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!