It finally happened!!

Micah and I finally took our balloon ride on Sept 11th. It was a perfect, clear, cool morning for a balloon ride. I have to say that it was one of the coolest things I've done, ever. The only downside I can say is that we flew over dry, parched farmland near San Marcos and it wasn't one of the most breathtaking sceneries I've seen! Everything was dry and dead due to the drought. We saw a lot of cows, goats, chickens, horses, and dogs. I yelled at the cow, "HEY COW!" I was excited that I got the chance to play that game up in the air.

I was amazed at how quiet and peaceful it was up there. We could hear almost everything. And when the pilot gassed up the balloon by blowing fire into the top, it was HOT and it was like it was the loudest thing out there in the sky. I was hoping to run into some birds or something, but that didn't happen. Okay, let me clarify that. I wasn't hoping we would hit any birds. I hoped we would have a bird flying right along beside us.

Overall, it was a great experience and I'm glad it finally happened. After three tries we finally got to go. Here are some shots of our ride.

filling up the balloon

there were two other balloons that rode with us

looking in the inside of the balloon

blowing up the balloon

so early in the morning, but so pretty

I'm tired, but ready to go

the balloon behind us

up in the air finally

look mom, I'm flying!

These were the other balloons behind us

God waking up the earth

I's me in a balloon again!!

going over I-35!

I give this two thumbs up - WAY UP!

HEY!!

scenery

it's not scary up here, it's fun

We are done!

Big shot himself

We are official Aeronauts!!

a memorable Sep 11

The 10-year anniversary of Sept 11th tragedy was a memorable one for me. I watched the memorial special on NBC and it was really moving. Like everyone else, I remember exactly what I was doing that day. I was working at a publications place in Lubbock and all my co-workers that day were glued to the TV. I remember watching the people jump out of the twin towers, making that awful decision to end their life.

I have no idea what I would have done. I'd like to think I would not jump because I believe that only God makes that decision of when I die. When it's your time, it's your time. Would you rather die from smoke inhalation or would you rather jump to your death? Either decision is as equally painful.

But if I had no option or no way out, I pray that I have the courage to jump. After all, as followers of Christ, we should not fear death. Heaven is our home. And it's only there that we will be where we were intended to be.. and our joy will become complete. Everything will be perfect and we will be home.

I think of that Switchfoot song that says, "I've been searching for a place of my own, and now I know that this is home."

I’ve got my memories

Always inside of me
But I can’t go back
Back to how it was

I believe now
I’ve come too far
No I can’t go back
Back to how it was
Created for a place
I’ve never known

This is home
Now I’m finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home

I’ve been searching
For a place of my own
Now I’ve found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home

the engagement!



Me and Micah at the Balloon Festival in New Mexico


On July 5th, my Micah Shuler asked me to marry him! And of course I said yes! For all interested parties, here is The Proposal. :)

We have been dating for over a year, April 1st was our first date. However, we had decided to become exclusive around July 2nd. I had a slight suspicion that he might propose over the fourth of July weekend, only because he told me he was going to take me somewhere special for our anniversary.

We had plans to spend most of the weekend with his family at his lake house at Lake LBJ. After a fun weekend of boating, tubing, and also doing some family projects..the weekend was coming to a close. All I knew is that we were going to Austin Monday morning and had to be at the place by 6:00 AM.

Going back to Sunday night, the night before we were going to be in Austin.. We were outside with his family, hanging out and chatting and eating watermelon. Out of the blue, Micah's dad asked this random question, "Hey Micah, where is that balloon taking off?! My eyes almost popped out of my head because at that point I knew what my surprise was - a hot air balloon ride! It had to be that since Micah knew that I have always wanted to ride a hot air balloon!

I was a little upset because Micah's dad ruined the surpise, even though he knew it was a secret. I later found out that he had told his parents where he was taking me only 2 days prior to that day. I guess he should have kept it a secret, at least from his dad! haha!

On the way to the balloon ride, Micah gets a phone call from the balloon pilot. He said, "I've got some bad news: a crew member is sick and we cannot go on the balloon. :( 

I told Micah, "Call him back and tell him that is unacceptable!! You had something special planned for your girlfriend and he ruined it!! I'm sure that crewmember partied too much from the fourth of July weekend!!! (at this point I decided that he probably was not going to propose..a balloon ride would have been the way to go and now that is not happening)

Well, we decided that we would just go to breakfast and take our time since we wouldn't be going on the balloon ride. Since I love the Kirby Lane Cafe so much we decided to go there for breakfast before we headed back to San Antonio.

We got seated in an area of the restaurant by ourselves. Since it was the day after the 4th, there wasn't many people in the restaurant. Before I knew it, Micah reached out an grabbed my hand. I thought he was just going to hold my hand, and before I knew it...he slipped a ring on my finger. He said, "I'm so sorry that nothing I planned worked out. I just can't wait any longer though. You know how much I'm in love with you. Will you marry me?"

I sat there looking at him in awe and amazement. I couldn't believe it was happening!! I had also never seen anything like my ring. It was more gorgeous and more wonderful than anything I had ever imagined! 

Then I hear him saying, "Well???!" And then I said, "yes, of course I will marry you!"

And so now I'm engaged and I couldn't be happier with the man God had picked out especially for me. He has the most amazing smile that can illuminate even the darkest places. He puts my needs first. He shares the same faith. And most importantly, he loves me for me!

When I was younger I imagined the man I would marry. I used to think he was going to be really funny and keep me in stiches all the time. I used to say that was one of the most important qualities (behind having the same faith being the most important).

Although Micah isn't a hilarious guy, we have so much fun together and can make each other laugh!!

But every time I've planned out or imagined something that I think I want or would be happy with, God shows me something completely different. In most cases I am way off! It's like the time I thought I wanted a boy dog and God gave me Luna Belle. Or the times I thought I was in love before, and God told me he had something better for me.

I believe that we don't really ever know what we want or know what would make us really happy. And sometimes we don't even know until we see it or God shows it to us. Often times we think we know, but then something happens and makes us question it.. After several experiences (most of the time they are heartbreaking) we think we have a better idea of what we want. But ultimately, God knows what makes us truly happy. And if we wait on God's best, how sweet it is!!!

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