So first, read Julie's blog down below. I didn't mean to steal her thunder, but Joanna suggested that some pictures of my family might be in order. First of all, though, we don't have the house YET; that should happen early tomorrow morning, Lord willing and the creek don't rise. Pray for us, please! Julie has been an incredible part of making this work; Friday I was out of town, and she coordinated about a dozen difficult last minute tasks and requests for information. Our bank actually seems more disorganized than me (pause for a moment to let the significance of that sink in). Anyway, she's had a terrific attitude and been nothing but a sweetheart, and we were so excited to see each other when she picked me up at the airport on Sunday. Yay!
So anyway, like I said, pictures of my family.
This one is us at Ravens Rock, actually not far from where I asked Julie to marry me.

John and Abby :)

Laura, Abby, and Elizabeth

and Paul and Johnny

Absent from these photos is David, my older brother. We do have pictures of him around the house, but none digital. We'll take some when he comes down in a few weeks.

Updates

Hey all. Lots going on right now for us!

Today, in a few hours, if all goes according to plan, we will be purchasing our first home! It’s a little townhouse on the edge of Winchester, VA, and it’s really cute. It’ll be fun to have it ready to be lived in before we are married in October. Location is fantastic in that we’ll be neighbors with Jeremy, Jessica, and the adorable little Lucy!

We’ve also been busy making with our wedding plans. I had no idea there were so many details associated with one day. God has been so good to us! My sister, Jeanette, has been amazing. She’s helping with so many of the details, and I don’t know what I’d do without her. She’s making my dress, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I hear it’s beautiful, and I’ll get to try it on in two weeks when Peter and I head to Illinois for a quick visit. We’re going to decide on the church, reception location, and all kinds of other details.

Beyond, hmmm, buying a house and planning a wedding, not too much going on. We’re busy with work; HSLDA’s busy season is almost upon us.

We do manage to have some together time outside of the craziness of life. I’m one blessed girl. Peter and I grow closer and we continue to see God’s faithfulness to us. We’ve been working through a book called, “Sacred Marriage”. The emphasis is on allowing God to use marriage to make us holy rather than seeking our own happiness through it.

There’s a movie being filmed at HSLDA/PHC today, and, heh, I’m going to be an extra. It’s really kind of cool. The cast and crew are all set up in the membership department. I find the whole process fascinating. I even got a little makeup attention and a costume. My white shirt is not cool for filming I guess.

Scratch that, I didn’t end up being in it—apparently a lot of people like the idea of some fame, *grin*. But, it’s funny to be sitting here listening to: “Quiet on the set please”, “Action--QUIET ON THE SET PLEASE”--While I take calls about religious exemption, notices of intent, and the like.

I hope you’re all having a blessed day!

I'm getting married!

To my Pete:

I think I'm pretty much on cloud nine right now, babe. There was a time that I really wanted to get married, then came the time when I was afraid to get married and swore I never would, and then there's now--a time when I can't wait to be married. I guess God had something else in mind when He introduced me to you.

You were worth the wait, and I love you more every day. With wedding plans and crazy busy schedules, thanks for reminding me each day of your love, and your support.
You're my best friend!

And for the other blog readers: Some pictures:)











Julie

Engagement pics

Let me know what you think! Kelly, a friend of ours took these for us. Aren't they beautiful? I have some more I'll add soon.

Julie

The ring (didn't he pick a pretty one?)

New pics and stuff

So...Sunday was actually a pretty busy day, as you may have gathered. Here's my best buddy on the way back from the airport. I think the camera made her a bit uncomfortable :)

Julie with her birthday flowers; we aren't attaching any symbolism to these blossoms, since they got baked in the car and kinda flopped over later that day.

So the bugs were kinda pesky at first, but must have realized we wanted to be left alone for a bit. I think here she's just trying to get a few feet away from the camera without falling off the cliff in back of her. A few minutes after she said yes.

Julie 'n' me.

Not to downplay little Lucy...

But, we are engaged!!! Peter proposed to me on my Birthday:)

Yesterday afternoon we went for a hike to Raven's Rock, (something I love to do with him), we returned to a cliff we'd found last time we were there. After talking for a bit, chasing some pesky gnats away, and admiring the view of the valley, he pulled out a letter and began to read it to me. It was amazing, and at the end there was a big question, and....drum roll please....I said, "yes!" Haha, I laughed and cried at the same time.
Peter's love is something that has caught me by surprise, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. He's my best friend, and I'm thrilled to take this step with him!

We will get pictures up soon. I don't have any close shots of the ring yet, but it is absolutely beautiful!

I feel like the most blessed girl in the world right now.

After we left Raven's Rock, we went to Winchester to see my mom, (who is enjoying her grandbaby very much), headed back to Purcellville to my house, where there was much giggling and rejoicing, and then we headed to to the LaRock's! It was kind of funny because I'd been there earlier in the day to celebrate my Birthday--Laura, Pete's sister, made an amazing cake, and I showed up later engaged.
If you haven't guessed, I'm really excited!

Pictures, soon.

J (and Peter)