Honeymoon

Honeymoon plans are well under way!!(good thing right? because we're 24 days away from the wedding!) Well, Dan originally wanted to keep the whole honeymoon a secret but due to the nature of what we're going to do, he had to let me in on parts. So, here's the breakdown...we are taking 2 honeymoons, kind of. Since we are moving out of the country, Dan wanted to give me some unrushed time to say goodbye to family and friends (and let's be real, he probably didn't want me crying all during the honeymoon!:) ). So we are going to take a "North American" honeymoon following the wedding and then come back for a few days to spend time with family and friends before leaving on September 2 for Europe! Once getting to Europe, Dan has a secret honeymoon planned!!!

Now by this point, you are probably wondering why there is a picture of Dolly Parton on my blog, unless you are Brandy and you are probably just singing "Islands in the Stream" in your head. Well, we are going to DOLLYWOOD!!!!!!
(crickets, crickets...) Ok, so we're probably not actually going to go to Dollywood but we are going to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and have rented an AMAZING cabin for 4-5 nights! The cabin is equipped with a few decks, an outdoor hot tub on one of the decks, full kitchen, jacuzzi tub, and a fabulous view of the smoky mountains!! I am so excited and can't wait for our trip!!!!!! I am also super excited about the super secret European honeymoon!! The next month is going to be crazy until we finally settle into life in Leiden and I'm trying not to let it all slip by so fast!!

Reflections on 30

Now, before everyone starts acting all crazy and reminding me that I'm not turning 30 until March, hear me out.  One of my best friends, Brandy turned 30 this weekend and had a difficult time with it.

A few nights before leaving out of town to go celebrate with her, I was watching Julie and Julia with my other best friend, Meagan. It was during the part where they were celebrating her 30th birthday that I turned to Meg and said, " There is no way that I would consider those people my peers. Do we really look/act/have lives that are similar to those 30 year olds in the movie?" Meg agreed that she would not put herself in the same group, that neither of us feel as old as we apparently are. Now, it's possible that half of those actors are really like 10 years older than they say and that will make me feel a smidge better:) But with all this "30 talk" surrounding me this weekend, it has got me thinking about my life, where I am, where I thought I'd be, and where i'm going.

If you had asked me when I was 18(this is me and friends at about 18, maybe 17) where I saw myself when I was getting ready to be 30, well first I probably would've crinkled my nose and thought quietly to myself "30?? why worry about that, it will be FOREVER before i get to that age!" But I would've said out loud that I would've been married, with probably 2 kids by that time, maybe staying home with them, maybe not.  Fast forward to college, same question. "Married, maybe just 1 kid with another on the way". Annndddd move to 26 years old, ..."I Have no idea". haha! Funny how things change. When we're in different seasons of life, we always think we have things figured out but that it typically when God is quietly tapping on our shoulder, trying to get our attention and we are too busy swatting away the annoying "fly" on our shoulder while trying to make our plans. 

I have enjoyed and got to experience so much in these last 10 years of "independence". I'm not saying it would've been bad to marry right after college but I also think God did a lot to develop me and develop my sense of self in Him in these past several years. I've gotten to enjoy trips and things I never would've had I been married with babies. I have met some amazing people and formed lasting friendships. I have gotten to live with my best friend for 2 years, something we always wanted to do and turns out we're pretty good roommates together! That is not always the case, even with the best of friends. 

I've got to be a part of a church that has allowed me to use my gifts as well as meet some fabulous new friends that always keep me laughing and keep a trophy in my hand (ha! we'll see how many boys actually read this because i'm sure they will have something to say about that! but there is the proof above) I've enjoyed so many things during this chapter in my life! And while i'm not closing the door on all of it, I am excited to see what new roles will be played in this new chapter.


So, if you were to ask me today where I think I will be when I'm 30, I guess my answer would be ..."married to an amazing, Godly man, living in Europe, and thinking about having babies in the future, blessed beyond measure with great friends, great family, and an adventurous life that is more than I could've dreamt up myself at 18."

 I miss him.
 

1 Month!!!

One month from today,we will be getting married!!!! It's really hard to believe, as this time has flown by so fast! It seems like the last several years drug by, waiting to be engaged and now I'm not sure where the time has gone!!!

Wedding planning is going well. I think i've lost some steam as we are drawing near the end and all the big things are completed. I need to kick it into gear though and get moving on details. Tomorrow I have my wedding hair "practice" appointment, which is a a rip-off I might add. In fact, the whole wedding business is one big rip off but that's a story for another day.

We booked our tickets to leave the country yesterday,which makes it all the more real. We will be heading to our new home on September 2. Well, we'll actually be heading to our European leg of our honeymoon and THEN to our new home but you get the idea.


I think we're both about done with this long distance stuff and I can't wait until he gets back!  

Housing in the Netherlands

So, housing is incredibly difficult to find in the Netherlands...correction, AFFORDABLE housing is incredibly difficult to find. Their prices are outrageous and most don't even include basic appliances such as a refrigerator or stove!! and we are talking about rentals here. For example, for a 600square foot place, it will cost about 750Euro, not including utilities. And that's a big chunk of change when they take out 45% of your income for taxes!!(socialism at it's best). Needless to say, finding housing has been an issue for Dan. We've had great prospects but somehow they have all fallen through. For example, we had a fantastic place to rent and Dan told the realtor (yes, we have to pay a realtor fee =to one month's rent in ADDITION to a deposit...) that we wanted to rent it so the realtor set up a time to meet with the landlord for Dan to sign the lease and give the deposit. This was on a Friday and they had set a time on Monday to sign the lease. Monday morning Dan receives an email from the realtor, stating that the landlord rented out the place over the weekend. . .!!!uhhh...what?!! Same with another place we had decided on. Only this time dan went to tell the realtor that we wanted it, less than 24 hours later, and it too was  rented. It's been a very frustrating process for Dan and myself but moreso for Dan as he has to ride his bike all over Leiden, looking at different apartments. He is looking at two more tomorrow and hopefully one of these will be "the one".

We aren't even being picky. We have decided that we would take something less desirable for  a short term until we get settled and see if i will be able to work or whatnot. But it's proving difficult to even do that! Pray one of these tomorrow works out. The picture above is the actual apartment. There is one upstairs and one downstairs for rent. The little balcony goes into the bedroom. It's cute. We'll see if it works out.

Frank??or Dan??

Ok so after like 4 people in a week has said my fiance' looks like this guy from The Bachelorette, I've decided to take a poll.
Question 1. Do you think Frank looks like Dan?
Question 2. Is it possible that Dan is really not in the Netherlands but is in fact on The Bachelorette and that is the next great Bachelorette scandal? Please answer both. ;)


Frank:

Dan:

Ok, so i had to do a few of him cuz he's so darn cute! anways, please post your votes in the comment section. Don't forget to fill in the random word(libby and katie) to get the comment to post!

Bridal Weekend!

This weekend was full of all things bridal!!!! My future mother-in-law, Cheyrl, was in town as well as one of my out of town Bridesmaid's, Brandy. Friday night we went to the Elms to check out the church we are going to be married in to get ideas for decorations. We also wanted to try out the buffet the Elms had to see if we wanted that for the rehearsal dinner. I definitely had to suck in a bit more at my dress fitting the following day because of it but it was so worth it!!There were two other weddings that they were getting ready for on Saturday. It made me so excited to think that in 41 days, that will be me!!!!

Saturday was my first dress fitting!It was soo much fun to put the dress back on again. Not gonna lie, it was hot and there was lots of tears all around!:) We also tried different hair designs with the dress on and the veils. I can't believe it's coming up so fast!!!

Saturday night we went downtown to eat at Arthur Bryant's. Jealous? cuz you should be. This is also another option for the rehearsal dinner we wanted to let Cheyrl try but this time I didn't have to worry about fitting into my dress the following day!!

Sunday was spent at church and watching the Netherlands lose the World Cup. I didn't get to watch much of the second half but saw lots of reports that the Dutch were playing dirty?? Surely not my tulip loving, wood shoe wearing, windmill spinning, new home country to be??? 

Then Leanne hosted a fantastic shower at her work, The Classic Cup! It was so beautiful and so much fun! I had such a great time! Who knew parties that were there to honor you could be so fun?! oh wait...:)
I am going to try and include a link to the pictures from the party(click on the "bridal shower pictures" below. yes, Leanne did make that cake from scratch, including the shoe on top and yes it was sooooo delicious!

Happy Birthday America!

Today is America's 234th birthday! I love being an American! Prepping to leave the country has caused me to reflect more this year on our country and the great things that come with it. I asked Dan to send me a list of his top 5 things he misses about America after being in the country just over a month now. Here is his list:

5) Free refills on drinks
4) Cars
3) Lawns
2) English

And the number 1 thing I miss most in America is .........

1) YOU (awww!)


I've made a list of some of the things I love most about America! See below

 1.) My precious niece and I decorating "American flag" cupcakes 

2.) Wearing Star glasses

 
3.) My goofy brother and me waving glowstick American flags, trying to come up with all the words to the National Anthem.

4.) Celebrating birthday's with family! Happy 50th birthday Jerry!!!

5.) Alyssa wearing headphones with mema because she was scared of the BOOM

6) My brother and Courtney lighting fireworks and waving glowstick flags

7.) Fireworks! Who knows if they even know what fireworks are in Holland!!


8.) and with no picture to accompany their faces as they seem to run from the camera, Kevin and Karli.


All of these things I will miss greatly! I'm glad i got to spend another 4th of July with everyone. I'm also going to miss backyard bbq's, impromptu time with friends, freedoms, and more! 


I think it's also important that we thank our veterans and those who are serving our country to allow us to continue celebrating this day. My brother Kevin served our country with the US Navy for 6 years, spending a year in Iraq. My cousin is currently in Germany and will be deployed to Afghanistan in January to defend our country. THANK YOU for continuing to do this and believing in something greater.


Happy 4th of July of everyone!!!