The Road Trip.

May 31st I picked up John Paul from the airport. He threw his backpack in my back seat and we started driving to Colorado!

I am proud to say that JP was shocked at how well my car was packed -- you could see completely out of the back window. As a chronic over-packer, this was a huge accomplishment for me. For my move, I was unable to keep my home in Orange County. I was renting a room from a roommate that I absolutely adore, but I couldn't afford to hold on to the room. So I had to completely move out. It was incredibly emotional and difficult, and a LOT of work -- I had lived there for almost 2 years. It was seriously incredible how much STUFF I accumulated in 2 years, and how much stuff my little room was holding. It was like a clown car -- boxes and boxes coming out of my room... I literally have no idea how it all fit in there. But I put most of it in storage and only packed what I needed and was on my way with JP!

After not seeing him for a few weeks, it was so nice to spend an entire road trip with him. We got to stop in Vegas and see Alan, one of my best friends from college -- which I didn't get a picture of -- but I was so happy to have JP meet such a dear friend. Nevada's landscape was nothing noteworthy, and I slept through half of Utah -- but I managed to get a few pictures of how beautiful it was.

But when we got to Colorado, it absolutely took my breath away.

God is truly an incredible artist. I am so glad JP drove, because I just got to stare out the window and bask in God's glory. The mountains, the rivers, the trees... I don't even have words. It's gorgeous.

JP pulled over for me at one point, because I was just so in awe. We found a spot where I could put my feet in Colorado water and just enjoy God's glory!

And JP got a picture of me enjoying the Colorado air. I was like a little kid! So happy.

We got to Colorado and settled me into my apartment where Colleen had already set it up to be waiting for me when I got there. She already had pictures of us hanging in the kitchen, in frames in the living room, and there were sunflowers on the kitchen table. It made me feel at home right away.

And my boyfriend had these waiting for me on my dresser! I'm a lucky girl. (And yes that's a little honey bear. It makes it even more endearing.)

Still happy. Missing home. Love you all!

COLORADO. The Basics.

Hi friends,

So I just moved to Colorado for the summer as most of you know. (For those who don't, sorry for the surprise, but don't worry, I'll be back!)

I thought I would start up my blog again so you could all keep tabs on what I'm up to and how I'm doing, because as we all know, I'm horrible at the phone and to top it off, I'm living in a new place with a new job and things have been a little crazy. So here it is. The beginning of the story... just to catch you all up. Here are the basics!

I'm dating this guy.

His name is John Paul. He is pretty great. He lives in Denver, Colorado. I live in Orange County, California.

I like him so much I decided I wanted to be closer than 1,000 miles apart. So I took the opportunity to move to Denver for the summer and experience 3 months of living in the same place as him.

We decided in March that this would be a good idea -- and it took the entire months of April and May to set up all the plans. It was insane and many, many tears were shed over the stress (by me, not him) and well, let's face it, I'm horrible with change. I love stability. I love my job, I love my house, I love my friends, I love my students, I love my family. I know it's only for the summer, but I've never done anything like this before!

So here it is, my big adventure.

I got an apartment with one of my best friends in the whole world.

Her name is Colleen. She is also living in Denver just for the summer, and as God would have it, her previous living plans had fallen through just as I decided living in Denver was a good idea. So we got a 2 bedroom apartment, rented some furniture, and have been nesting and just spending time together all week. I couldn't be happier to be living with one of my best friends and such an amazing woman of God.

We live here.

It's 5 minutes away from my boyfriend, which is novel to me. And it's right by a creek. With trees. I love it.

I got a job here.

This is The Magic Playhouse, home of Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids where I am their summer music director. We are doing 3 summer camps and one full musical per camp. The kids are 8-16 years old and we play games, have theater/voice/dance/etc. classes, and rehearse and perform all in 2-4 weeks. I was very scared of the transition from working with mainly 15-18 year olds to mainly 8-12 year olds, but so far I have loved it.

I hope that answers everyone's questions so far. I guess the most important thing everyone wants to know is if I am happy and well. And I am! I am so happy to be here. I know in my soul that I am supposed to be here right now and I have such a peace about it. God brought me here -- he lined up this job, this apartment, my beautiful roommate, all at the right time. It has been a very bumpy road getting here (and there will be more to come I'm sure!) but for now, I am so peaceful.

More to come, soon. I have pictures of the road trip in getting here and will tell you all about my new job soon!

Love to you all and miss you.