5 things

So, we have some friends who also moved 1,000 miles away from everyone and everything that they knew. They moved to New Jersey right after they got married in June of last year. Derek and I got to be married for about 7 mths before we moved cross country. Anyway, this couple orginally had plans to stay for about 5 yrs. However, due to multiple reasons they decided to move home. AND they are moving this weekend! This girl did NOT like living away at all. Sometimes much like me! When I found out, I was SOOO jealous (ok, maybe I still am!). I am not a very jealous person, never have been. However, when I found out they were moving not even a year after they moved, I wanted to be them! I was sick and weak with jealousy (NOT a good combo!:)) While I'm sitting here thinking of them, I am, of course, thinking that I wish it was me moving home but I know that God has us here for a reason. I just need to be reminded of that from time to time. I decided that because all of this jealousy was not good for me I needed to come up with reasons why I do like living here.

1) Most important, what is/has/will do for our marriage. I have said countless times to Derek when I'm upset......I will ALWAYS look back on this time and be grateful. It's hard, yes, but Derek and I are growing stronger together everyday. Although I wish sometimes that we had more friends out here to socialize with, I love spending time with just him. Before we moved, I really couldn't remember going to dinner with just him. We were always going with other couples (which I still love by the way and want to resume when we finally make it back home!:)) I definately DO appreciate the time that we have together! Love you!

2) Our church, it was a daunting thing to search for the one. Especially out here with a billion churches! (Ok, I exagerrated but there is a lot!) We went to about 8-10 different which really isn't that many but having only 4 Sundays a month, it seemed a like a ton! We were definately both ready to be consistent and settled and start getting to know others. We both realized that we would find other couples to be our friends this way! Anyway, we found a church that Derek actually went to when he interned out here 2 summers (almost 3 now) ago. It's about 20 min. away, so not to far. We have gotten involved in small group with 4 other couples and we meet on Sundays after church. We are thankful that we have gotten into a small group and are starting to hang out with new people! 1 of the couples just gave birth to thier first baby so that definately doesn't help my baby craze! Also, our pastor is really good. He's from a church in a suburb of Chicago, so I do like him a little more! And, he's funny and great about intertwining life into the sermons that makes you (at least me) learn a bit more.

3) My job. I really like my job. I work per day at a clinic that has 3 different sites. I work every Thurs. and Friday and most Mondays. I LOVE IT! I know Derek wishes I would work more becuase that pay out here is Really good. But I can't help it, I love it! I love the flexibility it gives me. I mean, I just have to say, I'm not available this day, that day, and they can't do anything! It is the perfect job that I didn't know existed! God has perfect plans!

4) Our apartment. As I said previous post, it was not fun searching the billions of apartment complexes out here (again I exagerrate but again there a lot). However, I am extremely happy with the one we ended up with. Of course, I'm NOT happy with rent price! The apartment is the biggest 1 bedroom that we looked at for the price range and the landscaping is beautiful. It has a good layout, different than most others, 2 pools, 3 hot tubs, and next door to a grocery store!

5) The weather. I can't complain about the weather, at least not really. I missed snow and winter a little bit and I did miss the trees changing but nothing compares with getting spring in mid-Feb! It was great! And pretty much the temp has been 65-75 since, except for the heat wave last weekend. So all in all, pretty good.

Sorry this is so long. It was maybe more for me.

Remember last year at this time?

One year ago we were here looking at apartments. It was both exciting and scary. Exciting....imaging the possibilities and wondering what it would really be like. It was also fun because the first trip (minus our honeymoon) the Derek and I took together. Scary.....What is it REALLY going to be like???? I was scared of the unknown and I certainly had a perconceived notion before moving. Also, I DON'T Want to Move!!! But it has gone by very fast. I mean, it's already May 15! Crazy! We'll be moving home before I know it.

It is SOOO Hot here! Record breaking temps..100 F! We decided that it was hot enough to turn on our air but it isn't central so it really doesn't feel that cool! I actually like the hot weather but just don't want it to last! Well, maybe through this weekend so we can go to the beach!

Beautiful day.

I know 2 posts in a day. Today we went to a local park in the foothills to have a picnic and go for a hike. It was a beautiful day and so nice to be outside. It is amazing that in the middle of the CROWDED Silicon Valley, there is this beautiful serene area that God has made. We have been hiking before to another place but this was much better. We saw a lot of lizards which Derek wanted to stop and look at each one. While walking we played a made up game....name someone from IL 20 questions (without counting q's cause that's just too much work!) We both really enjoyed this and were trying to stump each other. We're a little competetive! It was a great day and we're going to finish it up going to dinner. I love spending Saturdays with Derek. It makes me appreciate moving here a little more because at home we wouldn't necceassarily spend the day just us. Here are a few pics from the hike.

Our picnic.

A stream we ate by.

And They're Off!

Last night Derek and I went to a local horse track called Bay Meadows. It was $1 night......admission, hot dogs, pop, beer (until 8:15, then $2). We thought it would be a fun and different thing to do. Neither of us has ever been to a race before so we were excited to go. I picked Derek up from work at about 6:30 and started on our way. It was about a half hour trip and we expected to get there a little after 7. The first race was to start at 7:20. We thought perfect time, get there, get a seat, a hot dog, a beer, and then sit and watch. However, because it was $1 night, EVERYONE else thought it would be a good idea to go as well. The first 25 min of the drive went fine, no traffic, smooth sailing. And then we exited the freeway to go about 2 miles to the track...........2 HOURS later we were finally parking! It was insane! The worst traffic we have been in since we moved! And then once we got there, it was so packed you couldn't even walk 2 in without running into someone! The line for food was not moving and not getting any shorter. We were there for an hour standing in lines to get the essentials and hadn't seen 1 race! While we were in line, they ran out of hot dogs! AGH! We decided to just watch the races and grab dinner on the way home. We watched 3 races and left....at 11:15. The actual races were pretty neat and the horses were amazing. We each picked a horse before the race started and cheer them on. I went 1 for 3 and D went 0 for 3. This is my winning horse. Her name was Lemon Kiss. Notice the jockey's wearing pink and I didn't even know when I picked the horse!

This is us, sitting in the 2 hr traffic. Not happy.