It's the most wonderful time of the year :)

Greetings friends and family! Here's the low down lately:

Unfortunately, probably from the business and lack of sleep, Gary did end up getting pretty sick.  It's just a yucky cold, but it's been hanging on strong - 9 days and counting...He's probably not been getting much better because of our weird sleep patterns - thanks work ;)  The other night I stayed til almost 4am and never leave before midnight :-/  I was working with a family to explore the possibilities of nannying; however, we couldn't really get the schedules worked out, but I'm sure God will find me the right family eventually!

So, I was so excited to leave the land of snow and cold! however, I am beginning to miss it.  When I see New Yorkers on tv all bundled up, it makes me miss this time of year back in the midwest.  It just doesn't quite feel like the holiday season here.  It makes me wonder if without those environmental things that put us in the holiday spirit, LA/warmer climate people are more concentrated on the material aspects of Christmas - you just don't get those warm fuzzies inside.  Gary encouraged me to focus on the real meaning of Christmas (not the snow, etc.), but it's those other things that helped my thoughts focus on Christ at this time of the year.  Sometimes it just makes me laugh - like when we hear song after song in the mall about snow and three of the four girls I talked to one night had never seen snow!  It's just different here - any ideas on how we make make it feel more Christmasy in 70 degree weather?  ...Maybe we'll try to go up to Big Bear (I guess it's the best place to go for snow in the mountains - about 3.5 hrs away).  Anyway, those were just my random thoughts - I'd love to hear your favorite part of the holidays & what puts you in the Christmas spirit!

Thanks for reading :) Ta ta for now!!

Sorry we haven't updated recently ... its thanksgiving week, and we work in retail ;)

Hello friends, family, and faithful followers!!  Sorry we have not updated in awhile, but we do not currently have internet access at home.  I am currently sitting in Borders at the mall, but more about that later - let's back up a bit!
CHURCH
-On Sunday, we officially joined FBC Pasadena :)
-We are getting involved in the Sunday school class and are enjoying making friends and finding fitting ministry opportunities!
JOBS
-I finally started my job!!  Not everything got worked out perfectly, but at least I am working!  It's pretty different since this store is HUGE!!  I am figuring out the differences and think everything is going alright :)
-Gary has been hard at work - at Brookstone he has been very busy since it's primarily a gift store and they are gearing up for the holiday season.  He's doing an excellent job at Godiva ...
-My first day was Sunday, and it took us 4 hours to close the store (which I've heard is not unusual here) - so I worked over 9hrs, on my first day back ... I had the energy, but my feet and back weren't used to it anymore.  Luckily, when I walked out there was my beautiful husband who had just finished his first shift at Godiva and was waiting for me with two full bags of chocolate!!! WOOHOO!  I'm going to like him working there for sure! :)
-BLACK FRIDAY!!  First of all, Gary was crazy at went to Walmart at midnight to get some things he'd been wanting - crazy kid (he had to be at work at 5am).  Anyway, this brings me back to why I am at Borders at the mall - I got off easy today and am only working a few hours this afternoon ... Gary however is working 16hrs today and tomorrow both between his two jobs :/ (it's okay, it means God is providing!) .... he planned to ride his bike at 4:30 this morning (went out and checked the tires, etc. yesterday so it would be ready to go) so I wouldn't have to get up and drive him in, but when he went out his bike seat had been stolen.  We had heard about a major bike theft problem, and bought the type of lock suggested and hooked it up well, but evidently, they'll hake just the parts - and there's really no way to stop that other than keeping it in the house (yuck!).  So he had to hurry and drive in (figuring it would take longer with traffic than biking).  Then he had to get me in between his two jobs, so I am taking advantage of the free wifi and trying to stay away from the craziness!  Anyway, just pray Gary has the strength to get through these few days and we can figure out the bike situation (since we sold my car before we moved, and really need that second mode of transportation).
THANKSGIVING
We had Jeremy over for Thanksgiving yesterday - he made the turkey (since he was concerned about my proposition to just make turkey cutlets since I don't do bones!) and I made everything else - garlic mashed potatoes, greek salad, stuffing, rolls (since I found my grandma's raspberry jam and Gary found his favorite peanut butter spread from back home), green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and the highlight of the meal - REAL legit cranberry sauce!!! - the boys loved it!!  We had a lovely time, played some games, and just relaxed a bit ....
FOOTBALL
-I am in 2nd place in our fantasy football league!!!!! whattt whattt?!  I made the playofffssss!!!
-Our big rivalry games are tomorrow - OSU v. M*ch*g*n and ND v. USC ... unfortunately, Gary will miss watching his live since he will be at work, but I will be able to watch my buckeyes kill the team from "that state up north" for like the millionth time in a row!

Well, I think that about wraps it up my friends.  We'd love to hear how you spent your Thanksgiving and Black Friday as well :) 

Job news . . .

I just got on facebook, and four of the first ten status updates on my news feed were about people enjoying their day off.  I thought that was odd, and unfair - why didnt I get a day off? Oh wait, I havent worked in almost 4 months. I guess its okay (mom!) lol - and well, it has been sort of frustrating.  Although I've still been unpacking like crazy and am so thankful for the time to get all of this work done around the house, I get bored just chilling at home all day long - I want to work!  I'm not even sure anymore what went so wrong with my transfer, I just know I've been here a month and haven't started working yet :/  Hopefully soon - keep praying!!!
Some good job news - Gary has been a rock star at Brookstone!  He's been out on the sales floor a couple of times and has been beating everyone in sales goals, even selling some big ticket items that lead him toward a bonus (woot woot!!) and he's just the stock guy!  A couple of other stores he had applied to recently called him back, the first of which was Godiva (my favorite place in the worldd!!).  Although he no longer had such open availability, they were still interested in hiring him for a few hours a week during the holidays - woohoo!!!  Two jobs, and some people are struggling to get any (although, it seems as though if they would take a mall job, they could get one pretty quickly..).  Praise the Lord!!!  He should be starting in the next two weeks, and will hopefully bring me home some goodies!!! :)

Goodbye Great Lakes, Hello Pacific!!

Well, not too much to report - Gary's been doing well with his new job  - getting lots of hours!  I was having a few issues with my transfer, but I think they are getting all worked out finally, so I should start this week :)
I've been spending most of my time working on those boxes!  We've finally got some of our furniture set up and most of the boxes out of here, but there's still a long way to go.
We've started seeing signs concerning the rose parade everywhere - luckily, we're only about 2 blocks away from colorado blvd (where it takes place) ... and we just found out my cousin is marching in the parade this year - how exciting we'll get to see her!!
The most exciting thing we've done lately is finally go to the beach!! Unfortunately, Gary was working on the really warm days this week, and the coast is about 10 degrees cooler than Pasadena, so it was pretty chilly!  (It was warm here this week, in the 90's, we had to use the AC for the first time!)  Neither OSU or ND played yesterday, so it was a nice day with nothing better to do (well, except for all of this unpacking, of course!).  Anyway, we went to Santa Monica and walked along the pier and rested on the beach during the moments of sun.  Eventually, I had to leave - it was just too cold!!  But it was great to go anyway!! :)  Better than that snow stuff they're having back in Ohio/Indiana ;)  The drive was fun too - we passed through USC and saw Walt Disney Studios (i thought about jumping the fence to find Joe Jonas for Jill, but she informed he's in Brazil ;) haha) and the Hollywood hill.
Today, Jeremy was finally able to go to church with us (well, with me, since Gary had a meeting at work), and afterward, the three of us attended the "NFL" - new friends lunch at FBCP where we were able to learn some more about the church and meet new people!!
Well, I think that's about all for now friends!!  Hope God is blessing you in immeasurable ways :)

All kinds of crazy :P

Sunday:  We went to FBC Pasadena, the church of the pastor we stayed with a few weeks ago.  We went to Sunday school, which Gary LOVED!  It's about 95% Fuller students/staff so there is some hard-core in-depth theological discussing.  It was also very multicultural.  We'll definitely learn a lot.  Jeremy (our friend who also just moved here and helped with the truck last week) was supposed to join us, but his truck broke down, so he couldn't make it.  Later that afternoon, we attended FBC's annual Fuller student/staff party at the pastor's house and got to know a lot of people - Praise Jesus!
Monday:  The moving truck came, and the bulkhead in the truck had been broken and we couldn't get to our things.  After several hours of trying, finally a man from the depot came out and got it off with power tools!  It was too late at that point to get much help, and the big furniture needed to come off first.  So..
Tuesday:  We got started with the unloading, and a guy from the apartment complex came out and helped.  Later he brought out his wife and another neighbor.  Together they got everything out!  Awesome!  Only a few bumps and bruises along the way, but hey, more friends!!  And then ... the journey begins ... We've been unpacking and unpacking and rearranging.  Our living room area was complete packed - floor to ceiling - every inch - with boxes.  We were going to use Jeremy's truck to move stuff to a storage unit, but obviously, that can't happen quite yet.  Luckily there is some storage at the apartment complex, or we wouldn't be able to function in here. 
Wednesday: More unpacking!  It's super hard because of how crammed the space is right now.  I can't put clothes into dressers until I know how the furniture will be arranged, but I can't arrange the furniture until all the boxes are gone.  It's a lose-lose situation I guess, but we're trying!  Well, mostly me, which is also hard since I can't move the heavy stuff.  But it's okay that Gary's not here - it's his first day at his new job - WOOHOO!!  He just called on his break and said it's going well :)  I'm not sure when I'll start - my supervisor has been on vacation on and off for a few weeks so it's kind of tricky.  Anyway, we can't wait until everything is unpacked and set up!  Then you all can come over for dinner (okay, I know it's a little far...) :).  Well, that is all for now folks (oh except for a health update: of course, our bodies were aching like crazy last night, and I had a tickle in my throat from all the dust, but otherwise mostly okay, but I currently have a splitting headache that tylenol is just not helping...so I must be going) ... ttyl :)

PRAISE THE LORD!!

Thursday night I went into VS to apply for my job (the one I'm transferring, it's just a technicality) and it went well, but I was in shock.  The mall itself is huge, and the VS was four times as big as mine - bigger than any in Chicago or at Easton.  It was crazy.  They have products I've never seen before and they have four rooms dedicated to Pink!  They are a top level store traffic-wise, and are just under top-level for sales (and they want to be, so the pressure is on!).  So I am slightly terrified about getting adjusted, but am sure it will come quickly.  I should start in the middle of next week when my supervisor returns from a pre-holiday vacation.  While I was there Gary walked around, picking up applications, with a few promising prospects (thinking it would be wonderful to work in the same place since we are sharing a car - oh how I miss Goldilocks). 

We realized last night how stressed out I have been over the whole not having jobs thing.  We realized that since after the honeymoon, stress has really been affecting me, even though I didn't really realize it before.  So, we decided to make sure we dedicate each day to God when we wake up (we both prefer devotions at night, and had been doing well with that schedule, but felt the need for this addition!).  Well, we did it today and guess what?!  The Lord had us in his hands all day!  We woke up and headed back to the mall to turn in his apps.  The lady at Brookstone wanted to set up an interview for Monday, but that is when our moving truck is coming, so she said - how about 1:30 today?  So we headed out to lunch (see story below*) and then returned.  The interview went very well, and instead of the sales position he applied for, they were interested in hiring him as stock manager, based on his experience.  She had him return again at 5:30 to meet/interview with the person he'd be working directly under, and again, it went very well.  He's HIRED!!!!  While we will still not be making as much as needed, we are so excited for God's provision and guidance, and the possibilities to come.  Today was a wonderful reminder of the need for reliance on the Lord and the trust we have in his provision.  Thank you to all who have been praying and a major thanks to the one to whom we pray :)

*Side story of the day: We woke up at eight and realized both the Ohio State and Notre Dame games were starting at 9 (man, I am not used to this time difference - what happened to PM football games? and I apologize to anyone who gets a phone call from me past midnight because I've neglected to remember the difference...sorry Jill x3).  The nearest BDubs is about 30 mins away, and we had to go to the mall to turn in Gary's job apps first.  We tried looking up other sports bars, but they either weren't open early or don't carry the Big Ten Network.  So Bdubs it was for the second halves of our games.  We entered to an almost-empty restaurant, except for one table of three, who cheered "Go Bucks!" when I walked in with my I <3 Ohio State tee.  We found out they were OSU alum.  We asked them after the (SHUTOUT!) game about other places to watch the Buckeyes, but they said BDub's (which they were proud I called it, because no one outside of the midwest knows what that means) is about it.  They said we could friend them on facebook and they'd keep us updated on any Buckeye events going on in the area!!  Yea, new friends!

Speaking of . . . we have wonderful neighbors here at our apartment!  Several people have stopped by to meet us and even brought us delicious muffins and cookies!  We are excited to get to know some new people.

Oh, and did i mention ... I am beating my dad, brother, and husband in fantasy football?  That's right - chicks rule.  (I think Gary is regretting making me play...haha.)

I really hope someone out there is reading and enjoying our blog, because I really enjoy writing it.  I haven't gotten much feedback, so I would love to know that you are there appreciating these updates so I can appreciate you :)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:25-34

Material World

Good news - the Idaho truck was able to come yesterday and we got it all unloaded.  Gary's friend Jeremy (they grew up together and he was in our wedding) just moved to Hollywood and came to help!  The other truck could have been here today, but due to parking regulations, we can't get it until Monday.  So, yea for some stuff, finally!
I thought I had been doing pretty well with very limited "things" (clothes, make-up, etc) while we were in Idaho, but it had just started to irk me.  My hair is going crazy without my usual products, my face seems boring without the normal variety of make-up, and my wardrobe is frustrating without much selection (especially since it's freezing and we have no warm clothes yet..and I'm pretty sure I haven't purchased a single new item of clothing since the wedding - 3 months! that is for sure a record!).  I think my main frustration currently is with the lack of furniture and dishes making it hard to function, but I keep thinking of those who sleep on the ground and cook over a fire.  I guess what I'm saying is this just goes to show that the more you have the more you want.  If I had never gotten used to so much variety, I wouldn't feel upset to live without it.  So, my goal is to be content with whatever we can fit in this little apartment - if it doesn't fit, I can do without.  I think it's just a good lesson and reminder for all of us to scale back a little and be content with what God has blessed us with, even if it means going without some of our usual luxuries for awhile, He will provide the necessities.

We're Here!!

Well, we made it!  We left Sunday after church, followed by some wonderful Pita Pit and Arctic Circle, and made our way down to Vegas.  We got up early and headed on over to our new home in Pasadena :)  We were excited, but realized we didn't plan too well.  We brought an air mattress, but no pillows or sheets, had nowhere to sit, no way to cook (not even microwave), and no towels for showering.  So we got some PB&J and snacks, bought a lawn chair, and actually got a bed!  We had been looking at mattresses, but wanted to wait until we got here.  We found a store with good reviews, went, got great service and a great deal on a fantastic mattress!  Its already been delivered and set up :)  They threw in some awesome memory foam pillows, but we still need to wait for the sheets and such to get here :/  Both trucks are scheduled to be in on Friday, but we might have to wait until next week because of parking issues.  Although we're roughing it for now, we're happy to be home.
I am feeling mostly better (still some headaches, especially while traveling), but now Gary is getting what I've had :/  So pray for continued health and the job search!!  Thanks all :)

Update on the Update :)

Much better today!!  Throat hurt a tiny bit more, still some back pain, but overall felt better.  Just needed pain medicine while packing which made me really dizzy climbing in and out of the semi, but hey...all packed!!  Both trucks are headed on out ... we decided to wait and leave Sunday, otherwise we'd be leaving tomorrow while my parents were out of town :/ and we'll stay in Vegas again to break up the drive and save my back from so much pain.  Can't wait!

Illness Update

Yesterday morning I felt much better, hence the energy to write that blog (probably with several typos im sure it was fast and I still wasn't perfectly healthy) ... but then in the afternoon I started feeling really weak and dizzy ... laid down for a bit - kept monitoring my blood pressure - its normally pretty low and when im sick realllly low and yesterday it was hanging around 75/45 :-/ ... i was trying to nap, and then gary needed to go get his car and asked if i wanted any food, I realized that (and the fact that in trying to nap I hadn't been drinking any fluids) would certainly help my body regain some strength - I hadn't eaten much all day.  While he was gone I felt extremely ill (when mom came to pick him up she thought I looked terrible - pale, weak, etc) and when he got here with the food (my fave food in the whole world!) I could barely eat it ... I took it really slowly and eventually got some down and started to feel better, but had an excruciating headache - very sensitive to light and sound.  My neck hurt a lot so it was hard to get to sleep but I eventually did, slept alright, and am again, feeling a little better this morning.  No fevers and my throat is actually much better, but the head/neck/back combo is still not too great.  So definitely no move today, hopefully this weekend - the trucks are pretty much packed!  I know this is a pretty long update with not that much interest, but it helps me chronicle what's going and keep track for future reference - so thanks for allowing me to ramble, and of course, for your prayers!  Hope you all are healthy and happy!

SUPER SICK!

Well, you haven't heard from us in a few days because I have been extremely ill.  Sunday was wonderful as I was finally able to perform my dance at church (delayed from the toe injury ... i think my dad is putting the video on facebook if you would like to see it) but later that night my throat started hurting a little.  Monday I woke up and it still hurt, and as the morning went on, my head and neck were in terrible pain also.  I tried to nap, but between the pain, the noisy wind, and the annoying flies, it didn't work very well.  My temp was at 100.9, and since I don't have a spleen, I have to go to the ER at 101.0, so we thought that was close enough.  (As Gary and I walked outside to leave, we realized his car was in the shop getting fixed finally from the deer incident, so we had to have my mom come take us.)  We thought it was strep, but that test was negative.  They ran blood cultures, did the usual pee-in-a-cup test, and I convinced them to give me an IV (but i guess they missed the antibiotics part, and just gave me fluids and pain meds).  They thought we were about to be sent home (so we called me dad to come get us, and bring some food because I was starving!) when the lab tech couldn't get the second part of the blood culture (thanks to those ever-awesome tiny rolling veins I've been so blessed with) and doctor came over and wanted to do a spinal tap to check for meningitis, since my neck was so stiff.  I was pretty terrified, but we decided to go ahead and do it to make sure i wasn't dying.  Good news - I'm not :) but it was super painful - he had to keep using more and more numbing stuff and stuck me several times before any fluid came out :/ (And all this time I was starving! but they wouldn't let me eat or drink til after it was done).  They sent me home with some pain meds, thinking it was just a virus.  I had to lay flat on my back all night and drink lots of fluids to avoid a post-tap headache, caused by an imbalance in fluids from the procedure.  I never sleep on back, so, well, I didn't do much sleeping.  I was up most of the night and in tons of pain!  And now I kept going back and forth between extremely violent chills and then hot sweats.  So I laid flat and tried to rest in the morning (all while Gary is trying to figure out how to finish the packing I had been working on - the moving truck was coming at any moment), and then in the afternoon, I felt miserable and took my temp again - 101.4.   Well, when we left the ER, we asked about an antibiotic because every time I don't get one, even if they think it's not bacterial, I end up back in the ER within 24 hrs - but they wouldn't do it.  So, the pattern continues and here we go back to the ER (this time, dad had to come take me, since we still had no car and Gary had to wait for the moving truck).  This time they did a chest x-ray, perfectly fine, and we asked about flu because of the chills and such - he said they hadn't seen any yet but it wouldn't hurt to check - negative.  The last thing he could think of was some weird disease that required a throat ultra sound (which he just did right there in the hallway, where I was laying because they don't have enough rooms - the day before I got removed from a room to the hallway then put back in before the spinal tap - it'll be nice when the new bigger hospital is open...).  Again, all good.  He still didn't want to give me an antibiotic, fearing me building up resistance to them before I really need them, and over use of them can cause some sort of build up in your colon, and he saw my record with the colitis last summer and didn't want that to happen either.  So, he consulted some medical journals, called my family doctor, a pediatrician who is very familiar with kids without spleens, and a pediatric specialist in Boise - only the local pediatrician thought the antibiotics were a good idea - so he agreed to give me a prescription, leaving the decision to take them in my court (hoping I wouldn't, but every doctor I've ever been to has told me to take them even with a virus - I mean, I was supposed to be on penicillin everyday for my whole life - that's another story entirely, but yeah, I think it's okay, so I'm taking them).  Whew!!  So, that's pretty much the story.  Came home, slept (not perfectly, but much better), finally showered this morning which should help me feel better, and yeah, that's where we're at.  My back, throat, and head are all slightly better today - woohoo!!  Of course, I'm not feeling great yet, but maybe I can at least give some instruction on the packing today - some people are coming over to help load the truck.  I don't think we'll be leaving tomorrow as planned - I normally get car sick, so it's probably not a great idea - and I really don't think I could sit in the car forever with such a sore back.  Hopefully I'll keep improving and we'll be on our way soon (the trucks are going to be there at the beginning of next week, so we have to be there by then!).  Man, I'm sorry if this was incredibly long and boring - five bucks to anyone who just read this whole thing!  I think I need to write a book about all of my medical experiences (oh, one good thing that happened - Gary started keeping track of every test and medicine and treatment on his ipod because I can never remember that stuff ... like I've even forgotten meds im allergic too :/ and evidently hospitals don't keep very good records either) haha - but anyways, thanks to those of you knew and prayed for me - and for the continued prayers as i heal and we move!  I'm excited to live back in a big city where there is much better health care (I really miss Columbus Children's Hosptial :/ I'd almost move back there just for that hospital, but I think LA should have some good ones, right?!).  Okay, I have rambled on way too long, thanks again for the prayers and support (and reading this super-long blog!).  We'll keep you updated!

It's OFFICIAL!!!

We will be moving into our NEW CALIFORNIA ADDRESS next Friday (10/15)!!!

We are starting with Fuller student housing so we will be right in the heart of Pasadena!  We hope to get something else in one of the other areas we liked once we have our job situation completely figured out.   

Call/email/text/facebook one of us if you would like our new address!!


Thanks for all of your prayer & support!!

JOB NEWS!

I finally got my transfer set so I'll be able to continue as a bra specialist in California (the one that worked out best is at the Santa Anita mall in Arcadia, in the middle of the area we're looking to live in, so I'm good either way).  I've also applied for eight-kajillion babysitting and other jobs in the past few days to supplement and make it more like full-time employment.  It was such a blessing and encouragement to get things figured out with VS so we at least have somethinggg to put down on apartments aps.  Thanks for the prayers - keep it up :)

Attack of the killer bugs!!

Anyone else had an overload of creepy crawlies in their house recently?  Evidently the weather has caused tonnnns of bugs to come out!! (LA hit 113 yesterday!  When we were there, we saw ants everywhere.)  Unfortunately, Gary is just as scared of spiders as I am...so we are living in fear together!  Haha!  There must have been a recent hatching because there are tons in our house!  We've both killed a few, but I think it's time to go get some spider spray and the bug vacuum I've always wanted from skymall!!  This morning I ran out of the shower with shampoo in my hair thanks to a yucky eight-legged creature!  It doesn't stop there - we also have had  few pesky flies and can't go out the front door thanks to a herd of wasps that have taken over the entryway! Several of our friends posted similar stories on facebook today.  The bugs are trying to take over!! :-o
Here is a link to the story about the weather-bug issue: http://www.weather.com/outlook/videos/record-heat-bring-out-the-bugs-18371

We've returned!

We made it back safely from Pasadena!  No official news yet, just weighing our options (we found some good ones!) and trying to work everything out with lotttts of prayer!!
We really like the Covina/West Covina area - slightly slower, more open, and less congested - a little more midwestern :)
While there, we found some new favorite restaurants - like El Pollo Loco (way better and more authentic than Taco Bell but not too much more expensive) and Daphne's (Greek, obviously, and they have this amazing fire feta topping - i love anyyyything with feta!!).
On the way back we stayed with my uncle again in Vegas.  It was our 2 month-iversary  so we went down to the strip and walked around a bit (watched the water show at the Bellagio and other similar free things haha!).   It was a lovely evening and overall a lovely trip.  Can't wait til everything comes together and we can get settled in Cali :)

California Dreamin'...almost Realized.

 Well, we made it!  We are in Pasadena - at least temporarily.  We stayed with my uncle in Las Vegas on Sunday night to break up the driving an headed down Monday morning(after stopping and Gold & Silver Pawn Shop ... the one from Pawn Stars on the History Channel .. got to see the Old Man and Chumlee for a couple seconds before they removed everyone for more filming).
We are staying with a pastor and his wife for the week while we check out apartments.  Looked at several today - some good, some ... less good, but still have a lot more to see tomorrow!  Thanks for all of your prayers for our travels and search!!

Just the Beginning ...

Welcome friends!  Gary and I are just starting this blog so you can keep up with our crazy lives as we move out West!

I've backtracked a little to recount our adventures since the wedding and catch you up on what's been going on :)

ENJOY!!

Updates in Idaho

After we got settled in, we were back to wedding mode – no, not our wedding, but some friends were getting married that next weekend.  Their family had come out for our wedding and was an incredible help to us, so we returned the favor by mulching, making programs, etc.  The night of the rehearsal, Gary drove down to Salt Lake for a Waking Ashland (one of his favorite bands) reunion concert (which he had bought tickets for in LA when we thought we were going there right away, so he had to switch them to SLC) and didn’t get home until about 4:30am.  We had a great time at the wedding the next day.

           Another highlight of our time here was taking Gary golfing for the first time.  He did pretty well, even on the hottest day of the summer (about 110 degrees I believe).
          The two coldest, windiest days so far happened to be two Sundays in a row with church picnics!  For the first we went to Nat-soo-pah on my dad’s birthday.  It’s a hot springs pool so luckily the warm water made up for how chilly it was.  That was also the major wildfire day with smoke billowing through the town.  The other picnic was at my parents’ house for the youth and their families.  We played volleyball and other lawn games and enjoyed a barbeque.  Most recently, Gary joined a fantasy football league with some men from the church and roped me in to make the numbers even.  I worked with some of the girls at church on a dance for them to perform this past Sunday.  I was also supposed to perform a dance, but in practice the day before, I landed a jump wrong and sprained my toe, so I’ve been pretty immobile all week.   Gary was sad he had to leave the Perrine Bridge festival (base jumping extravaganza) to take me to the E.R. 
           We just celebrated Gary’s 23^rd birthday, which unfortunately wasn’t too exciting because I was sick, but we took him out to dinner later. :) 

            We’ve both been dealing with a change in the humidity – don’t get me wrong, we love the dry air, but have been getting headaches and sore throats from the change.  I also spent Labor Day throwing up 10 times, but am feeling mostly better now.  These challenges have put a damper in some of our plans working on getting things figured out for California.  On that note, we are still searching, searching, searching!  Gary has applied for a few youth pastor and other positions and we are trying to narrow down apartments based on internet photos!  We are planning to try to head down to Pasadena next week to do some looking!  Please continue to be in prayer for both of these searches.  Most of it has been in Gary’s court – I’ve been slaving away at those thank you notes! 

Road Trip

We finally got all packed up and were able to leave on August 5^th!  Following are some of the highlights of our adventure:

Day 1:

We set off in the afternoon, finished a few last-minute errands, and then had a lovely few hours sitting through Chicago traffic, of course.  Just outside of the city, we decided to stop in Elgin so Gary could see Judson University’s campus (where my dad and brother both attended).  It was about dinner time, so we stopped for our favorite Chicago foods - well, not the normal Giordano’s, but El Faro for me and White Castle for him.

Soon we were in Wisconsin, reading through the travel books and playing road games, but it was getting dark and I was getting tired, so I went to sleep.  Around Eau Claire, about 20 miles before our hotel, Gary was getting sleepy without me to talk to so he pulled off onto a side highway where there was a McDonalds so he could get out and walk around for a minute.  As we turned back up onto that small highway towards the ramp, a buck followed by a doe ran straight for our car, across all the lanes!  Gary slowed down and moved to the side, assuming the deer would see us and stop or run behind us.  Instead, I guess the buck wanted to protect his doe, so he decided to ram his antlers into the front/side of our car!  His body flung around and hit Gary’s door and left some lovely waste on the side.  Well, we’re pretty sure the deer wasn’t too hurt, but the car didn’t come out so well!  We pulled over to check out the damage only to realize Gary’s car door wouldn’t open more than two inches.  That’s right, the entire rest of our adventure included Gary having to climb in and out of his tiny Sunfire through my door (which also meant if he could avoid getting out he would, so I was stuck with pumping gas and cleaning bugs off the windshield the whole way!).  Otherwise the car was just a little smashed in, nothing too serious (we’re okay and we’ve already settled it with the insurance).  Even though the deer in Wisconsin are not our favorite, the people are very kind – several men stopped to see if we needed help!  The positive side of getting charged by a deer?  When we stopped to check out the damage, I discovered we were parked in front of a business that started with the letter “x” – we could finally finish the sign game!!

Day 2:

            Every girl’s dream!  This day we drove up into Minnesota and visited the Mall of America!  If only we could have stayed longer (and had more money)!!  We did walk through the entire mall, but Gary kept reminding me we still had a long drive that evening.  We spent the most time in the Godiva store (silly, since I had one of those at my home mall, but who cares, it’s Godiva) and the Brain Store (this is the only location outside of Chicago – it’s awesome!).  We also finally ate at Rainforest Café, since we had always wanted to (and we had also heard their food was subpar, but we really enjoyed it!!). 

            We spent the rest of the day simply driving to Sioux Falls, enjoying the scenery.

Day 3:

            We journeyed through South Dakota, sharing the road with billions of motorcycles.  We eventually learned that the 70^th annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis (just outside the Black Hills) was happening that weekend, right as we drove through (hence the heightened price of hotels and busiest days of the year at all of the tourist stops).  I saw more motorcycles in those couple of days than I had in my entire life! 

            We drove up to the edge of the Badlands, but decided not to drive through.  There was a store just outside that had a field of prairie dogs!  My camera and I were simply enamored with these adorable little rodents.  One even nibbled on Gary’s toe!

            When Gary was younger, he had visited Wall Drug (what began as a small convenience store and through advertising has become a popular Western village with shops and restaurants that attract the masses).  Gary wanted to return so we thought we’d just walk through quickly, but got roped in by fudge and Black Hills gold (the latter of which was wayyy too expensive, but fun to look at!).  It was so warm outside that we just wanted to relax, so we decided to push off Rushmore ‘til the next day and Gary enjoyed some dinner while there (I was not hungry at that point). 

            We continued on with the motorcycles to Rapid City, on the north edge of the Black Hills.  We checked into the hotel, and at that point I was starving!  We went to get me some food, but when Gary went to pay, he discovered his debit card was missing.  Luckily we had some cash, but had to figure this out.  Turns out he had left it at the restaurant at Wall Drug, and they were holding it for him, so we had to return the next morning to retrieve it (he had just been sent a new one with new numbers, so he activated that, but we thought we’d get the old one and monitor it, just in case).  Despite all the craziness, we decided there was nothing we could do but relax – so we enjoyed learning about the Sturgis rally from some motorcyclists in the hotel hot tub.

Day 4:

           After travelling back to Wall Drug, we finally drove into the Black Hills and made our way to Mount Rushmore.  We enjoyed the informational videos and walked the “Presidential Trail” for unique views of the hill.  We ate lunch and ice cream with a view of the sculpture, a great experience (although it was Gary’s second time to the landmark, we both had a great time!).

            We took the scenic route through the forest, hoping to see some wildlife (but sadly didn’t).  We wanted to stop at an old West town, so we drove through Deadwood, which was covered in motorcyclists (we thought that route would help us avoid the traffic in Sturgis, but they were everywhere!).  After that we continued on our way to Billings, with fewer motorcycles, but a plethora of pronghorn deer.

Day 5:

            Our last day, and longest day!  No fun stops allowed; we were ready to get to Twin Falls!  We also couldn’t stop because that morning at breakfast, we heard about the fugitives that were, at that point, said to be around Yellowstone, which we would be driving around – so we certainly didn’t want to stop and die!!!  (Later we found out one had been caught that morning and the other two had been in Billings when we were!).  So we drove through the montañas of Montana – beautiful tree covered mountains, sometimes hidden from us by rain.  We enjoyed the hilarious, small, middle-of-nowhere towns and rest stops (although we were a little jumpy watching out for the convicts!). 

            We drove down through the Gallatin National Forest (still no wildlife…it was rainy) and around Yellowstone – didn’t want to take too much time to go through it since we just went last year.  About 10 miles south of West Yellowstone, Gary’s battery light came on.  We pulled off into a gas station and called his uncle, a mechanic, who said it was probably the alternator and we only would have a few more miles to go on it (we checked the GPS, our best friend on this journey, and found out there was nothing more for about 50-80 miles).  We were going to turn around and find an auto shop in West Yellowstone, but then I saw that the gas station’s sign said “Auto Repair.”  He went in to ask about it, and they were just closing, but the lady called her boss who got ahold of a mechanic who was able to return for us.  The blessing: Gary’s dad suggested we buy a few spare parts (one being an alternator) before we left in case we got into a bind.  So luckily it wasn’t too crazy – the man replaced it, we were just charged a little extra for the labor since it was after hours.

            We continued on, driving through hours and hours of Idaho.  It was wonderful to see a view of the Grand Tetons in the distance (we also visited there last summer). 

There was a beautiful sunset and then much of our journey was in the dark.  When we arrived, my parents met us to help us unpack and we could finally settle in (well, sort-of!). 

The Big Day!!

The wedding was absolutely wonderful!  Thank you so much to everyone who helped with our special day :)  Everything went very well and looked amazing!  We had a wonderful time with all of our friends and family – so thankful for everyone who was able to come :)

Here is a link to the pictures from our wedding:

http://lomasbueno.zenfolio.com/p173813228