Nashville Weekend

To celebrate Shaun's parent's 30th wedding anniversary they went to Nashville, TN. Gratefully it was only under four hours away from us so we met them there for the last few days. It was a fun little 3-day weekend getaway. We visited some plantations, went to a fun dinner and show on a river boat. We also went to the Grand Ole Opry house and saw Martina Mcbride. Oh and of course, ate and ate and ate. The highlight of the trip was probably the last night. After the concert, we went to this restaurant/bar that we loved called Puckets. They had live music playing, mostly from the 70-80's. We all danced the night away!

inside the Grand Ole Opry house

President Andrew Jackson's mansion 

I LOVE cemeteries. So awesome that his tomb is on the plantation. 

Tennessee recreated the Greek Pantheon in 1897 (built to scale). It was massive!

bittersweet--ness

Well the secret is out (even though I don't think it ever was a secret). Shaun and Nicole are moving away for 3 months starting at the end of September. We are so thrilled to finally reach the point of Shaun's work-training-process where he gets to go out and do his three month cover, but we have made such a life here that it does end up being so bittersweet. I'm so grateful for that feeling though because I think when we first moved here, we almost didn't think it was possible (or maybe that was just me). Once we return after the three months, we then will apply for permanent territories. Hopefully there will be some openings in the sweet, sweet west!

I think what we'll miss most besides our soft skin and the color green, are the callings that we both have with the INCREDIBLE youth who have stolen our hearts from day 1. Shaun has the laurels and priests for the second hour and I have the laurels for the third. We will always look back to the time in Georgia and link it with these amazing peeps! One of the things I love about teaching is how much the teacher gets taught. That always seems to be the case with teaching the youth. They blow me away with their testimonies. The church is going to be in great hands.

California Reunion

The original plan of Yosemite was cancelled due to Shaun's Grandpas health so we decided to gather in Sacramento for the week. It was still good to see everybody and do activities together. I flew to Utah and then made the drive with Shaun's family. Shaun flew in to Cali from Chicago (where he was for work) so it worked out well. My parents are also from Sacramento so it was so fun to be able to go and visit my Grandparents.

was so obsessed with this little tike all week, as always.

restaurant at Stinson Beach

looking through tide pools with Shaun's Marine Biologist uncle

Uncle Shaun is the best.

missing Kevin & Cameron

Shaun's Grandparents

And surprisingly one of the highlights was rafting down the American River. I had to be convinced by a few people and once I got in the boat I had to then quiz the guide on all of the worse case scenarios he had. It was such a blast though!

visitor central

These past two weeks have been craaaazy and fun. My 16 year old brother came to visit and then my best friend Becky came the next week. Their trips overlapped for a few days which was super fun to be a little crew. I'm so grateful for the people in my life and how they make me feel. The whole time we were missing Kristine pretty bad but we know she's blessing lives and in her words from her email last week: 

I am going to have eternity. And that's a pretty good feeling. Because I have this knowledge of the Gospel I know that 18 months of being away from my family is ok and totally worth it to those I get to meet and serve. Families are forever. Period. That's one of the best gifts Heavenly Father has given us and I am so grateful.

Unfortunately we have this curse that the weather has put on us that says "whenever you have visitors in town we will make it rain the whole time." Honestly with every visitor {SJ's parents, grandparents, Chandler, Mark & Becky} it has rained the whole entire time. Thankfully Mark and Becky I think got one full day of sun. It is getting to be weird. The weather didn't stop our fun though! The two weeks review consisted of:
    aquariam
    MLK historic site
    CNN tour
    stone mountain 
    amazing food
    pool time
    six flags
    braves game
    pedicures
    plantations
    hikes
    july 4th rainy photo shoot
    becky doing my hair err'day

Wernli, Kimberly

I am determined to blog more frequently again. After seeing my dear friend Kelsey be so good at it, it has re-motivated me!

The saddest day is coming and I am not even that sad because I do think I am in denial. So I'll be sad when I drive over to this beauty's house and she doesn't answer the door. One of my closest friends here in Georgia, Kim Wernli, is suddenly moving back to her hometown in Ohio. Could not be more happy for her and her family but we thought Shaun and I would be long gone before they ever left. Our husbands work together at Merial and considering that they are pretty much the same person, they became close. I am so thankful that we like each other as much as our husbands do!! This 'hanging out with couples thing' is like being put back into the dating world {haha} so it's a miracle that we both LOVE each other. 

This powerhouse mama is a mother of four including two year old twins! I have been so blessed being able to witness such an INCREDIBLE example of a mother. When our husbands would go on trips for work I would just move on in to the Wernli household and it was fantastic. So grateful for this woman and how she can make anyone, instantly her best friend. Thankfully SJ was a saint and babysat the klan last night so the girls could have one last hurrah/birthday celebration. So many funny memories with Kimberly. When I look back in our short time in Georgia, this beautiful face will always come to mind!