Merry Christmas!

Such a wonderful time of the year! I am so thankful to be able to be celebrating Christ's birth and all the promise it brings. Church was beautiful last night and dinner was lovely with my family. It was just relaxing and nice to be with the people we love.

I think my only complaint is that I got a swollen throat, swollen lymph nodes and a low grade temp for Christmas! Negative side is that I'm sick on Christmas and have to stay home from work today (and not get paid extra) and I'm not sure if any urgent cares are open... plus side is that I get to stay home from work and probably get to eat some good food at my parent's house. Hopefully I'll feel back to normal before we head to Montana on Sunday!

Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas! Blessings!

Holiday Happenings

This weekend was pretty busy with holiday things... Chet's birthday, an evening out and then family dinner today! I'm now watching a movie and decompressing by updating the blog! Here is what has been going on...

Friday, December 18th, was Chet's 28th birthday! We had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate with family and friends by going out for dinner and then to an Everett Silvertips hockey game! We ended up having about 15 people with us at the game and it was great to hang out with everyone!

Us with Adam and Brenda at the game. We sat close to to center ice in the first level... best seats we've had!

Chet got his name on the big reader board! We tried to yell loudly for him!

Chet and his new Silvertips hat he bought with his birthday money.

The group (minus Mike and me). Such fun people!

On Saturday, we went to my friend's funeral in the morning and were emotionally exhausted after that. Yet, that evening, we had the chance to go out with a group Adam and Brenda's family and friends as well as my parents to the Paramount Theater. We saw the Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes. So, basically lots of music, costumes and dancing. I was slightly skeptical at first because it is a bit cheesy, but it turned out to be really good! I loved the dancing. The Rockettes have such precision and synchrony that you can't help but stare. This is a picture in the lobby of the Paramount with the upside down Christmas tree.

Today we had family holiday dinner with all of us. It is hard to get all of our schedules lined up at times! But we had a wonderful time, ate lots of food, opened a few presents and just enjoyed each other's company. I even made banana pudding with chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

So much happening this time of year but I am always so thankful for time with family. That is one of the best things about this time of year.

Brianne

A lesson in heart ache...

This past week, and especially yesterday, I had a new lesson in learning how to lean on God in times of sorrow. I, with Chet by my side, attended a friend's funeral (who is also my coworker). Though I have attended funerals of grandparents and small patients in the past, this one was far harder as I have been asking "why" over and over and aching for her husband and newborn baby.

Last week, Maricris collapsed in her husband's arms after complaining of a horrible headache. At 38 weeks pregnant, she suffered a fatal cerebral aneurysm and was placed on life support. Her beautiful baby, Hannah, was delivered in perfect health but Maricris didn't make it. Now, her husband of 3 years and this beautiful newborn baby are without a wife and mother. Such a sudden loss... and unexpected loss... a painful loss. It breaks my heart to have a joy filled 28 year old expecting her first baby with all the hopes and dreams of a family and a long life with her one love to be taken away without ever holding her child or seeing her face. Though I trust that God has a plan, I can't understand it. I feel such an ache for her family, for her friends and for all those she blessed with her life. She was a strong Christian with an evident love of the Lord so I know she is now with her Savior, but it doesn't eliminate how much everyone misses her here.

Having such a loss of someone who I cared about and is my age has caused Chet and I to do a lot of thinking. How am I living my life? Am I living in the joy of the Lord each day, not knowing when He may call me or my loved ones home? Am I loving others fully and completely? Also, it reminds me that trusting does not always mean understanding... I don't understand why Maricris passed away just before meeting her daughter she had waited for and loved. I don't understand why this happened to such an amazing, dear woman of God! Yet, I trust that God has a plan and that He is laying His loving hands on her husband, daughter, family and friends, never leaving us in our sorrow.

If you have a chance, pray for this amazing family in their time of loss and sorrow.

Brianne

You know it is winter when...

the temperature outside looks like this...

you are using this more than once a day (if you can't tell it is my new hot water dispenser!)...

to make yummy hot beverages...

and then drink it while hanging out with these special characters...

while enjoying our new ornament from Leavenworth...

hanging on this (which just happens to be by our lovely fireplace)!!!

Just wanted to share my cold December evening being cozy sitting by the fire and the Christmas tree. Happy winter to everyone!

Leavenworth

We made our annual trip to Leavenworth last night to celebrate the anniversary of our engagement. Chet did such a beautiful job proposing there that we've been going back every year to see the lights, get in a festive mood and just enjoy being together. Usually we stay in a hotel there but this year, in efforts to save money for our Europe trip in the spring, we decided to stay with Chet's friends who live there. So, it was a different sort of trip but so much fun. We went into town to buy our annual new ornament and to look at the lights... only to discover that this year they aren't turning on the lights on Fridays! Apparently, to save money, the lights only are on Saturdays and Sundays! Between that and the lack of snow, it was a little disappointing but still was nice to just get away and do something different. We went to the Enzian where Chet proposed and took Christmasy pictures (below). It was also fun to eat dinner and stay with Lindsey and Tyler... both friendly, outdoorsy folk who welcomed us into their home. I must say that they have the most beautiful view of the mountains to wake up to in the morning. Both of us left wishing we could somehow live up there... or at least have a cabin up there!

Today we went snowboarding... it was quite cold and sunny! It hasn't snowed for about a week so there was a bit of loose snow over a sheet of ice. I think we both took it a bit slow to avoid skidding down the mountain! Again, nice to get away. Even nicer to get away snowboarding. Now we are both praying for some good snow in the next few weeks so we can have more snowboarding adventures!

Off to finish unpacking and to bake some pumpkin cheesecake bars. Just wanted to post this while I was thinking about it!

Oh December...

How does a month fly so quickly? I have no idea and I'm still trying to figure it out. Now it is the beginning of December and the Christmas decorations are up. Oh and I realized it has been a month since I posted! I don't think many people read this blog but it is nice to keep it updated for my own sake.

Of course each year passes more quickly than the first (it seems) but I'm finishing up my second to last quarter of school and so am more reflective about what the future holds. I can't believe that I will soon be done with my Master's program, Chet will be turning 28, and, in June, we will have been married 4 years already. I don't know where I will get a job after I am done. I certainly hope that I can make it in the new role of a pediatric nurse practitioner. In many ways, I am nervous and a bit scared for what the future holds. I know that God has plans for me and He is guiding me but sometimes it is still hard! I often doubt myself and stress out about what each day brings. I can't know the future though... I just need to trust in God's plan. In the mean time, I suppose I also should just take each day one at a time.

I am excited for the holidays. Though Chet and I both have to work on Christmas Day, we are gearing up for our fun holiday festivities. We are headed to Leavenworth today for our annual "engagement anniversary" trip. Tomorrow, hopefully we'll get some snowboarding in before heading home. Then its Chet's birthday and after that... Christmas! After Christmas, we are happy to be going out to Montana for celebrating with his parents as well as my cousin's wedding on New Year's Eve! All my immediate and extended family should pretty much be there and I'm sure it will be a fun, festive time. They have been planning their wedding for over a year so I'm sure it will be spectacular!

Anyways, must go get ready for Leavenworth before Chet wakes up from his nap (he worked last night).

Brianne

More Atlanta!

Here are more pictures from our trip. We got back home on Monday night and immediately went back to work and school so I'm just looking at these again today. We had such a fun, relaxing time with Debbie, Steve and Jakin. He is such an adorable baby! Chet and I both enjoyed holding him... he got held and rocked a lot because he loves to move and will cry if you sit still too long! He does like his car seat, car rides and stroller rides so we did get out quite a bit for having a 4 week old with us... trick-or-treating, church, a walk, eating out and the aquarium. Oh... and lots of catching up!

We brought Jakin a dinosaur costume so he was dinosaur for Halloween morning and a river otter for Halloween night.

For some reason I love this picture of him! I did mess with it a bit to get it to look like this, but I love his expression and little eyes.

The Georgia Aquarium is so much better than the Seattle Aquarium! It has a huge tank (they said it is the size of a football field) with tons of viewing windows and lots of fish. There are huge whale sharks in there, grouper, hammerhead sharks, manarays, schools of sting rays and more. One interesting thing while we were there was that one of the hammerheads chased and chomped on a sting ray! The aquarium guide said she had never seen that happen... that hammerhead must have missed his breakfast somehow! Oops. :)

Chet was so good with Jakin! Not that this surprises me at all but it was fun to see him with a baby in his arms. It makes me look forward to seeing him as a daddy someday. He'll be a good one!

View of downtown Atlanta... the sun decided to shine for the afternoon and it was quite pleasant.

So, I must admit that I would never want to live in Atlanta (I'm much too attached to the Pacific Northwest) but it was fun to visit these dear friends and our honorary nephew. I sure wish they lived closer but this was certainly a special time to be with them and explore a new part of the country.

A taste of our trip to Atlanta...

Though we are still hanging out in Atlanta, I had to share pictures of cute little Jakin and the Isley family. We are having a good time relaxing with them, holding the baby and finding good places to eat in Atlanta. It is even raining while we are here to make us feel at home!

A week of travels...

It is funny how Chet and I didn't really go on many trips this summer... but this fall we are headed off to all sorts of places! So far, we have each made sepearate trips to Montana (due to work schedules). I went for Sharilyn's wedding and Chet just went this last weekend for his annual hunting trip with his family! As I type this, he is driving home from his adventure with the men of his family to the Snowy Mountains in central Montana where he helped track and hunt, and possily shot something other than a target. :) In just two days from now, we will then be on our way to Atlanta to meet baby Jakin and hang out with Debbie and Steve for an extended weekend. Whew... this is more traveling than we are used to in the middle of school!

We are super excited to meet baby Jakin and see Atlanta with Debbie and Steve. I think one of our goals this year before I get overwhelmed by a new job (and start a family) is to travel as much as possible. So far, I think we are making some definite progress. Montana, Montana, Atlanta, Montana, Chicago/Notre Dame, Europe... all places we will be within the next 8 months. It is sometimes hard for me to be one of the few people who is not starting a family right now, though Chet and I don't feel that the timing is quite right for us yet. I'm hoping that traveling and having fun will help delay that desire a little longer and we will look back and be thankful for the adventures we have had together before starting a whole new wonderful adventure. But, sometimes I look at people who have started families and feel that they have things "more together" than I do, and they have this precious little person to love and show the world... which I don't. I suppose this is a natural part of life... but it is hard to sort out all these feelings.

In the mean time, I look forward to holding all of the babies and kids in my life, even if they aren't mine! Jakin looks like a cutie so there will be lots of snuggling to do this weekend! Oh, and we are going to love being with Debbie and Steve too and traveling to be with them... they really shouldn't live so far away. :)

I LOVE Fall!

The past week was a lovely start to the fall, one of my favorite seasons. There is something so comforting about the cooler weather, a warm house, the tasty fall foods and heading toward the holidays. As I sit here, it is raining outside and I don't mind one bit! Our grass after a long, dry summer is turning from brown to green and I am able to stay inside today catching up on projects and homework. I may be saying the complete opposite after a couple months of rain, but there is something refreshing about it right now.

Last week, I headed out to Montana on a brief end of the week trip with my parents to go to my cousin Sharilyn's wedding. Chet had to work most of the days that we were out there so ended up staying home and I got to do my first road trip with my parents in years! We actually had a blast and got to put the first road trip miles on their new Prius. I must admit that I didn't actually help with the driving (I didn't want to break their pretty new car!) but they didn't seem to mind. We got hooked into a book on CD I had gotten from the library... and made pretty good time to Western Montana.

The wedding was beautiful! It was on a Thursday night but a lot of our family was able to be there. Not only was it nice to catch up, it was just a relaxed, happy occasion. There are some weddings where you are just so happy for the couple and can see how right it is for them to be together... this was one of those weddings. It was also a blast to see cousins, aunts and uncles I haven't seen in over a year. All of us girl cousins were at the wedding (though we don't have an official picture of it)... but, as you can see below, we are a good looking bunch of Gessamans! Here are some pictures from the wedding.

After picking up from the reception, what did we walk out to find? Lovely falling snow... in the beginning of October! By the end of the night, there was probably about 6 inches or so... and it was making the roads pretty slick. It was wet snow, more like Washington snow than normal Montana snow. It made it feel like much later in the year, but it was so beautiful. In a way, it was a little fun blessing which made the trip even more special! Here are some pictures of the night of the snow and then fall snow pictures the next day.

On Friday night, we stayed with Judy and enjoyed a soup and bread type visit and lots of visiting. I adore the fact that my parents love Chet's parents so much... and treasure the time they get to be together like they have been friends forever. My mom and Judy just had so much to catch up about! I suppose I always expected and hoped for my husband's parents to get along so well with my family because my grandparents had been that way for my parents. Yet, as I have watched friends get married, I realize that this doesn't always happen. This is definitely a blessing in mine and Chet's lives!

My parents dropped me off at home on Saturday night and Chet and I immediately went to dinner and a concert with friends! Needless to say, I was quite exhausted by the time my head hit the pillow.

Sunday was a fun day with friends... we went to the pumpkin patch! I can't imagine a more fall type thing to do and it was a perfect day! After being in the snow only days prior, we went out to South 47 Farm in sunshine and 50 degree weather. Sam, Faith and I had this idea during one of our small groups and we managed to get two of our three husbands along for the ride. Though we didn't do a corn maze, we picked out more unique pumpkins and explored the farm. I am thankful for these precious friends... they are the best! Here are some pictures from that afternoon.

Now, as I'm finishing this post, the rain is absolutely pouring down! It is definitely a good day to stay inside today and catch up on life. Did I mention that I love fall?

Back to School!

So, classes start tomorrow and I'm not sure I'm ready to go back! I enjoyed having a little over a month to relax and catch up on life. Now it is back to studying and working on my master's project. I am glad that I am in school but sometimes it is hard to be motivated.

On the plus side, though this is the first day of classes, I get to go away this weekend already! I am headed out to Montana for my cousin Sharilyn's wedding. Unfortunately, Chet has to work so he won't be able to go with us, but it should be fun go out there with my mom and dad. We are taking their new Prius (aka the car that is far to computer-like!). I haven't seen much of my dad's side of the family for the last few years so it will be good to catch up. We are also going to visit for a bit with Chet's mom and probably stay the night with her in Missoula. I think it will be a fun trip! Can't wait to leave on Wednesday!

It will also be nice to escape our fruit fly infested house. I left tomatoes out on the counter and bred a huge swarm of fruit flies. Currently, we have bowls of beer and vinegar out in counters and tables trying to attract the flies and make them drown. We've been having pretty good success (so far)! Hopefully they'll all be gone by tomorrow.

For now,

Brianne

Hot stuff!

This lovely photo is of my pepper plant this year! Believe it or not, due to the amazingly warm sunny Washington summer, I have more peppers than I know what to do with! I bough a little plant at Fred Meyer for $1.50 and have since gotten about 30 beautiful red pimento peppers off of it. We've made salsa, roasted peppers to save for later and I just picked another 7 peppers the other day. Now I'm in need of more ideas. When you google pimento recipes, the main thing that comes up is a Southern food call pimento cheese... I'm not so sure about that though may give it a try. I must say that I love my garden and the vegetables it keeps giving me! Tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, carrots... and I'm hoping for round 2 of lettuce this fall. What a blessing to be able to just walk out to the garden and harvest a variety of foods.

We love the Olympic Peninsula!

Last week, we had a few days off and we decided to take advantage of it! We went over to the Olympic Peninsula where we camped for 3 nights, enjoyed a quiet slower pace, and breathed some fresh air.

We camped at beautiful Lake Crescent at the Fairholme campground. The lake is amazing! It is about 12 miles long of crystal clear, blue green water. We had been there once before when we took our motorcycle on a day trip and fell in love with the area. There is something so peaceful about the forested hills and the lake. We had a campsite tucked back in the trees with glimpses of the lake.

We went one day out to Second Beach at La Push where we watched the waves crash and admired the seastacks off shore. For awhile we were the only ones at the beach (probably because it was raining earlier in the day) and we meandered down the beach dodging waves, and chasing silly birds. The birds were scared of us but because of their webbed feet, they would trip and stumble all the way back to the water. No, we were not torturing birds... just experimenting a bit!

After La Push, we did stop by Forks. To be perfectly clear though, we did not do a Twilight tour, visit the store Dazzled by Twilight or do anything Twilight related. The entire town is like a big advertisement for the movie though. We went into the grocery store to get a few supplies and even saw some Twilight boots... Chet was very tempted to get a pair but I held him back! Oh, and back along the road to La Push, one store had a sign out front that said "No Vampires Beyond this Point" in reference to the movie.

The following day, we headed up to the Sol Duc valley. Our intention on this trip was not to do strenuous hikes but to relax and enjoy spending some time together... so we went on a weaving hike through the forest and sat in some hot springs. The hike was named Lover's Lane, probably because it is a beautiful hike weaving through forest, ferns and along a rushing river. It ends up connecting with Sol Duc Falls which is actually a pretty cool waterfall. A crevasse in the rocks drops about 100-200 feet and the water come shooting out in three places to form the waterfall. After hiking, we enjoyed sitting in the mineral spring pools, alternating between the pools because the water was SO hot! It turned out to be a nice day.

After eating and relaxing all week, we decided to eat at a restaurant on the way home that Pastor Bill recommended that serves huge burgers! I don't think that we needed the calories but the food was amazing and the atmosphere wsa totally unique. The place should totally be on "Drive-ins, Diners, and Dives" on Food Network... it is just that kind of place! The burgers have two patties, three buns, a slice of bacon, and then all the toppings to go with it. They barely would fit in our mouths! Good food made better by interesting surroundings. The folks who run it are quite characters and there are dollar bills and business cards pinned to the ceiling and walls from people who have eaten there! Here are a couple pictures... in case you want to visit it is Fat Smitty's in Discovery Bay on the Peninsula. We recommend it!

The trip was relaxing and a good opportunity to get away from normal life. Neither one of us wanted to come back as we know that, with the start of school this fall, life is bound to get crazy and chaotic again. Yet, to everything there is a season and each season of life has something to offer and enjoy.

Long time without blogging...

It has been a busy summer between work and school. No excuse but it just has been a bit chaotic! Luckily, we are headed toward a little bit slower month where we will hopefully get to go camping, go to Montana and just spend time enjoying this beautiful (hot) summer we have had. Here are some photos of our yard which shows the effects of the hot weather... dead grass as well as lovely vegetables and flowers!

Our wall and flower bed that Chet built!

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A hydrangea in our yard.

Yummy vegetables from the garden