Wanderlust, you tricky siren.

It's winter, like the official winter where you can't go outside because in 5 minutes you can get windburn/frostbite and that sucks. All the while I'm looking at Instagrams of my friends in the west. Ocean, trees and mountains and all I feel is homesick. My heart hurts and I miss the smell of the rain mixed with the salt air, the smell of trees in the desert and how wonderful the sun looks breeching over a mountain scene. 

I love my life and my job here, I have found in North Dakota the home I'd been searching for since I became an adult.. but that doesn't stop me from missing the places I knew. It makes me crave a change and look at unemployment rates in other states, to look at Eric and suggest we move. But then we talk and it's clear we want our own land, our own piece of heaven and to create a life here. Maybe not Grand Forks, but in North Dakota, and a home filled with the pitter patter of feet, either dogs or children. I'd like to approach the subject of chickens and rabbits someday. 

That's why wanderlust is a tricky siren... 

She calls to me, saying to come back and live in the wonderful northwest again.. she calls me to her rocks, where I will surely be broken. The west, while wonderful, holds some of the worst memories of my life. I spent a good amount of my time there trying to mend my brokenness with alcohol, dancing and late night trips to Taco Bell with friends saying "I'll never do that again" till I did the next week. 

My sin was big there, overwhelming. There was many a Sunday you could see the night before in my eyes and that I broke down crying because I desperately needed Jesus, but clung to the world. I miss the memories and the wilderness, the only church I ever called home and a few select humans that made my life better. So while I still miss my northwest home, I will cling to the promises of a better day, just around the bend and suffer through my wanderlust longings for another winter.. until spring comes and I can see the vast prairie come back to life. 

Arizona | The Grand Canyon Part One

Welcome back to another Arizona segment, this round we'll be talking about our trip to The Grand Canyon  this was probably the most anticipated portion of our trip to Arizona. I know I grew up in Arizona and that our license plates boast "The Grand Canyon State" but I'd never been which is apparently crazy? Growing up seeing the big hole in the ground was never something that interested me, we would rather hike the mountains nearby or go to Sycamore Canyon to one of my favorite water holes to hang out for the day. I am glad that I went this round, it was good to create such a beautiful memory with someone who I love so dearly.. even if I had to get up at 0430 to get ready and go. There are so many pictures that I kind of had to separate this post up and not overwhelm you guys. So first portion will be full of Bright Angel and such. 

My "selfie" tactic for the day so i could get the switch backs my dad talked about climbing. It's nice to be somewhere that hasn't changed too much in the last 50 years.. just guard rails. 

Welcome to me being a not so sneaky photographer. This is the only picture of all four of us together.. I think it speaks volumes to the fun we had. 

This picture was taken by Eric, he happens to be a way, way better nature photographer than myself. I'm happy for this because he taught me a lot! 

Eric and his Mama, Diane. 

I found a cave and I just love it.. ps Eric is a flipping giant. 

 

Diane and Hans at the beautiful rock bridge. 

 

Eric and myself at the same place, it'll be nice to get these two pictures into frames. I'm a big fan of the memories we have created and I can fill our future home with -and my desk at work!- 

 

Another Eric picture! I was amazed at the size of the canyon, but I didn't have an "ah-ha" moment until the end of our trip. It is gorgeous, do not get me wrong, but I wasn't moved in the beginning.. just extraordinarily reminded that I am a very, very small person created just as lovingly by God as this beautiful place. 

Arizona Trip Days 1 & 2

At the end of January Eric and I made our way to Gilbert, AZ just in time for the super bowl (which I did not watch) to spend some time with his parents and to deflate from the busy peak season we had at work. Since I'd just been to AZ and spent 4 days solely with my family I figured I could get away with a trip just for me and my relaxation. Except for my dad wanting to hang out a few times, this was true. 

We headed off to Fargo and got there about an hour early, lucky us, because the line was all the way to the stairs/escalators and if you know Fargo airport then you know that this is a big deal. 

Thankfully we had the exit row seating on the way there! Eric is 6'5" give or take and has legs for days. Sadly, the middle seats on allegiant air are stupid small and I do not recommend sitting in the middle if you don't have to, but if you do drink some bloody mary's to make it better! 

 Needless to say, I was extremely happy to get off of the plane, a little tipsy and totally psyched/nervous to meet Eric's parents. We headed to lunch and had BJ's which I hadn't had since my days of living in Tacoma and was more than happy to eat. After lunch I had to figure out how to have dinner with my dad, sister and her kiddos... ugh.. roll eyes, smh all of the things! 

Going into my room at Eric's parents there was a bouquet of fresh roses. I cannot say how wonderful it was to have such a thoughtful gift in my room, as well as a pendant that says "faith" on it. I am in absolutely adoration of his family. After getting "slightly" settled we headed from Gilbert to Phoenix for a dinner at a Winters favorite; Oregano's Pizza! I had to get my chicken a broccoli pizza fix. Eric got to meet those whom I hold dearest and I cannot say how incredibly happy I was to look across the table and see the two most important men in my life talking and actually enjoying each others company. 

I was subjected to the "kids" side because I'm their favorite aunt (and I'm sticking to that, I'm way more cool ;) where my niece told me about school, being asked to audition for choir next year and my nephew was a punk who just ate all my food. I gave my niece a Tiffany's penguin that way she has a little bit of me with her at all times. Over all we had a pretty decent time with dinner. I know my niece and nephew were bummed that I didn't spend more time with them, but I had to have me time too. 

The next morning Eric and I headed to the Crêpe Bar in Phoenix for a fantastic breakfast with my dad and stepmom Patty Lynn. I will say this, if you're in Phoenix, go! Not only are their crêpe's delicious they have some of the best coffee I've ever tasted. I'm a little bummed that I didn't get to go again, but we only had so much time. After we did that we went out to the Air Museum and an evening at the symphony. 

Erics yummy crêpe

Walking around the air field was absolutely amazing. There was al little rain and some residual clouds, but Phoenix has always been the most beautiful place to see rain so I didn't mind too much. 

Eric was like a 10 year old, walking around just in awe. It's an amazing thing to see someone so passionate about something. He wouldn't stop and smile for much of anything! The only weird part about this trip the field was that there was a British Canberra plane(s) -which is basically a B-57, Eric is my go-to for WWII era planes- being there. He was utterly confused how it got there, my theory is a poker game. This makes sense. 

After that we went to the symphony which had a special circus theme that evening. I loved small parts of it, as it was my first symphony I was just there to soak up the greatness. Beautiful music, fantastic performers -with some really weird stuff mixed in- overall the first two days were pretty great. I know you're all excited for everything else to come, so stay tuned for golfing and The Grand Canyon!