My Parents are Coming to VISIT!!!

YEA!! I am so excited! I got the official word that my parents are coming to visit in April!! I haven't seen them since Christmas and it's already been a hard month and a half, I'm not sure I can make it another 2 months! Now if they could just hide the rest of my family in a suitcase! My parents have never been to DC so we are going to see all the sights! They are coming the week of Keith's spring break and we cannot wait! Moving here has been difficult for me, I miss my family so much and at the same time I know that this is good for Eric and my marriage. We have to lean on each other more and have strong communication, that being said it's still very hard and I cannot wait to be back in Texas!

Living in Maryland

Living in Maryland for the last 10 months has been quite...well... interesting. Soon after we moved we learned several things right away. Like Maryland doesn't have Blue Bell ice cream, caffeine free Dr. Pepper, or Sonic!! One could compare driving in Maryland to a small town Nascar race! If you don't drive 20 MPH over the speed limit you will get run over! People here laugh and think I'm kidding when I tell them that they would get pulled over in Texas for that! The accents are a big thing....yes since I am now an outsider I do have an accent and they do make fun of it on a daily basis. The first thing someone says to me after I talk is "Where are you from?" Although I do make fun of theirs too! 

I can honestly say God is showing me a lot through this adventure. I was so set on staying in Wichita Falls and never moving that I never for a minute thought I would end up moving! God had different plans. I am learning to rely more on Him, and on Eric. We have met some great friends that have been very helpful when we need them, but as for family we just have each other here. Which has been hard on me. I miss Texas and my family and friends.  I am trying, however, to see the positives in the journey and keep in mind that it is just a small step in our life together. I have never looked at the seasons the way I do here. My dad has always said to look at all that God gives you, the spring flowers, the fall and this Fall was absolutely beautiful! The trees I'm use to look like shrubs next to the ones we have here. Our backyard resembles a small forest. When the leaves begin to change it is simply breathtaking! I didn't think Winter could compare to Fall, but after it snowed (and the snow here actually stays for weeks) the neighborhood looks like it is covered in a white blanket. I love looking out at night, with the moon shinning off the snow it looks soo bright! I can't wait to see what Spring has in store, but I've heard the Cherry Blossoms are gorgeous! What will make it even better is that my parents are coming to visit then! We are so excited! I can't wait to show them our house and take them to Washington DC! Thankfully it will be a lot warmer by then!

Nothing says Welcome to Maryland Winter like walking 3 blocks to work from the parking garage in 20 degree weather (that feels like -7) in the snow! I did have my first adventure driving in the snow and thankfully made it to and from work safely! Eric woke up early and shoveled me out of the driveway, then he and Keith spent the day at home! They made a snowman which Keith appropriately named Frosty! 

Keith is making friends and doing well! He played T-ball last Spring, Soccer this Fall and is playing Basketball this Winter. He loves it! He is doing great in school and really seems to enjoy it here. Although he does miss Texas and more importantly our family and friends there! 

The Wedding and Honeymoon

The day started off bright and early with an 8am hair appointment, wow is that ever early for a bride who loves her beauty sleep and as Eric will attest I'm not a morning person. However, I wanted to look my best for my groom! My hair turned out beautiful! It was such a beautiful day! The day was going to fly by as I was busy getting ready and ironing out the last details but there was something I needed to do so I took a moment and took a red rose to place on my grandpa (PopPop's) grave. Red roses were his favorite. I prayed with him and told him how much I wish he was there but that I know he will be walking down the aisle with me. I kissed the rose and laid it down, looking up to the sky and rejoicing in the beautiful day God had provided to us.
I then went to my make up appointment with my bridesmaids Alex and Cori. They kept me entertained and my nerves calmed. Then it was off to the church to "relax" and stress over last minute details. Right before the ceremony Eric and I decided to exchange our wedding gifts to each other. Now what do you get a computer genius/nerd that he will actually use or want? An internet capable remote start for his car of course! Eric gave me a beautiful diamond bracelet! Then it was time, it was the moment we had been planning for, praying for, stressing over and thanking God for!

The wedding was PERFECT in every sense of the word! It was truly a dream come true! Of course my accident proneness had to take the spot light when the lit unity candle I was holding fell out of the taper and landed on my dress! 911 and the fire department were spared as the flame went out on the way down. Our minister (Dr. Hartman) dusted off my dress and handed the candle back to me. Eric said it was classic Lee Ann, he knows me so well already!

As we walked down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Stride we walked through the Arch of Sabers. It is something the Air Force does to welcome the bride into the Air Force Family. What I wasn't prepared for is that at the end the guy on the end taps me on the butt with the saber! Haha!

After the ceremony we had a beautiful butterfly release. Since I was a little girl I always wanted to release butterflies at my wedding and yet another one of my wishes/dreams came true! I always think of butterflies as a new beginning and our wedding day was the beginning of our lives together! We then got into my dad's 1981 red Corvette and drove off to the reception. The reception was filled with laughter, dancing, toasts and shoving cake into my face, thanks Eric. We were on top of the world with excitement! And so thankful to be spending it with family and friends. We danced and cried and laughed and then someone spilled red wine on the front of my dress. Not just a spot but all down the front! But hey it was about time for my to change into my get-away dress anyways!


The limo arrived, we hugged and kissed our family, then we ran through a shower of rice and confetti! The limo drove us to Hyatt Regency in Dallas. Our room was beautiful! Our flight to Cancun left the next morning. We landed and at last we were in paradise.....well sort of. It was raining cats and dogs as the shuttle took us to our resort. The Ocean Spa Resort was beautiful, the lobby and spa had been renovated. Our room on the other hand left much to be desired, apparently the hadn't remodeled the rooms yet. It rained the first two days we were there and to make it worse our room was leaking! To hopefully pull me out of the depression slump Eric decided to do some shopping therapy and what do you know, it worked! I got pretty good and haggling and was able to get some great deals on things! The next day we enjoyed a nice couple's massage and laid on the beach and enjoyed the peace, quiet and relaxation of not having to do anything! The next day we went on a zip line excursion. It ended up being a huge park that not only had several zip lines but also had underground cave rafting and amphibious vehicles. It was so much fun!
We had such a great honeymoon and are so excited to start our life together!

We Made It!

We have been in Maryland for 3weeks and 3 days!
 The trip wasn't as bad as we expected.Eric was able to cram everything we needed for a week into the car even though I bet him he couldn't, he won.

 Eric and I made it through without killing each other and I didn't even threaten to drive right back home to Texas. The dogs did well for the most part after the first day. Bella got carsick before we even left Wichita Falls, so I ended up giving her more medicine. In total she had Xanax, Dramamine, a tranquilizer and another motion sick pill and was still awake and anxious! The next day I gave her all of it at once and by the time it kicked in we practically had to carry her to the car. But she slept the rest of the day! Keith did very well on the trip, just give him movies and his DS and he is set! He enjoyed stopping for postcards in every state we went through. He made sure he got one for Nana and Papa, Nonny and his classmates.

We arrived at our new home Wednesday night. I had four days here at the house before starting work. Which I later realized was a mistake. Our stuff arrived the Tuesday after we arrived and it took about 3 1/2hrs and 5 people to unload. We then had the overwhelming job of trying to unpack, which we still haven't finished. Last weekend Keith and I went back to Texas to see my family and for some wedding stuff. I had my alterations for my dress and can't wait to see it when it's done!! I got the royal treatment at home from my dad's french toast for breakfast to my mom taking me for a manicure and pedicure to a cookout at my grandmas! It was so nice to be back home! Even after just 2 weeks in Maryland lol! Keith got to go to school with his old classmates and tell them all about his new school in Maryland! He missed Fain so much! His wonderful teacher there gave him a gift and a card to take back to his class in Maryland. It was a stuffed armadillo that said Wichita Falls, Texas on it! His old class and his new class are becoming pen pals!
We got back to Maryland to Eric who surprised me at the airport with a dozen roses! He is such a sweetheart! Eric and I are adjusting to this new change and although its been difficult we have great communication and know that it will only get better with time! We decided that with all there is for me to do with the wedding and how much unpacking and such we still need to do that it would be best right now for me to work PRN (as needed) until after the wedding. The adjustments and move have been quite stressful and my 3 hour a day commute to work has worn me out! I'm use to the 10min it took for me to get to work in Texas not this 1 1/2 hour stuff! Ive been doing 11hour days 5 days a week and am missing my shift work which I never thought I would! My work was very understanding and cooperative of me wanting to change so I am excited about that!
Maryland is quite different from Texas. They do not have Blue bell ice cream, Sonic, caffeine free Dr. Pepper, people drive in rain like we drive in snow, they have round-abouts that really suck, they don't have access roads so many times I can see where I need to go but cant get to it, taking a wrong turn can add 20min to your time, they talk funny (although apparently I do, not them), its infested with seafood restaurants which isn't good when your allergic, oddly enough they do have Texas Roadhouse.
But even through all of it, I am truly happy, I know it will take time to adjust but that's just part of getting married. I'm excited to be here with Eric and have our family together, to grow and learn and just have fun together! Keith and I are blessed to have him in our lives!
P.S. I can't wait to move back to Texas haha!

 Our House

Back yard

 My Work - Piccard Surgery Center

The Move

It's been awhile since I updated. I was offered a job in Maryland at a new surgery center that is opening up. The hours are great and I will be able to be home with Keith and Eric during the evenings and on weekends. I will also be off on holidays so we will be able to fly in to be with my family. Eric was in last week for spring break. We took the kids bowling and to the zoo and had a blast! We also had our engagement pictures taken. This week I am trying to pack up the house and get ready for our move to Maryland. We will set off Monday March 29th and will drive for 3 days with Me, Eric, Keith and two dogs in my car haha! Bella the golden-doodle gets car sick and has major car anxiety so we got some medicine from the vet and hopefully she will be ok, or else we may need medicine lol. Eric said that if we can make it through this drive we can make it through anything in our marriage. Please pray for us as we make this journey to Maryland. Pray that Keith and I make this transition to a new place without problems and that we are able to adjust quickly and well. Thank you!

Progress

Things are moving forward! Eric came in town last weekend and we went to Kathy's Bakery to test their cakes and look at pictures, we decided to book them for the wedding. We really enjoyed the personality of the the wedding coordinator and of course the cake was delicious! We then went to Carino's to taste test some food for the reception and absolutely loved it! We have pretty much decided on them for the catering! Earlier that week we had already booked the DJ's and the photographer! Things are coming together well and we are so looking forward to celebrating this blessed occasion with everyone!

Bridal Market!!

The Bridal Market is a week from today and I can't wait! Best part is Eric will be in town to go with mom and me! We already have the church, the reception hall, save the dates, and centerpieces. We still need to decide on caterers, photographers, bakery, invites and some of the decorations. We are slowly working on our registry's but hopefully will be done soon. We had our first marriage counseling session the beginning of December and it went great! We were both given a packet of questions to fill out and then Dr. Hartman (our minister) put our answers together and went over them with us. We were both shocked that most of our answers were the same, even the ones that we wrote in, we wrote the same. It's just one more message from God that we were meant to be together! Of course we have no doubt about that! From the moment we met we both knew there was something there that neither one of us had ever felt before.

Click to visit our wedding website!