NJ Life

So I figured I should update a little bit. We've been married now for just over two months. Dawn is doing well in school and enjoying herself. She is learning the clarinet and is involved in two after school programs: sign language and student government. She has made some friends and when she behaves and gets her homework done loves to go out and ride her bike.

We had our first official snow of the season back in October on the 14th I believe. It didn't stick for too long but it was definitely there all day.

Halloween was a blast. AJ decorated the yard and patio with spiders and webs. it looked really neat. I don't know why I didn't get any pictures of it he took them down yesterday. :( He dressed up as a gorilla, Dawn as a lady bug and I went as a fairy. Dawn was the cutest of us all by far.

We found out in October we are having a girl and have decided on the name Stephanie. We are fishing around for middle names but are set on Stephanie for a first name.

How it happened

When visiting AJ in NJ we had good times and adventures from NYC, an amusement park in the middle of nowhere, PA and to Michigan to meet his family. June 14th after church I was about to take my Sunday afternoon nap on the couch while AJ was finishing up the dishes. I had been reading The Memory Keepers Daughter (great book btw if you haven't read it) and was about asleep when AJ came over and started rubbing my feet. (Does dishes and rubs feet - I'm a lucky woman!) This put me so close to sleep that I hardly noticed he moved and started rubbing my hands and arms until I felt something slip onto my left ring finger and heard him say something that sounded like "will you marry me?" I was so out of it all I could do was lay there open my eyes and look up at him with what I can only guess was a look of "huh?" He then knelt down next to me and asked again. I said yes! So we are getting married on Aug 22nd, yes this year. We want to be able to move out there and get somewhat settled in before Dawn starts school. Yes, I am moving across the country to NJ to be - are you ready for this? - a housewife and stay at home mom! Definitely lots of exciting fun changes coming!

Dawn

That little girl of mine is so adorable. She drew all these pictures and sent them to me. So we put them on the fridge!

Week 3 of NJ

So for weekend #3 we went to NYC, the Big Apple, Times Square! We did a lot of walking around but we also took public transportation, gasp! I actually went on a train, light rail and subway all in one day! I've been on the train in Chicago before which is kind of like the light rail. But the train runs underground and above ground and the subway well we all know what those are like! It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Buying the tickets was a bit confusing and figuring out how to get where we wanted to be was rough at first but we caught on quickly and luckily we can read and understand maps! 

Riding on the subway from Battery Park up to Times Square!

The Empire State building. Although we were outside we didn't go in. By the time we got there the line was horrendous and we didn't want to wait. There were a lot of things we'll do next time around. :)

Cookie Monster!

Ellis Island we didn't get off b/c the next ferry to the next stop was an hour later and we really didn't want to wait that long so we just stayed and spent time on Liberty Island.

Leaving NYC

Week 2 of NJ

So for the 2nd weekend here in NJ, AJ took me to PA to an amusement park called Knoebel's. It was SO much fun! We had a blast.

Driving into PA! (Add another state to my list!)

On our first ride at the park the magic carpet ride! woohoo!

The pirate ship - ya we were being goobers!

If you're going to stand on the bridge you must hold on with both hands to the railing... 

Waiting in line for a kick butt roller coaster ride!

Week 1 of NJ

So I'm out in NJ for a month visiting AJ. Things are going very well. The first place we went was to Michigan to visit his family and go to a church camp they were having. I was really nervous but overall things went smoothly and the family was great. 

AJ with his mom and her husband and his son.

The church group from Michigan. AJ, his dad, his sisters and I are all in there somewhere

Kevin (Mary's boyfriend), me, Mary, AJ and Vanessa - AJ's sisters

Conference Weekend

Imagine if you will driving in a car up to Utah from SoCal about 10-12 hour drive; depending on traffic, stops and well speed; with five people in the car. That was the trip I chose to take to Utah this conference weekend. My friends Danielle Anderton, Megan Moody, Rachel Heiner and AJ Salisbury were the occupants of my vehicle. The drive and the company was wonderful. 

I had the opportunity to get to know everyone better as we (minus AJ) stayed at my Mom's house in Alpine. The girls attended every session of conference while AJ and I attended the Saturday afternoon session but listened to the others. As is customary, we had game night and played Killer Bunnies - I won, hey that rarely happens! It was still fun and good times though. It was a wonderful experience and great time. My family, friends and AJ all were able to meet each other and it went well.