June 26th, 2007

December 2007

Six years ago, today, Luke and I started dating, officially. We first met in a neighborhood coffee shop that was a start-off point for a college group I had been attending. It was probably my second time going to this college group and I didn't know many people there. I felt a bit out of place and a little lost. The two previous years had been quite eventful for me. A year in Central Asia and then a semester at Trinity Western University in Langley, BC. Now I was back home, living with my parents, attending Mt. Hood Community College, and working three part-time jobs.

The college group was a good place for me to meet some new people and attend a new church. I remember seeing Luke, and his friend Chad, come through the door at Cafe Delirium, mid-January 2007,  and there was something about Luke that caught my attention. I'm not exactly sure what it was, but I knew I wanted to know more about this guy. The funny thing is, though, I kept telling myself not to be focused on guys for a while. Just enjoy life as it was and not get caught up in this 'does he like me?' fog.

As spring started, Luke and I hung out more and more. Starting out with friends from college group, then gradually just the two of us. I remember after a while thinking that this friendship was not going anywhere, that I was in another friendship that was just that, friends. I had made the mistake, multiple times, of thinking there was something more, when there wasn't. So I was very cautious about getting hurt again. I told myself I needed to stop hanging out with Luke, but then I got a phone call after work one day.

He called and asked if I wanted to go out to a movie, I told him I needed to call him back cause I was still at work. (I had just got off my shift as a swim instructor and needed to clean up) Immediately after I hung up with him, I called my friend Katelyn and asked, "What am I supposed to do??" She in turn said, "Get off the phone with me, call him, and say YES!!" :) Luke and I did go out that night, and had a blast.

A couple weeks later, walking through the park, Luke asked me to be his girlfriend. I tried not to be too excited, or giddy, so I simply answered, "I think I could do that." I can't believe how fast six years goes by. I think we've changed a lot since first getting to know each other and it's good to look back  and see how far we've come.

2008

Bikes, Hikes, and Bug Bites

After months of feeling locked inside our one-bedroom apartment we're so grateful for the nice weather! We considered, only briefly, buying a second car so I could get out more with Seth, but our budget doesn't allow for that. So, we compromised and found a bike for Luke to ride to work! He doesn't bike to work everyday, but having the freedom to actually make plans after one o'clock in the afternoon is WONDERFUL.

You have no idea how isolating it is when your home is too small to invite people over and you can't meet friends anywhere because you don't have transportation. I feel like I've lost friendships over the last two years because of the disconnect we've had; from our work in youth ministry, 9 months without internet at home, change in churches, and a work schedule that is opposite of others'. Hopefully some of the changes we're making now will help us reconnect with people we've lost touch with over the last few years.

Along with getting our 'second vehicle' this month, Seth is just about to turn 10 months. It's so fun to experience life through his eyes. His personality is really starting to develop. Just the other day he was playing peek-a-boo with me, using a blanket to hide. He's starting to laugh and giggle more too. Sometime last week we heard him laughing in his bed around 6 a.m.  I went out to check on him and he had pushed the mattress pad of the Pac-N-Play up and was sitting there kicking it, watching it flap back and forth... I guess it was really funny...

Recently we've been able to take some day trips to explore the outdoors with Seth. My brother, Eric, and his fiance, Cassandra, took us on a hike to Ramona Falls. Quite the hike,  but so worth it. I think it's a 7 mile hike, round trip. I haven't been on that long of a hike since I was in high school, I'm sure!

Cannon Beach

Another day we drove to Cannon Beach and played in the sand for a bit. Seth LOVED it. He's a fan of wide open spaces where he can crawl fast and far. Definitely got mad at me when I tried to get him to take an afternoon nap that day.

At Little Crater Lake

A couple weekends ago we took a trip to Little Crater Lake where we celebrated Eric's 30th birthday and fought off mosquitoes. I think Seth only came away with one bite, lucky kid. It was another beautiful day and, if Luke hadn't had to be at work the next day, we would've tried camping. Maybe later this summer.

I'm really looking forward to more adventures as a family. More hikes and time at the pool; playing at the park and enjoying the warm sun on our faces. Life isn't perfect, but we're so thankful for what we have.