who you voted for in the 2008 election, today is a moment that will go down in history. Never before have people been so excited, and held so much hope for the future. Today can be a turning point for this nation, and while we have so far to go, I am proud of how far we have come. Today is a special day, a powerful day, and a beautiful day. I pray for our new President's strength, and wisdom! I hope you enjoy this day for all it is worth!

God Bless!

Alyssa

Sharing Joy and Pain

One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is a friend. Some of us are blessed with one friend that we feel we share much more than just a few likes and dislikes with, and there are some of us who are blessed with a few friends that we feel a deeper connection with. I've talked about soul friends before, and I'm pretty sure I've talked about sharing life's events with eachother, but for me it is a season of sharing beautiful moments of joy even if we are far apart.



As I sit here on this cloudy March morning I can't help but smile because I have been blessed with such wonderful people in my life. While these people vary in personality we all have one thing in common: We were thrown together by God for some reason, sometimes the reason is unknown to us, but with time, and the growth of friendship our eyes were opened to the answer. We were put together to help eachother in what ever joy, or hardship that lies in our past, in our present, and in our future. Each of my friends has helped me in a different way, and my hope is I have helped them as well.



I find it amazing that we as people build such great connections with eachother. I think sometimes we are so worried about feeling anything that we shut ourselves off from any emotion at all, and become so introverted in attempts to shield ourselves from the hurt and pain we someitmes feel. At the same, though, as a result to drawing inward, and everyone else outward we shut out the beauty of the joys in life. Feeling is a part of being human, and while I spent the better part of my childhood working on the fine craft of feeling nothing, or at least letting people think I was feeling nothing, I refuse to let my adult life take on the same form. While my emotions are usually up and down now, especially after my dad died, feeling nothing is so exhausting.

So like I said, I find it amazing that even though we as people sometimes have a hard time coping, or handling our own emotions, we invest so much of ourselves into our friends, families, and the ones we are the closest too.

We feel overwhelming joy in their happy times, and sadness in times of trial. While we will always have our own lives to worry about, somewhere along the way we cross that line of just being friends, and we let ourselves feel what they feel, and we feel them so freely, and so openly.

The human condition amazes me. It is such a blessing to share all of life's experiences with friends. Friends need to support, and we need the gift of a friend who will truly feel in their hearts the way we do during times of happiness and struggle.

Anyway, just a quick thought for the day!

Have a blessed day

Alyssa

A Real Irish Dinner

Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day, as everyone knows, well, I think everyone knows. While I don't understand why St. Patrick got a holiday, and why we have to wear green, I follow the masses and go out of my way to find something green in my closet. I looked in my closet, and what did I find? Not green. I found alot of dark blue, white and black, but again, no green. I have one green shirt, it was dirty, and too late to wash it the night before, so I was going to go sans green until I remembered that big rock of a Green Yag ring my mom got me for christmas one year. I love this ring, and it's the perfect color. Think emerald green! Beautiful, and it's huge, well maybe not huge, but large on my little finger. Actually, it needs to be fitted, but that's a whole other story.

So I found my green, although small, I refused to get pinched by any of the kids at daycare. Whats the reason for pinching anyway? I hated being pointed out as a child when I wasn't wearing green on St. Patrick's Day. Then being pinched was twice the torture. I thought that kind of stuff was supposed to be fun as a child. It didn't end up being that way, though.

Onward. Josh, my mom, my in-laws (kim and harvey) and I went to dinner last night at our pastors house. Kim and Harvey had bought this dinner at an Auction a few weeks back. Dinner was $300 dollars! The money went to churches in Uganda, so it was for a good cause. We had corned beef, which I have never had before, and loved, I wanted more, but I couldn't fit it in my stomach, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, a great salad and bread. Such a beautiful meal. To top it off we shared some wonderful laughs, some interesting chatter, and made a great memory. By far the best St. Patrick's Day I have ever had. I loved it. It is so nice to be an adult. I know Josh and I are still young, but it is so nice to be around people who like to sit around together and talk about memories, and life in general. It was such a wonderful experience. Don't you just love life? I do!

Have a blessed Tuesday!

Alyssa

Dying for some organization!

so I haven't posted forever and a day it seems like. When I check people's blogs and such, I get so bummed out when there is nothing new. I do the same thing, although there are only a few people that read my blogs.

We are on our way back up to the lake tonight, yet again time to nomad our way out of someone else's house and into another one. At least this time it will be our stuff, but we will be back to the good ol' days of 5 am wake up to be in town by 6:40. BLAH! I've been packing for at least two days now, and I'm not done. I have to load everything in the car, and then we will have to unload it tonight after a half hour trip to the lake. What is this? I feel like some sort of weird slave to the junk we cart around with us all the time. There is nothing that makes me more angry than disorganization. Sometimes it hard to think that organization and creativity go hand in hand, but they really do. I can't be creative with anything unless I am organized in some small way. I've gotten to the point where throwing things out the window and leaving them in the yard sounds good. I just need organization, and moving back and forth all the time doesn't allow that:). One day Josh and I will have a place of our own for more than a few months. Just wait, it will be spectacular! I can't wait to create in it, and organize it. I live to do things like that. Sad huh?


I went back to finish the photoshoot I started last weekend. Baby Bentley hates me! She is so beautiful, though. I feel good, I think I got some good shots! Not as many as I would have liked, but better than the last baby shoot I did. It's nice to feel like I am improving. FINALLY. It's hard having that personality that I feel the need to have everything be right the first time. It needs to be absolutely perfect. I hold myself to these standards, but I don't really hold them for others. I know I'm too hard on myself, but I've been this way forever, I don't think it will ever change.

Well, I'm off to load up the car. I have just an hour before work. I feel guilty enjoying myself, writing. I hope you have a blessed thursday. Friday's almost here! Hallelujah!

Alyssa

Because They Have To...

Josh left this morning for Oregon and I got all teary. Pathetic, I know, he will only be gone for one, maybe two days tops. When did I become so dependent on someone else? Have I lost who I am in a bad way, or having someone that means this much to me a good thing? Maybe it's a little bit of both.

Oh how quickly we (as army girlfriends,fiance's, and wives) forget how we felt when our men were gone before they were out of the army. Josh is out of the army now, I thank God for that everyday, but his time in the army shaped him into the person that he is today, and I love him more because of it. When Josh and I first got together, and started dating (if you could talking over yahoo instant messenger while he was in Baghdad, and I was at home, dating) Josh was on the other side of the world, and I survived that six months, not because I wanted to, but because I had to. And to tell you the truth, I didn't feel sorry for myself. Why? Because I had made the decision to be with him, knowing that 4 days after we started dating, he was going back to a place where living tomorrow is never your right, or a promise, but a gift, and a privilege. So what has changed in almost two years, that when he leaves for two days, I get sad?

Josh means more to me everyday, but he meant so much to me when we started dating. We had decided after the first few days together that we would get married. And here we are, two days from now we will be married for three months. Three months, wow I know. But we've been living together, for almost a year now...

So, I have the highest respect for Army wives who watch there husband leave, not only just for one duration of 15 months, but some times two, three or even more. I have the deepest respect for the soldiers, but don't forget about their wives, husbands, and families when you pray for the troops. There are families, and spouses at home fighting their own wars, of lonliness, and anxiety. These families don't survive, and live this life because they are excited to, and because they can think of nothing better, but because they have to. We can't help who we fall in love with.:) Sometime life takes turns that we never thought it would. These wives, husbands, and families are the some of the strongest I have ever met.

I've realized how petty I am in my worries about Josh, but I am a worrier by nature, how did I survive the 8 or so months apart? All I can come up with is, I did it because I had to.

So, to all my friends who will be missing their husbands soon I'm praying for you. You are the most wonderful women I have ever met, and the strongest. I love you all.

Have a Blessed Friday!

Alyssa

Conversation Hearts and Tom Petty

I spent alot of time thinking on our way to and back from Boise this weekend. I usually do alot of my thinking during the silence of car rides, and while there wasn't alot of quiet time while Josh and I were traveling there were those snipets of time that I had to reminisce about various things in my life.

There are certain things that I do that hold such nostalgia for me. Traveling with Josh is something I love, I have mentioned that before. But going on drives is probably my favorite way to travel. Yes, it takes a long time, but there were so many memories held in the car on our way to adventures undiscovered when I was a kid. Now, most of these times in the car were arguments with my brother, drawing an "invisible line." Everyone knows about the "You can't cross this line I drew on the seat, or I'll scream," statement. I think it is mandatory to make your parents go crazy on your way to and from vacation. I absolutely hated drives when I was a kid, and I know Kyle did to. There was never anything to do. Coloring was always huge entertainment, but that got old after awhile too.

So I don't know what makes me like these drives so much. Was it the actual even, or is it the nostalgia of having those times with my mom, and especially my dad. I hold onto these fragmented memories even tighter because my dad is not here anymore. There are certain songs too, that bring me back to my childhood, and those completely innocent days filled with toys and fun. The first song I learned all the way through was "I won't back down" by Tom Petty... I was three. Apparently, my babysitter didn't screen what I was watching, she didn't really care. Songs like this are the songs that I associate with my dad. Tom Petty, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Direstraits, and Brooks and Dunn were just a few that we had cranked up to the max. And some songs I have a hard time listening to. They remind me so much of my dad, and I don't think I'm ready to listen to them without crying yet. "Free Fallin'" is one of them. Don't ask me why these memories bring so many feelings back. When I figure them out, I might let you know.

There are also things that bring back some sort of feeling of childhood, while these things don't recall any certain memory, they do bring back that sweet memory of being easily excited in the days that held so much promise. I packed Conversation Hearts in our snack cooler for our drive to Boise. Most people that know me know that I'm not a huge fan of Valentines Day. I don't hate it, but I don't really like it either. I do buy valentines for the kids at work, and occasionally I take part in buying a few different types of candy. Conversations hearts are my favorite. I LOVE the white ones, and the pink ones. The yellow are good too, but yes, I leave the orange, green and purple in the bag for anyone that will eat them, but don't touch my white and pink. This obsession is beyond me.

So, I sometimes wonder what I would be doing without these certain memories, and who I would be. I think it is such a beautiful thing that we have these memories to hold onto through our childhood and into adult years. In a world where things do ever go exactly how we planned we have these happy memories. I am so thankful for these memories, and can't wait until I can share times like these with my family and some day my children.

God Bless

Alyssa

Apartment Hunting....

Home at last!



Well, we've been home since yesterday afternoon, but I was too exhausted to sit at the computer to do any sort of writing at all. To tell you the truth I'm too exhausted now. But, I'm not feeling well, so I thought I would sit awhile and write. Josh and I spent 20 hours in the car this weekend. 10 going to Idaho, and 10 coming back. Thankfully, we had a couple days in between there, so we didn't have to drive down and then back the next day.



Anyway, I can't say that apartment hunting in Boise went well, it didn't go terribly either, just sort of down the middle of the road I guess. We found a couple apartments, one that I really hope we move into, it's really nice, and spacious. This apartment complex is right downtown, wherever down town is because Boise is so spread out, but it's also right next to everything. Right down the road is a Target. Sad, I know. We went hunting for one apartment complex that claimed it is 15 minutes from the school... Josh and drove around for at LEAST half an hour. We had to go through this huge business district which has to be CRAZY in the mornings, so we decided not to get out, and just pass up on that apartment. The only great thing was, it was down the road from Urban Outfitters. I would be scowering that place every day if I lived down there. I don't have enough money to buy anything there, but I can wander the store and dream, can't I?

I'm ready to move... I think. I've decided that I like Boise, but there is no one there for me. Josh is there for me, but sometimes I need other people I know. While we were driving through Boise looking for apartments Josh and I talked a little bit about life thus far. I think I will have a harder time moving over to Boise than I did moving over to Germany. It seemed like there was so much for me over there. So many more interesting things to see, it was something I have been wanting to do forever, and Josh had already laid the ground work for friends. He had told certain people about me, set up the friendships, and all I had to do was walk through the door. I love all the people I met over there, and some of them turned out to be amazing friends whom I love very much.

I think I'm a generally friendly person, but I have a hard time just making friends out of nowhere. I like to talk to people I don't know, but I don't really build friendships with people I meet at the grocery store. Maybe I should try doing that when I'm over there.

The drive to and from Boise was alot better this time. Shorter it seemed, I love car rides. Josh and I had fun, but I think I was on the verge of jumping out the car window somewhere between Pendelton and Portland. Josh was driving me crazy. It all worked out though, and we still love eachother though:) I'm glad. Now it's waiting around time, another thing we tend to do so often around here. And by the end of next week, we will be up at the lake again because we'll be kicked out of here. Have I mentioned I'm tired of moving back and forth? I probably have. I won't bore you with complaints! Well, I don't really have anything else to talk about. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

God Bless

Alyssa

Sunshine and Travels

I decided to write a little bit this morning/ afternoon. I have a couple hours before work so I thought I would entertain myself, and pass the time. It's like killing two birds with one stone, I guess. Or maybe not.

I went back to bed this morning after Josh left for work, like I do every morning, but today, I couldn't really fall asleep. For the first time in what seems like decades the sun was pouring in between the blinds in all it's bright golden glory.

I am a huge fan of dreery days, days where rain comes down in sheets, and there's absolutely nothing you can do, but run from your car to work, and back from work to your car. To have to race inside at home all over again. I love coats, I love hats. Maybe it's just the clothes that I like? I don't know, but those days of gray are beautiful and mystical days too. They hold so much promise for dancing in the rain and stomping in puddles. I love that icy cold feel of winter air in my lungs, and I am filled with the excitment of a child when I see snow falling at night. I love late fall and winter, they are my favorite seasons of the year.

But today, there is no rain, and there is no snow. Today there is sunshine! And I love that too! On days like today I find I'm excited, invigorated (sp) almost to go outside and play. So why am I inside writing? Beats me, I felt the need to write, and look at creative things. It's what I do. I have so many ideas, but I am a person plagued with no knowledge of how to do any of them. Any helpers? I think probably one person reads this blog. Thank you Danae. :) I love you!

So, on a different note, Josh and I are heading to Idaho tomorrow, Boise/Meridian. We are on our way to look for apartments. I'm excited because I kind of need a break from work, although it seems like I've had alot in the passed year, but I work with 15 kids on an average day. You'd need a break too. Anyweay, I'm excited, but terrified. I don't really like doing that kind of stuff and Josh definitely doesn't like to do that kind of stuff. So who gets stuck talking to people we've never met? ME!

I absolutely love traveling with Josh. My mom always told me that a real test of a relationship is when you can go on vacation together without killing eachother. It's true, but I haven't had any fiasco vacationing with Josh, so I don't know how terrible it can be.

We did have our honeymoon in Maui, and it rained 8 days out of 10, but we did a pretty good job. We were without electricity, without anything to do, and stuck in the condo because of the worst flood they've had in 25 years. Go figure! I think it's a Toyra family thing. But, my cousin went a week after I got back to the big island, and everything was perfect. GO FIGURE. Grandma and Grandpa said we can have a redo next summer if we want. It would probably rain then too. I think the only reason we had a little bit of a hard time those last two days is because Josh and I love to do things. We love to do things, but we do things on our own time. We missed some things in Paris last year, but Josh had mapped out a different way to get somewhere everyday, and a different way back. So we walked everywhere and saw things we never would have seen had we not just done our own thing rather than doing a tour.

So, needless to say, I'm excited to get up in the morning and take the 10 hour drive down to Boise. While my back end doesn't like it. I love the view I love the company, and I love the adventures. Just think, in two months we will have our very first own place! Not anyone elses, OURS ! I love the idea of having a place that's just ours. We've been nomads for so long. But I'm going to consider us nomads until we are somewhere for more than just a few months.

Hopefully this weekend goes great. Wish us luck!

Have a beautiful Wednesday! Happy Valentines Day tomorrow!

Alyssa