Sunday Adventure | Gorge Hiking

Though Sunday started with thunder and rain, we didn't let it stop our outdoor Sunday adventure. With packed lunches and rain-gear, we enjoyed a starbucks sugar kick along the way, and headed out I-84. We stopped for a waterfall-filled hike just past the well-known Multnomah Falls. I much preferred this "Horse Trail Falls" hike compared to the packed Multnomah falls paths. The views of the gorge were beautiful, the paths quiet and private. We hiked around numerous waterfalls and creeks- they seemed to be around every corner. Most of all, I was with my sweetheart, and that's all that mattered. 

I want to remember our sweet conversations about our silly high school dating days and what we see ourselves doing 10 years from now. Sweet conversations indeed. And, no better place to have them than hand in hand in the Oregon beauty. It certainly felt like Fall and made me anxious for cool, fall days that always seem to make me more productive.

Hope you had a great weekend!

 

this summer was an appetizer

He walked in the door late last night and we embraced. I knew my time with him was short as he had a "shelf" exam (test at the end of each rotation) in the morning and needed a major cramming session. Furthermore, I was on-call at work (those darn mandatory over time shifts) and could get called away at any time. A solid ten minute hug turned into big crocodile tears of relief. Andrew is home, home. For reals, home. "Summer" is over. It certainly has not been an easy summer. Besides recovering from our miscarriage and grieving that loss, the mister and I were apart for 2 and a half months. He was first living in Stayton for his rural rotation and then in Salem for his OB/GYN rotation. Ten weeks of little visits here and there; 10 weeks of short phone convos or little texts just to semi keep in touch. Our opposite schedules didn't help either. He mostly worked 7am-7pm while I work the opposite. Thankfully, he was relatively close to Portland and we made little visits as much as possible, but time is precious and certainly limited.

This summer has been a strength-building time. Strength in getting through each day, strength in not being an emotional basket-case (at least about him being gone), strength in sometimes not letting him know just how hard it was to have him gone. Just how much the quiet house made me sad. Because, he's thriving. He's learning. He's doing the work he was called to do. As am I. I'm learning to support him in this career of his. This life of ours. I'm learning to be the best wife I can be.

In the shortest way to possibly describe it, this summer was an appetizer. A small tasting for what our future will continue to look like for many years to come. I can chose to enjoy this appetizer and make the most of it, or have it ruin the rest of the meal. Here I am, peeking through a crack in the wall at what a future deployment(s) or TDY (temporary duty assignment) time will look like. At what busy residency may look like. I know that on the other side of that wall is a vast field of beauty. Hills of knee-high grass, wild flowers, shady trees, a beautiful home of our very own and a family of youngsters. And, we will thrive together as one. We will continue serving, continue living with the same passion and love for each other. These hard times will make us stronger. The hard times will keep coming. The beautiful times too. 

I think the Lord gave me a little extra dose of strength to get through this time apart. He gave me those little bouts of energy to make it for short visits, a little extra emotional-self-control, a little extra braveness. He certainly knows what his children need. His grace is sufficient.

Welcome home babe. Let's have a great weekend together sans work/school! 

iLife explosion

Anyone who hangs out with me knows that my iPhone is normally right by my side. I couldn't dare miss a moment to capture via the iPhone camera. It often times drives Andrew crazy. I'm working on limiting the number of photos I take and the number of times I stop to take photos when we are out and about. I think I'm actually improving in this area, yahoo. It's understandably annoying. But, this is how I remember. The images I capture help form memories. I envision myself as an old, confused lady with a sweet husband by my side who has made book after book of all of my photos. Imagine the 'Notebook' story line but with photos instead of a written story. My mind works in images. I look at each of these photos and instantly remember what the rest of that day included. What I was doing, what I was thinking as the light so beautifully fell beneath those clouds. I remember that meal we shared together, those laughs we enjoyed, that great conversation we had on that walk...

 

Yes, I even remember the ridiculous number of times I had to stop at starbucks just to get through those long and sleepless days and worth-it drives back and forth to see my Andrew :)

 With a cleared out iphone photo-roll, fall candles burning, and a stormy day outside, I'm ready to make & capture some new fall memories. Happy nearly Fall! It certainly feels like it around here...

25

Perhaps I have been avoiding writing about turning 25, or maybe I have been busy with family and friends this past long weekend. Perhaps both. Avoidance, because turning another year older is bittersweet. Especially when this year may not have included all I had hoped or wished. All of this to say, though there are bitter parts to getting older, I am choosing to focus on and share the sweet. The thankful. The blessings. The happy. The love. 

For starters, I am so thankful that Andrew had my birthday weekend off from his current rotation. Not seeing one another but maybe once per week is not my ideal way of living the married life. But- that being said, a very short time remains until my man comes back home again. Cannot wait. A weekend together was enough of a birthday gift. We were finally able to catch up, hallelujah.

With a lengthy stretch off work, I was overjoyed to get to head to the beach with my sister, my brother-in-law, and my little nephew. They came into town from Rhode Island as they are in transition to moving to Michigan. So thankful for their visit and the gorgeous coast. Seriously, we Oregonians are lucky to have such beauty right at our fingertips. 

 While the sea mist and sand was wonderful, the next day (my actual birthday) included a little post church family BBQ that my mother so graciously put together. Andrew and I both feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such a loving, kind family on both sides. Baby Reid stole the party's attention- I like it better that way. I love throwing parties and get-togethers, but when they are for me, it just feels awkward. So, bring on the cute little show-stoppin' babies!

 With full tummies, Andrew and I enjoyed talking late into the night about everything and nothing all at the same time. I love those times. I cherish those times. He remains the best gift I have ever been given. Really, truly- he's a keeper.

A few highlights from the past year:

-Another great year of working with some amazing women and new babies...

-A fantastic family cruise over New Years with all 26 members on my mom's side of the fam. So rare and special to all be together for that.

-Getting to support and watch Andrew transition from mostly classroom work to mostly hospital rotations. What a privilege to watch him blossoming into a real doctor (1 year and 9 months to go!).

-A year spent with one of my favorite little guys- Sweet Isaac. What a joy this year has been watching you grow and change with each week. Love you so much.

-3 months of bliss with our precious growing baby, Gabriel. A joyous time those months were indeed. 

-Moving into our charming house. Though it's old and quirky, it's been perfect for this time in our lives. 

-Countless mornings, afternoons, and evenings spent with dear friends. Oh, where would I be without the love and encouragement they offer. Truly thankful for each of them and each of our adventures over the past year. 

-We added "Pria" to our car collection this year. Pria, you're a great little prius and we both love you.

-Worked hard to become school-debt-free this year. Huge accomplishment and so grateful for the ability to do so.
-A year with a beautiful group of friends from our church community group. Living life together as professionals in healthcare, followers of Jesus, and young adults... What an amazing group to be a part of with so much in common.

-Becoming an Auntie!!!
-Using my camera as much as possible- photography is such a great creative outlet for me.
-A year full of far too many delicious starbucks drinks... Is there such a thing as Starbucks rehab? I think I need it! Or, I need to stop working night shift. Either will work :) 

No, we didn't take any huge vacations (besides the cruise), or do anything drastic. In fact, it was a growing year. A challenging year. A frustrating year at times. But, I have much to be grateful for. So very much. As I begin this new year in my life, I pray for continued strength and patience. I pray that love abounds in all that I do. I pray that the peace of the Lord fills my weary soul and that I might be reminded of all that I am blessed with and thankful for each and every day. I pray that my words and actions be a witness for the light that guides my life. I pray that God be glorified in all that I do.