8 Years

8 Years ago today Josh and I began "dating"! Mind you, it was a very "high school" start to things (i.e. me saying to Josh- "well, what do I call you? Are you my boyfriend? Are we going out or not?")

We are so thankful for the many different seasons God has taken us through- each experience has truly shaped who we are today in the Lord (i.e. learning to communicate from a distance for 5 years, learning to accept life changes- school, military, finances, housing, friends, family, health). While the road ahead is uncertain and life is sure to hand us many challenges, we can't wait to continue in our journey of Glorifying God by enjoying him forever.

I am so thankful for my best friend- and cannot wait to continue on in our adventures together!

Praise be to God!

Heidi Visits Florida!

Heidi spent this last week in Jacksonville visiting us for her spring break. We had a lot of fun! We cooked, went to the beach, made mint chip ice cream, went to the dog park, visited downtown St. Augustine, went to an arts festival, drove golf carts for Josh, played rockband, and much more! (pictures below in no particular order)

Cuddles and naps on the couch

Teddy at Lake Bow Wow- 43 acres of puppy paradise!

Heidi at the "oldest wooden schoolhouse in the U.S."- on her spring break none the less! (St. Augustine historic downtown)

A spanish fort in St. Augustine

at the fort

in historic downtown St. Augustine- very touristy but fun

Jacksonville Beach- this day was a little too cold for bathing suits!

Dad Albright also came for a visit- here we are playing rockband

licking the bowl of mint chip ice cream we made- green hands from the messy food coloring job I did

Heids stirring up the ice cream

watching it churn

Teddy and Kangaroo exhausted from a long day of playing (Kangaroo's parents dropped him off for a week of "slumber parties" while they took a road trip down the Florida coast- the pups never rested long and had a blast!)

Heids and the pups at the Riverside Arts Festival

at the festival

Pups excited for a car adventure!

Click play to see video of teddy at the dog park :)

We miss you Heids!

Easter Weekend

This past weekend we enjoyed celebrating Easter with Aunt Gail and Uncle Jasper!
It was a relaxing time- we spent a lot of time with the pups (as you can see below) and even fit in a little golfing :)

Mom comes to Jacksonville

Mom Gropp came for a visit this past weekend and we had a great time! We really just enjoyed being together and relaxing as opposed to trying to see all of the sights in Jacksonville. While she was here we took a drive through the base, cooked some tasty meals, went for many walks with Teddy, went to the Arboretum with Teddy, napped, and maybe had a brownie or two ;) It was so refreshing and nice!

(I didn't know some of these rather incriminating pictures were taken until I went to put the pictures on the computer) I will neither confirm nor deny what was on the empty dessert plate at 3 in the afternoon ;) Teddy wanted to make sure he got in as many snuggles with Mom as he could before she left!

(Mom and I napping while Josh studied his maps for school)

...It was a great time...we miss you Mom!