Packing up & Moving out

So, it's official... the little orange Mazda 3 (now complete with a wash & wax courtesy of dad & I) is all packed up and ready to roll. Minus mom & I that is... we will be leaving tomorrow morning at 6am. Here's what's inside:

I hope it all fits in my teeny-tiny room!

I am full of mixed emotions at the moment. I am so excited to do this internship, I really am. From what I've been told I will be involved with it sounds like everything I was hoping for. I guess we'll see soon enough. At the same time I am nervous about leaving everything and everyone I know. From the little things such as the comfort of my own bed, to larger like my family (+J!), to one of the scariest for me... not having a Christian community to fall back on. I know God is guiding my footsteps, so I will end up in the right place, I just pray that I don't get "confused" along the way.

This past week has been completely full for me: finishing up work, packing!, a fun Friday taking my senior pictures with Alexis, the XA girls throwing me a going away brunch (and they gave me the coolest mini-scrapbook!), CRASH throwing me a going away BBQ (I even got my own race car cake, and Kim & Andy gave me a really neat photo album), seemingly multiple Wal*Mart runs, some epic phone calls with friends, an awesome climbing session with Phil, and "bonding" time with dad (the car...). Not to mention a that whole group of people surrounded me at church and prayed for safe travels and guidance.

I have an amazing life.
I hope to make the next 3.5mo just as awesome.
I know it'll be rough at first, but life changes and you've gotta go with it!

KEEP IN TOUCH PLEASE =)
Love,
-Tay

Down the Road.

I don't know about you all, but music can affect my mood greatly... and today on the way home I heard the song "Down the Road' by Kenny Chesney. I couldn't help but think about my mom & dad (in regards to Quinn & I) when I heard it... especially these lyrics:

Down the road
I made up reasons to go
Down the road

Somewhere inside of me
There was something she took a liking to
Well I asked her to marry me
She said she really wanted to

Down the road
To see what life’s gonna hold
Down the road

Her momma wants to know
Am I washed in the blood or just in the water
Her daddy wants to know
If I make enough to take his daughter

Down the road
Before he can let her go
Down the road

The Three Week "Test"

Originally written January 6th, 2009

Once again I am on Flight 527 en-route from BWI to PHX, but unlike last time I didn’t leave the same. Yes, I still cried, didn’t want to leave, etc. However, thanks to the past three week, I am confident in the direction of Quinn and my relationship, and very content with that knowledge. Let’s go back to December 16^th, 2008 (whoa, it’s already 2009!) Quinn had been working with my family for over two months planning to surprise me by coming to Arizona. It ended up being a funny coincidence that it was on our 7mo anniversary of “officially dating.” What a great end-of-my-last-semester-of-college-classes and Christmas surprise!

Our time in Arizona consisted of many family events, Christmas get togethers, Church functions, a nice discussion with my parents regarding blessings, and a trip to Tucson with Ashley to visit Tena and his family. After two weeks in a rather rainy Arizona, we headed off to Maryland together. From there we had a nice road trip to Ohio to visit Quinn’s so-called “adopted family.” From what I saw and experienced within that home, he may as well just be another son. We also had the opportunity to visit with my old ASU buddy Holly down in DC, it’s always good to visit with an old friend.

I’m not going to discuss all the events and happenings that went on during the three weeks, the pictures will do that for you. However I will point out a few things. About two days into our time together we had an argument, nothing substantial, more us being stubborn. Anyway, my mom told me that this would be a really good test for us because we hadn’t spent more than 10 consecutive days together prior to this. During those 10 days, only half of them we were actually dating, the others we were doing the whole “I like you, you like me, but can we make this work from across the country?”

So did we have arguments? Of course, no one is perfect, something generally goes wrong, and people make mistakes. The key here is to be able to talk about what happened, what you’re feeling, and what can be done about it. I am proud to say that Quinn and I did that more than once, and everything was resolved quickly!

After spending almost 24/7 with him for three weeks, I know that he is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. It’s going to be an interesting and long road, especially if he decides that the Marine Corps is his desired profession. I will support him in whatever decision he makes in that regard, I think there are disadvantages and advantages to both sides of the story. Either way, love is not a smooth sailing road. There will be bumps along the way; and as my parents, Quinn, and I agree- a relationship is nothing without God in the center.

Our New Year’s Goal is to read a portion of the Bible daily, and when we can to discuss it with each other either over the phone or via webcam. So, I am currently in search of a few good devotional studies, or a nice daily-year long inspirational devotion book.

[Quinn's Surprise Visit] [New Year's Week]

Enjoy the ridiculous amount of pictures!
With Love,
-Tay