We're In!

No time to write - busy, busy, busy with moving from the apartment to the new house, but we slept here for the first time last night. I can hardly believe we are really in our new home! It's so beautiful I can't even describe it. After all of our stuff arrives and it gets arranged, I'll take pictures to try and capture how lovely it is. For now, just pray for some peace for all of us in these next few stressful days of moving.

Yesterday

As I wrote about yesterday, December 27th was a day of great sadness in my family. However 7 years ago, it also became one of the best days of my life. 7 years ago on December 27th, 2000, Chris asked me to become his wife.

He completely surprised me with his proposal. We hadn't talked about getting married- even though I already knew that I wanted to be his wife one day! We had been dating for a little over 6 months by the time Christmas rolled around, and I was flying down to Florida to meet Chris' family the day after Christmas. It was a little overwhelming meeting everyone, but all of his family was so warm and welcoming that they made me feel like part of the family right away. Little did I know what the next day would bring.

Chris told me that he would like to take me out to a nice dinner on December 27th. We went up to Coral Springs and had dinner at Runyons, where Joe, my prom date from high school is the manager. Joe sat us at a cozy table by the fire, and Chris and I had a wonderful dinner together. He had brought a bag along, and pulled a book of poems out of it during dinner to recite a poem to me. It was incredibly sweet. After dinner, we headed back to his sister's apartment. I went into the bathroom, and when I emerged a couple of minutes later, the whole apartment was dark except for the glow of the many candles Chris had lit while I was gone. We sat down on the couch together, and he told me how much he loved me. He pulled out another book of poetry and recited the Apache Love Poem to me:

Apache Love Poem

Now we will feel no rain

for each of us will be shelter for the other.

Now we will feel no cold,

for each of us will be warmth for the other.

Now there is no more loneliness,

for each of us will be companion to the other.

There is only one life before us,

and our seasons will be long and good.

At this point, he got down on his knee, pulled out a little box and asked me if I would be his wife. I flew into his arms and cried "a thousand times, yes!"

Chris knew what he was doing by asking me to marry him on this day - he had already asked my parents' permission when he asked for my hand. This is just one of the many reasons why I love this man.


PS - December 27th 2007 became another great day when our dearest friends in the world saw their baby move for the first time on an ultrasound!

Brian Andrew

Eternal rest grant unto him
Brian Andrew
December 3, 1987 - December 27, 1990

17 years ago today my 3 year old brother Brian was killed by a drunk driver. Brian's twin sister Kellie was also in the car that I was driving. Brian was a beautiful little boy - always had a smile for everyone, never met a stranger and just a bundle of fun. He has been sorely missed over these past 17 years. Words can not do justice to the heartache my parents experienced, or the hole that is always there whenever we are all gathered together. Heaven gained a beautiful angel 17 years ago, and I look forward to the day when I meet Brian again. I will always love you little brother.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Evolution of a Home

While we can't settle on our house until next week, it is finished (except for a minor plumbing inspection failure!) and we are excited to move into our home. Here's the evolution of our house from start to finish. Enjoy!