The GR

 Well Friday morning we packed our bags and headed to Michigan! On my to-do list before we left, I needed to send my letter to Celine that Shaun wrote. We explained our three cancellation-heart-breaks that we have experienced and included pictures of each event with a big fat sad face. I am sure nothing will come of it but we just wanted to write her to say that we wrote her! It was fun.

Even though we packed for only three months, I felt like we brought a ton. There was some talented tetris action going on trying to make everything fit. I'm obsessed with road trips so it was definitely a party. Shaun and I are listening to Enders Game before the movie comes out. Love me some Harrison Ford!

There is an art festival called The ArtPrize that is in Grand Rapids every year and it is the biggest one in the country supposedly. When we pulled up last weekend, downtown was a madhouse! It has been so fun for me though because I can just wake up, walk downstairs, and explore until I'm sick of walking. Everything is walking distance and there are seriously thousands of people everywhere. I love it. My favorite's have been the pieces that were made completely out of junk (like this dragon). These pandas were made entirely of tires.

And here is our nice little apartment. It has more of a hotel vibe than I thought it would but I still love it (even if I hate the wood look). To calm this germ freak's mind, we went out and got a sofa cover. The place has also been scoured with clorox wipes. Those things are my best friends. That carmel spice fall candle does the trick as well! We are loving this temporary adventure in a different place. It seriously is like a mini vacation (at least for Nicole :) 

Ps. ...Can you believe that little corner called the kitchen? I can't believe I was complaining about my minimal counter space back at home. I am going to go back to Georgia so excited to see that little counter of mine!

Mr. Poff

Wellllllllll we're off to Grand Rapids, Michigan next weekend! We know nothing about Michigan, which is exciting I guess because we knew nothing about Georgia before our adventure to the south and we ended up loving that. Some strangers who hear we are leaving try to act like they know something about Michigan saying "oh wow, you'll be freezing up there" or "I heard the fall is beautiful." Shaun pointed out that wherever there is snow for the winter, you'll be freezing. Also, everywhere you go, the fall season is pretty. But we don't blame them because google was the first place we went. At least 9th grade Geography with Mr. Poff taught me that Michigan is a winter state because it looks like a mitten!

Procrastination is pretty much what I have majored in my whole life and it's not getting any better. (although I would like to say some of my best school work has been done the night before..)I think it actually hit me when Shaun said the other day "well get that done before next week because it'll be a busy one." What the. Next week! Fortunately Shaun's company puts us up in a furnished place in Michigan since it is temporary so we are keeping our apartment here in Georgia. That saves Nicole's sanity! I would die if I would have to pack up everything and get out of here in that short of notice. That stress will come next year! I will miss my king-sized-bliss called a bed and SJ will be missing his big screen TV. However, our Michigan apartment is right in downtown so I'm excited about the exploring I will get to do.

Now I got to go dig deep for some winter clothes. I think those clothes still do exist in my wardrobe.

By the way, these songs have almost cured my procrastination moods:

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!