Island Time

Marty and I just got back from a fantastic sailing vacation with family and friends in the British Virgin Islands. The two weeks were full of beautiful sights, exciting adventures, quality conversations, and much needed relaxation. Highlights from the trip included scuba diving around a shipwreck, snorkeling, running on Peter Island, reading, enjoying wonderful sunsets, experiencing the island culture, and quality time with my Marty Man.

Journeying

The past 4 months have been some of the most intense and poignant months I have ever experienced. There were many tears, prayers, conversations, and moments wondering if the right decision was being made.

The sweetest part was that I got to journey right alongside Marty.

Knowing that we wanted something new when we got married, Marty started the job hunting process way back at the beginning of spring. The guy watched every school district in Colorado closely to see if a math opening would be available for the fall. He applied over and over again not letting the fact that this is THE most difficult job market for teachers in the history of... teachers. I supported him in any way that I could and eagerly awaited news of an upcoming interview.

Windsor High School (in Northern Colorado) interviewed Marty and offered him a job in mid-April. My first reaction was "we're moving to Fort Collins!" Marty's first reaction was anything but. His heart was completely on edge about the entire thing and he felt no peace about the job. So, after much deliberation, we decided to turn it down.

It was then that the toughest parts of the journey began. We had so many conversations about where we wanted to live (we even thought of moving to Seattle for something really new), what our goals were, and what we wanted our marriage to look like. Neither of us wanted to cause the other person to sacrifice a lot, but we also didn't want to settle. We had a few great conversations with our counselor and friends, and their wisdom and guidance helped us to realize what was truly important to us. We knew we wanted to be in Colorado. We knew that I would start school as soon as possible to get my teaching license. We knew we wanted a story to tell.

A few weeks ago, Marty applied at Niwot High School. It wasn't a school he had heard a lot about, but he applied anyway. Right before we left St. Louis for Colorado to spend Memorial Day with family, he got a call from the high school's interview team. They wanted to talk to him on the Thursday that we were driving to Colorado, so Marty interviewed in the car while we headed west on I-70. After the interview, we were both pretty sure that we wouldn't hear back from them.

A few days later, however, Marty got an email from Niwot's principal. He wanted to talk to him again! After that meeting, Marty became Niwot High School's newest math teacher! We both love the area (mountains, trees, open space, and friendly people) and are really looking forward to starting live just north of Boulder.

I'm thankful for the journey. It's just beginning! Even though what we went through was hard, it was refining, and I truly believe that the Lord used that time to ask us to trust Him more and more. We learned so much about each other, about ourselves, and about life - and we are truly thankful for His hand in all of it.

If you prayed for us, thank you. If you thought of us, thank you. If you asked us about our journey, thank you. This isn't the end... we're just getting started. Life together isn't always going to be easy, but it is going to be good.

Showered...

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending my first bridal shower! It was in Bakersfield, California so that I could celebrate with all of my aunts and cousins. My cousin Emily and sister-in-law Danielle threw the party... and they did a fabulous job!

I'm so thankful for all of the friends and family who have surrounded us at this time. It's such a blessing and it makes this sweet time even better.

Here are some pictures from the sunny afternoon...

Enjoying this sweet time

... it has been far too long since I last posted a blog.

The month of March was crazy and amazing and beautiful and meaningful all at the same time. The last time I wrote, the man I love so much had proposed only hours earlier. What a whirlwind it was to realize my life is changing and to feel so chosen and loved. It took a while for reality to set in - I kept thinking wow, do I really get to marry this guy?!

We hit the ground running with our wedding plans. Asking our attendants to be a part of our wedding was special... my best friend, Jill, was honored. My sister in law laughed (and said yes, of course). Cousin Emily squealed. Marty's sisters were shocked and glad I asked them. My favorite reaction of them all: Roma. One of the flower girls.

I think our favorite part of planning so far has been the registering. While walking around Target and Crate & Barrel, we'd see something to add to our list, and Marty would gleefully say, let me hear that beep!

A mid-March trip to snowy Colorado allowed for an awesome day with my mom and Jill to find THE DRESS. I found it. And since Marty reads this blog, that's all I'm going to say about it...

I could go on and on about details (like a fantastic honeymoon in the Upper Northwest), but I won't. One thing that I've learned is that instead of getting caught up in the planning and details of the "day", to enjoy the man I get to spend my life with. He's an amazing helper with all of the things that need to get finished, but I'm most thankful that through the process since we've gotten engaged, I've truly seen his heart beat less and less for himself, and more and more for us.

There are 109 days until we get to truly be "us" and I couldn't be happier!

YES!

I am absolutely on Cloud 9!

Marty asked me to marry him today! And of course, I said yes.

After coaching baseball this morning, Marty rode his bike over to my house. He showed up and motioned for me to get my keys so he could put his bike in my car. I pushed the unlock button from inside the house, but he wanted me to go outside. I walked out to the car, and he asked "what do you want to do today?" I said, "how about we take the Metro (subway) somewhere?" He said "That's a great idea... I have a better idea (while getting down on his knee) -- Annette Versluys, will you marry me?" I said over and over again, "are you kidding me?" and I said an emphatic YES.

I loved the proposal. I thought he'd do something big and grand, but had he, I would have known he was up to something. He totally caught me off guard. It was simple, sweet, and totally us.

We still ended up taking the Metro to downtown St. Louis and enjoyed talking about marriage and being giddy.

Wow. It's awesome!

Happy Monday!!

Whew, it's been over a month since I moved to Missouri. I've definitely enjoyed myself and have loved getting to know Marty better in the same city.

My job is going well (I'm actually enjoying it!). It's been nice to get to know some of the people I work with. In a typical week, I work during the day twice and at night once. I hope to add some more hours, but for now I'm thankful that I even have a job.

Last weekend, Marty and I ventured 11 1/2 hours in the car to Santa Rosa, Florida. It's a small beach community between Destin and Panama City Beach. We were supposed to meet up with two other couples, but due to sickness and snow, it ended up just being us. It was a nice weekend to learn more about each other and enjoy uninterrupted time together. Highlights included a great walk on the beach followed by a beautiful sunset, time in the sun (it was a little cold... but it was definitely warmer than chilly St. Louis!), and a funny seafood hunt. We were thankful for the house that was generously given to us for the weekend.

So, life in St. Louis isn't only a giant blessing, it's also really fun!

What do we do out here? Well... we cook, run, play, laugh, go to the park, walk around the museums (I haven't mentioned yet, but a bunch of great museums and the zoo are all free out here! Can't beat that!), learn, watch Jeopardy (and lately the Olympics), work, chat, and enjoy life.

Life is good.

Oh, and Marty says hi.

:)

Feeling settled in St. Louis

I'm well into my third week in St. Louis. I'm finally feeling settled here... I know my way around and it feels like "my" city.

St. Louis is a neat city. The sunny days are BEAUTIFUL. The cloudy days are frigid, but I remind myself that it is February after all...

The job hunt was a little frustrating. Coming to Missouri, I thought I'd be able to apply at a few places and get a job. I was proved wrong. I ended up applying at over 20 different places: coffee shops, clothing stores, REI, Restoration Hardware, cupcake bakeries, and other places. I finally got a job at a place called Time for Dinner. It's a place where people come and prepare meals that they take home, freeze, and cook later. I think it'll be a fun job with good people. I'll continue to look for another job, but for right now, this one seems like a good fit.

My little apartment is treating me well, too...

The other day Marty showed up with some tulips...

My room is small but cozy...



Last weekend, M and I went on a spontaneous weekend getaway to Greencastle, Indiana. Population: tiny. We spent the weekend with his dear friends Bob and Jamie Jedele. Bob and Jamie are the parents of Marty's best friend, Paul and they have a wonderful, welcoming home. We laughed... a lot. We went sledding and laughed even more. We shot guns off the back porch... which was not a laughing matter (even though we laughed at how good I was, even though it was my first time!). On Saturday afternoon we met up with some of Marty's friends, watched Kentucky Basketball and later sat around the camp fire. The weekend was precious to me because I was able to see Marty in his element... so comfortable, so free, so himself. The company was awesome -- I wouldn't mind taking another trip to the "Jedele Retreat Center" again!

So, needless to say, things are going really well. Visitors are always welcome... there are plenty of things to do and see in this city! It would be fun to show my friends and family this place that I get to call "home".