2009 Review

Wow, another year has gone by! Oddly enough I am excited that I've kept this blog... because it makes it easy to click on "2009" and read backwards through a year of my life. Anyway major points of interest in my life this year:

1. I moved away from home to somewhere I knew absolutely no one. I had an amazing time, made new friends, and learned so much from my internship! Petaluma, CA and the Coast Guard Training Center will always have a little place in my heart.
2. Traveled (a LOT!) ...From Mesa, AZ-Ventura, CA-Petaluma, CA [while there: Bodega Bay, Guernville, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Coati, Lake Tahoe, Vallejo]. Then back from Petaluma, CA - Ventura, CA - Santa Monica, CA- Mesa, AZ. A two-day trip to the Grand Canyon. Multiple flights to Maryland, went to Gettysburg, PA over one stay, Washington, DC over another. The move... Mesa, AZ - Amarillo, TX - St. Louis, MO - Dayton, OH - Severn, MD! Then we've been to Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach, VA since we've been here. Hagerstown, MD as well. Honeymoon in San Diego, CA.
   
3. New experiences: moving, sea kayaking, living in the barracks on a military base, planning a wedding, purchasing furniture, living in a two-story/one-bathroom house, decorated my own house for Christmas, experienced my first blizzard, saw ICE!
   
4. Got engaged, then married!
5. Graduated from ASU with: BS Recreation & Specialist Certificate in: Convention, Sales, & Meeting Planning
6. Found out who my true friends are (the ones that stay in contact when you move away)
7. Lost one little piggie, gained two more.
8. Became closer with my family despite the distance.
   

Got has blessed me and my family (parents/sister) and our little family (Quinn, myself, and the piggies) is so many ways this past year! I can only pray that 2010 brings as many blessings, positive experiences, and growth as 2009 has.

ICE!

Last night Quinn and I attended Gaylord National's "Christmas on the Potomac"... check it out:



Description from the website:

"Discover a world unlike any other as you walk through a winter wonderland made entirely of ice! Explore ten different holiday scenes made from two million pounds of ice, including a life-sized Santa's Workshop, a penguin village... and even ice slides that stand more than two stories tall!

ICE! is created by some of the world's finest sculptors — a team of 40 artisans from Harbin, China — where a spectacular International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is held every year. Brought to the U.S. exclusively by Gaylord Hotels^® and handcrafted over a course of 40 days, this cold event will warm all hearts."

We were very lucky to find a time-slot open. It's a good thing we checked the internet sales... from now until the close of the event it is almost entirely booked!

For our pictures: Click Here [they begin on page #5]

Our Christmas Surprise

This year I made these: We hung them on all the neighbor's doors (54!) in our circle... on Christmas Eve around 8:30pm.

This was on the back:

The Legend
of The Candy Cane
A humble candy maker in
Indiana wanted to make a candy that
would be a special gift for the King of Kings,
so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated
several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
He began with a stick of pure white hard candy to symbolize
the Virgin Birth and sinless nature of Christ, and hard because the church
is built on solid rock, and firmness, for God’s promises are a firm foundation.
He formed it in the shape of the letter -J- to represent the precious name of Jesus,
who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd
with which He reaches down in to the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs
who, like all sheep, have gone astray. Then he added three small red stripes to represent
the scourging Jesus suffered on His way to the cross. One large red stripe would
remind those with eyes to see and ears to hear of the promise of eternal life. It would be a gift
of love that would
tell His story
-the greatest story ever told.

The Wall

Gibbs: No matter how many times I come here, it still gets to me. You look at a name, and you have to look at a reflection of yourself. You are among the fallen.
Quinn: Yeah. Difference is, you can leave. The names don't...
Gibbs: Death, it's a permanent thing.
[ NCIS - Season 6 - Episode "Silent Night"]


Maybe it's permanent here on earth... but I am so glad to know that there is life after death!

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" - John 14:6

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3:16-17

Crazy Guinea Pigs!

So... I'm in the middle of a blizzard, snowed in with the piggies... good thing they are entertaining!

Twix & Beans:

Dreams.

"Dreaming is almost holy, in a way. There's something very special in our ability to ignore the typical and the negative and dream ourselves into the place God made us to live in. I'm convinced dreaming is holy. Maybe not Holy (with a capital "H") in the same way God is holy. But dreaming is special. It's holy in that way."

Written by Tim Baker in his book "Leave a Footprint, Change the World." (pg 88)

I want to dream this way, I want to leave the way I view the world and dream it instead. I know God has a special plan for my life, I'm not sure what it is or where it is going to lead, but I know it exists. I've always wanted to do something to make others happy, make them smile, brighten their day if only for a moment. I know God wants me to be His servant. I need to figure out what dreams to follow.

Ugly Sweater Party

So here's the story... Michelle threw a Christmas party. Steph had an ugly sweater contest. We didn't win... anyway, I told Quinn he looked good and not ugly in his. He didn't believe me. We get there, and Vanessa, Michelle, Erin, and Stephanie ALL say he looks good. What do you think?
Figures. I look like I'm wearing a grandma sweater, and he looks all nice. ;-p

[I'm also becoming more and more white as the days go by!!! ahhh!!]

Jesus & Santa

I found this online... and loved it, because of the epic Jesus vs. Santa ordeal that happens every year for parents with younger children.

"From Santa with Love"

A long time ago in a land far away,

A child was born on a cold winter’s day

He wasn’t the baby you’re thinking about

But another small lad, he stood short and stout

He grew up to be quite a caring old man

He loved little children, everyone in the land

He found the “Good Book” and studied its pages

It was the story of Jesus passed down through the ages

His heart overflowed as he read, could it be?

A love so divine that he died just for me?

A twinkle appeared in his eye on that day

He found a road straight to Heaven and Christ was the way

As Christmas came closer, his heart filled with joy

He’d show God’s people he loved them – every girl, every boy

He made lots of goodies and stocked up his shelves

Yes, Santa was busy and so were his elves

He was filled with such love, that he wanted to share

So he handed out gifts to kids everywhere

Praise be to God, let the Angels sing

For this jolly old man spreads love for the King

As he steps into the chimney, he looks high above

And whispers, "Happy Birthday Dear Jesus, from Santa with Love"

by Michelle Davis

Our first snow day =)

Saturday December 5th, 2009
My first snow (in a place I've lived, not just vacationed)

In the Christmas Spirit!

This is our new house all decorated for Christmas!
(Just for you mommy, hehe...)

Decorations on the living room lamps, bells on the coat closet, countdown on the dining room light switch.

The stairwell & tree. Then a penguin centerpiece on the table & plate over the kitchen sink.

Shiny red garland in the front bushes with a wooden penguin sign. Detail picture of our "Charlie Brown tree out front." Penguin fruit bowl, and shot of the dining room.

The "Charlie Brown tree" in the front yard, the front door. Tree during the day. Front window at night.

TV stand with penguins, pinecone palm trees, and tealight gift bag. Our Nativity Scene (only $4 at the dollar store... how crazy is that?!)

Click on each picture to view larger! =)

Promotion Day!

Today Quinn is getting promoted from Corporalto Sergeant!

I would have loved to go to his promotion ceremony, unfortunately the position he holds and the location of the ceremony was in a highly restricted zone. Maybe someday I'll get to pin his chevrons on, just not today.

Congratulations, I love you =)

Miss... now Mrs.

Crazy! ...I'm married. Wow, it's still so new.

Quinn and I had the most amazing wedding, nothing went wrong (that I know of), I did feel bad that we missed about 3 tables when we were walking around saying hi to everyone. I hope they forgive us!Anyway, our photographer Daniel Kim, captured our day perfectly. I don't have the photos yet but he set up a preview site here: "Taylor and Quinn Le"

We spent our honeymoon in (not so) sunny San Diego! We enjoyed Sea World, touring the USS Midway, shopping in Seaport Village and the Gas Lamp District, as well as freezing but enjoying the view at Mission Beach. Here are a few pictures, I'll post a link to the rest later.
Welcome to our new home...I know you would all like a tour of the house, but that will come later... we're still assembling things and putting stuff up on the walls. Plus... we're waiting on the wedding photos to go shopping for the perfect frames!

And now... meet our kids:Twix (brown & white) & Beans (grey & yellow). They are 4mo old, we saved them from a family who didn't have enough time for them, as they were also competing with a pitbull! They are extremely skiddish, but we are working on that.

So that was a very quick and not very detailed post, but I hoped to get you up to speed with our lives a bit.
-Tay

Nervous...

I get married in 2 days.

Today is full of errands dealing with the wedding.

This afternoon my grandparents arrive.

Tonight Quinn arrives.

Tomorrow, marriage license. Rehearsal (+dinner). Boys take Quinn out (dislike...). Mom, Cheryl, Ashley, Lex, and I decorate the reception hall.

Saturday... I walk down the aisle.

*whew*

"Reverse Bachelorette Party"

Last night we demolished appetizers and the fondue platter dessert amidst some yummy beverages at Dave & Buster's. The waitress laughed and said she'd never heard of a "reverse" one before, but said it was very creative...

Thanks guys!

AZ to MD

Well here it is, the long-awaited update on my dad, Lil J, and my cross country travels...

Good news: no car trouble, no bad weather, no issues with hotels, we made it on time, we didn't get on each others nerves.

Bad news: Lil J made the trip and would have been fine, unfortunately he had a run in with the Woods' dog... and ended up passing away a week later due to a broken jaw and not being able to eat or drink by himself. We had been feeding him baby food and water with a medicine dropper. He was one amazing little guy, walking around the house until the very end, he will be very missed...

RIP Little one... 10.7.09

Highlights:

• Stations of the Cross in Groom, TX is a must visit if you're ever driving thru on the 40
• The Gateway Arch is worth the $10/person to experience the tram ride and see the amazing view (pretty sweet for me, it was my 23rd birthday!)
• Family (soon to be) can always surprise you... thanks for my cake and birthday gifts!
• Despite his situation (dog attack, etc.) Lil J was a warrior, and I'm thankful for the time I got to have him around, he was my baby.
• My dad and Quinn are amazing... from packing Ikea boxes into the truck to assembling furniture like pros.

WANNA SEE THE PICTURES?
View them by clicking here.

Roadtrip Teaser: The Arch

St. Louis, MO

Roadtrip Teaser: Groom, TX

http://www.crossministries.net/

Roadtrip Teaser: Lil J

Mom... this is my space... no room for your feet!

Less than a month...

What a busy two weeks I've had... I guess that's what happens when everyone finally realizes you aren't kidding about moving. ;-p

In my last two post I failed to mention that Zoee was born on Sept. 14th!This picture was taken on Sept 20th (6 days old!).

The list of the past two weeks activities:

• Meeting with our photographer
• Dress fitting
• Rock climbing
• Toby Keith's with Lisa & Kaley (ran into Sid & Tay)
• Pre-marital counseling
• Dinner dates with Taylor & Marilyn
• Yogurtland dates with Keila and Morgan
• Shopping with Keila
• Mailing all my books to MD
• Chi Alpha
• Revival Weekend at Church
• Dinner with Kim & Andy
• Packing up my life!

I leave Monday morning with my dad & guinea pig for our cross-country trip. Please pray for safe travels and nice weather!

The world is(n't) SO big!

I love my family. I love my friends.
I love when you know who your friends truly are.
Erik left us in March of 2008... over a year and a half now...
He's now a pilot for KLM - flying all over the world, newly married to his beautiful wife Jannet, and yet we still manage to keep in touch.

Lima, Peru was his location.
Only a 2hr time difference from where I am at the moment.
1 hour and 45min Skype convo.
Gotta love it! =)

I really hope I get to visit him in the Netherlands some day.

PS: I still owe you a box of AZ goodies! And... don't forget my box of Netherlands goodies...

candy corn & city lights

So I'm sitting here consuming a disgusting amount of candy corn (gahh, someone take the bag away!) and thinking about all of the drastic changes I'm going through in my life...

Last night on my way home, I ended up taking a detour and driving up Eagle Mountain... my favorite place to sit and watch the twinkle of the city lights and just think.


I cannot believe in 39 days (holy cow, really...that soon?!) I change my last name, go from Miss to Mrs., move all the way across the country- away from everything/everyone I know esp. my family, and start a new life... of my own with Quinn.

It's exhilerating, terrifying, an adventure, and mainly... unknown.

Marriage is not going to be some skip in the park... more like adding a torrential downpour with some highly important documents you must keep dry. I guess that may be over-dramatic, but every day it will be a choice, not all days will be good, not all days will be bad. Obstacles will come, and we will have to work through them together. I know right now the hardest part for me will be when he deploys. Far from home... alone.

I'm going to be very blunt with this. Do not under any circumstances tell me "well you knew what you were getting into." Yes and no. Yes I know that his profession requires him to go to war, defend and protect our country, our freedom. Yes I know he will be gone 7mo-1yr. Yes I know that. What I don't know is... what it will feel like worrying everyday that he is safe, going for days-weeks-months? not being able to hear his voice, praying for him to come home the same way he left, not knowing exactly where he is, what he is doing, what kind of danger he faces at that moment. NO, I don't know what THAT will be like. Talk to me in a year or so...

I feel like right now I'm in the eye of the storm, everything is moving around me... items falling into place for the wedding and new house, and here I am sitting (and still eating candy corn, ugh) just contemplating it all. I often wonder what my life would look like to an outsider, someone with only the details. Not being here, not seeing what's changing, not feeling the 100 different emotions I constantly go through.

Please pray for us.

Lovely Ladies =)

Yesterday Ashley, her mom, and grandma hosted my bridal shower, they did an amazing job! Thank you so much =)

Check out the decorations:

The people...I didn't break any ribbons/bows- no babies! (for now)

All smiles...

All goofs!

Thank you everyone! It was a great time.

"In The Stairwell"

To: You
From: God

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK...I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you . But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

Take a moment to pray for those who lost family and friends 8yrs ago... also please remember to support the troops (even if you don't support the war) they are people with family and friends just like you with a job they must do.

Back home... for a little while.

Here's the wrap-up of my latest Maryland Visit:

1) Quinn finally got his new SUV!!
2) We found a sectional we liked and purchased it, then decided on a mattress and a bed frame. So now we will officially have: townhouse, bed, couch, and futon. The bedroom and living room furniture we want will eventually come from IKEA, whenever we have time/money to get it.
3) We decided on the music for the wedding, it should be a nice ceremony and a fun reception.
4) We finally got a day to ourselves that wasn't devoted to wedding plans or finding a house and furniture... so we headed off to Gettysburg, PA.

[check out all the photos here, middle of page 4-7]

The next couple of weeks should prove to be very interesting seeing as they are my last two in AZ with a vehicle. Not to mention the 9 days I'll be in AZ before the wedding I'm pretty sure will be very hectic! So this is it people... lets hang out =)

Maryland Update

Hey everyone...
It's been a busy six days here in Columbia. I am sad to say Quinn still hasn't gotten his new Ford Escape (the dealership is making me angry, we only have the rental until tomorrow- then what?) they said it should be in this week...

I now have a Navy Federal Bank Account, goodbye Chase it's been a great 5yrs (I wish you were in MD). After much searching we decided on this townhouse:

Lake Village Townhomes, 2 bedroom/1 bathroom.

Erin & Nate bought a baby guinea pig! Meet Mr. T, hopefully Lil J's new buddy: We are hoping to go furniture shopping seeing as it is Labor Day Weekend aka: biggest furniture sales of the year, however without a vehicle, this could get interesting. I'll let you know more as things change!

-Tay

Lake trip- Aug 18th

[mom & dad- we're floating down the channel]

Tuesday afternoon was the perfect lake trip...

• hot weather
• cool water
• great snacks
• floating down the channel
• jumping off the boat
• relaxing
• feeding the ducks/swan
• spending time with family & my bestfriend!

[Lex cliff jumping]

[the "ugly duckling"]

[my LLT!]