Another Hike . . .

I am happy to say John is home . . . after a rather eventful trip to Mexico! He really enjoyed himself, but the last day and a half were less than desirable. He experienced a canceled flight and Montezuma's Revenge. Not too pleasant at all!

Today we went on a 10 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail from Gapland, MD to Harpers Ferry, WV. That was really cool. I liked the hike a lot. It was pretty easy, especially along the C & O Canal.

I know I don't look terribly attractive in this photo - but it was taken with my phone, so that is my excuse... plus we were hiking! The picture is where we stopped for lunch, an overlook at the end of the first ridge, about 6 miles from Gapland. That ridge was really cool. There was a shelter for through hikers on the AT. It was this log cabin enclosure, and it had a sweet loft, and was really well kept. The outhouse wasn't so awful either! The log from visitors was also rather interesting. I think it would be really cool to hike the AT one day. Well, obviously it would be more than one day ... it would take months. But I think that would be on my list. I think it is on John's list as well.

Even though it doesn't look like the weather was too beautiful in any of these pictures - it rained shortly after lunch, then blue skies for the rest of the day. Harpers Ferry was BUSTLING!! There were boy scouts and tourists everywhere. Canons were even going off. I think I am too used to Harpers Ferry as a desolate little town in the winter. It actually got really warm, and I got a little sun on my face, which is kind of nice, all considering my paleness. Well the husband is calling ... so off to dinner. (Thankfully not like the dehydrated meal he made for lunch!)

I want to be cool like Molly Fromille

Hello all.
I just love Molly's idea of blogging. While I don't move around the country much, it is certainly more fun to write story-like synopses of our lives rather than just always updating facebook.

An update on our current status!

After getting married in August 2006, John and I prepared to buy our first home by living in a an apartment for a year. That's when we got our little bundle of joy: Mason! Mason is a miniature Australian Shepherd, with blue merle coloring, and beautiful blue eyes. He is an absolutely awesome dog!






Finally, after spending a year in the apartment, we finally were able to find a house.
John and I settled on the house in mid August 2007. We are really blessed to have such a nice home, and have been very happy with our remodeling. John easily learned how to install plumbing for the new powder room, and tile as well. He is really handy! I think the powder room is our biggest accomplishment so far - and I think you can see why - it is beautiful! (If I do say so myself!)

Now we are getting ready to update the outside to be ready for the summer. We are planning to add a deck to the back, along with a new storm door leading to it. There will also be some vegetable garden boxes added - because there isn't anything better than tomatoes from your own garden! We will also be re-landscaping the front of the house. It does not have much of a garden, and I really like flowers - so that will be great once it gets warmer!

We will also be painting our upstairs, and probably will do something with the basement during the fall months. Having a house is a lot of hard work, and maintaining it is hard enough, but remodeling and adding on is even harder, and more expensive! Thank God for tax returns!!!

Along with remodeling this summer, we will going to some fantastic places. John, with his dad, sister Julie, two uncles, and dad's friend, will be hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim the last week of June. While they are away, Mason and I will be with my parents in Deep Creek Lake. (I didn't know when the Grand Canyon trip was taking place when my mom and I planned that- otherwise I would be in Arizona!). Once July rolls around, John and I will be headed south to El Salvador, for a missions trip with the high schoolers from Trinity. I am really looking forward to that, and just hanging out with some cool teenagers! It is tough to always work with middle school kids!

Speaking of which, my job is going well, and so is John's! He will be finishing up his master's degree in Program Management, at Johns Hopkins, this coming winter. Hopefully, I will be starting my masters this fall at Towson, for secondary education. I am happy to be a student again, right now at least I think I am!

As for right now, we are blessed to be filling our time with friends, a small group, American Idol, and spring time hikes.
Well, it is still early, so I am going to go back to bed for a bit. Keep John in your prayers, because he is in route to Mexico to film a conference. I am sure he will be suffering in the 80 degree weather at a resort for the next five days!